It’s all about those brows, right? Despite its popularity in Asian countries for nearly three decades, microblading has only recently become trendy in the US. Many people have jumped on the microblading bandwagon, but we don’t blame you for wanting to know more about the procedure before spending the time and money to have someone come at your eyebrows with a tiny needle!
Luckily, TatBrow is here to break it all down for you. We dive into the wonderful world of microblading and explain how it works, how long it lasts, the possible risks associated with microblading, and your alternatives. So, let’s get to those brows, shall we?
Microblading? What’s That?
Microblading is a procedure performed by a licensed esthetician that involves injecting temporary dyes into your skin. Depending on the practitioner, the process might be known as micro-stroking or feathering, but they all refer to the same thing.
Essentially, it works in a similar way to tattooing, but it isn’t permanent like a tattoo. The idea is to save you time on your morning routine by creating the perfect eyebrows that don’t need to be reapplied every day.
The initial microblading session will often last for around two hours while the aesthetician applies the anesthetic cream, waits for it to take effect, and then uses their tool to apply the pigments. The tool looks like a pen but has somewhere around ten tiny needles that scratch the skin and embed the dye.
How Much Does It Cost?
The range of costs for microblading varies wildly based on where you live. People who live in big cities often have more options for finding licensed aestheticians, which is good, but those aestheticians will usually charge a lot more for their procedures to balance the high cost of living. Depending on where you’re located, microblading can cost you anywhere from $250 to over $1,000 for the first session.
While it’s true that touch-up sessions typically cost around half of what you paid for the first session, that is a big chunk of change that many people can’t afford to spend, no matter how vital their eyebrows are.
However, if your hair has fallen out or has greatly thinned due to certain medications and medical treatments, you might qualify for microblading sessions under your health insurance. We recommend checking first with your health insurance provider as this caveat usually only applies to a small number of people.
How Long Does Microblading Last?
Generally, microbladed eyebrows can last anywhere from one to two years, depending on how often you wash your face, how much time you spend in the sun and other factors.
Typically, people who choose to microblade go back to the aesthetician about every six months to a year for a quick touch-up to keep their eyebrows looking lush and gorgeous.
The good news? A touch-up is a much simpler process than getting the whole microblade experience the first time around, so you won’t need to block out nearly as much time for subsequent appointments.
Top Up Vs. Touch-Up
Depending on your aesthetician, they might schedule you to come in for a top-up session a month or two after your initial microblading. It’s not the same thing as a touch-up and likely won’t cost as much either. During the top-up session, the esthetician checks your eyebrows to ensure that they look exactly how you want them and that everything is settling in nicely.
If they aren’t thick enough or you’ve decided to make them a little bit darker, they can add that extra pop of color or adjust the size. Usually, it’s just a check-in to see if your eyebrows have healed properly and to schedule your touch-up.
Does My Skin Type Affect It?
To a certain extent, your skin type can affect how long your microbladed eyebrows last before you need a touch-up. Your esthetician will be able to give you a better estimate, but generally, people with oily skin need touch-ups more frequently.
The oils naturally produced by your skin can do double damage to your microbladed brows because, on the one hand, that oil makes it harder for the ink to stay in your skin, and, on the other hand, you likely wash your face more often than most people. Combined, these two factors can make it difficult for the pigment to stay put.
Risks of Microblading
First and foremost, the most significant risk is that you won’t like the outcome. Microblading isn’t permanent, but it often lasts for at least a year and a half. So, if you think the aesthetician messed up or you don’t like the look, you’re stuck with it for a while. Plus, you’re out a lot of money too.
However, there are medical risks to consider as well. While it’s true that microblading isn’t actually penetrating the skin, it does still cut. Whenever someone cuts open your skin, there is a risk of infection. A licensed esthetician will have taken steps to prevent that by using sterile equipment and working in a clean environment, but there’s no accounting for the randomness of life.
Once you leave the office, your face will be exposed to whatever is in your house, on your commute, and anything else that touches your skin. If you work or live with animals or young children, your face is especially at risk for infection since kids and pets don’t always know not to touch your face. However, these risks are minimal if you take normal precautions.
Does Microblading Hurt?
As you might have assumed (or heard from friends), microblading can be uncomfortable. The process involves repeatedly jamming a bunch of tiny needles into the space right above your eyeballs. Your facial skin is more sensitive than almost anywhere else on the body, and you are essentially tattooing it with microblading, so some discomfort or pain should be expected.
Most estheticians will apply a topical anesthetic to numb the skin before diving in, but you’ll probably still feel the pinch. Not to mention you may experience sore eyebrows for days after the procedure while they are healing. But not to worry, being able to flaunt those beautiful brows will make this small amount of pain worth it!
Healing Time
Assuming that everything goes well, your eyebrows will take around two weeks to finish healing. The skin around the area will likely be very tender, swollen, and inflamed. Your esthetician will give you specific instructions to follow about caring for your new eyebrows, but it usually includes things like:
- Not sweating from exercise
- Not going in the pool
- Not scratching, picking, or rubbing the area
- Not showering or washing your face
Yeah, that last one can be a hard pill to swallow if you are a clean freak with a regular skincare routine! Usually, you’ll be advised to bathe the rest of your body while keeping your face dry, but even people with dry skin will likely start to break out after 14 days of not washing their face. So, just be prepared!
Do Your Eyebrows Ever Return to Normal?
While microblading is semi-permanent, it’s important to remember that it isn’t a tattoo. Your eyebrows will eventually return to normal if you leave them alone for long enough and skip the touch-ups. If you skip those, your eyebrows will likely return to their natural state in a few years.
Alternatives to Microblading
Now that you know more about it, you might be thinking: is there any way for me to get those perfect brows without dealing with all of that? And we’re excited to tell you that yes, there is. You (and your brows) have options!
Our microblade brow pen is the perfect solution for people who want professional-looking eyebrows without the complications and expense of microblading. We promise you don’t have to be a makeup artist to use our simple microblade pen. Plus, beautiful brows are possible in under a minute. How easy is that?
Looking for something that can act as a touch-up for your microbladed eyebrows while you wait for them to grow back? Then check out our micro precision pen. Its uniquely feathered tip allows you to make delicate strokes to fill in and darken any parts of your brows that have faded over time.
Great Brows Are Yours For The Taking
Now that you know all about microblading, you have a brow up on everyone! Microblading is a popular technique for filling out thin or sparsely-haired eyebrows, but it can be an expensive procedure that comes with some medical risks. For people who can’t (or don’t want to) spare the money or who aren’t looking to take a chance on something that lasts for so long, there are plenty of alternative ways to thicken up those beautiful brows and ensure that all eyes are on you!
SOURCES:
How Long Does Microblading Last? | Healthline
Microblading - Everything You Need To Know About The Semi-Permanent Eyebrow Treatment | Elle
What Is Microblading and How Long Do Microbladed Eyebrows Last? | Prevention