Are you tired of loading up your eyebrows with pencils and gels? Many times, you will find them sliding off your face after a couple of hours.
What is Microblading?
Unlike a traditional tattoo gun, microblading employs the use of a small tool that features tiny needles.
The purpose of these needles is to draw delicate hair strokes as well as deposit pigment under the skin. As a result, you get thick and realistic-looking eyebrows that last for a significant time.
While a tattoo lasts forever, this technique offers a semi-permanent tattoo. The pigment used in microblading is also different from the one used to make a tattoo. Furthermore, the microblading ink has dye particles that are less concentrated to give a softer look to the brows.
If you have thin eyebrows, but you don’t want to use permanent ink on your skin, this popular method is the best choice.
Let’s find out more about microblading, its pros and cons, the costs, and post-care tips.
Why is Microblading Becoming Popular?
While this method is in practice for quite some time, microblading is gaining popularity among fashion and beauty enthusiasts. Don’t sign-up for a microblading procedure from just any local beauty salon. The beauty clinic or salon you choose must have licensed estheticians to perform the process. A stylist or a beautician can only perform microblading if they have received appropriate training. Since microblading regulations may be different for every state, make sure you choose a reliable and credible beauty salon that complies with all local rules.
Estheticians who have accreditation from either the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals or the American Association of Micropigmentation are more credible than other professionals. Furthermore, both these organizations serve as credible starting points for finding skilled and licensed estheticians/technicians.
Here are some fun facts about microblading.
Fun Facts
- Beauty technicians use a hand-held microblade tool that has needles
- The process involves breaking into the skin
- The success of a microblading session depends on the expertise of the person who performs the procedure
Advantages and Disadvantages of Microblading
Like every cosmetic procedure, microblading comes with some pros and cons. Let’s delve into the benefits first.
Advantages
Painless and Safe Procedure
The procedure offers a safe and painless way to get your desired shape of eyebrows. This option allows you to make your brows look naturally beautiful. You won’t have to spend hours in front of the mirror to look more appealing. In most cases, there are no ugly or unpleasant side effects of microblading.
Natural Results
One of the biggest reasons why women opt for microblading is that it offers realistic and natural results. Nobody can spot a difference between a microbladed and a natural eyebrow.
Time-Saving
If you are tired of standing in front of the mirror every morning to fill up your eyebrows, microblading saves valuable time. Ease your daily makeup routine with this semi-permanent procedure.
Quick Results
The procedure takes up to two hours, but the results are immediate. Once the session is over, you can flaunt fuller and natural eyebrows after following a few post-care precautions.
Say Goodbye to Smudges
No matter how much you sweat, you won’t have to fear any smudges. That’s because the microblading pigment penetrates the skin’s first three layers. That makes it impossible for sweat or water to result in any smudges.
Disadvantages
As with any cosmetic procedure, microblading comes with certain risks and cons. Here are a few of these.
FDA does not regulate the pigments of color additives used in microblading. Don’t take any risk and choose reliable and credible beauty salons to get this procedure.
Do your Homework
Once you decide to receive microblading, don’t forget to check the reviews and ratings of the beauty salon you use. Consult only certified and licensed estheticians to receive the beauty treatment.
Allergic Reaction
Although any severe allergic reactions to organic pigments are rare, they can happen if you have overly sensitive skin. You should ask your esthetician about the products they use so you can see if they contain any harmful ingredients.
Infection
During a microblading procedure, the needle breaks into the skin, which can pose a risk of infection or transmission diseases. Some of these include bacterial skin infections and even HIV. The chances of acquiring infection are rare if you go to a credible beauty salon that uses sterilized tools and equipment.
Semi-permanent Method
The results of microblading do not last a lifetime. Since this method is not permanent, you will have to sign-up for another microblading method after some time.
What Happens during the Procedure?
If you want to opt for microblading, remember to sit with your esthetician and raise any concerns or questions. You should also ask for the credentials of the estheticians and testimonials from past customers.
Before the procedure, your esthetician would explain the options, such as the color and style of the pigment. The esthetician will choose a date for the procedure once you get all the necessary information.
On the day of the procedure, a qualified esthetician will use a topical ointment or a numbing cream on the brow area. This cream will reduce any discomfort you feel during the procedure. We will shed more light on the use of numbing cream later in this post.
Once you are comfortable, the procedure begins. Since microblading is a meticulous and detailed process, it can take up to two hours. The esthetician will take the maximum time to ensure that she performs the job well to make the results last for a long time.
You may feel a scraping-type of feeling in your brow area. Other than that, the procedure is tolerable and minimally painful.
Tips to Follow Before the Procedure
Here are some important tips that beauty stylists and licensed estheticians recommend before the procedure.
- Do not tint your brows before the procedure.
- Avoid alcohol or excessive caffeine before the microblading session.
- Do not use any tanning products three days before the treatment.
- Do not pluck or wax your eyebrows two days before the procedure.
- Do not receive any intense facial treatments or chemical peels two to three weeks before microblading.
- Avoid styling or washing your eyebrows.
- Discontinue Botox or Retinol treatment one month beforehand.
- Don’t take any natural blood thinners or fish oil supplements before the session.
- Avoiding pain-relief, ibuprofen, or aspirin before the procedure.
- Take a day off on the day of the microblading session.
Care after Microblading
Once the microblading procedure is over, you will receive a set of instructions from your esthetician. For at least a week, your eyebrows may appear darker. You will also feel that they are sharper because of scabbing and healing. Don’t be alarmed if you notice mild swelling and some redness.
