There are alot of reasons your tattoo can turn gray some are artist driven and some are client. If the artist goes too deep or chooses to cool of a color and doesn't add any warmth to the mixture it can turn gray quicker. It is usually easier for a microblading artist to push harder to implant color and have them turn gray quicker if they are new and don't have as much skill. Using a tattoo machine you still can go to deep but its a little harder and usually doesn't mean its over the whole brow it can be in certain areas a lot of time in the front of the brow artist push harder where they start.
Now for clients you have so much you can do to help them last longer and not turn gray as quickly. After you get your brows done there are a few things you want to be careful of If you are going to be in direct sun you want to make sure you are wearing sunglasses and a hat or umbrella. If you have a water softener in your home you want to keep that water off your brows. That is why I recommend my clients use the brand Water Wipes no additives, aloe, fragrances etc. Its clean water and thats how you wipe off your brows don't use regular water because you aren't sure what minerals and things they add in the water. Be safe use the water wipes.
Once your brows are healed and for the life of the brow you can use and take care of them differently to help them not turn gray. Now when I give these recommendations you can take them with a grain of salt or be meticulous with the information. I personally am careful, but I want to live my life and not freak out because I know I can tweak and color correct when the time is needed if they do go a bit ashy or gray. So keep that in mind.
For the Life of the Tattoo if you want to get the longest wear from them, and have them less likely to turn gray do these things:
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Make sure facials or face masks never touch the eyebrow..
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Most Regular Sunscreens WILL turn your brows gray…Google "tattoo safe sunscreen".
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More sun can make them fade or turn gray so wear hats, sunglasses and tattoo safe sunscreen.
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DO NOT ever dye eyebrows or get them laminated…both can turn your brows gray. Remember the extra chemicals can affect the tattoo.
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Make sure lasers never touch the brow tattoo. So if you are getting a laser for a facial or laser hair removal make sure you cover them so they don't accidentally touch them.
There are some people who will say don’t use anti-aging products at all. As someone who LOVES anti-aging skin care products to help you look more youthful. I personally wonder what results do you want overtime? If you use basic skin care you could switch to Honest wash it is safe to go on over the brows. If you are used to using a higher quality of skin care product I would be more aware of how close you go to the brows. So all these products don’t use directly on the brow. Above the brow don’t go closer than ½ -1 inch next to the brow. Below your brow you don’t have to worry so much.
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Anti-aging or pharmaceutical grade skincare (face wash or lotions) on the tattoo can make them go gray quicker, but keep in mind if you are ok with getting a touch up more regularly than don't worry about it, if you want to be extra careful you can use them below the eyes, or next step is an inch a way from brows because it can fall lower as it moisturizes your face.
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Cetaphil and Cerave WILL turn your brows gray…don't use these on your brows
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No AHAs, BHAs, Lactic/Glycolic Acids on the brow or within 1 inch of the brow EVER. These products will fade and gray out the tattoo.
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DO NOT apply any anti-acne products (e.g. Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid, Proactiv, etc.) to the brow tattoo or within 1 in of the brow ever..
Always remember this is a tattoo, but it is a PMU tattoo that is meant to fade over time so it doesn’t look bad in 10-20 years. The colors of the ink usually fade with warm colors first and blue and black stay longer they usually are smaller particles which is why they last longer in the skin. Also the ink that is used is not meant to go as deep and not meant to last forever. These things will help them look better over time but upkeep most people recommend them be done every 1.5-3 years. Usually it’s based on your own preference and how you take care of them. If you want them to look precise and warmer color you might want to do it sooner if you don’t mind a bit of the color fading and not looking as precise you can wait a bit longer. Reach out when you think they have started to fade and might want a refresh.
Angela Lealaogata
Professional Makeup Artist
and Permanent Makeup Artist
