FAQS-Microblading

What is microblading?

Microblading eyebrows is a form of permanent makeup that creates natural, beautiful eyebrows with a handheld microblade. It’s perfect for people who have overplucked or those who want to define, darken or reshape their eyebrows.

Microblading originated in Asia over 20 years ago and has gone by many names: eyebrow embroidery, feather touch, micro-stroking and even “the Japanese Method.” By 2015, microblading became popular in the United States.

Technically, microblading is a form of eyebrow tattooing. But unlike traditional tattooing, which uses a machine, microblading artists apply each hair stroke with a handheld microblade. This produces a very fine line that resembles real hair. Each individual hair stroke is hand drawn by the artist and blended in with the client’s existing eyebrow hair. With a strong artist at the helm, the results can be gorgeous and very lifelike.

What do I need to know/do to prepare for my microblading/Ombre eyebrows appointment?

The following restrictions are to ensure your skin is in the best possible condition for an amazing microblading procedure. Please read carefully:

• Do NOT DRINK ALCOHOL or CAFFEINE  before the procedure (at least 24hrs for alcohol)
• Do NOT  TAKE ADVIL or other blood thinners such a Aspirin, Niacin, Vitamin E and/or Ibuprofen unless medically necessary, 48-72 hrs prior to your procedure. Extra strength Tylenol can be taken if you have low pain tolerance.
• If you have recently tanned this will affect the outcome of the healed color.
• If you’ve had laser removal of previous work done by someone else, the treated area has now more scar tissue and can affect the outcome of the result.  More treatments may be necessary to have the skin take the color.
• Avoid exercising the day of procedure as this will open up the pores.
• Please note that you will be more sensitive during your menstrual cycle.
• No waxing, threading or tinting 3 days before
• The following treatments should avoided within four weeks of the procedure:
  • Botox or other fillers
  • Chemical Peels
  • Laser treatments

If you have any questions about these restrictions, please contact us! We are happy to help.

How long does it take?

2-3 hours 

What should I expect after my microblading/Ombre eyebrows treatment?

Your eyebrows will go through several phases during the healing cycle.

Days 1-4: The pigment will appear very sharp and dark. This is because the pigment is still sitting on top of your skin, and has not yet settled in completely. The color of the pigment will soften gradually. Do not be alarmed if you see some pigment on the cotton swab, as this is excess pigment and/or body fluid that is naturally exiting your skin. Your brows may swell and appear larger also.

Days 5-7: Once the healing of the skin starts taking place, it will look like dandruff flakes or dry skin. This might give you the impression that the pigment is fading too quickly, however, this is just superficial color and dry skin being naturally removed from

your eyebrows.

Days 8-12: Your brows may look as though the pigment has completely faded – do not panic – take a deep breath and trust the process.

Days 14-28: Your brows may still look a little patchy or uneven, but the pigment will start to “reappear” as the pigment settles and the healing continues. You may get your touch-up/perfecting procedure done at the 6 – 8 week point NO SOONER to allow for complete healing of the brows.

Pro-Tip:

Once completely healed, always apply a layer of sunscreen SPF 30 up to SPF 50 on your

eyebrows when exposed to the sun. Sun exposure might cause the color pigment to fade quickly.

Microblading After Care

It is essential that you follow these instructions after your session:

Day 1 (Day of treatment): 2-3 hours after treatment, gently clean the area with a very small amount of sterile water on a cotton pad, just barely damp, NOT wet. After that using a cotton swab, you need to apply a very small amount of After Inked lotion to brows (very small amount- the size of a grain of rice). This is just to add a small amount of moisture – brows should not appear greasy, glossy or shiny, if they do, you used too much. Do not use aggressive movement/manipulation of the skin- be gentle. Make sure your hands are clean before touching your brows.

Do this every 2-3 hours today to avoid build-up of blood/lymph on the area.

Day 2 – until peeling: When you wake up, gently wipe the area with a small amount of sterile water on a cotton pad. Be extra careful not to rub the brows hard, tug or scrub the brows. Apply lotion after that.

Repeat it every 4-5 hours and right before going to sleep  to avoid any build-up of blood/lymph.

Before showering apply a layer of After Inked to protect your eyebrows from moisture. During the shower keep your face away from the showerhead. Remove After Inked gently after the shower.

During the peeling: You do not need to clean eyebrows with sterile water; however, continue applying lotion.

Please NOTE: Itching and flaking may appear during the first seven days after procedure. However, experience has shown that by following these after-care instructions, these symptoms may quickly disappear.

