Why Some Eyebrows Don’t Show Color Right Away (And What I Learned From It)

Have you ever looked in the mirror after getting your brows done and thought, “Wait… where’s the color?”

It happened recently with two of my clients — and as a brow artist, it was a moment that made me pause, reflect, and dig deeper.

Here’s what happened:

Both clients received permanent brow treatments using the same technique I’ve used for years. My hand movement was the same, my care and attention were the same. But during both sessions, something felt off. The pigment didn’t seem to be implanting properly. One client’s brows looked like they had no color at all. The second showed pigment in only about 50% of the brow.

At first, I questioned myself — was I not going deep enough? Was I going too deep? Did I bruise the skin? Was my machine acting up?

But a few days later, one client messaged me: “The color’s starting to show!”

That’s when it clicked.

What I learned was this:

Sometimes it’s not about the technique — it’s about the setup. A few key things were different this time:

I had switched to a new machine and a different pigment brand, one I hadn’t used before.

I started my voltage low (around 4.0), and then lowered it more when the skin became irritated.

My pigment flow and needle hang weren’t optimized for this machine and ink combination.

In short: my technique was solid — but my machine settings, pigment quality, and needle depth needed adjusting.

Here’s what I changed:

I increased my voltage slightly (5.5–6.0V), giving the needle enough power to implant pigment without trauma.

I checked my needle hang to make sure it was long enough to reach the skin safely and evenly.

I returned to a trusted pigment brand with a smoother, more reliable flow.

Lesson learned:

Not every result is instant — and some brows “blossom” a few days after treatment as the skin heals and pigment settles. But as an artist, it’s my job to constantly check and adjust my tools to make sure I’m giving your skin the best possible care.

If you’ve ever worried about whether permanent brows will “stick,” you’re not alone. Your skin, pigment, and machine all work together to create the final result — and I’m here to make sure each part of that process is right for you.

Have questions about PMU healing or pigment retention?

Feel free to message me — or save this post for later if you're planning your brow journey soon.