6 Frequently Asked Questions : Microblading After Chemo Therapy
When my client (we’ll call her Lisa) was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, she knew it would require a lot of guts and grit to survive, but she never thought permanent makeup and microblading after chemo would turn out to be an important part of her treatment and recovery. For Lisa, having her brows tattooed after chemo therapy, as well as a soft eyeliner and lip blush was invaluable, and gave her the confidence to start feeling a little more like herself again.
"You've got cancer"
We all go through tough times in our lives, but unless it’s happened to you, or someone you love, I don’t think any of us really know what it’s like to hear those three little words. Three words that will inevitably change not only your life, but the lives of those closest to you. rom that moment on, you know there will be difficult days. For those going through chemotherapy, the side effects can be especially challenging, but microblading after chemo might just be the helping hand you need.
There are many options for helping someone who may be struggling with the physical and emotional toll of treatment. One of these options is the magic that is permanent makeup or microblading after chemo.
For many cancer patients, losing hair is one of the side effects of chemo therapy treatment and whilst there are ways to help prevent it, these methods are not always successful. In this post we are going to explore how microblading and permanent makeup can help someone given a cancer diagnosis with their journey and recovery.
1. What will the process entail?
2. What should I expect from my experience?
3. Is this a painful procedure?
4. What happens during the healing process?
5. Are there any risks?
6. When should I schedule my appointment?
Microblading is very popular among women who are suffering from alopecia, and it helps them to look younger and to feel more confident about themselves again. Microblading is a quick, easy, relatively inexpensive procedure, and it really helps women (and men) to feel better about themselves. As a result, they tend to be more outgoing and positive and they’re happier to be around other people, which can all aid in the recovery process.
I’m a huge proponent of permanent makeup and microblading after chemo. Why? Because it gives women (and men) confidence and self-esteem in the face of a challenging medical condition. Not only does it bring some much needed colour and shape back to the areas of the face that have lost hair and definition during chemo, but the effects last a long time. As a bonus, microblading after chemo also makes the patient feel better about themselves, which helps to boost self-esteem.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that microblading after chemo is a new procedure that is used to replace what has been lost due to cancer treatment, but in fact these options have been around for a while. In the last few years, there has been an increased interest in and permanent makeup and microblading after chemo.
These procedures use a special tools and machines that will colour the skin at the right depth when used by a skilled hand for a beautiful, natural looking result. The microblading process is done using a blade instead of needles to deposit the colour. With this method, the colour is deposited as hair like lines known as hair strokes, however the machine method may be more appropriate depending on your skin type and condition.
It is a very convenient way to regain some shape and colour to the area that has lost some definition. Often, clients that have not lost their hair due to cancer treatments such as chemo still opt to have permanent makeup as it just makes them feel better about themselves and takes the stress out of how they feel abou their appearance.
1. What will the process entail?
The process of permanent makeup microblading after chemo is similar to a gentle tattoo. A tiny blade or needle is used to implant colour into the dermis layer of the skin to create a soft enhancement of the eyebrows, eyelids or lips.
These treatments are usually performed over two appointments around 6-12 weeks apart. We would need to establish a treatment plan that works around your medical treatment to minimise any risk of infection.
2. What should I expect from my experience?
The Consultation
You will ideally initially visit me for a consultation where we discuss what you’d like to achieve and how to schedule your appointments with me around your medical treatment plan.
I will also patch test you to ensure you are not allergic to any of the products I will use on you during your treatments with me. It’s a good idea to ask your Oncologist or G.P if they are happy for you to have a microblading or permanent makeup treatment as we will need them to provide us with written permission.
A form will be provided at your consultation which you will need to ask your Doctor to sign and date. In time sensitive situations, or where a client may be travelling from far away, we can perform consultations via video call and forms and patch tests can be posted out to you.
The First Treatment
When you visit me for your initial microblading or permanent makeup treatment, I will confirm the desired result and colours with you before pre drawing your enhancement, ensuring that you are completely happy before proceeding with the treatment.
The Retouch
The ideal time to perform the retouch treatment is around 6-12 weeks after the initial application of colour but where clients have not yet undergone any treatment, we need to be flexible about this time scale. The amount of time between the treatments will need to be planned very carefully in order to align with any medical treatments. This is to ensure that we minimise any risk of infection or adverse reactions. I have experience working with cancer patients and their Doctors in order to get the best possible results for my clients.
3. Is this a painful procedure?
I often describe permanent makeup or microblading after chemo as not pain-ful but also, not pain-less. There is some very minimal discomfort involved in the treatments, but it’s usually very brief and clients are often surprised by how easy it feels. Over the counter numbing creams can be used prior to treatment to minimise discomfort should you wish and this can be discussed during your consultation.
4. What happens during the healing process?
Permanent makeup or microblading after chemo healing, can be impacted if the drugs are still in your system so for this reason, your Oncologist is lily to recommend waiting a period of time to ensure you’re not at a higher risk of infection.
These procedures are technically tattoos, and as such the skin is broken so therefore needs to heal. The skin usually takes between around 2 weeks to appear “healed”, but in reality it can take anything from 6-12 weeks for the skin to fully recover.
In normal circumtances, a minimum of 6 weeks between treatments is advised. However, the scheduling of your treatments will depend entirely on where you are in your medical treatment plan and extra care will need to be taken in order to avoid infection.
For example, if you have begun chemo therapy then we are likely to need to wait until you have finished treatment and have a normal white blood cell count, as this can increase your risk of infection. This is where we would liase with your Oncologist and ask their expert advice as medical professionals.
5. Are there any risks?
There are two main risks to anyone’s health when considering microblading or permanent makeup, allergic reaction and infection. Microblading after chemo may affect your white blood cell count which can increase the risk.
As with any substance or food we are exposed to, allergies can develop at any time in our lives. Every care is taken to minimise the risk of an allergic reaction. During each step of the process, I evaluate the risk of a reaction by asking questions designed to deternine if you have been exposed to the allergens before, as well as performing a patch test.
During your treatments, I adopt the Aseptic Technique, utilising methods designed and used by medical professionals in healthcare settings such as surgeries in order to minimise risk of cross contamination or infection.
This includes using sterilisation and disinfection of tools, plastic and paper bed and trolley dressings, PPE, barrier wrapping machinery and equipment and using single use, disposable items wherever possible.
The main risk of infection is usually AFTER you have left the clinical environment of my treatment room. However, you are sent away with strict aftercare instructions and products and if followed, the risk of infection is minimal if you have a normal blood count.
When should I schedule my appointment?
The best time to schedule your appointments are either before you begin chemo or after you finish chemo as this is when your white blood cell count will be at it’s highest. Wherever you are in your treatment plan, give me a call to discuss options.
In conclusion, like it or not, for many of us, how we look on the outside often impacts how we feel on the inside. This is where permanent makeup and microblading after chemo can really make a difference.
1 thought on “Microblading After Chemo : The Survivor’s Guide”
Hello ,
My name is Lenore
I suffer from Hashimoto & have lost the outer part of my eyelashes .
Would like to have them tattooed
Where can I make an apt ?
What would the cost be ?