My Microblading Experience

Two weeks ago, I got my eyebrows microbladed! This is something I've been researching and looking into for months, and finally had several friends recommend the same brow artist.

I saw Pico Brows in Coppell, Texas (On Instagram her handle is dallas_brows_artist). From the moment I met her, I knew I could trust her! She was so easy-going, mapped out my brows in advance and asked for my feedback, and was so quick and efficient!

I wanted to wait the full two weeks post healing so I could show the final results with you.

^ Above photos: Left is day of brow microblade appt and right is final results 15 days after microblade appt.

Here are some FAQS for microblading!

Q: What is microblading?

A: Found from Brow House website: Microblading is a semi-permanent brow tattoo performed with a small handheld tool, using a feather stroke technique to produce the appearance of fuller eyebrows or to enhance the natural features of the face. Microblading is a softer/more subtle cosmetic tattoo than some of older methods. Body tattoos use ink while cosmetic tattoo procedures involve pigments. These pigments are designed to gently fade over time. Fading is desired as it allows the artist to make changes to color and shape over the years as client’s natural coloration and facial changes occur.

Q: What is the process?

A: Your brow artist will likely begin with numbing your eyebrows (this took around 30 minutes). After the numbing cream is wiped away, they will pencil stencil in your brows for what they think will look best based off of your brow shape. This is your time to be hyper critical- this is your face after all! Tell the brow artist what you do and do not like, and be really honest. Once they begin, they can't change it! If it helps you, come to the appointment with your brows shaded in and drawn in the way you like, that way the artist can see what you prefer beforehand.

Once you sign off on your stenciled in brows, they will begin the cosmetic tattoo process.

The procedure is done by using a hand tool with ultra fine needles and each 'hair' is gently etched into the skin, giving an incredibly natural and realistic look. Microblading can dramatically correct or fully 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.

Q: What do I need to do prior to the appointment?

A: Come prepared with photos or ideas of how you want your brows to look. Your brow artist will first draw on and map out your "new brows to be" before you sign off on them, this way you can tweak what you do or don't want before the process begins. I also highly recommend coming with zero product on your face or brows so that that removal process doesn't take away from your appointment.

From the Brow House:

• You may fill in your eyebrows as you normally would so we can take into consideration the shape you desire.

• If you regularly get your eyebrows shaped, waxed, threaded or tinted, please do so at least 3 days before your appointment.

• If you have been on prescription Accutane in the past, you must wait at least one year before considering this procedure.

• You must stop using Retinol 2 weeks prior to your appointment and avoid using it for the 2 weeks following your appointment.

• If you get Botox regularly please get that done no later than 2 weeks before your appointment. This is to ensure we can make your brows as symmetrical as possible.

• Avoid chemical peels at least 4 weeks prior to your appointment.

• Avoid direct sun exposure and tanning for 2 weeks before and after your procedure. Do not come to your appointment with a sunburn. In this case, email us at least 48 hours prior to your appointment to reschedule.

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, or any blood thinning medication 24 hours prior to your appointment.

• If you plan to go on a vacation, it is recommended to plan your trip a minimum of 10 days after the procedure due to the aftercare maintenance.

Q: Does it hurt?

A: Honestly, it doesn't hurt too much! I have very little pain tolerance, so I tend to freak out even over fillings at the dentist. She places a numbing cream on your eyebrows 30 minutes prior to beginning. The only part that genuinely does hurt is when the artist goes back over your brows multiple times so they feel really raw and open. Out of the entire process, I'd say actual pain takes up maybe 5-10 minutes of it.

Q: How long does it take?

A: I would guestimate I was there for just about 2 hours. Much of the time is spent measuring and drawing on a symmetrical set of brows and agreeing on your perfect shape and color. The actual procedure itself takes 30min to an hour. The touch-up appointment will take about an hour.

Q: What is the healing process like?

A: After the appointment, your brows will look intense. I honestly freaked out a teeny bit after because I was so mindblown over how dark my eyebrows looked! I felt like they truly looked tattooed on and I was self-conscious for about a week. They began to peel and flake off at around day 5, and by day 9 they truly looked amazing. The treated area may feel a bit like a sunburn afterwards but there should only be minimal discomfort.

The complete healing process takes about 6-8 weeks (due to the touch up that takes place 6 weeks after your first appointment), at which time the true color of the tattoo is evident. During this process, your tattoo will soften and lighten. Be patient, even if you think too much color has been lost, as your skin is still regenerating and naturally exfoliating. Wait at least 6 weeks to see the true color, as it seems to take on new strength, and it is only after 6 weeks that your touch-up/adjustment can be done. Keep in mind that microbladed brows healed up to 30% softer than the initial color- this fact helped keep me sane during the healing process!

Q: What is maintenance like?

A: The treatment is considered semi-permanent and will fade over time. Touch-ups are recommended every 1-2 years maintain shape, color, and detail. How often depends on a number of factors including: Skin type (IE oily skin fades quicker); Pigment color used (lighter pigments fade quicker); and use of certain products around eyebrow products (IE retinol will make you fade quick! I use retinol daily- but use it everywhere but my eyebrow area). These products increase your cell turnover rate and will shorten the life of your cosmetic tattoo

Q: What is aftercare like?

A: Days 1-7 Try to avoid water and facial cleansers/products as much as possible. Keep the tattooed area clean by rinsing with lukewarm water and patting dry with a disposable paper towel 3 times a day, then apply thin layer of the after care ointment provided. I just patted the ointment on (I also ran out of ointment and used Aquaphor as a backup!)

Days 7-14 You can begin to go back to normal- you will notice that your skin is beginning to flake off. Avoid picking it as much as you can.

Tips for aftercare:

- You may shower or bathe normally, but avoid using any soaps or cleansers on the treated area for the first week as they can be detrimental to the bonding process that must take place for the pigment to stabilize in the dermis.

- 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.

- 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 the sweat will fade the pigment very quickly and give poor results.

- Avoid direct sunlight if possible

- Try not to wear makeup on area for minimally 14 days as this could affect the healing process. I needed to wear makeup one day, so I used my Beauty Blender and went around the eyebrows to ensure I wasn't placing any product on them.

Q: You mentioned there is a touch up appointment, when does that take place?

A: In order to ensure that the brows heal perfectly a minimum of two treatments are usually needed 6-10 weeks apart on average. Not every brow artist includes it in the original price, but the purpose of the touch up provides the ability to correct any areas that possibly faded or allows the client to make suggestions if they want adjustments with the shape or color. I made my touch up appointment 6 weeks after my 2 week heal was complete.

I hope this helped! I love love love my results, and I can't wait to go back for my touchup!

X,

Style & Stephanie