Unless you have naturally perfect eyebrows, you've probably spent a lot of time and money shopping for eyebrow makeup products, visiting the salon to get them waxed or threaded, or even...dare I say it...overplucked them at some point in your life. (Usually the dreadful teenage years). The point is, if you're tired of the energy it takes to maintain your eyebrows, you're probably a candidate for microblading.
Eyebrow hair is tricky. We've all been there at one point in our life: sitting too close to the mirror for hours plucking away until we're left with a thin line of uneven hair. All that plucking can drastically alter our natural brow shape and the thickness of the hair, sometimes it doesn't even grow back like it used to. A lot of women try fixing their overplucked brows with expensive makeup products, but that only really works if you know what you're doing...we've all seen those sharpie eyebrows around. What if I told you you didn't have to worry about filling in your eyebrows every morning? That you could save hundreds of dollars skipping the makeup products and salon?
If you're even slightly curious about microblading, you're in the right place. In this blog we explain what microblading is, how painful it is, how much it costs, and how quickly it fades.
What is Microblading?
Microblading is a form of semi-permanent makeup performed using a handheld disposable tool, composed of a row of tiny, barely visible needles resembling the shape of a blade (microblade), used to hand draw each individual hair while simultaneously implanting pigment into the superficial skin. The result is realistic, natural-looking hair that won't wash off for a year or more.
Is Microblading a Tattoo?
Microblading is a type of tattoo, but it is not permanent like a true tattoo. With a tattoo, the machine deposits pigment deep into the layers of the skin, which causes it to be permanent. Cosmetic tattooing deposits pigment into the superficial layers of the skin, which your body metabolizes within a year or more until it fades away. Not only do the two use different techniques to deposit pigment, the type of ink differs as well. Traditional tattoos use concentrated ink while cosmetic tattoos use smaller pigmented particles. The results? Microblading produces soft and subtle lines instead of bold and opaque like you'll see with a traditional tattoo. Overtime, the microbalded lines will lighten a shade or two from its original color, while tattoo lines may fade with a blue-green tint to them.
Follow Erica on Instagram: @browsandaesthetics.byerica
How Painful is Microblading?
Microblading can be somewhat painful, but it depends on your natural pain tolerance and if you're menstruating during that time. (When you're on your period, your pain tolerance is usually lower than normal. We recommend coming after your period is over). The upside to this is that your microblading artist will slather numbing gel across your eyebrows prior to the procedure, and may apply more during. Most people describe the feeling of microblading like a cat scratch. It's uncomfortable, but not unbearable.
How Long Does Microblading Last?
The semi-permanent tattoo can last anywhere from 1 to 3 years, with oily skin types tending to fade the fastest. You'll likely notice some fading at the one year mark, an at three years your microblading will be unoticeable. However, our Aesthetician, Erica Cordoba, recommends coming in once a year for a touch up, which will help your brows look fresh throughout the years. This also heavily depends on how you take care them post-procedure, and how closely you follow Erica's instructions. You should apply an anti-bacterial ointment to your eyebrows every 2 hours for the first 24 hours, and a morning and night ointment (like Aquaphor) for a week.
How Much Does Microblading Cost?
At The Lotus, we charge $375 for initial microblading, $150 for a yearly touch up, and $75 for a "perfecting" session 1-3 months after the initial session.
Follow Erica on Instagram: @browsandaesthetics.byerica
What are the Pre and Post-Treatment Instructions for Microblading?
Erica recommends following these instructions before and after your microblading session:
No caffeine, alcohol, aspirin, niacin, vitamin E or Advil/ibuprofen 24 hours before procedure.
Avoid sun tanning 1 week before procedure.
Discontinue Retin-A, Glycolics, Chemical peels or Botox 2 weeks prior to your procedure.
No brow waxing or tinting 2 weeks prior to your procedure.
Do not work out the morning of your procedure.
Do not work out for 7 days after your procedure.
No swimming or submerging of your brows in pool, lake or ocean water for 7-10 days.
Avoid sun and sweating for 7 days after your procedure.
Menstrual cycle- Please be aware, if you are on or near your cycle, more bleeding may occur on your brows during the procedure and you may be sensitive to pain due to the hormones in your body.
What to Expect During a Microblading Session
What happens during your session may differ from artist to artist, but generally you will be taken through a full consultation talking about the entire procedure from start to finish, your concerns, your expectations (color and style preference), and post-care instructions. They will then apply a topical numbing cream to the area and begin to draw on your new eyebrows with a pencil. This is a meticulous part of the procedure, but being the artist she is, Erica will make sure your eyebrows are even, natural looking, and exactly what you want.
Don't be alarmed if your brow color looks extremely dark right after microblading, this is completely normal and the color will fade to the chosen pigment in about 10-12 days. Follow the post-treatment instructions carefully, and your eyebrows should fully heal in about a month.
Final Thoughts
If you want a break from the time spent filling in your eyebrows, or want experience what full, beautiful brows look like, come see us! Erica is a master in Microblading: In 2018 she graduated from PhiAcademy as a Phibrows Microblading artist, a rigorous microblading course. She has furthered her education as a Permanent Makeup Artist - acquiring skills and techniques such as powder/ombre brows and lip blushing. She has performed medical-grade chemical peels and microneedling for over 5 years!
To schedule with Erica, or schedule with our amazing team of Injectors, give us a call or text, or click the button below to head directly to the booking portal.
210-774-2850