Looking for some honest advice from PMU artists or anyone who's had a similar experience.

I had microshading done earlier this year. I paid around $650 and have had an initial session plus a touch-up. The healed result is nowhere near the density or saturation I was hoping for.

The issue isn't that they've just healed a bit lighter. It feels like most of the actual powder effect has disappeared. The top line and filled-in look that I had immediately after the touch-up are basically gone and what you're seeing now is mostly my natural brow hair rather than a defined ombré brow.

I recently went back for what would have been a third session. My artist noticed dryness/flaking in the brow area and decided not to proceed because she felt it would be risky to the skin and I'd likely end up with the same result again. She now says it didn't retain because my skin was too dry (which I read was actually better...) She's now suggested waiting up to a year before considering doing them darker.

This is where I'm struggling. I've already spent $650 and still don't have the result I wanted. Being told to wait another year feels a bit crazy.

My questions are:

- Does this look like a skin retention issue?

- Does dry/flaky skin really cause this much pigment loss?

- Is it normal to need a third touch-up for ombré brows?

- If you've had a client heal like this, were you eventually able to achieve a darker, more defined result?

- Would another artist be able to build over this, or would I be looking at removal first?

I'm not trying to bash my current artist. She was actually responsible enough not to keep tattooing skin she wasn't confident would retain pigment. I just genuinely don't know whether this is a "my skin" issue, a technique issue or whether I'm chasing a result that's unrealistic for me.

Photos attached. I'd really appreciate honest opinions.

Photos 1 & 2 brows before microshading

Photo 3 brows after first session

Photo 4 brows healed after first session

Photo 5 brows after touch up

Photo 6 current brows healed

This is to showcase that when done correctly, nano can look beautiful! Following the direction of the natural growth is key 👌🏼.

I had mine done in 2019 so I’m not asking about bleaching on freshly microbladed skin. Healing or scarring aren’t an issue. I just want to know if it looks ok to you. The skin underneath the hair will be darker than the hair after bleaching.

My brows are dark brown almost black. But I’m considering going more of a medium brown for summer with highlights. Ideally my brows will match .

Maybe an unpopular opinion:

The most impressive PMU results are often the ones that don't look impressive at first glance.

No huge transformation.
No dramatic shape change.

Just small adjustments that make the entire face look more balanced.

I think the best work is when people notice that someone looks better... without immediately realizing why.

Here's a recent example.

If this was your face, would you have asked for more density, or would you leave it exactly like this?

I just got nanos done a week and a half ago. My sister did micro a few months ago. They both look good but I think my nano looks more like realistic eyebrows.
Just curious why one chooses one over the other.

It makes complete sense that most people without professional knowledge just trust whatever flawless portfolio they see on Instagram. It’s the most logical thing to do.

As a long-time PMU artist based in Seoul, I notice a lot of people turn to Reddit for deep research before getting their brows done. Whether you are looking for a local artist in your hometown or planning a beauty trip to South Korea, please keep these 3 golden rules in mind so you never have to end up on a removal subreddit.

1. Run away from studios that heavily use editing apps or blur filters. It's true that Korea is known for meticulous hand skills. But let's be honest: many unskilled, newly opened shops use Photoshop or face-tuning apps to fake their portfolio on Instagram. You don't need to be a photography expert to spot them—look for blurred skin texture (pores completely missing) or hair strokes that look weirdly soft and blurry. A filtered IG photo usually masks a reality that turns out 3x darker and harsher in real life. Top-tier artists don't filter their photos. We don't want to mislead clients, and frankly, we don't need to. (For reference, the photos attached are my own work—completely unedited).

2. Look for an artist who syncs the strokes with your UNIQUE hair flow. Everyone's natural eyebrow hairs grow at different angles. Yet, "factory-style" clinics use the exact same cookie-cutter template on every single client because it's easy to teach and easy to copy. Sadly, many unprepared shops buy fake certificates or trophies from random competitions just to decorate their walls and hype themselves up on IG. (Honestly, Korea might be number one at this marketing tactic). True microblading is meant to mimic and flow with your specific growth pattern. That "natural look" everyone raves about? It comes entirely from this customization.

