Microblading is a semi permanent makeup technique also known as eyebrow embroidery, feather touch, or micropigmentation. Microblading uses a handheld tool with a line of very fine needles to make small superficial cuts in the skin where the micropigmentation will be deposited. Unlike the traditional cosmetic tattooing which gives you a solid brow, microblading creates hairlike strokes for a more natural looking brow.
Microblading can last anywhere from 1-3 years depending on your skin type and aftercare. Clients with oily skin will not hold pigment as long as those with normal to dry skin. As this is semi permanent you will require touch ups as it fades over time. Typically touch ups are done every year to year and a half.
Microblading should be avoided by those who are/have:
- Pregnant or nursing
- Taking prescription blood thinners
- Anemic
- On chemotherapy (must be off for one year)
- Under 18 years of age
- previously tattooed brows
- eczema, psoriasis, keratosis pilaris, and dermatitis on the face
Preparing for you microblading appointment:
Proper preparation is important for best results
- Stop taking over the counter blood thinners for two weeks prior to your appointment (vitamin E, fish oil, aspirin, etc.)
- Do not work out the day of your appointment
- Do not drink alcohol or coffee the day of or day before your appointment
- Waxing should be done at least 3 days prior to your appointment if doing so
- No Botox for 2-3 weeks prior to your appointment
- Do not use retinol creams or have microdermabrasion for 2 weeks prior to your appointment
- No lasers or chemical peels for 1 month prior to your appointment
What to expect at your appointment:
- Review medical history and consent forms
- Before photos
- Cleansing of the area to be treated
- Application of a topical numbing cream
- Brow mapping (measure, sketch and correct)
- When you are happy with the shape, with your approval we will begin
- The first pass will be done and pigment will be rubbed in and left for a few minutes
- Another round of numbing will be done with a liquid lidocaine after the first pass
- The second pass will be done with the pigment left to sit for a few minutes
- All excess pigment will be removed and after photos will be taken
- Barrier cream will be applied and your touch up appointment will be scheduled 6-8 weeks later
After Care – Follow for 10-14 days
Following your aftercare instructions is extremely important for best results! Not following them may reduce results and increase risk of infection.
- Do NOT get your brows wet
- Do not put ANYTHING on your brows or near them (makeup, creams etc) unless instructed to do so, this is determined by skin type and is different for everyone
- Do not sweat, workout, use a sauna or swim
- Do not sleep face down on your brows
- Do not pick, itch rub or touch your brows, this can cause scarring and or color loss
- Do not get a lot of sun exposure or use tanning beds while healing
- If you have bangs try to keep them off of your brows
- Do not use chemical peels or creams containing retinol or glycolic acid on or near your brows during or after healing to maintain color as long as possible
- Excessive tanning even after the healing phase will shorten the life of your brows
- No Botox until after the healing of your touch up appointment
What to expect after your appointment – The healing process
Your brows will go through different phases during the healing process. You may have some swelling and redness immediately afterwards. The next day your brows will look very bold and much darker. Do not be alarmed. They will not remain like this. Around the one week mark the brows will begin to scab and fall off. DO NOT pick at the scabs under any circumstances. The brows will be much lighter when the scabs come off. Some strokes will disappear and re-appear with in a few weeks as the pigment resurfaces. You may use powder makeup to fill in patchiness on the brows during the healing phase, but only after the scabs have all fallen off. You may only use powder, no gels or brow tints etc. Often the skin will push out some of the pigment the first time around. This is normal and is the reason a touch up appointment is required 6-8 weeks after your initial appointment. It is possible that some people may need a third appointment. Do not judge your new brows until after the healing of the touch up appointment. You can not tell what they will look like until they are completely healed.