My Microblading Looks Terrible — Mistakes to Avoid & How to Get It Fixed
My Microblading Looks Terrible — Mistakes to Avoid & How to Get It Fixed
Whether your microblading is brand new and looks nothing like what you expected, or you've been living with old permanent makeup that shifted color or lost its shape — almost everything is fixable. This guide covers the mistakes that make things worse, how correction actually works, and how to find the right expert.
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You Have More Options Than You Think
If your brows are fresh (under 4–6 weeks), some of what you're seeing may be part of the healing process — but that doesn't mean you should sit with uncertainty. An experienced eye can tell you in minutes whether what you're seeing is normal progression or something that needs a plan.
If your brows are fully healed and something is clearly off — color shifted, shape doesn't suit you, density that looks unnatural, or old work that aged badly — those are real issues, and they're the kind we fix every week. You're not stuck with them.
The sooner you get expert eyes on your brows, the more options you have.
Assess Where You Stand
The first question is simple: how old are your brows? That single answer changes what you're looking at and what you should do next.
Some of what you're seeing may be part of the healing process. Brows typically appear darker in weeks 1–2, go through flaking and patchiness, enter a "ghosting" phase where they look faded or invisible around weeks 2–3, then gradually return as pigment settles. This can look alarming — but it's how permanent makeup heals.
That said, "it might be healing" doesn't mean you should sit with uncertainty. An experienced correction artist can tell you in minutes whether what you're seeing is on track or heading somewhere you'll want to intervene. The earlier we see it, the more options are on the table.
At this point, what you see is what you've got. If the color has shifted, the shape doesn't suit your face, or the texture looks uneven or unnatural — those are real issues, and almost all of them are fixable. The next section breaks down exactly what to look for and why it happens.
Take photos in natural light at the same time each day. This gives you (and any future correction artist) an objective record of how your brows evolved — invaluable for building a correction plan.
Not sure what's normal in the first few weeks? This guide walks through every stage so you know exactly what to expect.
Signs Your Results Need Expert Correction
If your brows are fully healed and something is off, here's how to read what you're seeing — and why it happened. Understanding the cause helps you evaluate correction options and have a more productive consultation.
Color issues: Pigment turned gray, ashy, blue, red, orange, or muddy. Color that looks flat, too dense, or doesn't match your natural brow hair and complexion. This happens because cosmetic tattoo pigments interact with your skin, immune system, sun exposure, and skincare over time — certain pigment components fade faster than others, causing the shift. It's not your fault, and it's often a consequence of how the pigment was originally applied.
Shape issues: Brows don't align with your bone structure. One side is obviously heavier or different. Tails are too long, too low, or extend past your natural frame. Fronts are too squared or blocky. Arch placement feels wrong for your face. Sometimes the original mapping didn't match your anatomy — sometimes your preferences simply changed. Both are valid reasons to correct.
Texture and density issues: Uneven strokes that look like scratches rather than hair. Blotchy shading that reads as a smudge. Excess saturation that creates a "filled in with marker" appearance. Patchy areas where pigment didn't take alongside areas of heavy deposit.
The right correction artist has seen every one of these patterns and has a methodical plan for each.
Shape & StructureGreat brows are mapped to your bone structure, not copied from a stencil. Here's what that process looks like with 15,000+ faces of experience.
What NOT to Do — Three Mistakes That Make Things Worse
We understand the impulse — you're upset, you want it fixed now, and the internet is full of home remedies. But every one of the following makes professional correction harder, longer, and more expensive:
Scrubbing with exfoliants, baking soda, or cleansers irritates healing skin and can push pigment deeper. Picking or pulling off scabs removes pigment unevenly and risks permanent scarring. Applying chemical peels, retinoids, or AHAs to the brow area can unpredictably distort pigment and damage the skin barrier. Attempting saline or any removal solution at home without proper technique and sterile conditions causes scarring and can embed pigment permanently.
Follow your aftercare plan, keep the area clean and dry, protect from sun, and wait. The best thing you can do for your future correction options is to let your skin heal undisturbed.
Everything to do (and avoid) before and after your brow appointment for the best possible healing.
If your brows are healed and the issue is minor (slightly too light, small gaps, minor symmetry tweaks), your original artist's touch-up may resolve everything — that's what touch-ups are for.
But if you're genuinely unhappy with the shape, color, or overall result, most correction experts recommend seeking a different artist who specializes in corrections. Correction is a fundamentally different skill set than initial application. It requires evaluating existing pigment behavior, choosing the right removal method, neutralizing unwanted undertones, and rebuilding over compromised skin. A fresh set of eyes sees things an original artist may unconsciously repeat.
And if your original artist is dismissive of your concerns — tells you "it'll be fine" without a plan, pressures you into another session before healing, or refuses to acknowledge the issue — seek someone else immediately.
Choosing someone without deep correction expertise — or prioritizing speed and price over judgment — almost always leads to repeated disappointment, longer correction timelines, deeper pigment embedding, more scarring risk, and higher long-term cost. What you save upfront, you spend double correcting the correction.
There's a reason experienced correction artists charge for consultation and judgment — because their decisions prevent expensive mistakes later.
Understand the ValueThe gap between a budget fix and expert correction comes down to judgment, technique, and long-term thinking.
How Correction Actually Works
Correction is a two-part process: first, address the existing pigment. Then, rebuild. The right combination of methods depends entirely on your specific situation — which is why a consultation comes first.
Saline Removal. A sterile saline solution is implanted into the skin to gently lift pigment toward the surface over time. It's predictable, targetable, and ideal for specific zones (heavy tails, blocky fronts) without treating the entire brow.
