Hairline microblading costs $800 to $2,000 and fades 20 to 40% in the first year. Without systematic tracking, you have no objective way to measure pigment retention, plan retouch timing, or evaluate whether your natural hair is changing beneath the cosmetic work. myhairline.ai provides a documentation protocol specifically designed for microblading recipients.
What Hairline Microblading Involves
Hairline microblading uses a manual blade to deposit pigment into the upper dermis, creating fine strokes that mimic individual hair follicles. Unlike scalp micropigmentation (SMP), which uses a tattoo machine to create dots simulating a shaved scalp, microblading targets the hairline zone with hair-like strokes for a natural appearance.
| Feature | Microblading | SMP |
|---|---|---|
| Tool | Manual blade | Tattoo machine |
| Stroke style | Hair-like lines | Stippled dots |
| Depth | Upper dermis | Mid-dermis |
| Fade rate | 20-40% per year | 10-20% per year |
| Retouch interval | 12 to 18 months | 3 to 5 years |
| Cost | $800 to $2,000 | $1,500 to $4,000 |
Because microblading sits in the upper dermis, it fades faster than SMP. This makes tracking especially important for timing your retouch sessions.
Step 1: Pre-Microblading Baseline
Before your microblading appointment, document your natural hairline. This baseline serves two purposes: it shows the starting point of your cosmetic enhancement, and it preserves a record of your native hair density in case you need to evaluate changes later.
What to photograph:
- Frontal hairline from directly ahead, at 20 to 30 cm distance
- Both temporal zones at 45-degree angles
- Top-down view of the hairline zone
What to record:
- Current Norwood stage
- Native density reading from myhairline.ai
- Any active treatments (finasteride, minoxidil, PRP) with dates and dosages
Upload these photos to create your pre-procedure reference point.
Step 2: Post-Procedure Documentation
Photograph your hairline at three post-procedure milestones:
Day 1 (Immediately After)
The microbladed strokes will appear darker and more prominent than the final result. This is normal. The pigment has not yet settled into the dermis. Document this as your "maximum intensity" reference.
Day 10 to 14 (After Initial Healing)
The surface scabs have shed, and the strokes appear lighter. Some strokes may seem to have disappeared. This is the "ghosting" phase where pigment in the epidermis has shed but dermal pigment remains. Your true retention becomes visible at this point.
Day 30 (Settled Result)
By week 4, the pigment has stabilized. This is your "true baseline" for tracking fade over time. Photograph under identical conditions to your pre-procedure session.
Step 3: Monthly Fade Tracking
After the day-30 baseline, photograph monthly using the same lighting, angle, and distance. The key metrics to track:
Pigment intensity: How dark and defined are the strokes compared to the day-30 baseline? You will notice gradual lightening, especially in areas with more sun exposure.
Stroke definition: Are individual strokes still distinct, or are they blurring together? Blur indicates pigment migration in the dermis.
Coverage gaps: Have any strokes faded completely, creating visible gaps in the microbladed zone?
Native hair changes: Is your natural hair growing, stable, or receding around the microbladed area?
| Month | Expected Pigment Retention | Tracking Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 90-100% (baseline) | Stroke definition, healing quality |
| Month 3 | 80-90% | Early fade zones, sun-exposed areas |
| Month 6 | 70-85% | Overall uniformity, stroke clarity |
| Month 9 | 60-80% | Retouch planning, gap identification |
| Month 12 | 60-80% | Annual assessment, retouch decision |
Step 4: Retouch Decision Protocol
Most microblading recipients need a retouch at 12 to 18 months. Your tracking data tells you exactly when.
Schedule a retouch when:
- Pigment retention drops below 60% of the day-30 baseline
- Multiple strokes have faded completely, creating visible gaps
- Stroke edges have blurred to the point where individual lines are no longer distinct
- The color has shifted (common shifts: dark brown to gray, or black to blue-gray)
Delay the retouch if:
- Retention is above 70% and strokes remain defined
- Your native hair has grown enough to fill some of the microbladed zone (a positive sign if you are on treatment)
- You are considering a different cosmetic approach (SMP, hair transplant)
Tracking Native Hair Under Microblading
If you are using finasteride (80 to 90% halt loss, 65% regrowth) or minoxidil (40 to 60% moderate regrowth) alongside your microblading, tracking native hair changes is essential.
Microblading can mask native hair changes. A receding natural hairline behind the microbladed zone will not be visually obvious until the cosmetic work fades. Conversely, native regrowth may reduce the need for retouch.
myhairline.ai can distinguish between microbladed strokes and natural hairs in close-up photography. Natural hairs have three-dimensional depth and reflect light differently than flat pigment strokes. Monthly tracking captures whether your native hairline is stable, receding, or improving behind the cosmetic overlay.
Factors That Accelerate Fade
Understanding what speeds up fading helps you protect your investment:
- Sun exposure: UV light breaks down pigment molecules. Wear SPF 30+ on the forehead daily.
- Oily skin: Excess sebum migrates pigment faster. Blotting the forehead helps.
- Exfoliating products: Retinoids, glycolic acid, and physical exfoliants remove the upper dermis layer containing pigment.
- Swimming: Chlorinated and salt water accelerate fade.
- Exercise sweat: Frequent heavy sweating can increase fade rate in the hairline zone.
Track these factors alongside your density readings to understand which variables affect your personal fade rate most.
Comparing Results to Other Procedures
Your tracking data provides objective comparison material if you are considering alternatives for future maintenance. Scalp micropigmentation documentation shows longer retention but a different aesthetic. Hair transplant progress tracking documents permanent follicle placement with 90 to 95% graft survival.
Start Documenting Your Microblading Journey
Get your pre-procedure baseline at myhairline.ai/analyze and begin building the visual timeline that keeps your cosmetic investment on track.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed microblading professional for procedure-specific guidance.