What is Microblading? + 10 Facts to Know Before you Get it Done!
Have you heard about the recent trend that is microblading?
Microblading is exploding in the US and it’s not hard to figure out why.
Microblading allows you to walk around with perfect eyebrows all day, ever day without messing around with make up each morning.
Regardless of how much you know or think you know, this post will help you determine what microblading is and help you determine if you should get your brows microbladed.
Let’s jump in:
What is Microblading?
Microblading is the name used to define a non invasive procedure that applies semi permanent eyebrows to your existing brows.
This small procedure helps transform your existing eyebrows and gives you the appearance that you have make up on 24/7.
Due to the process of microblading it also allows for perfect shaping of your eyebrow all year long.
Many women love the fact that they can customize their brow before we put the pigment on and make it last for over a year.
In fact many of my clients mention that people notice something “different” about them, but they can’t put their finger on it.
You can see an example of a before and after picture below:
On the left is the before picture and on the right is the finished procedure (after 3 hours).
10 Things to Know Before you get Your Brows Bladed
If you are on the fence about microblading or you are thinking about getting it done then make sure you know these 10 important tips!
They should help guide your decision.
#1. Microblading is Semi-Permanent
The first and most important rule is that microblading is NOT a permanent procedure.
Let me repeat that:
Microblading is NOT permanent.
Microblading is considered a semi-permanent procedure which means that it lasts a long time but it is NOT permanent.
You shouldn’t think about microblading the same way that you think about permanent make-up or about tattoo’s – they are not the same.
Microblading will place pigment into your skin but because it doesn’t go as deep as tattoo’s it will not be there forever.
For those interested in the science of it, the microblading pigment is actually placed in the dermal epidermal junction (compared to the dermis for tatoo’s) which means that your body will naturally push out the pigment over time.
It’s more like a “mini tattoo” because pigment is placed in your skin but it will fade 100% over time.
If you decide you don’t like your brows you can also take certain steps to increase the fading process (so don’t let that scare you!).
#2. It may Hurt!
Microblading is NOT a painless procedure.
Imagine taking 10+ tiny needles and poking them into the skin and them dragging them across the skin with the intention of creating a little divot or well.
This is EXACTLY what is happening during the procedure!
The good news is that most artists use numbing cream or topical anesthetic to help reduce the pain.
But just because numbing cream is used doesn’t mean that it’s 100% painless.
Despite this cream some patients still feel a significant amount of pain.
In my experience some 20% of patients feel absolutely nothing, while some 60% of patients feel very little and the remainder actually have a painful experience.
But don’t let the pain scare you!
Microblading may just give you the brows you’ve always wanted, and an hour of pain is worth 15 months of beauty!
#3. Microblading vs Shading
There are really two important procedures that you can get when talking about microblading.
The first is microblading and the second is micro shading or just microblading shading.
Microblading is the procedure which results in curved lines and this procedure is done by pulling or tugging the microblade across the skin.
Microblading creates brow like strokes which very closely mimic your natural brows.
Basically it can be added to your microblading procedure and seriously enhances your results.
Microblading makes your brows look “done up” while shading makes it look like you have make-up on 24/7.
The shading process is a more complicated procedure and it is also done with the microblade, but instead of pulling or tugging the blade is stippled into the skin in a tapping like fashion.
Shading can also be painful so consider that!
#4. Choose your Artist Wisely
Just like picking our your doctor or your dentist you want to make sure you pick the RIGHT artist for you!
Each artist has their own artistic styles and tends to create brows that look similar – even though not exactly the same.
For this reason it is so important that you do your homework before you pick your artist!
Look at each artist, look at their before and after pictures and determine if they will be able to provide you the results you are looking for.
Remember:
Microblading is not permanent, but it does last for MANY months – the last thing you want is for you to spend a lot of money and NOT be happy with your results!
#5. The Touch Up is Not Optional
This may surprise you but the microblading procedure is actually 2 procedures.
The first and initial procedure followed by what is known as the touch-up.
Both procedures are basically the same but the second procedure is super important because it is the procedure that “locks in” your results and makes them last for a long time!
The touch-up is also the time to fix any mistakes or change your shape slightly so that it meets your goals.
You can also change the color, use a different pigment, alter the shape and add or take away from your brows – it’s the perfect tool for perfection.
The initial procedure is about 2-3 hours long and during this procedure you will have your brows placed on your face.
The touch-up is usually about 60 minutes long and the same procedure occurs but with any changes that you desire.
The touch up is usually completed around 6-8 weeks AFTER the initial appointment and after your brows have completely healed.
Most artists build the price of the touch-up into their total price, but some have an extra fee.
