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What is Microblading? 

Microblading (also referred to as Manual Hair Stroke Technique, Feather Stroke, Eyebrow Embroidery, 3D Brows)  is the process of manually implanting color pigment into the dermis, known as micropigmentation, by means of a tiny, sterile, disposable needle to create the appearance of natural looking hair strokes.

    

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How long does a microblading appointment take?

A microblading session takes 2-3 hours

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Is microblading a tattoo?

Yes.  While it is not the same as a traditional tattoo, which implants color deeper into the layers of skin and uses a completely different type of machine, a cosmetic tattoo is indeed another form of tattoo.

With the sudden popularity and media attention to the term microblading, many are led to falsely believe that microblading is not a tattoo process, however, that is simply not true.  Permanent cosmetics, "semi-permanent” makeup, micropigmentation, dermal implantation, microblading/micro-stroking, eyebrow embroidery, and long-time/long-lasting makeup, are all different names for the same procedure – cosmetic tattooing. 

 

Any time pigment is placed into the skin with any device, it is indeed a tattoo process. This is defined by many well informed regulators, the medical community, and dictionary sources. Denying that this process is a tattoo can be problematic for those who would, for religious or other personal reasons, normally refuse to have a tattoo. 

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Do my existing eyebrows need to be shaved off for microblading?
Absolutely NOT! In fact please do not tweeze, thread, wax or modify your eyebrows in any way for as long as possible before your appointment. This will allow your artist to customize the perfect brow design tailored specifically to enhance your features and blend in with your natural hair growth.  Your initial microblading service includes a consultation, facial measurements, and a custom brow design for you to preview and approve. Any hair growth that falls outside of the design you choose may or may not be removed according to your preference. Your regular brow maintenance of tweezing, threading, waxing may continue once the brows have healed.

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Who is microblading for?
Both men and women who want to effortlessly and naturally look their best anytime.

 

Most people want beautiful brows that are shaped perfectly but many have no idea how to accomplish this with makeup.  If we had a dollar for every time we hear "I have no idea what I'm doing with my brows" - Don't worry, you don't need to take makeup lessons to have gorgeous brows and we are here to tell you there is no makeup technique that can mimic real hair the way microblading can so it's best to leave these things to professionals like us.

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Fitness enthusiasts and athletes love cosmetic tattoos because they are sweat proof.

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Moms love it because it requires zero effort when you have little time for things like makeup

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People with limited eyesight appreciate not having to struggle to see where to apply makeup.

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Busy people - no time for makeup? No problem.  With microblading you'll wake up every day with perfect brows.

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Does microblading hurt?

Definitely not as much as a traditional tattoo, for which anesthetic is usually not offered.  That said,
discomfort is relative, as everyone has a different level of sensitivity. Topical Anesthetic is applied for 30 minutes before the procedure and every effort is made to ensure you remain comfortable for the duration of the appointment. Our clients are usually pleased to discover that it is no more painful than tweezing or threading! With any cosmetic tattoo mild discomfort and slight swelling should be anticipated.

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How long does microblading last? 
Microblading is a permanent procedure, however, the pigment will significantly fade over time so annual touch-ups are necessary to keep your brows looking their best. 

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Frequency of touch-ups depend on a number of factors including: skin type and tone, pigment selection,  lifestyle (sun exposure, smoking, etc), your overall health, as well as use of acidic and/or brightening skincare products and skincare services to name a few.

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Please note that final results can not be guaranteed as each unique skin type will hold pigments differently and break down at different rates. We will re-evaluate how your skin has received the pigment at your touch-up appointment and make any necessary adjustments.

 

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What colors are available for microblading?

A wide range of tones that mimic natural hair colors are available to create a customized shade.

This will be determined with your artist prior to beginning. 

 

If you're on the more adventurous side and would like pink, purple or even rainbow brows let us know!

We love to push boundaries and want to make your dreams come true.

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How old do I have to be to for a Microblading appointment?