The following must be avoided during all 14 days post-microblading and post-Ombre procedure:

• Allowing any water to touch the brows! No shower stream over brows. Wash face CAREFULLY with a washcloth or cleansing wipes, avoid brow area.
• Sweating
• Exercising
• Practicing sports
• Swimming
• Hot sauna, hot bath, or Jacuzzi
• Sun tanning or salon tanning
• Any laser or chemical treatments or peelings, and/or any creams containing Retin-A or Glycolic Acid on the face or neck
• Picking, peeling, or scratching of the brow area. You will cause scarring of the area or removal of the pigment if you pick or peel scabs prematurely.
• Performing tasks related to heavy household cleaning such as garage or basement cleaning where there is a lot of airborne debris – now is not the time!
• Spicy foods
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol in excess, as it may lead to slow healing of wounds
• Driving in open air vehicles such as convertibles, boats, bicycles, or motorcycles
• Touching of the eyebrow area except for when rinsing and applying the post-care with a cotton swab
• Do not use any cleansers or facial products of any kind, over the brow area for at least 10 days.
• Absolutely do not use any ointments, antibiotic creams or gels, or vitamin creams over the brow area –it will draw out the pigment.

Itching and flaking may appear during the first seven days post-microblading and post-Ombre procedure. However, experience has shown that by following these after-care instructions, these symptoms may quickly disappear.

If you have any unexpected problems with the healing of the skin, please contact us immediately, to discuss further instructions.

Contact a physician if any signs or symptoms develop such as the following: fever, redness at the site, swelling, tenderness of the procedure site, elevated body temperature, red streaks going from the procedure site towards the heart, and/or any green/yellow discharge that is foul in odor.

Can I get eyebrows wet or work out?

Getting them wet for prolonged periods of time may cause premature lifting of your scabs and increase the chance of infections and loss of pigment. If you get them wet, you must blot them dry immediately to avoid complications and undesired results such as smudgy blurred lines, scar tissue, and uneven pigment.

You also must avoid sweating in that area for at least 10 days. Salt draws out pigment and you will be left with undesirable results.

Can I was my face and wear makeup after?

Chemicals found in makeup and cleansers may alter the color of the pigment and affect the healing process so it would be best to wash around it.

No makeup on the brows for at least two weeks but everywhere else is fine. 

Can we cover up/color correct/remove my old tattoo done by another artist?

** PLEASE SEND A PHOTO OF YOUR OLD TATTOO PRIOR TO BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT!!! NOTE THAT YOUR OLD TATTOO MUST BE VERY FADED IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE DESIRED RESULTS!!! GOING OVER AN OLD TATTOO THAT IS STILL TOO DARK WILL GIVE YOU DISAPPOINTING RESULTS. **

If we are covering up an old tattoo previously done by another artist, please come with realistic expectations of what is possible to achieve. If the former tattoo is extremely uneven or dramatic in shape, we may not be able to achieve your exact desired shape or symmetry. Any hair strokes done within the old tattoo may blend in and will not be as crisp, giving an appearance of unevenness in color and the old tattoo will still show through the new hair strokes. If there is a build up of scar tissue, the strokes may not hold as well in those areas. Specifications on an exact color after healed is not guaranteed.

Does it hurt?

Most of our clients report little or no pain. Since the procedure takes a couple hours, some clients have literally slept through it! We leave a topical anesthetic on the eyebrow area for 20 minutes before we begin the process, an a second numbing cream during the procedure. This leaves most clients numb during the entire time. However, if you find that you’re very sensitive, you may report mild discomfort.

Do I need a touch-up after microblading?

The first appointment is about structure, design, and building hair strokes. The touch-up is about seeing how the skin heals and retains pigment, as well as making any necessary adjustments to achieve better symmetry, definition, or volume.

In most cases, only a minor touch up is necessary to fill in any sparse areas for a very natural look and some do choose to skip the touch-up appointment to keep the look more natural.

If you are opting for a fuller more defined look, then the touch up is recommended to achieve desired result.

Some may need a 3rd session to complete the process. Especially if you have little to no hair to begin with, have scar tissue, oily skin type, or we are trying to cover up an old tattoo.

What pigments do you use?

We use iron oxide pigments. These pigments fade over time as your body will naturally absorb it. They are considered the safest semi-permanent pigments to use for skin.

How long will my semi-permanent makeup last?

They fade over time and should be refreshed every 1-1. 5 years for maintenance. Fading is desired as your skin and facial structure will change as aging occurs. However this does not mean that your semi-permanent makeup will completely disappear. Depending on  your skin and health, overtime your semi-permanent makeup may leave a soft haze of residual pigment behind. It is recommended to refresh them before 2 years and no sooner than 1 year. If they have faded before a year, you may fill them in with makeup and wait after 1 year to come back for additional touch up to avoid too much trauma to your skin.

What is your sterilization/sanitization process?

• All needles and hand tools are single-use, come in a sterilized package, and disposed of after each client.

Implements such as gauze, cotton swabs, etc. are single-use and disposed of after each client.

• Gloves and mask are worn at all times during the procedure and disposed of after each client.
• All stations are thoroughly disinfected with CaviWipes after each client