Here are some important tips to follow after the procedure:
- Don’t let your eyebrows come into contact with water for seven to ten days –no long showers and no swimming.
- After this period, wash over the eyebrows using your fingertip twice a day. Remember to be gentle. Use an antibacterial soap and water to wash the eyebrow for at least ten seconds. Rinse and pat dry.
- Use a minimal amount of moisturizing ointment.
- Don’t put any makeup on the brow area if it is healing to keep it clean and germ-free.
- Do not pick at the scabs.
- Avoid tanning or sunbathing for at least a month after microblading.
- Avoid using peels or facial scrubs for at least a month.
- Avoid sleeping on the face for at least ten days of the procedure.
What is the Cost of Microblading?
The goal of this beauty treatment is to make your eyebrows appear naturally fuller. But the results are not permanent. Microblading can last anywhere from one to two years. Once the pigment starts to fade, you will need to get the procedure again.
Your esthetician can help you decide whether you need a touch-up application. You may require touch-ups after every six months a year. The frequency depends on the look you desire and your skin type. Again, the quality of results depends on the expertise of the technicians who perform the procedure.
On average, a microblading procedure can cost from $500 to $1400. The final costs depend on your location and the beauty clinic you choose. While affordable price options are available, don’t choose any estheticians without any credentials or certifications.
How to Enjoy Lasting Microblading Results
Once your skin heals, you can protect your eyebrows and prevent premature fading by applying sunscreen on the treated area. In some cases, you may need a touch-up to finalize the brows after two months of the procedure.
Getting a microblading touch-up is just like receiving root touch-ups for your hair. If you don’t follow what your beauty salon recommends, you may need to get the entire procedure done again. A new job is more expensive and time-consuming than a touch-up.
You can prolong the effects of microblading by following a few simple tips. Here are some of these helpful ideas.
- After your microblading session, keep your brows dry for at least the next ten days. Don’t let them come into contact with water, as it can wash the ink out of your skin.
- Do not plan any holiday or beach vacation immediately after your microblading session. Avoid working out in the gym right after the treatment because it will push the ink out of your brow area. Don’t go for a swim or a sauna session.
- Follow the aftercare instructions from your esthetician.
- Avoid excessive sunlight during the recovery phase.
- Get a proper touch-up if you desire long-term results.
- Don’t apply any makeup to the brow area during healing.
- Wax every two months to retain the shape of your eyebrow.
- Stick to a healthy diet and consume lots of water for hydrating your skin.
If you fail to follow these tips, you won’t get the most benefits out of your microblading treatment. Hence, the pigment will fade sooner than you expect. Women who don’t follow these instructions have to get a touch-up or a re-application in less than six to nine months of the procedure.
Should you go for Microblading without Numbing Cream?
Most women who are keen on trying microblading to beautify their eyebrows wonder if they need to apply a numbing cream. No rule states that you must use a numbing cream for microblading. However, using a numbing agent such as a cream or an ointment can reduce discomfort.
You can also ask your esthetician about whether you should choose a numbing cream for your brow area. Many would recommend a numbing product according to your skin type and pain threshold.
While there are no side effects of using numbing creams, most estheticians don’t recommend using these products. That’s because they believe numbing creams may alter the tone, texture, and pore condition of your skin. You should discuss with your esthetician if choosing a numbing cream will be a better option for your skin.
Will MicroBlading Hurt?
You are all set for the big day when someone scares you with an ugly microblading story. You end up canceling your appointment without knowing if it actually hurts or not.
Unless you get the procedure, you would never be able to tell if it is painful or not. To give you a picture, the process can be a little uncomfortable and somewhat painful for most women. Each time tiny needles dig into your skin, you feel some pain. If you have a low tolerance for pain or extremely sensitive skin, make sure you get your salon’s approval before getting the treatment.
Don’t get the procedure if you think you can’t handle the pain or discomfort. However, you may opt for numbing cream if you can’t imagine the idea of needles breaking into your skin.
Another thing to do is to ask friends and family members who have received this procedure. You can ask for their honest opinion to know how much the procedure hurts. That will help you decide if you need to go for this procedure.
The Final Decision is Yours
Regardless of how thin or unruly your eyebrows are, only you can decide what’s best for them. The decision to choose microblading for your eyebrows is truly yours. Other factors that come into play include the color of your brows and the skin tone or type of your skin.
Some women have a skin condition that prevents them from receiving treatments like microblading. One of the best ways is to research different options to know if this technique is going to be a better fit for your skin type. Beauty technicians who have experience working with hundreds of clients can give you better feedback.
Although you can also seek your dermatologist’s opinion, certified and trained estheticians can also help you to know if the technique will work for your brows. The final decision should base on your own concerns and the opinions of your dermatologist and esthetician.
What is the Difference between Micro Feathering and Microblading?
Microblading is a popular way to achieve dreamy and thick eyebrows. However, other methods like micro feathering are also becoming more popular over time. Both of these techniques follow the same method, but the results are different. The intent of micro feathering is not to cover the entire brow area but to fill in sparse growth. Most women report getting more natural and long-term benefits from micro feathering than microblading.
Who should not get Microblading?
People with oily or extremely sensitive skin should avoid getting this procedure.
Bottom Line
Some women feel that microblading is a little on the pricier side. But the results are worth every penny. Follow our guide before you decide to get microblading for your brows. Don’t forget to follow the post-care instructions after the procedure to enjoy the long-lasting results of the beauty treatment.
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