What is Eyebrow Microblading?
So, what is eyebrow microblading, exactly?
If, like me and many others, you fell victim to over plucking your eyebrows in your teens (we should really form a support group) then you may be curious about finding eyebrows treatments that can help.
Manual microblading is a cosmetic tattoo and a form of permanent makeup (also known as semi permanent makeup).
Is microblading like makeup?
Unlike makeup such as eyebrow pencils, powders, pomades or waxes, which are topical and sit on top of the skin, Microblading pigment sits beneath the skin. This means that the colour remains in place all day, every day. as it’s actually a form of cosmetic tattoo.
Is microblading like getting a normal tattoo?
Microblading treatments are similar to getting a tattoo, although the treatments are generally done in a clinics and beauty salons rather than at tattoo parlours, although this is also becoming more common.
What is used to perform microblading?
The microblading treatments are performed using a special hand held tool that essentially create little hair like lines in the eyebrows, which fills gaps and gives your eyebrows shape and structure.
What is Eyebrow Microblading?
What happens during a Microblading Appointment?
The first thing I will do when you arrive for your Microblading appointment is ensure that your forms and patch test have been competed correctly and that you’ve had no adverse reactions to your patch test.
I begin by sanitising your skin and applying a numbing cream. Whilst were are waiting for the numbing cream to work it’s magic, we will discuss the brow shape and what you’d like to achieve, look at colours and confirm the technique that will work best to achieve the desired results.
Once we already to begin, I will pre draw the shape of the brow so that you can get an idea of the finished shape. I use your entire face to map your eyebrows perfectly, I like to work with your natural eyebrows, muscle and bone structure to give you the most natural shape possible. This ensures that your new eyebrows fit your face perfectly.
Once we have agreed on a shape the Microblading can begin. I will use a single use, disposable tool to etch in tiny hair strokes throughout the eyebrow. This can take between 45-60 minutes.
Finally, I will discuss how to take care of your new eyebrows and supply you with an aftercare balm and book your retouch appointment which usually takes place around 6 weeks later.
The retouch is the final appointment which allows us to perfect the result and make any necessary tweaks to the final result, ensuring you leave with the brows of your dreams.
What is Eyebrow Microblading?
How long does Microblading last?
Right up at the top of the list, along with “what is eyebrow microblading?” one of the questions I am asked almost every day is, “how long does Microblading last?” My answer is always the same. Not forever.
If Microblading is a tattoo, why does it fade faster?
Whilst Microblading is a cosmetic tattoo, the results do not last as long as a permanent tattoo on the body for a variety of reasons. The main reason is that the pigment or “ink” that we use to perform Microblading is generally not as heavily saturated with colour as tattoo ink, so it fades more easily upon contact with light.
Why has my Microblading faded faster than my friend’s?
The rate at which Microblading fades varies hugey from person to person.
Microblading can fade more quickly on those with oily skin types, those who love the sun or live in warmer climates, those who use a lot of anti ageing skin care or have. chemical peels, those that choose not to maintain the results long term. The list is endless.
If you’ve opted for lighter colours such as a blonde, these colours will also fade more quickly and require more upkeep.
What is Eyebrow Microblading?
Does Microblading Eyebrows hurt?
Pain is an incredibly subjective thing. What can be painful for one person can be a walk in the dark for another. I’m going to be completely honest with you, Microblading is not painless but it’s also not painful.
What is Eyebrow Microblading pain like when it is performed correctly? When performed correctly, Eyebrow Microblading feels like a light scratch. So, not the most pleasant of sensations however, the results are totally worth any minor discomfort you may go through. A bit like eyebrow tweezing or threading can make the eyes water a little, so can Microblading. But honestly, it all depends on you and your pain threshold.
Most Microblading artists will use s topical numbing cream that is available over the counter at the chemist. This is usually applied for 20-30 minutes before the treatment starts to help make it all more comfortable.
Pain is an incredible subjective thing. Microblading is not painless but it’s also not painful.