PICO Laser Removal. Ultra-short laser pulses break resistant pigment into fragments your body clears naturally. More efficient for heavy overall saturation, but can cause intermediate color changes. We use a gentle PICO laser under medical supervision, with conservative settings that protect all skin types.
Color Correction. When the base is workable (or once removal has faded unwanted tones enough), we use color theory to neutralize gray/ashy or warm/pink shifts, then layer a natural tone that harmonizes with your brow hair and complexion. Sometimes correction alone is enough — no removal needed.
Simple color corrections may resolve in 2 sessions. Cases requiring removal typically take 2–6+ sessions spaced 4+ weeks apart. Your body's response to removal is the biggest variable, which is why experienced artists plan conservatively and adjust as they go.
Shape Rebuild. This is where artistry meets science — and it's a completely different skill than removal. Rebuilt brows are mapped to your bone structure, balanced for symmetry, and designed using refined shape logic that accounts for how your face looks from every angle. We rebuild using modern machine technique (micro-pixels) for a soft, dimensional finish that looks like real brows — not a cosmetic tattoo.
Touch-Up Refinement. After your skin has fully cycled (4–6 weeks post-correction), we perfect edges, tone, and density. This is where "good" becomes "beautiful" — and where the full result comes together.
Every step is informed by how pigment behaves in your specific skin — not just theory. Some pigments darken temporarily under laser. Some respond better to saline. Knowing which method to use — and when to combine them — requires pattern recognition that only comes from thousands of healed results across diverse skin types and pigment formulations. And every plan is staged, because conservative, responsive correction delivers the most natural results.
Deep DiveMethods, timelines, what to expect at each stage, and how we approach correction differently at Le Kitsuné.
Why Experience Matters — and What Sets Le Kitsuné Apart
Fixing another artist's work requires a fundamentally different skill set than creating brows from scratch. Initial application is about building something new. Correction is about reading what went wrong, predicting how pigment will respond to intervention, and rebuilding over compromised skin — all while accounting for how your face and preferences may change over time.
That judgment doesn't come from a weekend course. It comes from years of watching how pigment ages, how it lifts, how different skin types heal — and from the pattern recognition that only builds across thousands of correction cases.
Our correction work is built on 10+ years and over 15,000 brows designed, corrected, and refined. We don't chase trends. We design brows that balance your bone structure, predict how pigment will heal, and remain easy to adjust over time. You can see healed correction results in our correction portfolio.
Natural first, adjustable always. It's the opposite of the heavy, locked-in approach that creates the problems people come to us to fix.
Experience, technique, and long-term thinking — what separates expert correction from another disappointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for microblading to look terrible right after? The first 1–2 weeks can look dramatically different from the final result — darker, bolder, uneven. But if something feels genuinely wrong — not just unfamiliar — a virtual consultation can give you clarity and a plan instead of weeks of uncertainty.
How do I know if my brows are bad or just healing? If you're asking this question, the fastest way to get a real answer is to schedule a virtual consultation with an experienced correction artist. We can usually tell within minutes whether you're on a normal healing track or whether there's something worth addressing early.
Can I fix bad microblading at home? No. DIY methods — scrubbing, chemical exfoliants, picking scabs, home removal products — cause scarring, infection, and push pigment deeper. This makes professional correction harder and more expensive. Always seek professional help.
Should I go back to the same artist? For minor touch-up refinements, often yes. If you're unhappy with the fundamental shape, color, or result after full healing, a correction specialist with dedicated experience and a portfolio of healed correction work is typically the better path.
Why did my brows turn gray or ashy? Cosmetic tattoo pigments interact with your skin and fade unevenly over time. Many brows drift cooler (gray/ashy) because warm components fade faster. Others shift warmer (red/pink/orange). These undertones can usually be neutralized and rebuilt with the right correction plan.
How much does correction cost in NYC? Simple color correction runs about $500–800 per session. Removal sessions are typically $300–600 each. A full journey (removal + rebuild + touch-up) can range $1,500–3,000+. We provide transparent pricing after assessing your specific situation during consultation.
How long does the whole process take? Simple corrections: about 2 sessions over 2–3 months. Cases requiring removal: 2–6+ sessions spaced 4+ weeks apart, followed by correction and touch-up. The staged approach protects your skin and delivers the best result.
What's the difference between correction and removal? Correction refines what's there — neutralizing undertones, adjusting shape, rebuilding. Removal (saline or PICO laser) fades existing pigment to create a cleaner canvas. Many clients need both.
What happens after my correction is done? Once your brows are rebuilt, we recommend touch-ups every 6–8 months to keep them looking fresh and prevent color shifting. Regular maintenance is what keeps corrected brows looking beautiful long-term — and it's much simpler than the correction itself.
Let Us Build a Plan With You
You don't have to figure this out alone — and you definitely don't have to live with brows that don't feel like you. We'll assess where you are, explain what's realistic, and build a correction plan tailored to your skin, your pigment, and your goals.
Natural first, adjustable always. When you're ready for brows that feel like you again, we'd love to guide you there.
More from the Little Magazine
Methods, timelines, and what to expect — the comprehensive resource for anyone considering correction work.
Healing & RecoveryUnderstand every phase of healing so you know exactly what's normal and when to be concerned.
Before & After Your AppointmentEverything to do (and avoid) before and after your brow appointment for the best possible healing.
Our PhilosophyWhy we build conservatively — and how it leads to brows that age gracefully instead of becoming a problem to fix.
Shape & StructureGreat brows are mapped to your bone structure, not copied from a template. Here's what that process looks like.
Artist SelectionExperience, technique, and long-term thinking — what separates expert work from another appointment.
MaintenanceOnce your brows are corrected, consistent maintenance keeps them beautiful and prevents problems from recurring.
Skincare & PMUTiming your skincare around permanent makeup appointments — what to pause, when to restart, and why it matters.