Everyone that wears makeup has spent time in the mirror trying to get their brows just right. Some people choose to go with a semi-permanent brow option to save themselves from filling in their brows every day. Microblading is a very common method to achieve a fuller brow look.
While microblading isn't as damaging to the skin as a tattoo, it still requires a healing process. There are certain rules you have to follow in the days following your microblading appointment. If you disregard the recommendations, you can end up with bad results.
We are going to go over everything you need to know about the microblading healing process. You will find out everything you can expect during and after your appointment.
What Is Microblading?
Microblading is a cosmetic treatment in which a specialist puts pigment underneath the surface of your skin. It is ideal for people with thinning, over-plucked, or sparse brows that want a fuller look. An electric or handheld device is used to make tiny cuts in your brows that mimic hairs. The method gives you natural-looking fuller brows.
This brow treatment has been around for decades and has gained traction in the United States over the last several years. Microblading is not the same as a brow tattoo, which is supposed to last forever. However, microblading is only semi-permanent and will fade over time.
Microblading results can last anywhere from one year to two years. Once you notice the results starting to fade, you will need to go back to get a touch-up to keep your brows looking crisp. Depending on your skin type and desired look, touch-ups may be required every six months or once a year.
Microblading tends to fade faster on people with oily skin, but they can still get it done. The results just won't last as long as people with normal skin. Overactive sebum glands make your skin oily and also make it harder for the pigment to stay in the skin. Therefore, people with oily skin may need more frequent touch-ups.
You can think of microblading touch-ups as a root touch-up for your hair. Just like you have to go back to get your color redone, you have to have pigment reimplanted into your brows. If you wait too long between appointments, you may have to start over. However, if you keep up with your touch-ups, it can be shorter and less expensive appointments.
The cost of microblading depends on where you live and the place that you go. If you are going to a skilled specialist, you'll probably pay a little more. Generally, the price range is anywhere between $250 to over $1,000.
You don't just want to find the cheapest option. You want to go somewhere that is a clean, safe environment by a licensed professional. You can expect touch-ups to be a little over half the cost of the original price for the treatment.
The Microblading Healing Process
After getting microblading done, you go through a healing process. The treatment is making lots of tiny cuts on your skin, so naturally, your body is going to respond. The entire healing process from start to finish can take 25 to 30 days after the procedure.
Although it can take a month to be totally back to normal, the first 10 to 14 days are the most important since that's when the cuts are the newest. Your face will look red and may swell, and you will feel some soreness and tightness.
Once the cuts begin to scab, you may feel itching and want to scratch your brows, but try not to touch them. The itching means your body is doing its job and healing. Even though scratching will bring immediate gratification, it can cause the healing process to be longer and you may experience scarring from opening up the wounds again.
The total time it takes to heal depends on the person and several factors, like age, health, and skin type. You should expect to see changes as you heal. The definition, color, and texture of your brow area will be a little different every day, especially after your first appointment. This is why you have to go back for a follow-up, to tweak anything that faded or shifted during the healing process.
Microblading only causes superficial wounds, and once you get past the initial uncomfortableness, the healing process shouldn't be that challenging. As long as you keep the area clean and leave it to heal, you'll be back to normal before you know it.
The Day-To-Day Healing Process
The brow specialist who does your microblading should go over everything you need to know about the healing process at your first appointment. They will explain what you can expect and the dos and don'ts for the aftercare.
Let's go over the day-to-day healing process so you have a better understanding of what to expect.
Days 1 to 3: Your brows will look fuller and darker than the final result. Since you just got lots of tiny cuts, you will feel this sensation when the numbing cream from the procedure wears off. You may have redness around the area and will feel tender. You may also experience some minor swelling and bleeding, which is normal.
Days 3 to 5: As the pain starts to subside, your brows will get darker and thicker. You may be getting nervous that they are way too bold, but be patient. By day five, you should start to notice some scabs starting to develop. This stage is when the itchiness will kick in, and they will also start to flake.
Days 5 to 8: You will continue to experience scabbing, peeling, and flaking into the second week of healing. Try your best not to pick at the scabs or peeling, even though it may be tempting. Not only can it cause scarring, but it also can remove pigment, and your final results will look patchy. By day eight, you should notice the color start to soften.
Days 8 to 12: The flaking starts to subside completely, and the normal color begins to show.
Days 12 to 21: By this point, the color of your brows should be pretty close to natural. You will see the individual brow hairs and see the feathery look microblading creates.
Days 21 to 30: Once you get to the one-month mark, your brows are completely healed. You shouldn't be experiencing any pain or discomfort at this point. You will be able to see the results of the microblading and have fuller-looking brows.
If this is after just one appointment, you will have a follow-up in the coming weeks to go over any areas that may have lost pigment in the healing process. After the second appointment, you will go through a second healing process, but it won't be as bad.
If you experience extreme swelling or pain for a prolonged period of time at any point in the healing process, you should see a doctor immediately. It can be a sign of infection and you may need some medication to help you heal.
Healing After Touch-Ups
As previously noted, microblading is only semi-permanent, so it will eventually fade. Therefore, you will need to get touch-ups to keep up with the look. The touch-up will go over areas where you've lost color and definition. The refresh is generally needed a year after your last appointment.
The same technique is used as before for touch-ups: small cuts in the skin to look like brow hairs. You just won't need as many lines this time so that the healing process will be on a smaller scale. Some people experience a similar amount of healing time, while others are back to normal faster after a touch-up.
If you wait too long between touch-ups, your brows will need to be completely redone. You can expect the same downtime as you did the first time you got microblading done.
Microblading Alternatives
If you aren't ready to commit to a semi-permanent style, there are other ways to get the microbladed look without having to go through the healing process. You can get perfect brows with makeup. Brow products are made for people with thinning or sparse spots.
TatBrow's Microblade Pen has a special fork-like tip so it's easy to make precise hair-like strokes. The formula is waterproof, so your new brows will last for up to 24 hours. You can color match it to your brows for the most natural-looking results. There are nine shades from gray to auburn.
Makeup is a lot less painful and expensive than microblading and can be a good alternative for many. TatBrow products can even cover any scars you got from microblading in the past.
In Summary
When you get a procedure like microblading done, you are going to face some downtime. The healing process takes up to a month, but things will start to settle after the first ten days. If you want the microbladed look with none of the healing, you can try TatBrow makeup.
Sources:
Microblading Healing Process: What to Expect After the Procedure | Healthline
Microblading Healing Process (2021): Complete Day by Day Overview | PMU Hub
Why Do Scabs Itch? Causes and How to Treat It | Very Well Health