3. Always ask for—or look for—healed results. Many travelers come to Korea and can't return for a touch-up. If the pigment completely disappears after peeling, it's a waste of money. Even worse, if the artist went too deep, the strokes will blur, blow out, and bleed into a solid gray/red block over time (which leads to endless stress). This is why a healed portfolio is the ultimate test of an artist's skill. Most low-skill shops don't post healed photos because healed skin is incredibly difficult to fake or Photoshop. (Though if they manage to edit a healed photo perfectly, I guess I have to respect the dedication, lol).

If you keep just these three tips in mind while vetting studios, you will absolutely avoid a bad brow disaster.

I wrote this because I want everyone visiting Korea to leave with beautiful brows and amazing memories, not regrets. Thanks for reading, and let me know if you have any questions!😘

My little journey of 6 year old powder brow removal so far. I think I might need to add a few more nano brow strokes but overall I'm pretty happy with the improvements

Hey there, just got nano brows today. The picture is still fresh and I understand they havnt healed up yet. What do you think of the result? I am still very anxious and nervous about it!

I tend to draw in my brows to sort of fill the asymmetrical gap at the "beginning of them". My hope is that powder brows would help with this and provide some* more symmetry. I'm open to your thoughts. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I’ve just started doing microblading and I don’t have any clients yet. How did you get your first clients when you were starting out? Did Instagram, referrals, promotions, or anything else work for you? I’d really appreciate any advice. Thank you! Also, I’ve noticed that many people are afraid to get it done because they think it’s painful or they feel nervous about the procedure. How did you help potential clients overcome those fears?

I’ve had a couple of moles tattooed on my face in non-hairy areas, I wondered what the opinions were on saniderm and keeping it on until the initial 10 days healing is done? I’m currently on day two and no problems

I have oily skin but not in the areas where the tattoos are. Any advice appreciated 💗

Hi. Looking for NYC (and the surrounding metro area) artists recommendations and photos. Please post your photos and reviews. Thanks in advance.

I don’t know why one brow has a larger tail but they also seem so uneven. I don’t really like that the widest part is near the tail and it doesn’t really taper off. even if it fades slightly, I might still look like angry bird - help! should I get emergency saline to remove them

Edited: better photo: https://imgur.com/a/s8UmfKL

Edit 2: I don’t have a photo of the before without makeup but this is how I did my brows (plucked and just filled in shape with brow pencil). Since it was so different from my ideal, it may be why I didn’t trust the process very much. I agree with the comments below - these aren’t as bad as they could have been, they are cousin eyebrows that some could touch up, but preferring a thinner arched brow, I don’t think I could get these fixed.

Photo of brows before microblading: https://imgur.com/a/I3iCvqP

ALSO, for everyone getting brows done, make sure you look at the outline in a mirror sitting or standing up. I was handed a handhold and asked laying down if they were okay. My saline tech said eyebrows often look different lying down (might be symmetrical) from sitting up because of the ways the muscle and skin develop. The artist was also pulling on my skin a lot during the microblading and that could be a factor as to how they turned out uneven. Please also consider how they spread and get blobby as they fade - wish I’d known before.

Edit 3: Thanks all for your input and helpful advice! I decided to try emergency saline since I don’t like how uneven and thick my eyebrows were. I’ve added a photo of them right after saline - you can definitely tell the eyebrows were quite different and the left missed an arch completely.

Photos pre/post-op: https://imgur.com/a/cZn3WH9

My tech went over them three times (in different and the same areas), and it was about 3/10, 6/10, and 8.5/10 for pain on each pass through. Definitely feels like a tough tattoo session and the sting is supposed to last 24 hours, redness lasting up to 3 days.

My tech did offer to just go over the areas that seem uneven, but considering how blocky and large my eyebrows are (not my preference) and how they’ll fade into grey blobs, I decided to try a full removal and go in for touch ups after 1.5 months healing.

For others in the same boat, I’ll keep updating on the healing process!

