Do you dream of flaunting celebrity brows to win envious glances from your gal pals and loved ones?
If you are not blessed with perfect eyebrows, there is nothing to worry about. You can now achieve gorgeous eyebrows, thanks to incredible permanent and semi-permanent methods.
In this guide, we will offer a detailed overview of how you can change the shape of your eyebrows. This guide features the recent advancements and trends in the eyebrow industry.
Let’s first take a look at microblading and semi-permanent eyebrows.
Microblading vs. Semi-Permanent Eyebrows
Eyebrow microblading is a popular semi-permanent tattoo procedure. A trained beauty technician uses a special handheld microblading eyebrow pen for drawing strokes. The best part is that the strokes look exactly like natural eyebrow hairs.
Although the process is like getting a tattoo, its ink is less concentrated than that used in a regular tattoo.
This type of ink, designed for microblading, is safe to use around your eye area. Women who are always on the go usually choose microblading. That’s because they don’t have the time to spend hours in front of the mirror every morning. This fabulous technique also saves you from spending hundreds of dollars on eyebrow products to achieve fuller and natural-looking eyebrows.
If you don’t want to apply and wipe off your brow pencil every day, microblading offers the best way to look great on all everyday and special occasions. However, don’t forget to get your doctor’s approval if you are pregnant or have any contraindications before you embark on an eyebrow microblading adventure.
How Long Does Microblading Last?
While the eyebrow microblading results do not last a lifetime, they stay longer than other popular and semi-permanent methods. The results of a professional eyebrow microblading job can last from a year to three years, depending on your skin type, the products you use, and sun exposure. But, if you have oily skin, you may need frequent touch-ups, at least once a year. That’s because ink blurs faster on oily skin.
The cost for eyebrow microblading generally varies, but you can get a high-quality job from a salon or professional eyebrow technician between $700 and $1,500.
Semi-permanent Eyebrows
If you are wondering about getting semi-permanent eyebrows, you should know that this method involves a makeup technique in which a technician uses a needle to draw individual hairs into the skin. The technician will tattoo your desired shape and use natural hairs for filling your actual eyebrows under precise magnification.
This beauty trend is one of the latest techniques for making your eyebrows look thicker and fuller. This method saves you from the hassle of filling your eyebrows every day as you wake up feeling pretty every morning.
Here are a few notable benefits of semi-permanent eyebrows.
- You can create a desired or specific shape
- This method fills in sparse brows with little definition
- You get naturally defined eyebrows without any makeup
Do Semi-Permanent Eyebrows Hurt?
In many cases, salons and beauty technicians use a numbing agent to keep the discomfort to a minimum level. The session will last nearly two hours, and your stylist will design a template for creating a shape to follow. Make sure the shape is just the way you want your eyebrows because you can make your desired changes.
Once you approve the shape, your stylist will start implanting the pigment into your skin. Most salons offer a complimentary touch-up after at least four weeks.
The fundamental difference between these two methods is that a cosmetic tattooing machine is used for semi-permanent eyebrows, whereas microblading involves using a manual tool. The machine used for semi-permanent eyebrows is different from a regular tattoo machine as its frequency is much lower to implant the pigment close to the skin’s surface.
These eyebrows usually last from a year to a year and a half and cost $400 to $500. The decision to choose microblading or semi-permanent eyebrows depends on your budget and lifestyle. Your stylist can help you select the best one according to your skin type, brow shape, and budget constraints.
Important Microblading Eyebrows Aftercare
If you get a microblading job, here are some tips you must follow to get the most out of the procedure.
- Don’t expose your eyebrow area to any soap, lotion, or makeup during the first week after the procedure.
- Wash your face gently around the eyebrow without splashing any water on the eyebrow area. Don’t forget to keep your face away from the showerhead. Consider taking a bath instead.
- Don’t scratch, peel, or pick the micro pigmented area because it can leave behind permanent scars.
- Don’t perform heavy household cleaning chores in areas where there is a lot of airborne debris.
