There has been a lot of attention around ombré brows. You may hear ombré and immediately think of the ombré hair trend, but this is a little different. This semi-permanent look is much more subtle. There is a slight color change from the start of the brow to the tail. You don’t see a dramatic change like you do in ombré hairstyles.
There are a lot of options out there when it comes to semi-permanent brows and ombré shading is one of them. A slight color shift is made with pigment in the skin to give depth to sparse brows. Ombré brows have a more natural appearance than other trends. We are going to go over everything you need to know about ombré brows.
What Are Ombré Brows?
Ombré brows are a semi-permanent method that involves placing extremely fine dots of pigment into the skin. This procedure gives you the illusion of filled-in, shaded brows with an ombré effect.
A brow specialist uses a tiny machine to create a soft-shaded brow look. The pigment is placed using a dotting method known as pixelization, which gives the brows a 3D, fuller appearance. The pigment color changes at the place where your brow arches. The brows will get increasingly darker towards the tail.
Ombré brows are not the same as a tattoo, which permanently places ink in the deeper layers of the skin. The machine, in an ombré appointment, injects pigment only in the top layer of skin. Therefore, this technique doesn't last forever but will fade over time.
Generally, ombré brows can last longer than other semi-permanent options. You can expect the pigment to stay in place for two to three years before fading. Although, the amount of time varies depending on lifestyle and skin type. You may need a touch-up after a year. You can also always do touch-ups between appointments with makeup, TatBrow Ultra Defining Gel can add volume and color to your brows quickly.
To get the full effect, you have to go to two separate appointments. The specialist will talk to you about the shape you want in the first session and pick out the pigment shades to give you the perfect ombré look. You will get the initial treatment done and then are sent home to heal.
You have to go back six to eight weeks later for your second appointment. The specialist will go back over any areas that look like they need a little more pigment. You can also make minor adjustments if you see something you want to change.
Most people are ideal candidates for ombré brows. Both men and women have had success with this semi-permanent treatment.
Pre-treatment Steps
Before you go in for your first ombré brow appointment, there are a few pretreatment steps to take for the best possible results.
You will want to stop using products with AHAs, BHAs, or exfoliants on your skin at least three days before your appointment. These skin treatments can create skin irritation, which can affect the way your skin absorbs the pigment. They may cause the color to fade more rapidly.
Stay away from anything that can thin the blood for 48 hours before your appointment. This means you have to steer clear of alcohol, pain relievers, and other medications. Blood-thinning medications thin the blood and cause you to bleed more heavily than usual throughout the procedure, resulting in poor pigment retention.
You don't want to have your brows tinted or colored in any way. You want your brow specialist to be able to color match perfectly and brow tint could interfere. On that note, you also don't want to wear makeup to your appointment. They will have to remove it for you, and it will take up time that's supposed to be spent shading.
Before the procedure begins, make sure your specialist is on the same page with you about your desired outcome. You want to see the pigment shades they have chosen and what they look like once in the skin. Ask to see some before and after photos of other clients with similar skin tone and hair color as you.
You also want to be prepared to pay for the treatment. The cost varies depending on where you go and can be between $500 and $1,000. You should ask for the prices before you go in for your first appointment so there are no surprises.
What Is the Aftercare Like for Ombré Brows?
After you get the ombré brows, you need to follow the proper aftercare if you want the best possible results. The healing period generally takes four to six weeks, but you don't need to follow all of the aftercare tips for the entire time. Your brow specialist should go over all of the important aftercare rules during your first appointment.
The first 10 to 14 days are the most crucial when your brows are freshly done. After that period, you don't have to be as strict, but you should still be mindful of things that could potentially hurt your results.
First, you'll have an antibacterial ointment to apply for 24 hours to keep your brow area from getting infected. After the first day, you can see if your brow specialist recommends another ointment to use as you continue to heal.
You'll also need to take a mini-vacay from makeup. You need to keep your brows dry for ten days after your appointment. Therefore, you can't wear makeup or sweat for a week, so no working out either. These things can lead to the pigment fading prematurely.
Avoid going in the sun since UV/UVA rays can shift the color and lead to fading. You should also shy away from laser treatments, chemical peels, and Retin-A.
Possible Side-Effects
Since the ombré brow is a non-invasive treatment, there are not many risks or side effects to worry about. However, there are some possible ways it can lead to certain issues.
The best thing you can do to mitigate risk is to make sure you research where you are going before making an appointment. If you are going to see a licensed professional in a clean environment, you should be good to go. You don't want to go to someone that doesn't have the proper training because it can lead to problems.
You could get an infection if you go somewhere that doesn't properly sterilize their machines. You can also develop swelling, redness, and oozing. If these side effects persist, you should see a doctor ASAP.
You also will likely develop some scabbing, which you should try not to pick. Allow the scabs to fall off on their own, the scabs are there to protect you, and you don't want to remove them prematurely. You may develop scars if you do pick at them.
What Is the Difference Between Ombré and Microblading?
You may be wondering how ombré brows and microblading vary. Both involve placing pigment beneath the top layer of skin. While the two are both semi-permanent options to fill your brows, the techniques and results are different.
The main difference is the method used for microblading and ombré brows. Microblading involves tiny lines made on the skin to mimic brow hairs. As we know, ombré brows are done with hundreds of dots in a specific pattern. The specialists will increase the amount of dots closer to the tail. Microblading uses one pigment shade and an even distribution of fake brow hairs.
Microblading results give people a more natural look and ombré brows can sometimes look like you're wearing makeup. You should consider what kind of look you want if you're trying to choose between the two.
Ombré brows are less invasive and can be less painful since they don't cause as much bleeding. The dots that are made in this method are less damaging to the skin. Microblading essentially makes a lot of tiny cuts, which causes more trauma to the skin. Everyone's skin is different, though, and some people will be more sensitive than others.
Ombré brows usually last longer, about two to three years. Microblading can also be anywhere from one year to two years. However, it depends on your skin type. People with oily skin can experience fading pigment faster.
If you still can't decide which option you should get, you can get a combination of both. The brow specialist can do ombré microblading, which is when tiny brow strokes are made, gradually getting darker as they get closer to the tail. Or, they can do the microblading as normal and then go back in and add shading. There are many options to help you get the brows you desire.
You can always play around with different brow products to see what look you like. TatBrow Microblade Pen can give you that semi-permanent look without actually having to get it done.
In Summary
Ombré brows can give you a semi-permanent style so you don't have to spend time filling in your brows every day. However, if you aren't ready to pull the trigger, you can still get fuller, natural-looking brows at home. Give TatBrow products a try to achieve any brow style you desire.
Sources:
Ombré Brows vs Microblading: Benefits, Cost, & More | Byrdie
Blood Thinners: Benefits, Risks, & How They Prevent Blood Clots | Web MD
Ombre Brows 2021: Cost, Healing, Aftercare, Before and After | PMH Hub