You must be 18 years or older to receive a cosmetic tattoo in the state of California

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Can I get Microblading if I am pregnant or nursing?

As a precaution, we do NOT perform any cosmetic tattooing on anyone who is pregnant or nursing.

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What do I need to know to prepare?

Please thoroughly review our Microblading Before Care Instructions

These are designed to limit bleeding and sensitivity during the service and MUST BE STRICTLY FOLLOWED. Excessive bleeding during the procedure will dilute and expel the pigment color, leading to poor results.

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* If you are a frequent smoker anesthetics used during the treatment may not last as long and also can lead to poor retention and poor lasting results as smoking affects the immune system and the body's ability to heal.

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Fibromyalgia

Please be aware that this may affect your sensitivity and tolerance to the procedure.

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Is it true it hurts worse if you're on your period?

Like waxing, laser treatments and other elective procedures associated with mild discomfort it is known that having these services performed during your menstrual cycle may increase discomfort during the procedure. 

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How long is the microblading healing process? 
It is normal to experience slight swelling and tenderness immediately following your procedure. This usually subsides within a a couple days. The first few days following your procedure, the pigment will appear much darker than how it will appear once it has healed. Around the 1st or 2nd week post procedure, the skin naturally exfoliates and regenerates. During this time, the pigment may appear “foggy” and difficult to see. Around week 4, when the skin completes healing, you will see the pigment become more visible. Your Complimentary Touch-up enhancement appointment is required to perfect your desired brow color, achieve symmetry, and add density to any sparse areas.

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How will my microblading brows look in the future?
During your appointment, we will consider your skin composition and tone to anticipate how pigment colors will heal and fade in the future. We will also mix pigments to ensure the color blends well with your natural hair and skin color. While we only use the highest quality of pigments specially modified to prevent color changes there are some cases where the color may fade to different tones according to the individual’s response to the pigments (like lifestyle and iron deficiencies). Many factors affect these changes. At your follow up appointment we will be able to see see how your body has responded to the initial color and make any necessary adjustments.  If needed, special formula alterations to correct the color is made at this time. Your microbladed brows will eventually look softer and have more of a "powdered" look.  To keep your brows looking their best, a COLOR BOOST appointment is suggested every 12 months for most people and clients with oily skin may require more frequent COLOR BOOST appointments to retain optimal results. Results and preferences vary with each client.

 

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How many microblading treatments are needed?
Microblading is a multiple- step appointment process. Your new brows will NOT be complete after just one service. For microblading, at least two appointments are needed initially. Each of these appointments being 4-8 weeks apart. During your complimentary touch-up, we will assess the pigment retention and make any adjustments necessary. Everyone heals differently and at different rates. If your cosmetic tattoo does not heal perfectly the first time, do not worry!  We can always go bolder and add more density at your next appointment.

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What factors will affect how my microblading looks?
Excessive bleeding during the tattooing procedure can reduce the amount of pigment absorption.

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Alcohol, certain medications and vitamins, or any other blood-thinners should avoided prior to your appointment.

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For a full list of what to avoid before and after your microblading appointment click here.

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Sun exposure: The sun will extremely soften the look of your tattoo, and may also change the color appearance of the pigment. A physical sunscreen should be used once your brows fully heal to prolong your enhancement. Whenever possible, we encourage our clients to wear hats to protect their beautiful brows (and skin too)!

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The choice of pigment color: Some colors may fade quicker than others, e.g. a blonde pigment may fade quicker than a dark brunette pigment.

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Lifestyle: smoking, sun exposure, ("sun worshipers" fade much quicker than those who don't get a lot of sun), or anyone with skin that is in a state of distress (rosacea, acne, etc) may have less desirable results.

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If you are iron deficient/anemic, your pigment will fade sooner and bleeding or bruising may occur during during and after the procedure.

