Microblading vs. Eyebrow Tattooing

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Microblading Healing Stages: Day-by-Day Guide | Korea 2024
📅 Day-by-Day Guide

Microblading Healing Stages : What to Expect

In Korea, understanding the healing process is key to getting the best results from your microblading. This complete day-by-day guide shows you exactly what to expect—from the dark initial days to your beautiful final brows.

Full healing takes 4-6 weeks. Days 1-3: dark & bold. Days 4-7: scabbing begins. Days 7-14: peeling & "ghosting" (looks faded—don't panic!). Weeks 3-4: color returns. Week 6: true result visible. Touch-up at 6-8 weeks.
⚡ Quick Answer

Microblading healing happens in 4 phases: Days 1-3(dark & swollen), Days 4-10(scabbing & flaking), Days 10-21(ghosting phase—color looks faded), Weeks 4-6(true color emerges). Total healing: 4-6 weeks.

Healing Phases Overview

Before diving into the day-by-day timeline, here's a quick overview of the four main healing phases you'll experience after microblading in Korea.

Phase 1

Days 1-3
Dark & Bold

Phase 2

Days 4-10
Scabbing & Peeling

Phase 3

Days 10-21
Ghosting Phase

Phase 4

Weeks 4-6
True Color

Complete Day-by-Day Healing Timeline

Day 1

Procedure Day

Intense

What you'll see: Brows look very dark and bold—30-40% darker than the final result. Slight redness and swelling around the brow area. Strokes appear thick and defined.

What you'll feel: Mild tenderness, similar to a light sunburn. Some clients feel slight tightness.

Do's & Don'ts:
  • Don't touch your brows with fingers
  • Don't get them wet
  • Blot gently with clean tissue if lymph fluid appears
Day 2-3

Still Dark & Bold

Intense

What you'll see: Brows remain very dark. May appear even darker than day 1 as oxidation occurs. This is the "Instagram brow" phase—bold but not your final look!

What you'll feel: Tenderness decreasing. Skin may feel tight as it begins to dry.

Do's & Don'ts:
  • Continue keeping brows dry
  • Apply thin layer of aftercare ointment if provided
  • Sleep on your back to avoid rubbing
Day 4-6

Scabbing Begins

Moderate

What you'll see: Brows start to feel dry and tight. Thin scabs or flaky skin forming over the strokes. Color still appears dark under the scabs.

What you'll feel: Itchiness! This is normal—your skin is healing. Resist the urge to scratch or pick.

Do's & Don'ts:
  • DO NOT pick or scratch scabs!
  • Let scabs fall off naturally
  • Continue applying aftercare ointment lightly
  • Itching = healing (it's a good sign)
Day 7-10

Peeling & Flaking

Moderate

What you'll see: Scabs begin to flake off naturally. Brows may look patchy as some areas peel before others. Color underneath looks lighter—this is normal!

What you'll feel: Less itchy as scabs fall off. Skin feels softer.

Do's & Don'ts:
  • Still don't pick! Let scabs fall naturally
  • Can gently cleanse around (not on) brows
  • Don't panic if color looks uneven
Day 10-14

The "Ghosting" Phase

Healing

What you'll see: Brows may look very light, faded, or like they've "disappeared." This is the ghosting phase—a milky layer of new skin has formed over the pigment.

What you'll feel: Skin feels normal again. No more itching or tightness.

Do's & Don'ts:
  • DON'T PANIC—this is completely normal!
  • Color will return as skin continues to heal
  • Can resume gentle face washing
  • Still avoid exfoliants on brow area
Week 3-4

Color Returning

Healing

What you'll see: Pigment starts to resurface through the healed skin. Color appears softer and more natural than the initial dark days. Strokes becoming clearer.

What you'll feel: Completely normal—brows feel like regular skin.

Do's & Don'ts:
  • Can resume most normal activities
  • Still protect from direct sun exposure
  • Avoid swimming pools for a bit longer
Week 5-6

True Result Visible

Final Result

What you'll see: This is your true healed result! Color has settled to its final shade (40-50% lighter than day 1). Strokes look natural and soft. Any gaps or areas needing adjustment are now visible.

What you'll feel: Happy with your new brows! Ready for touch-up appointment.

Do's & Don'ts:
  • Schedule your touch-up appointment
  • Can resume all normal activities
  • Start wearing SPF on brows for longevity
Week 6-8

Touch-Up Session

Perfecting

What happens: Touch-up appointment to fill any gaps, adjust color intensity, or refine shape. This session is included at most Korean studios. Healing is faster this time (2-3 weeks).

Why it's important: Skin heals differently—some areas may not retain pigment as well. Touch-up ensures even, long-lasting results.

⚠️ Don't Panic During Ghosting!

Days 10-14 (the "ghosting phase") causes the most anxiety. Your brows may look faded or like the pigment disappeared. This is 100% normal! The color is still there—it's just hidden under a layer of new skin. Trust the process and wait for week 4-6 to see your true results.

Healing Tips for Best Results in Korea

Korean studios provide detailed aftercare instructions. Following them closely ensures optimal healing and pigment retention.

Week 1: Critical Healing Period

  • Keep brows completely dry for 7-10 days
  • No sweating —avoid gym, sauna, hot yoga
  • No touching or picking at scabs
  • Sleep on your back to prevent rubbing
  • Apply aftercare ointment as instructed (usually thin layer)

Weeks 2-4: Continued Care

  • Avoid direct sun exposure
  • No swimming(chlorine fades pigment)
  • Avoid exfoliants(retinol, AHAs) on brow area
  • No makeup on brows until fully healed

→ Complete aftercare guide

Related Guides

Complete Aftercare Guide How Long Does It Last? Touch-Up Guide Is Microblading Painful? Pricing in Korea Studios in Gangnam

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does microblading take to heal?
Microblading takes 4-6 weeks to fully heal. Initial healing (scabbing/peeling) happens in days 3-10. The ghosting phase occurs around days 10-21. True color emerges around weeks 4-6 when skin has completely healed over the pigment.
Is it normal for microblading to look dark at first?
Yes, completely normal! Fresh microblading appears 30-40% darker than the final result. The color will soften significantly during healing as the top layer of pigment flakes off with the scabs. Don't judge your results until week 4-6.
Why did my microblading disappear after a week?
This is the "ghosting phase"(days 10-14) and is completely normal! After scabs fall off, a layer of new skin forms over the pigment, making it look faded or disappeared. The color WILL return as healing completes around week 4. Don't panic!
When can I wash my eyebrows after microblading?
Avoid getting brows wet for 7-10 days. After that, you can gently cleanse with water—avoid direct water pressure. Swimming pools, saunas, and steam should be avoided for at least 2 full weeks to protect pigment retention.
Can I wear makeup during healing?
No makeup on or around the brows until fully healed (4-6 weeks). Makeup can introduce bacteria and interfere with healing. You can wear makeup on other parts of your face, just avoid the brow area completely.

Ready for Beautiful Brows?

AMORJ Studio in Gangnam provides detailed aftercare support throughout your healing journey.

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AMORJ Studio Team

Lead Microblading Specialists, AMORJ Studio Gangnam
8+ years experience • 5,000+ procedures • Comprehensive aftercare support
📍 Gangnam, Seoul 📅 Updated: January 2024

Disclaimer: Healing varies by individual. Follow your artist's specific aftercare instructions for best results.