Thick, healthy brows are in, but not everyone was born with enough hair to get the look. Filling brows in with makeup only does so much. To get a fuller look, or a better shape, try microblading, the newest semi-permanent makeup craze on the market.
Microblading is a semi-permanent makeup application that involves tattooing hair-like strokes onto the brow line. It is most commonly used to fill in sparse or thin brows but can also be used to shape the brows.
It is important to note that microblading is only semi-permanent, even though it is essentially a tattoo on your face, because the pigments used are not implanted into the skin as deep as traditional tattoos, and cosmetic tattooing is more superficial than traditional tattooing. The inks used in cosmetic procedures such as microblading also break down easier and are actually digested by your own immune system. Your skin type and skincare habits both affect how long your microblading will last, but the norm is one to three years. Over time, the tattoo will fade and ultimately disappear, which is why annual or bi-annual touch-ups are recommended. Significant improvements should be experienced after one session but it may take two to get the look you want.
A consultation is needed to decide on the look you are ultimately going for. Then, it takes anywhere from 10 minutes to four hours to draw the brows. It’s a lengthy procedure when clients don’t have much hair to work with, and deciding exactly what they want the end product to look like can take time.
Once the tattooing is complete, a follow-up will likely be scheduled. Aftercare is also important. Most clients will use antibiotic cream on the area for one full day following the procedure, and then Vaseline for one week. Getting the brows wet in the week following the procedure is discouraged, just like regular tattoos, so you may need to swap showers for baths and be careful when washing your face to prevent damaging your new brows.
Numbing agents can be used to reduce pain felt during the procedure, which most people experience. It’s important to remember that microblading is essentially a tattoo on your face, so it’s not a pain-free procedure. Numbing agents make the procedure more comfortable, especially for those who have low pain tolerance, but it can also make the tattoo harder to complete for the artist.
The initial tattoo is always darker than the end result, so remember that the brow tattoo will lighten considerably over the first week after the scab comes off.
Your skin type will have an affect on how long the tattoo will last so talk to your technician beforehand to get an idea of how soon a touch up will be needed and how long it will take before your microblading completely goes away. It’s smart to discuss the cost of touchups at the time of your original appointment, or even beforehand.
Always talk with your technician about preparation protocols before the procedure, as well. In most cases, it helps to: avoid caffeine on the day of the appointment, tint brows before microblading, avoid tanning and sunbathing for three days prior to the appointment, refrain from waxing or plucking brows for two days beforehand, wash and style hair before getting brows down to delay how long it will be before you need to wash again since brows must stay dry for seven days and avoid intense facials and chemical peels for a minimum of two to three weeks before the procedure.
The purpose of getting a brow tattoo, or undergoing microblading, is strictly cosmetic. Most clients find that the procedure results in fuller, sometimes darker, brows that are more on trend in beauty right now. The technique can be used on anyone, but it is especially beneficial to those who have thin or sparse brows, either caused by genetics or over plucking/waxing previously.
The desired results of microblading include fuller, thicker, more attractive brows that will last one to three years. This can cut down on, or completely eliminate, the need for brow makeup—cosmetics used to fill in or shape brows on a daily basis.
Unlike eyebrow extensions, microblading is low-maintenance. After the first week, no additional aftercare is needed except for annual or bi-annual touch-ups. Those with eyebrow tattoos can swim, rub their face and carry out normal, daily activities after the one-week waiting period.
The number one risk of microblading is infection. When health standards are followed and equipment is properly sterilized, this risk is low and microblading is considred safe. If a technician does not properly clean their equipment, spread of disease is possible, including HIV.
Risks can also arise when a person doesn’t properly care for their skin post-microblading. Aftercare instructions should be followed diligently to reduce the risk of complications related to healing.
Microblading gives the appearance of full brows that often eliminates the need for daily makeup. The procedure most benefits those who have particularly sparse or thin brows.
Other methods are available for brow care, but none are quite the same as microblading. Those looking to achieve a specific shape can do so through plucking, waxing or threading, but these procedures do not add fullness to the brows. Using makeup to tint or fill-in the brows daily is another option but the results often look less natural and wash off everyday as opposed to offering a semi-permanent solution. Eyebrow extensions are the closest comparison to microblading but they require more maintenance and after-care than microblading.
One microblading session will run about $700-800. Then, subsequent touchups are recommended annually and costs for those vary on the amount of fading that occurred. You may need two appointments to get the look you desire.
“Everything You Need to Know About Microblading Your Eyebrows.” InStyle.com. Accessed April 26, 2018. http://www.instyle.com/news/what-is-eyebrow-microblading-guide-facts.
Williams, Abigail. “9 Things You Need To Know Before Getting Your Eyebrows Tattooed On.” The Huffington Post. October 27, 2016. Accessed April 26, 2018. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/eyebrows-tattoo-microblading_us_58091d9fe4b02444efa262ed.
Barhum, Lana. “Microblading: Facts, Costs, and Risks.” Medical News Today. Accessed April 26, 2018. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320200.php.
“Everything You Need to Know About Microblading Your Eyebrows.” InStyle.com. Accessed April 26, 2018. http://www.instyle.com/news/what-is-eyebrow-microblading-guide-facts.
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