MICROBLADING

Microblading is a cosmetic procedure that inserts pigment under your skin using a needle to give you well-defined, natural looking eyebrows.

Generally, results can last from 12 to 18 months depending on your skin type, lifestyle, and how often you get touch-ups.

Want to know how long to expect your individual procedure results to last? Read on to get the details.

How long does microblading last?

As mentioned above, microblading can last anywhere from 12 to 18 months. In general, it requires touch-ups once or twice a year.

Once pigment from the procedure begins to noticeably fade, you’ll need to go back to your practitioner for a touch-up application.

Microblading touch-ups are similar to getting root touch-ups for your hair. If you go when your microblading first starts fading, you can simply have the color filled in.

If you wait longer than your practitioner recommends, you may have to have the whole microblading procedure done over again on both of your eyebrows. This is time-intensive and much more expensive than a touch-up application.

How do you know whether you’ll need touch-ups sooner or later? It depends on your skin type.

Microblading results by skin type

High amounts of sebum, or oil, being secreted from your skin can make it more difficult for pigment to adhere to your skin.

This means that oily or combination skin types may need touch-ups more frequently than normal or dry skin types.

Speak with your aesthetician about any concerns you have about your skin type and how long you can expect your results to last.

How much does microblading cost?

Microblading is not a low cost procedure. Here are some important things to consider:

costs vary greatly, from about $250 to $1,000
touch-ups cost less than the full procedure
insurance likely won’t cover it, but discounts may be available through the salon

The cost of microblading will vary depending on the cost of living in your area and the level of experience of your aesthetician.

Touch-ups tend to cost a little over half the cost of the original procedure. For example, touching up a $500 treatment would typically cost around $300.

Microblading isn’t typically covered by health insurance, though there are medical conditions, medications, and treatments that can cause your eyebrow hair to fall out. You may also be able to use your HSA (health savings account) to cover your microblading treatment.

Since microblading can be expensive, ask your practitioner if you may be eligible for discounts. Volunteering to be included as a subject in your aesthetician’s portfolio is one option that might bring down the cost.

Preparing for your microblading session

The microblading process starts even before you book an appointment. Here are some key facts to understand:

Steer clear of Botox 6 to 8 weeks before microblading.
Speak with your doctor about medication and risk factors, like cold sores.
Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine the day before your appointment.

WE recommends vetting potential practitioners before booking an appointment. Here are some of her suggestions:

Read reviews on the practitioner and place of business.
Ask for before/after pictures that show healed results.
Ensure the procedure will be performed in a sterile setting.
Ensure your practitioner is experienced and certified.

Before the procedure, suggests avoiding:

Botox and any other neurotoxin for 6 to 8 weeks
waxing, plucking, threading, or shaving brows for a few days
retinol or prescription retinoids for 7 days
AHA and BHA creams for 7 days
chemical peels for 30 to 60 days, depending on the nature of the peel
any other exfoliating products for 2 to 7 days
blood thinners for 2 to 7 days
aspirin for 2 to 7 days
ibuprofen for 2 to 7 days
fish oil for 2 to 7 days
Vitamin E for 2 to 7 days
alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours

we suggests speaking with a physician before stopping any supplements, medications, or prescription skin care products , also people can pre-emptively reduce their risks for side effects by:

reviewing risks of scarring and keloids
discussing their history of fever blisters or cold sores with a physician before making an appointment

If you have a history of fever blisters or cold sores, it may be important to consider pre-medicating under the supervision of your doctor

Be sure to share your history of sun exposure, any previous use of isotretinoin or Accutane, dye allergies, as well as medications or herbal supplements with your practitioner.

Medications that can thin the blood, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and some herbal supplements, may cause bleeding that prevents the procedure from working.

What is the process, step by step?

Knowing what to expect on the day of your appointment can ease nerves. Here are some basics:

Discuss preferences, including style, with a practitioner before the procedure.

Cleaning and topical anesthetics help reduce discomfort during and after the procedure.

Light bleeding is common.

The process can take up to 2 hours, including consultations.

Practitioners will often speak with patients for 15 to 20 minutes before the first procedure.

This time will be spent going over health and consent forms, your likes and dislikes, and brow styles suitable for your facial structure

After that, the practitioner will perform the microblading procedure:

First, they’ll apply a topical.

Then, they’ll clean the area using alcohol. and starting Mapping your eyebrows to figure out the right SHAPE

They’ll starting to create the hair strokes by using the micro-blade

They’ll finish by applying antibiotic ointment.

The procedure itself takes 30 minutes, but the process can take up to 1 hours and half

There may be some light bleeding or oozing as the pigment is placed.

This is to be expected given that the pigment is placed in superficial layers of the dermis

What to do after treatment

Avoid touching the area for at least 24 hours post-procedure.
Avoid heavy workouts and contact with water for at least 48 hours. After that, use water only when cleansing, and gently pat the face dry. Avoid cleansers for at least a week.
Wait at least a week to resume your normal skin care routine, including exfoliants, creams, astringents, and makeup.
Avoid swimming, saunas, and steam rooms for at least 2 weeks.
Don’t wax or thread your eyebrows for at least 6 weeks.

we suggests avoiding particular treatments for about 3 weeks, including:

Botox
chemical treatments
facials

How long does microblading take to heal?

Microblading doesn’t end when you leave the practitioner’s office. There’s a healing process involved. Here’s what to understand:

It can take up to 2 weeks for the microblading process to be complete.
Your skin will be sensitive during this time. Avoid touching it.
Scabbing and itching is common, but don’t pick at the scabs. This helps prevent infection.
Avoid wetting your brows in any way.
Avoid LED light exposure or radiofrequency.

Microblading takes 10 to 14 days to heal as the pigment settles into its shape. During this process, your skin will be sensitive. The skin on your eyebrows will eventually scab and flake off. The area will be red and tender to the touch at first.

While your new brow shape is healing, don’t pick or scratch the area. This introduces germs that could become trapped under your skin and cause an infection. Picking at flakes may also cause the color of your brows to fade more quickly.