How Many Top-Ups Will I Need? The Honest Truth About Your PMU Journey
Wondering how many top-ups you’ll need after microblading or brows? Here’s the truth about healing, skin types, and how often you really need to return.
The Top-Up Truth: Let’s Set Realistic Expectations
One of the most common myths I hear in the PMU world is that microblading or combination brows are a one-off treatment. In reality? Permanent makeup is almost always a two-step process—especially if you want natural-looking, long-lasting results.
That doesn’t mean something’s gone wrong. It means your skin is doing what it does best: healing in its own way.
Why Top-Ups Are (Usually) Needed After 4–6 Weeks
After your initial appointment, your brows go through a healing journey. This includes:
Flaking or light scabbing (completely normal!)
Temporary fading (hello ghosting stage)
Colour and strokes softening as the skin regenerates
By the time you’ve healed fully, some areas may look lighter or patchy—often at the fronts, tails, or anywhere with thinner skin. That’s where the top-up appointment comes in: it’s a chance to reinforce pigment, perfect shape, and make sure both brows heal evenly.
💡 Important: Some clients retain pigment so well that they don’t need a top-up at 4–6 weeks. That’s rare, but it happens—and I’ll always tell you honestly if it looks great as is.
What If I Need Another Top-Up at 6 Months?
Here’s the truth: every skin heals differently. And while most clients only need the 4–6 week touch-up, others may need a second boost down the line—especially if you:
Have oily or textured skin
Are very fair or very dark in skin tone
Use active skincare (retinol, acids) near the brows
Live in a humid or high-sweat environment
Are on certain medications that affect skin regeneration
If I feel your results might fade faster, I’ll let you know before we start. There’s no hard rule, only tailored advice for your skin.
My Promise: No Pushy Sales, Just Honest Advice
You’ll never find me recommending unnecessary appointments or upselling for the sake of it. I’ll always base my guidance on how your skin responds and what you’re aiming for long term.
Brows are an investment—and I’m here to make sure that investment holds its shape beautifully.
What to Expect at Your Top-Up:
A shorter session (usually 45–60 minutes)
Gentle colour correction or reinforcement
Opportunity to tweak shape if anything has shifted during healing
A check-in to ensure your results are healing safely
Final Thoughts:
If you’re nervous about the commitment or cost, I completely understand. But knowing that PMU is a journey—not a single appointment—helps set realistic expectations and better results. And I’ll guide you through every step with clarity, care, and precision.