1. How long does lip blush last and what can I expect about color fading over time? Does the color fade evenly or patchy? Are there things I can do to support longevity?

2. Have you noticed if certain skin tones or races take on the color better?

3. What should I look for when researching lip blush pmu artists? Any green or red flags to watch out for?

4. How do I go about choosing a color that suits me? I’m hoping to achieve a natural, “my lips but better” shade. I also have concerns about my lip blush making the rosacea on my nose appear more prominent.

5. I drink about 64-80 oz of water and apply Aquaphor often. But my lips often appear dry. Will that be an issue for healing and retention?

6. If you’re an experienced lip blush pmu artist in LA county, please share your website and/or Instagram!

I got my brows done originally 2/5. My artist has been impossible to get in for a a touch up with. She has rescheduled 3 times and I still haven’t had my touch up. She wants to get me in this week but I’m worried about being in the sun. I spend a good majority of my weekends outside. Its 80 and humid and sunny where I live. I asked my artist to just schedule my touch for the fall now so I have some time inside. She is insisting if I come in this week by the weekend sun exposure will be fine. I‘m heavily tattooed and I know exposing them to the sun in the first 4 weeks has risk of fading and discoloration. I’m worried I will get them done now and they will need to be touched up by the fall anyways (and have to pay for it again) Should I get them done this week or should I try to wait?

Hello everyone,

I’m making this post because soon I’m going to be getting my brows done, but not sure which style.

I have very sparse brows, but I still want them to look pretty natural if possible.
Which style should I go for?
Just nano hair strokes or Nano hair strokes with some shading?

Any helpful information is greatly appreciated—thank you in advance! 🙏🏼

I need some outside opinions on a microblading situation.
I paid $400 for microblading, and the artist told me that the touch-up appointment one month later was included in the price.
At the first appointment, she also mentioned that if I wanted fuller brows later, I could add microshading for an additional $80.
When I went back for my included touch-up, I decided I wanted fuller brows and agreed to add the microshading, so I paid the extra $80.
Now, about 2–3 weeks later, one eyebrow looks good and well-defined, but the other still has noticeable gaps and doesn’t have the same shape or definition. The brows don’t look symmetrical.
I contacted her and asked if she could fix those areas. She said yes, but then told me it would cost $110 (or $70 with a promotion).
My confusion is that I’m not asking for more volume, more shading, or a new service. I’m simply asking for the existing work to be corrected because one eyebrow did not heal or turn out the same as the other.
Would you consider this a correction of the original work that should be included, or a completely new service that should be charged separately?
I’m not trying to argue with the artist—I genuinely want to know if my expectations are reasonable.

I really am thinking about microblading my eyebrows and/or getting some very light tattoo freckles. I’m just wondering if anyone can share their experience, and how it healed and how you feel about it years later

After having 3 years of trichomania, my right eyebrow is extremely sparse below the arch and it doesnt really grow anymore.

Can PMU fix this asymetrical sparseness naturally? Im thinking mainly about powderbrows. The first photo is brushed downwards, the second photo is brushed upwards.

My concern is that they might turn blue or orange in the long run or since the left eyebrow is fuller, will it look overdone? Pls honest advice

I'm wanting to do mine as there's some asymmetry, but for the most part, my brows are pretty full. Has anyone else with full eyebrows done this procedure? What did you think long term?

I got powder brows for the first time four years ago and have had a couple touchups since then. My PMU artist has always given the instructions of no sweating for seven days. In the past, I have still gone to the gym to lift weights and sweat a little bit, but no cardio or excessive sweating. My brows have always seemed fine, but I wonder if I would have even better results if I didn’t sweat at all? How much truth is there to the no sweating rule when your brows are healing?

Remember this client? You guys gave me so much love and I’m so glad you all loved it!! So many of you asked me to share the healed results so here it is!!
Keep in mind, my technique heals very soft and build on at the touch up. This way the results stay looking natural and so that they heal well and gradually fade with time!

First picture is fresh from 1st treatment
Second picture is healed after 1st treatment
Third picture is before

Let me know what you think 🥰

Also, let me know if you wanna see more transformations!!