- Avoid consuming alcohol in excess because it will lead to slow healing of wounds.
- Don’t drive in open-air vehicles such as boats, convertibles, or motorcycles.
- Avoid touching the eyebrow area except when you are rinsing and applying the post-care cream. Use a cotton swab to apply this cream.
Remember to clean your hands when applying the post-care ointment after four days of the procedure. You can do this twice a day, in the morning and before going to bed. However, use the cream sparingly because you want your skin to heal itself. We recommend you continue applying the ointment for at least seven days.
If you want to maintain your microblading results for a longer time, avoid practicing sports, extreme sweating, swimming, sun tanning, or a hot sauna for at least fourteen days after the procedure.
That’s because sweating and UV exposure can result in premature fading a color shift. Avoid getting any chemical peelings or treatments containing Glycolic acid or Retin-a on the treatment area.
Should you Choose Microblading without a Numbing Cream
When researching for a professional microblading procedure, you are likely to come across terms such as numbing creams and agents. That’s because you are likely to experience some pain or discomfort during the process.
However, numbing creams can sometimes alter the tone, texture, and your skin’s pore condition. That means the microblading results can be less than satisfactory when using a numbing cream. Consult with your beauty technician before deciding to choose a numbing cream for the procedure.
How Much Will it Hurt?
Many women shy away from microblading because they fear extreme pain or discomfort during the process. While it’s true that you are likely to feel some pain every time tiny needles dig into your skin, it is usually the case when you have very sensitive skin. The choice of using a numbing cream or dealing with the procedure sans numbing agents is entirely yours.
If you think you have itchy, flaky, or extremely sensitive skin, you may consider using a good-quality numbing cream from a reputed brand. Surveying your friends and family about their microblading experiences can give you a fair idea of the intensity of pain you are likely to experience during a session.
Your stylist or beauty technician will consider your skin type, medical concerns, or the desired eyebrow shape to determine whether using a numbing cream will be a better decision.
Micro Shading vs. Microblading
Thanks to various techniques for glorifying your eyebrows, women can now choose the best method that fits their needs and budget. In this section, we will compare micro shading with microblading to see which one offers better results.
Now you know that microblading employs a bladed needle for applying pigmentation underneath the skin. A trained eyebrow technician will fill your brows while drawing hair-like strokes to make your eyebrows look fuller and thicker.
What is Microshading?
Microshading is another method to make your eyebrows look more beautiful. While both these procedures guarantee gorgeous eyebrows, their techniques are different.
Unlike microblading, microshading utilizes pin-like dots of pigmentation for achieving a powdered eyebrow look. Let’s check out some pros and cons of microshading.
Microshading: Pros
- Creates fuller eyebrows
- Resembles eyebrow powder
- A better method for oily or sensitive skin
Microshading: Cons
- You may experience discomfort and pain during the process
Pros of Microblading
- Hair-like strokes that look exactly like natural hair
- Changes the shape of your eyebrows
- Fills any gaps in your existing eyebrows
- With proper maintenance, the results can last up to three years
- Better for dry skin
- Guarantees a lighter finish for natural-looking eyebrow
Cons of Microblading
- The process involves using a blade that cuts into the skin. If you don’t get a professional job or fail to use sterilized equipment, you may end up having an infection.
- You have to follow intensive aftercare tips for maintaining microblading results.
Microshading FAQ’s
Here are some commonly asked questions about microshading that will give a better idea of this technique.
How long will Microshading Last?
While results vary, you can enjoy results up to three years with routine maintenance and touch-ups (every six to eight months).
Does Microshading Hurt?
Understandably, you will experience some pain and discomfort from a microshading procedure. However, the process hurts less than getting a tattoo but more than waxing or tweezing. Your makeup technician can give you a better idea or apply a numbing cream to eliminate any pain.
What is the Cost of Microshading?
