Have You Been Spending Long Hours On YouTube And Instagram Trying To Learn How To Pencil In The Perfect Brows?
After watching eyebrow tutorials, do you see additional videos in your feed, recommending a more permanent solution to envy worthy brows?
Or do you desperately want to know why your coworker is always flaunting perfect eyebrows? “How do you get it done so perfectly?” You ask. “Microblading,” she says.
What is microblading?
Microblading is a semi-permanent makeup procedure which involves using very fine blades to make tiny hair-like cuts on the brows and filling them with slight amounts of pigments. As a result, sparse eyebrows look fuller.
Whatever your scenario, you now know about microblading, and you can’t wait to have brows like the Kardashians. The number 1 reason people want microblading is to have their sparse brows look perfect. No matter how many tutorial videos you watch, or your expertise in drawing them, never seems to be enough.
It’s about time for you to put an end to that stress and get things done once and for all.
As a first-timer, there are a few things you should know before you opt for microblading.
Experience And Certification Of The Practitioner Matters A Lot
While it’s true that microblading is not FDA-approved, it doesn’t mean that you should just get it from anyone. It’s important that you demand before-and-after photos of previous procedures for a little confidence boost. This should come after you’ve made sure that the facility is approved by the local health department, and the operator is a certified body art practitioner with a microblading license from the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals.
This plays an important role on how well the work will come out.
Microblading May Not Be For You
This is especially true for people allergic to tattoo ink, individuals with sensitive skin, pregnant women, nursing mothers and people suffering from liver disease. If you fall into any of these categories, you should rule out microblading as an option.
People with oily skin may find it difficult to undergo a microblading procedure, due to the difficulty associated with working with their skin, which may reject the pigments. Pigments also tend to cluster after the treatment on oily brows, creating what seems like a heavily shaded patch. Have a discussion with your provider and ask them if they’ve worked with patients that have had your skin type before.
Be Prepared
There’s a whole list of things you should avoid, if you want your microblading to be a success. To prevent skin irritation during or after the procedure, you should avoid AHAs. Retinoids, spray tanning, exfoliators and waxing two weeks before your appointment.
You should also avoid alcohol, aspirin and blood thinners a week before the treatment, as they limit blood clotting, which inhibits absorption of pigments due to excessive bleeding.
The Result May Not Come Quickly
If your expectations are that you’ll walk out of the salon with perfect eyebrows, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment. Depending on your skin, the procedure used and how well you follow the doctor’s instructions, you may not have your perfect brows until a few days or weeks after microblading. The incised brows will have to heal, and might appear a little thick like a scar before it normalizes. Even after that, the scar may look faded due to new skin covering the area.
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The Procedure Bags A Price
Depending on where you’re getting yours from; the first time may cost about $300 to $2,000. The touch-up appointments which may have to be performed 6 to 12 months after to maintain the look, can cost $200 to $500, these touchups may be recurring for years after the original procedure.
You Might Have To Live With Errors For A While
This is the point where the importance of employing the services of an experienced expert is a necessity. The scary thing about errors made during microblading is that they’re almost impossible to remove completely, and the cost of removal might be as much as the cost of microblading itself. This is due to iron oxide making the brow area resistant to removal.
Only after your brows have completely healed will you be able to get rid of errors through the help of your dermatologist.
It Hurts A Bit
It’s a form of tattooing, and the process comes with slight pains likened to tiny paper cuts. Fortunately, your specialist will apply topical numbing cream on the area before the process begins – that will help ease the pain.
You may also feel sore during the healing process, with the urge to scratch. Avoid scratching and request for recommendations on pain relievers you can use.
It Lasts As Long As Some Factors Allow
Some people will get to show off their brows a year after treatment, and for some, six months after treatment. One of the major factors which determine how fast it fades is whether or not you are anemic. If you are, there’s a good chance that your blood will absorb the iron oxide in the pigments – as if it’s a supplement – resulting in tattoos fading faster.
Limit Your Expectations If Your Natural Brows Are Non-Existent Or Unbelievably Thin
At this point, don’t expect your brows to look full. The pigments are not hairs, and they will not in any capacity replace your hairs. Due to the high ratio of pigments to hairs, the tattoo will be quite visible to curious eyes. The look achieved will be similar to eyebrows drawn in by eyebrow pencils or powders.
How Well It Comes Out All Depends On Your After-Care Efforts
To get the best results, you may have to adjust your routine to accommodate new ones. These include:
- Avoiding sun exposure which can slow down the healing process.
- Keeping water away from the brows using coconut butter, Aquaphor or Neosporin to thinly cover it until it heals. This will keep it from fading away, and help prevent infections.
- Avoid excessive sweating which may expel some of the pigments, causing a faded appearance.
- Sleep on your back for a few nights, to protect raw skin from irritation.
