Microblading is a semi-permanent eyebrow tattoo using a hand tool with ultra-fine needles to apply pigment to mimic the natural hair. Each stroke is gently etched into the skin to give a natural and realistic look. Unlike traditional cosmetic tattooing, it is less invasive and is considered semi-permanent as the pigments used are designed to fade over time. This allows you to make changes to colour and shape over the years as your natural colouration and facial shape changes. Microblading can correct or reconstruct lost eyebrow and is excellent for those wanting to enhance their brows or who have little to no eyebrows, thinning brows from age or over tweezed brows. Pigments used are chosen to match the natural or desired brow colour and skin tone will also be taken into consideration.
What is 'Embroidery'?
Eyebrow embroidery is done using a machine with a single needle to push the pigment into the skin. The effect is that of a filled in brow, giving a more defined finish. The pigments used are the same as for microblading.
How Long Does It Take?
The procedure will take approximately 3 hours. A big portion of this time will be spent measuring and drawing the outline for the brows to ensure that the client is happy with the shape before commencing. Feel free to come in with your brow makeup on so our technician can see your everyday look you prefer. Reference pictures of shapes and colours of brows are always welcomed. We will then work together to create the perfect brows!
Will It Hurt?
We do all that we can to ensure that the process is as comfortable as possible. Before the Microblading begins, a topical anaesthetic is applied to the area for a minimum of 30 minutes to minimize discomfort. Some clients may feel a slight discomfort, but it is relatively pain free for most. If at any time you feel the slightest hint of pain, the process will immediately cease, and more anaesthetic cream will be applied.
(PLEASE NOTE that if you are a frequent smoker, or have your appointment during your menstrual cycle, the pain level could be intensified.)
After the procedure, redness and slight swelling in the area is normal. Clients describe the area feeling like a light sunburn. Clients can take paracetamol but not aspirin or ibuprofen.
What Happens Next?
Immediately after the procedure and over the next 7-10 days, the eyebrow area will be slightly red, and colour will appear very dark. This is normal for the procedure and part of the healing process and not an accurate indication of the finished result. DONOTPANIC!!
The colour will fade by up to 40% as it heals. In the following days, the eyebrows will continue to be dark and you will notice slight scabbing. DONOT pick at the scabs as this may damage the skin and the outcome of the microbladed area; the pigment is within the scab and you do not want to pull it out! The eyebrows will lighten up in colour as it heals. It takes approximately 7-14 days for the brows to heal over, and about 1 month for the colour to fully set in. You will notice the colour is noticeably light right after the two weeks after healing; the skin will have an opaque milky looking quality to it. This is known as the milk skin and is common in tattooing. This is due to the tissue still healing from the inside out even though the surface of the skin is healed. True colour will reveal itself once healed.
To ensure that the brows perfectly heal a touch up treatment is needed 6-8 weeks after the initial treatment. This first touch-up is included as it gives us the ability to correct any areas that possibly faded or allows the client to make suggestions if they want adjustments with the shape or colour.
Is A Touch Up Necessary?
Yes! A touch up session after 6-8 weeks is necessary as everyone heals differently and outcome will vary. Certain areas may not pick up during first session and will need to be refilled. Pigment colour may need to be adjusted, brow thickness and more strokes can be added. Individuals with oily skin often require a deeper shade during the touch up session as the oils tend to lighten the pigment. Most importantly, your touch up session is when we refine your brows to ensure it looks perfect and retains the colour!
We all heal differently and what works on one client may not be effective on another so please do not compare your results.
Please note that results cannot be guaranteed as each unique skin type will hold pigments differently and break down at different rates. The tattooed hair strokes tend to have a crisper look once healed on dry skin compared to more blurry strokes on oily skin. We will re-evaluate how your skin has received the pigment at your touch-up appointment and make any changes necessary.
Is My Touch Up Included In the Price?
Yes. The price is for 2 treatments; initial procedure and touch up after 6-8 weeks.