Typically, your insurance won’t cover microshading. So be ready to bear this expense from your pocket. The overall cost of professional microshading varies. Most salons and beauty technicians offer the service for an amount between $700 and $2,000. This technique involves two sessions.
How can I Find the Best Salon for Microshading?
Microshading is a minimally invasive procedure that only a skilled and experienced technician can perform. Choose a reputed salon for getting a professional job involving sterilized tools and equipment to avoid exposure to blood-borne pathogens.
Whenever you have to choose a technician, request their portfolio; when you opt for a salon, don’t forget to read reviews and check ratings. Check the salon’s official website and social media profiles to see whether they have enough good reviews.
The fundamental difference between microblading and microshading lies in the tool that the technicians use for each procedure. In microshading, your stylist will use a rotary tool to add fuller and more frequent strokes to your eyebrow. The effect is a powdered effect that is soft enough to look natural. Microshading leaves pinpoint dots, while microblading results in natural-looking hair strokes for making your eyebrows look more dramatic.
Microblading Vs. Eyebrow Tattooing
You already know about microblading. Let’s delve into eyebrow tattooing. A professional eyebrow tattoo artist utilizes a tattoo needle. This needle is hooked up to a power source and supplied with ink for penetrating your skin repeatedly. Each time this needle penetrates the skin, it applies ink into the skin’s layers.
Over time, the lines may blur, and colors may fade of your eyebrow tattoo. But this eyebrow enhancement technique is permanent. That means removal of this type of eyebrow is very complicated, if not impossible.
Once the ink is tattooed onto the skin, it is there for life. Once the ink penetrates your skin’s layers, it stays there for life. That means eyebrow tattoos are permanent. On the other hand, microblading results are semi-permanent which can last up to three years.
Microblading: Pros and cons
- Quick recovery
- Less discomfort or pain
- Natural-looking results
- The ink won’t change its color
Microblading: Cons
- Semi-permanent results
- Requires routine maintenance and touch-ups
- It is expensive than getting an eyebrow tattoo
Eyebrow Tattoo: Pros
- Ideal method for mid-brow fullness
- Less expensive than microblading
- Permanent results
Eyebrow Tattoo: Cons
- Involves a more extended recovery period
- Over time, the ink may change color or bleed
Which One Should you Choose?
Both eyebrow tattooing and microblading offer their unique pros and cons. The best way to choose the proper technique for your eyebrows is to consider your desired eyebrow shape and budget.
How Long Do Threading Results Last?
Many people argue that threading is less painful than waxing or tweezing as you don’t have to tug on the skin for removing hair. But the truth is any form of hair removal that involves pulling the hair from the root will be painful to some extent.
Since every woman’s hair grows at a different rate, results from threading may vary if we take an average; threading results last between two to five weeks. However, some women can enjoy longer results because of touch-up appointments.
How Long Does Brow Lamination Last?
Eyebrow lamination is a new technique that revolves around creating smooth and shiny eyebrows. This procedure is sometimes popular as an ‘eyebrow perm.’ No needs or colorings are used in this method.
A semi-permanent method is a good option if you want to style your eyebrows in a certain way. Most women who are tired of using eyebrow gels every day and enjoy a more permanent solution go for this technique. Although you may need to repeat brow lamination in the future to maintain its results, remember to consult your stylist for any risks.
Eyebrow lamination is a fantastic alternative to microblading for addressing many issues such as:
- thinning eyebrow hair due to aging
- gaps in your eyebrows from overwaxing or overplucking
- unruly brow hairs that point to different directions
- unevenness or a lack of shape
Regardless of the reason why you opt for brow lamination, the results are fuller and thicker eyebrows. The non-invasive process can offer results that last up to two months but using a clear brow wax can prolong the results. Generally, brow lamination costs up to $50 to $60.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know all about eyebrow treatments, follow our guide and choose the best eyebrow treatment according to your desired shape, budget, and needs.
Sources
https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/eyebrow-lamination
https://www.glamour.com/story/what-is-microblading-microshading-microfeathering
