If, like us, you were guilty of over plucking your eyebrows in your younger years, then eyebrow microblading might be the answer to achieving thicker brows.
If you've not heard of eyebrow microblading before, it's the semi-permanent eyebrow treatment to give the appearance of fuller looking eyebrows that are made to look natural.
Similar to eyebrow lamination, it's a popular treatment for those who don't have time to pencil on their eyebrows everyday as well as those with thinning eyebrows for an instantly groomed look in the morning.
What is eyebrow microblading?
As every face shape and features are different, every eyebrow microblading process is bespoke to the individuals face, as it's all about creating the best brow shape for each individual.
Much like a tattoo, eyebrow microblading uses a very precise blade like pen with 10-12 needles at the end gently scratch the skins surface and don't penetrate the skin. These featherweight strokes create fine, realistic hair-like strokes.
To get a more expert opinion, Nilam Holmes, the founder of Eyebrow Queen has shared her expert knowledge on microblading for brows.
"Microblading is also known as micro pigmentation, semi-permanent make up and eyebrow tattooing. The process takes place when a technician deposits a small amount of pigment under the skin, creating an eyebrow shape via shading or stroke, that can last up to several months or years. The technique itself has been around for decades but the hand-held method was replaced by digital machines. However, a few years ago the handheld method rose back in popularity due to the cheaper costs and accessibility for technicians."
What happens at the appointment?
Your appointment should start with a consultation where your eyebrow technician will take a close look at your natural brows to determine where to apply the microblading and how thick you want them to be. It's a good idea to turn up with how you'd normally wear your brows with your make up done so your technician can see how you like your brows to look. Don't worry, they will remove your make up for you before beginning the treatment.
The next step involves measuring your brows to make sure your brows will be even and in the correct position. Once the position, shape and overall finish has been decided, the brows will then be drawn on with a pencil to get a better idea of shape and positioning.
Now, the colour will be mixed to perfectly match with your skin tone and hair colour and look you're going for. This will be agreed with you before the treatment starts.
Next, it's time to start the microblading process where the brow technician will use the pen with tiny needles at the end to semi-permanently tattoo on your brows using tiny hair strokes that are etched into the skin. These will be applied in several layers.
Don't worry if you're not 100% happy with the results on the day says Nilam as it can fade and change during the healing process. "It’s important to note that when microblading is first done, the small fine strokes can look more realistic due to the skin being broken and some of the pigment sitting at the surface. With time, new skin will heal over the tattoo which creates a slight opacity over the colour. Even with the most careful application, pigment can spread marginally under the surface, blurring each stroke."
How long does eyebrow microblading last?
While eyebrow microblading isn't permanent like a tattoo, it does last quite a while from around 18 to 30 months on average but they may need touch ups once or twice per year to keep them looking fresh.
Nilam says, "Microblading lasts between 6 months and 3 years, the duration is dependent on the type of pigment, how deep it’s put in and how your skin retains colour. As the treatment is cosmetic, microblading is not as deep rooted as traditional tattoos. This means that the pigment does fade over time as opposed to remaining in the dermal layer forever. Skin type plays a role in effectiveness too. For example, if you have oily skin the digital machine may provide more colour in the finished result, as opposed to the handheld method."
What are the downsides of eyebrow microblading?
The main downside is that eyebrow microblading involves breaking the surface of the skin which makes you more susceptible to infection and scarring so you really do need to make sure you're being very careful with that area during the healing process.
The treatment also required occasional top-up appointments too, so although the effects will last longer than your usual brow appointment, you will need touch-ups which will not only cost you but can also scar your skin further.
Choosing the right technician can also be tricky. There's much less pressure choosing a beautician to do your brows as if they aren't what you were after, they will soon grow back or fade after a short time. When working with semi-permanent make up however, you're putting a lot of trust in your technician, so it's a good idea to shop around, do your research and find an experienced and trustworthy technician to do the microblading.
How painful is eyebrow microblading?
Eyebrow microblading feels a bit like a scratching sensation on your brows, and as the surface of your skin is being broken it may feel a bit uncomfortable and painful. If you tend to have a low pain threshold, it's a good idea to take some paracetamol half an hour before your appointment.
You might be wondering if you can use numbing cream before the treatment but many beauticians find that unfortunately, the ink doesn't take well when this is used, however, it is worth asking your beautician about numbing cream if it's something you'd prefer to use.
How much does eyebrow microblading cost?
Prices can vary depending on your clinic or your area but you can expect the treatment to cost around £500. This should include your consultation and your first top-up treatment.
What happens during the aftercare stage?
Your eyebrows will heal in a similar way to a tattoo, so they may feel itchy, they might scab over, look a bit flaky and dry and they may even fade in colour. Remember, all of this is totally normal, but it's important to avoid touching or picking at the area while they're healing.
There are some steps to follow to make sure your eyebrows heal well including using a clean pillowcase, avoiding swimming for 10 days, avoiding direct sun for one week, avoiding exercise for one week, avoiding any skincare or makeup until your brows have fully healed, avoid long hot showers, don't have any facials or other cosmetic procedures on your face for a month.
Can eyebrow microblading be removed?
If you decide you don't like your new microbladed eyebrows, then you can have them removed. The most popular form of removal is laser treatment. The good news is, microbladed eyebrows are much easier to remove compared to normal tattoos as they are more surface level so should fully remove following a few sessions.
How to prepare for your eyebrow microblading appointment
One month before: Stop using retinol or skincare containing vitamin A
Three weeks before: Don't have botox
Two weeks before: Stop using sunbeds or sitting in direct sunlight and avoid any type of facial or peel
One week before: Avoid hair removal products like tweezers, wax or electrolysis on your brows. You should also start avoiding fish oil or vitamin E supplements as these are natural blood thinners.
Three days before: Do not wax or tint your brows
On the day: Avoid exercise and coffee and avoid alcohol, aspirin and ibuprofen 24-48 hours prior to your appointment.
To enjoy more regular stories just like this, become a Yours subscriber and become part of our fun and friendly community of like-minded readers.
Lorna White is a Senior Digital Writer at Yours.co.uk. She was previously a writer at Yours Magazine writing features and news stories before joining the digital team. Lorna loves the great British countryside and likes to spend her spare time out and about in her home of Nottinghamshire walking her dog, Pippin.