Make sure you know if the touch-up will add to your total cost so you won’t be surprised!
#6. You May go Through an Emotional Roller Coaster
It’s not easy to change the shape of your existing brows or to look like a new you.
Because of this it’s absolutely NORMAL for you to have ups and downs in your emotions and to go through a roller coaster ride after you get your brows microbladed.
Believe me when I say that you are NOT alone!
Almost everyone who walks out of their procedure thinks their brows are too thick, or too dark or don’t fit their face… at least initially!
Sometimes it just takes some time for you to settle into your new brows – so just allow that time to happen.
If you don’t like your brows immediately after your procedure make sure to wait at LEAST a week before you make a decision to keep them or not.
98% of the time you will decide you actually LOVE them and you will want to keep them.
It’s also important to know that some fading of your brows is completely NORMAL after the procedure.
In fact your brows will always start out darker than necessary and fade during the healing process.
#7. If You Don’t Like your Brows You Have Options!
Another important fact is that you do have options if you don’t like your brows after the initial appointment.
You ALWAYS have the option to try and rapidly fade them (you can make them completely go away over a few months) if you desire.
In addition you can almost always fix whatever things you don’t like about your brows in the touch-up session.
You can have your artist change your shape, alter the style, change the pigment, control the color and so on.
Just make sure you don’t freak out and keep your cool while you think critically about what you want to do.
#8. Don’t be Surprised if your Brows are not 100% Symmetrical
Believe it or not we actually don’t want your brows to look identical.
You probably don’t believe me so hear me out:
Even plastic surgeons when they do breast augmentations and other cosmetic procedures do not go for perfect symmetry.
Our eyes are conditioned to spot imperfections and we are attracted to those imperfections.
This is why no one is perfectly symmetrical.
In fact when you make things perfectly symmetrical it often looks funny or not quite right.
The saying is that you want your brows to look like sisters and not like identical twins.
You also have to consider the shape and anatomy of your face.
Some women may have asymmetry in their bone structure which may limit the ability to make your brows perfectly symmetrical and this is a good thing.
Don’t walk in expecting that you will get 100% symmetry! And believe me when I say that you don’t actually want it.
#9. It’s Not Cheap!
I would be lying if I said that microblading was cheap!
The average cost of microblading is somewhere between $350 to $600 (depending on who you go to and where you live).
It’s actually not bad if you consider that it may save you 30-60 minutes of getting ready each morning AND you only need to pay that once, but it’s still a lot out of pocket initially.
So how much will microblading cost you over time and for upkeep?
The initial price is going to be high but the up-keep (a touch up every 12-15 months) will only run around $200-$300 per year.
So the total cost is quite small if you average it out by month!
But don’t walk into this unless you know how much it will cost.
I recommend you look at local prices before making your decision.
Prices tend to be much higher in larger cities and much lower in smaller cities (it just depends).
#10. Most People are VERY Happy With Their Results
The bottom line?
Most people who get their brows microbladed are VERY happy with their results.
Very few women get microblading done and then regret their decision.
It certainly does happen, and you will find some of them on this site, but the vast majority of people who get it done absolutely love their brows afterwards.
If you follow these 10 tips then you shouldn’t have any problem in knowing whether or not it is the right choice for you.
How long Does microblading last?
Generally results will last anywhere from 9 months to 15 months.
You will likely retain the majority of your pigment for that duration of time, and it will begin to fade around the 9 month mark.
Depending on the texture of your skin, how old you are and how much oil your face produces these results may be longer or shorter.
People who produce more oil, or who are older will notice that their results fade more quickly.
Does microblading require any up keep?
For the best possible results you really need two visits:
The first visit is to place the pigment and set the outline of the brow. During this appointment you will have the microblading procedure done on your brows.
The first visit is about 2-3 hours.
The second visit is the most important visit for retaining the pigment and for retaining your results.
This visit allows any final changes to your shape or for making slight changes to your brows.
During this second visit we go over our previous shape with the microblade and it “seals” in the pigment even further for long lasting results.
This second visit is much shorter than the first (usually about 60 minutes).
After your second procedure you really don’t need another microblading session until your pigment begins to fade – usually around the 9 to 15 month mark.
It is a good idea to come in to have your eyebrows tweezed to maintain your shape and keep the brows looking beautiful.
Should you get your eyebrows microbladed?
Bottom line:
If you want long lasting beautiful brows that don’t require upkeep or time in the morning then YES you should get your brows microbladed.
The single most important part about the process is finding the stylist that matches your preferences!
Before you choose your stylist make sure your study her work and don’t be afraid to tell them what you want during your appointment! Speak up!
I hope this was helpful, leave any questions or comments below!