Healed results will vary with each individual client and using a pencil or powder may still be needed. Additional sessions (charged accordingly) may be required to obtain optimal results.
How Long Does It Last?
Since microblading pigments are not implanted into the skin as deep as traditional tattoos, the area will naturally fade overtime. Microblading typically lasts up to 2 years, depending on skin type (normal, oily, dry) and the pigment used (light colours fade faster). Skincare routine will also affect the lasting effect of the pigment: clients who tan, use products with AHA or Glycolic Acid will fade faster as your skin will resurface faster. Everyone’s colour retention within the skin will vary. To maintain the brows looking fresh, a touch up is suggested every 12-18 months.
After Care
First 7 Days
Keep the tattooed area clean by rinsing with lukewarm water and patting dry with a disposable paper towel twice a day, then apply thin layer of the aftercare ointment provided. Apply using a disposable cotton swab.
You must avoid working out for 7 days following your microblading appointment. Light exercising is allowed (minimal sweating), but you must clean the tattooed area with lukewarm water as soon as you are done exercising. The salt in sweat will fade the pigment very quickly and give poor results.
Thoroughly cleaning the treated area is essential for retaining pigment and preventing infection. If the treated area is not cleaned regularly, dead skin will build up, producing hard scabs causing rapid pigment loss.
Before cleansing thoroughly wash and dry hands. Use fingertips to gently clean treated area twice a day with a soft anti-bacterial soap (baby wash is ideal) and then pat dry and gently apply the aftercare ointment (given to you by our technician) with a cotton bud.
Days 8-14
Keep cleaning them with lukewarm water twice a day for the second week, no ointment.
Do NOT pick or scratch at the dry skin/flakiness; let the skin fall off naturally. Picking can cause scarring and premature loss of pigment. IMPORTANT: Once the flakes have fallen off, a shiny layer of healing skin will completely cover the hair strokes. It will appear as though the eyebrows are gone. Within 1-2 weeks, the hair strokes will slowly reappear at a lighter shade as your skin regenerates.
Avoid direct sun exposure for the first 14 days. You MUST wear a hat while outside during the healing process.
Do NOT apply make-up to the tattooed area for the first 2 weeks. Chemicals of any kind may interfere with the healing and colour of your tattoo.
No swimming pools, jacuzzi or other bodies of water for two weeks.
Do NOT soak your face underwater in a bathtub or allow the shower to spray directly in your face for two weeks.
**Glycolic Acid, Retin-A, face peels and exfoliation must be kept away from the tattooed area as continued use could lighten the pigment.
Can Anyone Have This Procedure?
No, there are some contraindications that prevent this treatment!
You cannot have this procedure if:
You have ever had Shingles on your face as the procedure could cause a flare up.
You are on Accutane (acne medicine) or had within the last 6 months.
You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Serious diseases that can affect your body's healing process, such as cancer or autoimmune disorders (please consult with your physician)
Bleeding Disorders (please consult with your physician)
Under 18
To ensure the highest quality of safety, all our tools are one time use only. ALL blades, hand tools, wipes, and any other product used during the procedure are disposed of as biohazardous waste after each appointment.
As with all cosmetic procedures, individuals should not make their choices lightly. We always recommend clients do their research, understand the procedure, and compare different artists' work and portfolio when making their decisions. Our brow technician will do her utmost to shape and style the eyebrows to your satisfaction prior to the procedure. Every effort will be made to achieve an even appearance, but please realise our faces are never perfectly symmetrical. Uneven appearance can be fixed during the touch up session. Pigment discoloration and colour correction can also be fixed during the touch up session. Microbladed brows will eventually fade away if no additional touch ups are done.
PLEASE NOTE: THE RESULTS ARE VERY NATURAL AND GIVE A FULLER LOOKING BROW. INITIALLY, THE BROWS APPEAR DARKER, BUT FADE SIGNIFICANTLY OVER A TWO-WEEK PERIOD. IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL