Microblading

What is Microblading?

Microblading contains an especially sharp handheld blade with several micro-needles. The micro-needles distribute hair-like strokes into your skin and imitates the appearance of real brow hairs. The procedure targets the top three layers of your skin and make the pigments look like real hair. 

The average eyebrow contains about 250 hairs with a lifespan of four months before being replaced by a new eyebrow. 

Preparing for Microblading

Here are some tips on getting ready for your microblading procedure, all recommendations before the day of your appointment: 

• Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen for pain relief
• Avoid any tanning or sunbathing for at least three days 
• Do not get any Botox treatment at least one month before your procedure
• Although difficult, avoid coffee or caffeinated beverages on the day of your appointment
• No waxing or plucking your eyebrows two days before your visit
• Stay away from chemical peels and other facial treatments two or three weeks before your procedure
• Stop taking fish oil or any blood thinners a week before your appointment
• Stop taking vitamin A at least a month prior to your visit
• You may want to wash your hair since your eyebrows are not allowed to make contact with water for a week after your procedure

Your Procedure

It can take up to three hours to get your initial microblading procedure done. A topical numbing cream or ointment is applied on your brow area to decrease discomfort. Microblading cuts into your skin in the eyebrow area to implant pigment into the cuts involving hundreds of small strokes that construct texture to make it appear as if they are your own eyebrow hair. This first visit is about the brows on your face. 

A second visit seals your pigment and makes the final changes to your brows. This followup takes about an hour and ensures your results will last as long as possible. It is an opportunity to correct any mistakes or make changes using a different pigment and alter your shape. 

There is usually a 6-8 week wait between the two appointments, allowing your brows a chance to completely heal.

Are you a good candidate for Microblading?

Anyone with normal or dry skin and in good physical health is a good candidate for microblading. You may want to avoid this procedure if you are pregnant, have had your brows tattooed at a deep level or had a facial laser treatment. 

Results from Microblading

The results from your microblading procedure can usually last for up to two years depending on your age and your type of skin, as well as, environmental exposure. Results fade quicker for people who produce more oil than the average person. Overall, the end result will be natural-looking eyebrows. The recommendation is to touch-up the color and shape every six months or so for post-treatments before the brows start to fade.

Your Recovery

You can expect your eyebrows to look darker for a week or so after your procedure. Here are some things to keep an eye out for during your healing process:

• Avoid facial scrubs or peels for at least a month
• Avoid sleeping on your face for a couple of weeks
• Gently wash over your eyebrows with an antibacterial soap and water. It is OK to use a small amount of moisturizing ointment
• Keep away from direct sunlight for at least a month
• Make sure you keep your brows away from water for about ten days 
• When you do shower, use a skincare ointment like Aquafor to protect your eyebrows from moisture
• Stay away from makeup while recovering
• You may experience some mild swelling or discoloration 

Top 10 benefits of Microblading

Here are some of the benefits of microblading:

1. Minimally invasive procedure
2. Natural-looking eyebrows
3. No smudges with physical activities 
4. No change of color with pigment
5. Results good for up to three years
6. Safe procedure
7. Time saved not having to buy eyebrow filling products 
8. Short procedure, less than two hours (compared to preparing your eyebrows every day)
9. Time saver since it is a permanent makeup
10. Very little downtime