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How will I look immediately after microblading? 
Your brows will appear darker and more intense than expected for the first few days or so. This is completely normal and to be expected.  Brows will gradually lighten during the healing process. Slight redness and swelling is expected as brows heal.

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Are there any specific guidelines or products you would recommend after treatment?

Yes! aftercare is vital and I cannot stress this enough!

With proper care brows will heal quickly and with ease.

At your appointment we will discuss all you need to know including which after care ointment and helpful tips to ensure success. (It's not hard)

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We'll ask you to study & follow our AFTER CARE GUIDE faithfully but here are the basics:

 

After care ointment will be applied hourly with a cotton swab (because it's cleaner than your finger) and brows will stay protected and clean while you heal.

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NO WATER ON AREA for 24-48 hours after your procedure

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NO STEAM OR UNDERWATER

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NO SUN: avoid sun exposure for around 2 weeks.

 

NO SWEAT: It is advised to avoid excessive sweating for two weeks while lips are healing.  If you must, we suggest an extra thick layer of after care ointment to keep sweat from touching lips.

 

 

Is there anything I should avoid prior to my appointment?

Don't consume: alcohol, caffeine, fish oil, Vitamin E, aspirin or ibuprofen for 48 hours before

as these can cause the blood to thin and will result in more bleeding during the procedure.

 

 

Can I go back to work after my appointment?

Absolutely

 

 

What should I know about long term care?

Annual COLOR BOOST appointments are required to maintain optimal color. If you do not maintain your cosmetic tattoo with COLOR BOOST appointments, the color will lighten over time. Fading greatly depends on your skin type and tone, lifestyle, sun exposure, pigment color used, and your overall health.We suggest that if you want to maintain your lips so that they always look their best plan on scheduling a COLOR BOOST every year for best results and occasionally some people see fading sooner and will require touch-ups more often.

 

 

For Exfoliant Lovers

If you are applying acidic or brightening skincare (AHA’s, retinol, peels, glycolics, salicylic acid, etc.) please first cover your brows with aquaphor or vaseline to avoid premature pigment fading.

 

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MRI's

If you are receiving an MRI , please inform the technician that you have had an iron-oxide cosmetic tattoo as this procedure shows up as artifact on these scans. Some clients may experience a tingling sensation.  Notify your radiologist that you have had a cosmetic tattoo so they may take any necessary precautions.

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Laser Treatments

If you are planning to have laser treatments, it is recommended to cover your microbladed brows with 20% Zinc Oxide to avoid premature fading as laser or pulsed light hair removal or skin rejuvenation can cause color change so you should advise your laser technician that you have had a cosmetic brow tattoo procedure

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Is microblading safe for people with particularly sensitive skin or allergies?

Skin sensitivities and allergies are always taken into consideration on an individual assessment. The majority of clients with skin sensitivities or allergies that are minor are eligible for microblading and other cosmetic tattoos, and usually experience only a slight increase in redness of the skin that subsides within an hour or two post-treatment.

 

Any allergies to cosmetics, latex or numbing agents (such as Lidocaine, Benzocaine Tetracaine) should always be disclosed with us prior to your appointment.  If you are unsure you should consult with y7our dermatologist or regular physician to ask if you are able to receive tattoos of any kind.

 

 

Do a lot of people have microblading?

Yes! Many more than you realize because good work looks natural so you wouldn't know unless they tell you. 

 

Shhhhhh.... we won't tell if you don't.

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What about men?

Yes! Men love it because they often feel there is a stigma associated with wearing or applying makeup but feel comfortable having a confidential tattoo procedure. 

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It may be surprising to some people to learn that men are frequent recipients of cosmetic tattoos - the most popular being microblading and lash enhancement using the *Dot Technique and even include lip tattoos to even out uneven lip color. 

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As men age they often loose the tail end of the brows and by replacing this structure a face will look years younger. 

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Can I donate blood after receiving a tattoo / cosmetic tattoo?

The Red Cross has suggested that you do not give blood for 6 months following a tattoo procedure.

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