I Tried Microblading And Here Are My Honest Thoughts

 

 

Microblading is a semi-permanent cosmetic procedure to create the appearance of fuller eyebrows. It is not exactly a tattoo as one uses a pen-like tool with several micro needles to create fine hair-like strokes along the brow while adding medical grade pigment to your skin.

 

 

 

Bring a reference photo of the eyebrows you’d like to get, you can get references of color, shape, thickness.

 

You can arrive at your appointment with filled in brows to show your artist the shape you’d like for them to take into consideration.

 

If you groom your brows regularly make sure to do this 3 days before your scheduled appointment.

 

 

Use Retinol for 2 weeks prior to your appointment.

 

Avoid alcohol, caffeine, Ibuprofen, fish oil and Vitamin E 24hrs before your appointment as they are blood thinners. They are known to dilute the blood and push the pigment out if you bleed during the procedure.

 

If you're on antibiotics, wait 14 days after your final dose is over as antibiotics can make the pigment change color while healing.

 

 

We began by numbing my eyebrows with a topical cream and after 20 minutes of letting the cream sit, the artist began to map out the ideal shape of my eyebrows. They mark the center of the brows with a black thread and note the distance. A dotted outline of the brow is created to highlight one’s natural arch and shape of the brow. This is where you can make changes to the shape once you look at the mapping on your face. A microblading scale is used to meticulously cross-check everything before they begin.

 

An epilator is used to groom the area and they then begin by making their primary strokes with the pen-like tool. Note: Apart from feeling, you can also hear the blade cutting across the brows, which feels like gentle scratches. Then they go in with the shading tool to create fine hair like strokes, which is reminiscent of the feeling you get when getting a tattoo. A layer of pigment is added and wiped off after 5minutes. Final checks are done and if anything needs fixing or changing the artist may go in and make those changes. Also, it is good to note that your eyebrows will grow out as normal post this, so you’ll have to continue to groom them as you were prior to this.

 

 

 

The permanency of your pigment is highly dependent on your skin type and lifestyle. So, if you have oily skin and sweat a lot, the effect will last about 12 months before you might need a touch-up. With normal skin you can easily get a touch up post 18 months. Again, this also depends on how dark you like your brows to look.

 

 

Post microblading, you want to avoid direct sunlight for at least 7 days, you also have to pause working out for the same number of days as working up a healthy sweat can fade out the pigment faster. Avoid wearing makeup, using retinol, swimming and getting your brows wet as well. The artist will give you an antibiotic ointment, make sure you religiously apply every day for 2 weeks.

 

 

At first, the pigment will appear dark immediately after the procedure. This is because the pigment is still sitting on top of your skin and has not yet settled in completely. It can take up to 6-8 weeks for the effect to kick in and heal entirely. Just be sure to know that you will see some swelling and redness which should last you all of 2 entire days including your procedure day.

 

Scabbing and flaking are normal and no matter how tempted you feel to pick at it, just don’t because you could prolong the healing and give yourself an infection. During this process, the pigment will soften and lighten as your skin is regenerating. And you can always adjust the color intensity further in your second session. Keep in mind that your brows will look 30% lighter than the initial color. If you are unhappy with your treatment, you can have the process un done within 24hrs of your session.

 

 

This depends entirely on your threshold for pain but the upside of this procedure is that it is performed only after numbing cream is slathered on your brows. The procedure will begin 20 minutes after application and if you still feel a little bit of pain you can ask for another round of numbing cream.

 

 

You can use an antibacterial facewash, but avoid cleansers with acids and exfoliants. Apply moisturizer without getting them on your eyebrows.

 

 

Microblading is safe if you don’t have sensitive skin or suffer from any auto-immune disorders pertaining to skin like dermatitis and psoriasis. Avoid this treatment if you suffer from Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, Thyroid or Graves’ disease, Anemia and Epilepsy or if you are undergoing Chemotherapy, pregnant or nursing. You can get written consent from your doctor if you still wish to go ahead and get this cosmetic enhancement.

 

 

A junior artist will cost anywhere between Rs 12-20k and a senior artist will charge anywhere between Rs. 40-50k for two whole sessions.

 

If you google the word microblading you should be able to find a good number of artists that show up in your vicinity. Check out their Insta accounts to see if they are the one for you especially if you are keen to look a certain way.

 

At the end of this, I’m not going to tell you what you should do, but I can definitely tell you my benefits of microblading. It has made my mornings hassle-free and given me a confidence boost that I could not have imagined for myself. It will cost you a pretty penny but don’t think twice if you can afford it. #BrowsOnFleek Forever.