If you’ve tried everything possible in the market to get lush thick eyebrows and have still come up short, we’ve got one word for you: Microblading. This semi-permanent tattoo technique creates the illusion of natural looking, thick brows, in just under 2 hours. Unlike a traditional tattoo, which is permanent, microblading can last up to 3 years but because the color effect will fade over time, touch ups may be necessary to maintain the desired look. Here’s all you need to know about this revolutionary process.

Do Your Due Diligence

If you’ve continued to be disappointed with your hoard of brow pencils, gels, and waxes, and have opted to take the microblading route, make sure you are well informed about this semi-permanent makeup technique. Do your research about the procedure by familiarizing yourself with the products that will be used, including finding out the types of pigments and whether allergy tests have been conducted. Usually, microblading is offered at high-end salons where the staff takes great care in ensuring their tools and other equipment are sterilized to ensure their patients don’t face side effects or infections of any kind. Since the process involves breaking into the skin using a hand-held micro blade with needles, there is a potential risk of infection but if the performing esthetician is a licensed practitioner with the right experience, they will ensure hygiene is taken care of during all aspects of the process.

The Procedure

During your pre-consultation with the esthetician, you will be asked about your desired look and informed about expectations of the final result. The technician will analyze your facial features and provide input of what type of brow will best suit your face. Once this is decided, a reliable salon will make sure they conduct a patch test on the skin at least 24 hours before the actual procedure to check for possible reactions. If there are no hiccups a day later, your esthetician will go ahead and draw your desired eyebrow shape using a measuring tool. Post this, an anesthetic is applied to numb the affected area and prevent any pain. A microblade with approximately 10-12 microneedles is then used to delicately tattoo the brow surface with featherlight strokes, applying a medically-safe pigment just below the epidermis. Once the initial layer of the desired eyebrow shape is in place, a final layer of pigment will be added and a mask is left on to help absorb and set the color. 

Caring For Your New Brows

If you’ve been diligent in your research and patient through your microblading procedure, don’t waste all that by not being thorough with the after-care instructions. While your esthetician will give you detailed information about how to care for your new brows, generally, you should avoid washing your eyebrows immediately after the treatment to help preserve the pigment. However, if your eyebrows do get wet, gently pat them dry with a tissue. Keep your hands to yourself even if you feel the need to constantly pick on your eyebrows to avoid scarring of the area or removal of the pigment. You can apply a very small amount of coconut or rosehip oil to soothe the brows. 

Ensure your showers are short and steam-free and don’t forget to apply a thin layer of a moisturizing cream with a cotton swab to your eyebrows after. Avoid strenuous physical activities, swimming, and saunas for at least 10 days post the procedure. It is also recommended to avoid facials, botox or peels (for at least 4 weeks). Ensure you use sunglasses and hats before you step out and as far as possible, avoid direct sun exposure for at least a week. Don’t forget to also apply a layer of sunscreen with at least SPF 30 when exposing yourself to sunlight. Just to be on the safe side, don’t wear any make-up or apply any skincare products on your brows until the affected area has been healed.

Don’t Avoid Touch-ups

Immediately after the treatment, the treated area may be slightly red and the color may appear slightly dark; however, that’s normal because the pigment has not yet been fully absorbed. Over the next 3-4 weeks, the color will begin to fade as the pigment begins to gradually soften. When this happens, expect a certain amount of flakiness or dryness while the pigmentation slightly fades causing your brows to look extra light. This is just the skin’s way of healing from the inside. Don’t be alarmed that the color is already wearing off; it’s just a way for any excess pigment to naturally shed from your eyebrows. 

Once all the extra pigment wears off, you will be able to enjoy your new, lush and natural looking eyebrows uninterruptedly, for at least 4 weeks, after which you will have to show up for your first touch up session. This is to ensure that no scar damage has occurred and also to fill in any areas that were missed in the initial session. 

In addition, pigment color may need to be readjusted so it can be retained for a longer time and more strokes may be required to increase the brow thickness. Because every individual’s skin varies, the color retention within the skin will vary as well. So while one may not require another touch-up session up until 18 months later, some others may have to show up for one less than a year after the initial treatment.

What You Need To Know About Microblading

While this is a safe and minimally-invasive procedure, pre-existing conditions need to be taken into account in some cases. Women who are breastfeeding can undergo the procedure but will not be able to utilize the anaesthetic. A doctor’s note will be required for anyone with serious diseases such as cancer, epilepsy or autoimmune, circulatory and bleeding disorders. There is a waiting period if you are currently taking strong retinoids (6 months), have recently undergone Botox (2 months), waxing (3 days) or a chemical peel (2 weeks). For some other medical conditions, microblading is downright prohibited. Case in point, those who are pregnant, diabetic or taking blood thinning medication.

For those who have sparse brows that require constant filling in with powders, gels, and waxes, microblading is practically magic. Once you’ve made up your mind to go through with it, don’t take it lightly. Be sure to do your research when looking for the right salon with a licensed esthetician. Take your time to understand the procedure and ask the right questions. Enough emphasis cannot be placed on the importance of following post-care instructions. Experienced brow technicians are sure to do their job with care and detail but if you’re not satisfied with your results right off the bat, do vocalize that so all the discrepancies can be dealt with during the touch-up session. As far as maintenance goes, microbladed brows will eventually fade away if regular touch-ups are avoided. All of this may sound like a lot of grunt work but it’s sure to pay off when you see the reflection of strong, bold natural looking brows staring right back at you in the mirror.

To learn more about microblading or to set up an appointment with Middle East’s top brow bar, contact us at https://browz.group/contact-us/.