In a world where beauty trends are constantly changing, many new and innovative beauty procedures have become popular over the last few years. Just like with fashion, makeup and eyebrow trends have changed over time. Gone are the days of thin eyebrows. Enter the trend of thick, fluffy brows.
If you have been using eyebrow pencils, powders, and gels to achieve the perfect brows every day then you might have hit the point of considering microblading your brows. Microblading has taken the beauty industry by storm and become one of the industry’s most sought-after beauty procedures.
With this procedure, you can walk out of the appointment within a couple of hours having lush, thick eyebrows and nobody will be able to tell that they aren’t naturally that perfect.
Microblading At A Glance
If you haven’t heard of microblading before, you might now be asking, what is microblading? Microblading is a semi-permanent procedure that deposits pigment by way of multiple small needles in the shape of a blade. This blade will place the pigment under the skin so it stays put for up to three years. The pigment strokes will mimic eyebrow hairs, therefore giving the realistic look of a full brow.
The Microblading Process
The actual process can take anywhere from one to two hours, depending on the fullness of your natural brows. The technician will begin by mapping out the shape of what your brows will look like once finished and allow you to review it before actually beginning the procedure.
Most technicians will numb the skin for twenty to thirty minutes to keep you more comfortable. The artist will then use a small tool that has multiple tiny needles to draw delicate hair-like strokes onto the skin while depositing a medical-grade pigment under the skin.
These strokes will be strategically placed to fill the new shape of your brows which will give them a naturally fuller appearance. Following this procedure, there are strict aftercare instructions. These aftercare instructions may vary slightly based on your provider, but it is important to follow these instructions carefully.
You may experience dryness and scabbing. It is important to not pick or pull at any scabs that may form as that can pull the pigment off. For two weeks after the procedure, you must avoid swimming, saunas, sweating, or tanning in tanning beds. Aftercare is one of the most important parts of the microblading process and is the best way to ensure you get desired results.
Is it Permanent?
Microblading has been referred to as a cosmetic tattoo, however, it is not a permanent procedure. Following the initial appointment, you will need to return in four weeks for a touch-up appointment.
At this point, your technician will touch up any areas that have lost pigment during the initial healing process. Occasionally when scabs fall off, you may lose some of the pigment that was placed during the appointment.
All providers should allow you a touch-up appointment at four to six weeks for no charge. If you have received your touch-up, your microblading can potentially last anywhere from one year to three years before you will need an additional touch-up.
At some point in that period, you will probably notice that the pigment is starting to fade. This is when you can schedule another follow-up appointment where the technician will touch up the pigment on the previous brow strokes that were created. Microblading is an ongoing process that you will have to keep up with over the years if you wish to maintain the results.
The Investment
Microblading is an investment. The cost of the procedure can range from $500-$2,000 depending on where you live and how experienced your technician is. This can seem like a steep price for a procedure such as this, but technicians with years of experience will charge a higher rate. It is also important to consider that you will be paying a higher price for quality work.
Is it Painful?
Another topic that comes up frequently when discussing microblading is how painful the process of microblading is. Many technicians will use numbing cream to minimize the discomfort of the procedure. Those that have gotten microblading state that the pain is minor and comparable to light scratching.
However, if you do not receive any numbing cream, it can be slightly more painful. The discomfort of the procedure is a factor to consider when deciding whether you want to go through with the microblading process.
The Pros and Cons
As with any beauty service, there are pros and cons to the procedure. At the top of the list of pros for microblading is the fact that it saves you time. Once your brows are microbladed you do not have to hassle with styling your brows every time you get ready.
Many people will no longer use brow pencils and gels, which saves an extra step in the getting ready routine. This will free up extra time in your day to do something more fun! Another pro is that you should get natural-looking results. If you go to an experienced technician, nobody should be able to tell you had your brows microbladed. Proper microblading will look like your brows are naturally full and have that perfect shape on their own.
As always, there are also cons to the procedure. One of the biggest cons to microblading is the fact that it may not last as long as you would like. Since it is semi-permanent, you are potentially paying a lot of money for a procedure that could fade in as little as six months to one year. This will vary depending on your skin type as well as how often you sweat.
Oil and sweat are known to fade the pigment in the brows faster than someone else who may have dry skin and is not sweating consistently. Equally as important when it comes to the list of cons is the fact that many people will advertise these services, but not be qualified to perform them. It is extremely vital to do your research and seek out a professional who is certified to perform microblading and has experience.
This will ensure that you are in the hands of someone who not only will do an excellent job, but also use proper sanitation practices. A great way to check the work of a technician is to look at their social media so you can see their previous work and what past clients have had to say.
Microblading Alternatives
If you are hesitant to commit to something such as microblading, several alternatives can give you the full brow look without the same level of commitment. Brow lamination is a newer beauty trend that has also taken off over the last couple of years. This is done by the process of using chemicals to change the way your brow hairs will lay on your face. There is zero pain involved in this process and it takes less than an hour.
A technician simply brushes your brows up in the right direction and applies the chemical for a set amount of time. Once wiped off, your brow hairs will stay in that position. Eyebrow lamination only lasts four to six weeks so if you did not like it, there is not as much of a wait time for your eyebrows to return to normal. The cost of eyebrow lamination is usually around $100, which makes it a great alternative to microblading.
Another great alternative to microblading is henna brows, which can also be known as eyebrow tint. This process is done by applying pigment directly to the eyebrow hairs and skin. It takes less than thirty minutes and can instantly make your eyebrows appear fuller and more filled in. The cost of henna brows or eyebrow tint will range and could cost upwards of $60-$100 depending on the location and experience of the technician. Both of these options cost significantly less and do not last nearly as long as microblading, which makes them both excellent alternative options.
After reading this, we hope you feel more knowledgeable about the process of having your eyebrows microbladed and are aware of factors to consider if you are deciding about going through with the process. You now know the right questions to ask while doing your research and the importance of finding a knowledgeable and skilled technician to perform the procedure for you.
If you decide microblading isn’t for you, there are alternative options out there that can also bring you incredible results. Here’s to having amazing brows!