Whilst numbing creams can help to relax you, and can help at the beginning of the treatments they don’t make much difference to the overall comfort. As I mentioned before, if the artist is performing the treatments correctly, it doesn’t hurt that much at all.
Numbing creams can cause allergic reactions, so ensure that the artist patch tests you for the anaesthetic cream at least 48 hours before the treatment.
What is Eyebrow Microblading?
How is Eyebrow Microblading different to getting your eyebrows tattooed?
What is Eyebrow Microblading like when compared to Eyebrow Tattooing?
Whilst both are cosmetic tattoos, the tool used to perform Eyebrow Microblading is quite different to that used to perform an Eyebrow Tattoo such as powder or ombré eyebrows.
A “microblade”isn’t actually a blade in the traditional sense of the word. It’s actually a row of needles soldered together to create a sharp blade like tool that etches little hair like strokes in the eyebrows.
An eyebrow tattoo such as a powder brow or ombré brow (or even hair strokes too) usually uses a pen like machine with a needle cartridge inside that has an injecting motion.
What is Eyebrow Microblading?
Can microbladed eyebrows be undone/removed?
Sadly, I am often contacted by client’s looking for lightening, correction or removal of bad or old permanent makeup. I exclusively use LIFT Ink Removal to lighten and remove unwanted work.
LIFT Ink Removal is a revolutionary non-laser method of lightening and removing bad or unwanted Microblading and Permanent Makeup. It uses a specially formulated salt saline gel and a tattooing method of removal which is gently, yet effective.
LI-FT contains High Salt Concentrate, Orange Seed Extract, Lemon Seed Extract, Aloe Vera and Sterile Water. Multiple sessions will be required to lighten or completely remove previously tattooed brows.
An emergency removal can be performed within 48 hours of a treatment if necessary and is very effective if done quickly. After this period, you will be required to wait until the skin is fully healed.
What is Eyebrow Microblading?
How much does it cost to have your eyebrows microbladed?
Someone once told me that “cheap work ain’t good, and good work ain’t cheap” and I’ve never forgotten it. It’s stuck with me because, quite frankly it’s true.
Good training for Microblading and Permanent Makeup can run into the thousands. Most artists that are any good at Microblading often spend even more attending conferences, workshops and masterclasses in order to perfect and improve their skills. One day I will tally up how much I have spent on courses and vocational education, be sure to stand by with the paddles.
Believe me when I say, you want a Microblading artist that’s had exceptional training if you want safe, reliable treatments and results that last and age well.
The expense for the artist does not stop with training. Due to the nature of the treatments, licensing, insurance, sharps and clinical waste collection plus PPE and strictly single use tools and products must be in place to ensure a safe and hygienic treatment and yes, you guessed it – these are pretty expensive!
In the South East of England, typically you can expect to pay from around £300 – £500 for a well trained artist with experience and £500-£700 in London. Microblading takes two appointments go complete so this usually includes a complimentary retouch within 3 month. Be sure to check there are no additional charges for retouches before committing to an appointment.
Is Microblading worth it for fuller, thicker brows?
Microblading can be a blessing and the answer to your eyebrow woes, however ensuring you have the right artist is paramount. If you want more information on what to look for in a Microblading artist check out my previous blog post here.
Where Microblading is concerned, generally, you get what you pay for…
If you see a price for Microblading that seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
What is Eyebrow Microblading?
Do you still have to use an eyebrow pencil after Microblading?
It’s important top remember that good Microblading and Permanent Makeup needs to be natural in order to age well in thew skin. If you’re used to applying lots of eyebrow pencil, powder or pomade, then you may well still want to pencil your eyebrows in after having Microblading.
Ultimately, it’s down to personal preference. The beauty of Microblading is, that even when you have no other makeup on, your brows still look beautiful. If you want to add pencil for a more dramatic look, then you can absolutely do that. Lots of my clients love their Micorbladed brows for a day to day look then add pencils and powders for nights out and find that their Microblading takes all the work out of adding colour to their shape. They have the best of both worlds!
Do you have more questions about Microblading?
Book a consultation today to sit down, face to face and ask me anything you like about Microblading or Permanent Makeup!
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