All you need to know about Microblading

So one of the crazy things I’ve noticed as I’m getting older is that my eyebrows are thinning. My middle, not so much, but my eyebrows? Thinning! Can’t you believe it? As if we need that kind of negativity in our lives at this point! Are you experiencing the same? Anyway, to combat this craziness, I have my eyebrows and lashes dyed darker every three weeks or so. And I use an Anastasia Brow product on my brows when they need a boost in between those visits. And the reason I do all of this is that I feel I look better when I have darker, fuller-looking eyebrows. They definitely help me to look less washed-out and tired! #goals

So basically, my regular dyeing sessions and my old trusty Anastasia brow kit have been sufficient for me when it comes to keeping my eyebrows looking good, until now. But just recently I have been hearing more and more about eyebrow microblading so I thought I’d look into this procedure and what it entails, and write a blog post about my findings. (You know, in case you’d like to hear about this procedure too.) If you’re reading this and you’ve already had it done, I’d love to hear about your experience. Please leave a message in the comments below. And if you’ve heard about it but don’t know exactly what it’s all about, read on to find out more…

So what is microblading anyway?

Microblading is a tattooing technique in which a small hand-held tool made up of several tiny needles is used to add permanent pigment to the skin. – Wikipedia

In other words, microblading is a form of tattooing. But it’s not permanent tattooing because the needles in the microblading tool only reach the superficial layers of the skin making it semi-permanent. The needles make hair-like strokes in the brow, mimicking the brow growth. And a pigment is then embedded into these fine strokes. Just to be clear, microblading is used to enhance or totally reconstruct your eyebrows.

Is eyebrow microblading permanent and if not, how long does it last?

No, microblading is a ‘semi-permanent makeup’. It only lasts between 1-3 years depending on your skin type and your skincare routine. The reason for this is that the microblading is done on the superficial layers of the skin.

Does it hurt?

Some would call it ‘slightly uncomfortable’ as opposed to being painful. However, it does hurt, and that’s why the technician will apply a topical anaesthetic cream to the eyebrow area before the procedure begins. This numbing cream ensures that the procedure is pain-free so that all you have to deal with is the scratching noise and slight discomfort!

Will it bleed?

Depending on your skin type, there could be some bleeding.

Is it safe?

If the procedure is done correctly, it is safe. Be sure to choose your treatment centre and technician carefully. Also, ensure that they are hygienic and use disposable tools for their procedures. In addition, check whether the ink that they use is safe and does not contain iron oxide.

How much does it cost?

This varies from salon to salon, technician to technician and procedure to procedure. However, from what I’ve seen you’re looking at anything from $300 upwards per session depending on exactly which treatment you have (filling in or total reconstruction) and the technician’s level of experience.

So what will happen on the day of the procedure?

You should go through a thorough consultation about your age, skin, health and exactly what you’d like your eyebrows to look like. The topical anaesthetic will then be applied and you will have to wait for up to an hour for it to take completely. You will then go through the design phase and confirm your ultimate brow look before the microblading begins. The actual microblading doesn’t take very long.

What can I expect during the days after having this treatment?

Your eyebrows could darken overnight and reach their darkest on approximately day 3. They will then start to lighten on day 5 or 6 and will continue to lighten for the next week to 10 days. You could also experience some scabbing.

Will my eyebrows fade afterwards?

Yes, your eyebrows will fade after a few days. This is why you need more than one session – to perfect the end-result and also to ensure a layered, more natural look.

How many procedures would I need?

If you already have reasonable eyebrows you would have straight-forward microblading and would probably need two treatment sessions. If, however, your eyebrows are non-existent, over-plucked and very thin, and you’re in need of reshaping or evening out, you might need reconstruction which would mean you’d probably need three treatment sessions.

How do I care for my eyebrows after having this procedure done?

A good salon will send you away with a detailed aftercare kit and strict instructions on how to care for your eyebrows after your procedure. Avoid sun, steam and sweat. And don’t swim or get your eyebrows wet for 5 days after microblading. In addition, you shouldn’t apply any active skincare to your eyebrows. Retinol etc. will lift the top layers of your skin and will ultimately fade your eyebrows over time.

Can microblading cause scarring?

If done correctly, this procedure should not leave scarring. Microblading works on the superficial layers of the skin and scarring can generally only occur when you’re working on the deeper layers of the skin.

Will I need a follow-up appointment?

Yes. As mentioned before, there will be fading so the second appointment finishes the eyebrows to the desired result. The technician will then correct any patches and colour fading. She will also address any other issues and finish the brows so that they appear more layered and natural.

Can you have it removed?

If the procedure is done correctly, the pigment will be in the epidermis and will fade naturally within about a year. However, if done incorrectly (into the deeper skin layers), it is then a permanent tattoo and would need a few laser treatments to remove it.

Anything else I should know?

Check whether you are eligible to have this treatment done before booking an appointment. There are a few reasons why microblading might not be suitable for you e.g. medication you are taking, certain skin disorders that you might have or other procedures that you’ve had that could have an effect on the microblading results.

Also, do your research and choose a salon with well-trained and highly experienced technicians who produce great results. Obviously hygiene is imperative.

Know what you’d like your eyebrows to look like and choose a technician who specialises in the look you want.

And ask lots of questions before going ahead. You want to be fully informed so that you don’t end up having to get mistakes rectified afterwards.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Want beautiful eyebrows? Read all about microblading here. #midlife” quote=”Want beautiful eyebrows? Have you thought about Microblading?”]

Even after researching this procedure (and checking out the hundreds of photos on Instagram), I still can’t decide whether I’ll have microblading done, to be honest. And it’s not because I’m averse to any procedures, but more that it’s a big time commitment and rather costly. Because despite then having a good eyebrow foundation to work off, you’d still have to pluck or wax your brows (your hair continues to grow), top up your colour with some tinting and product, and go back for a pigment top-up every 12-18 months. Hmm. The jury is still out but watch this space.

What are your thoughts? Would you be keen to try it?

 

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Featured Photo by Haley Rivera on Unsplash

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