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MICROBLADING FAQ'S

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WHAT IS MICROBLADING?

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  • Microblading, also known as eyebrow embroidery, microfeathering, microstroking, Soft-tap, or 3D brows, is a relatively new manual method for enhancing eyebrows. It is considered to be semi-permanent makeup, as compared to the traditional technique done by machine. It is done using a very fine blade to deposit pigment into the upper dermal layer of the skin

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  • The difference with microblading and permanent makeup is that microblading is not done by a machine. The pigment is manually placed into the skin. The microblading tool is equipped with sterile packaged blades. The blade glides with gentle pressure over the skin and causes fine cuts, as fine as a paper cut, leaving a trace that can hardly be distinguished from real hair. Depending on the client's face shape, specific style request, and the technician's drawing technique, microblading creates an individual look that is perfect for your face and the style you are trying to achieve. Above all microbladed eyebrows absolutely do not appear as a brow tattoo.

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  • Microblading is ideal for anyone wanting to enhance the look of their eyebrows. The results are natural looking hair-like strokes, regardless of the amount of the hair you currently have.

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  • People suffering from alopecia, trichotillomania, scars, or any other condition that causes hair loss benefit greatly from microblading, as well as people who simply aren’t happy with their eyebrows.​

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  • The area is treated with topical anesthetics before and during the procedure, so the level of discomfort is extremely low.  Most people don't feel anything, some say it feels like a light scratching sensation.  But rarely does anyone find our technique to be painful. Topical anesthetics are safe and may contain lidocaine, tetracaine and epinephrine.

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  • Redness and slight swelling in the area is common after the procedure. Often clients liken the feeling to a slight sunburn. Frequently Tylenol is used to deaden any discomfort.

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  • The initial appointment takes about 2.5 hours, including pre-numbing time, consultation and design time, the microblading procedure itself, followed by post-procedure home care instructions, and of course your before and after photos!  You can return to your regular routine immediately after the procedure.

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  • Microblading adds color, definition and shape to your face, polishes your overall look, and also saves you a whole lot of time and frustration! Hide scars, fill in sparse areas, or completely redesign over-tweezed or out-dated eyebrows!  Your make-up routine will be simplified, your confidence and self esteem increased and you can get on with your busy day to day life without wasting precious time in front of the mirror every morning, or constantly reaching for your makeup bag throughout the day!  You will no longer have to worry about "losing your brows" while swimming, dancing, gardening, or working out!  You'll get to wake up every day with gorgeous, perfect eyebrows! 

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  • Microblading usually requires 2 visits; the initial procedure, followed by a "Perfection Session" which is done between 4-8 weeks after the initial procedure. Occasionally, a third session is necessary to achieve perfect results. Each of the appointments are scheduled and charged individually.  It is very important to understand that although we use the same techniques, tools and products on all of our clients, we can NEVER guarantee results. Everyone's skin is different -- type, tone, texture, race, age, etc....  Many other health, hygeine and lifestyle factors also greatly affect the final results of microblading. Adjustments can be made during the Perfection Session(s), such as minor shape alterations, pigment discoloration and color correction, however again, there is no guarantee how your skin will react to the pigment, and there are no refunds.

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  • On average, microblading typically lasts 1-3 years, and just gradually fades away. The longevity of microblading depends on many factors including lifestyle, hygiene, health, medication, ethnicity, skin type…normal, oily, or dry and age…young or mature. It is not permanent like a tattoo, because the pigments are not implanted so deeply into the skin. This is a benefit of microblading, because unlike brow tattoos, with microblading you are able to adjust the shape, size, style and/or color from time to time. Skincare also affects the duration of the pigments. Touch-up services, which I like to call "Freshen Up Sessions" are available and recommended every 1-2 years to keep the brow color fresh and defined.​

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  • Anyone with or without eyebrows is a candidate for microblading, with the exception of​

    • Pregnant or nursing mothers

    • Anyone who is currently using or has recently used Accutane

    • Anyone currently undergoing cancer treatments, or completed last treatment less than 6 months ago​

    • Anyone who has a serious heart condition or is using heart medications

    • Anyone with skin diseases or inflammations.

    • Anyone who has had Botox in the last two weeks.

    • Anyone who has gotten a deep tan or chemical peel in the last two weeks.

    • Anyone who requires anesthetic and is allergic to lidocaine, tetracaine, or epinephrine.

    • Anyone on blood thinning medications

    • Anyone with HIV/AIDS, Hep-B Positive, or any other serious blood disease/disorder

    • Anyone with serious medical conditions should consult with their doctors and obtain their approval.

    • Diabetics must have note from their medical doctor approving the microblading procedure

    • Anyone under 18 years of age is not eligible for microblading

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PRE-PROCEDURE INFO

 

  • Threading, waxing or electrolysis procedures must be done at least one week before or two weeks after your microblading appointment.  No tweezing for 48 hours prior to the procedure.

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  • If you are not sure what brow shape suits you best, I will help you to define the shape of your cosmetically tattooed brow at your appointment.

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  • Feel free to bring pictures with you to help to illustrate the type of brow you would like designed.

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  • Do not work out (sweat) for at least 5 days after the procedure

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  • Do not tan or have sunburned face at the time of your appointment

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  • Do not use Retin-A or other medical grade skin resurfacing products or treatments around the eye and brow area for at least 6 weeks before or after the treatment.  

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  • Do not take Aspirin, Niacin, Vitamin E, Fish Oil or Ibuprofen 24 hours before procedure.

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  • No alcohol within 24 hours before the procedure.

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  • No caffeine within 12 hours before the procedure.

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  • Avoid excessive intake of garlic, black pepper, red pepper 24 hours before the procedure.​

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  • Please note that you may be more sensitive during your menstrual cycle.​


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DAY OF PROCEDURE

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  • If you wear brow pencil or powder, please arrive with your current eyebrow makeup ON.  I will be taking several photos of you during your appointment; both with and without your brow makeup, as well as before, during, and after the procedure.  These images may be used to promote my services on my website, however they will be cropped to isolate the brow area only, and your identity will be kept confidential. 

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  • When you arrive at the studio, we will review your completed health forms, I will take a few "before" photos.  Then I will apply a topical anesthetic, which takes about 20 minutes to take full effect.  While we are waiting for the anesthetic to do it's job, I will listen carefully to your thoughts and requests regarding your eyebrows, and we will discuss what would be the most appealing brow shape, texture and color to suit your face. I will then measure and draw your brows on using a soft pencil.

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  • Making changes -- You will have plenty of time to make changes during this process to ensure you are 100% comfortable with what I am proposing to do BEFORE we begin the actual microblading procedure. 

 

  • When we begin the procedure, your initial anesthetic should be in full effect, however you may still feel some slight discomfort.  After the first pass of the microblade, I will be applying a second, more powerful anesthetic, which will sink into the broken skin, and numb the area completely.  Please keep in mind that some people are more sensitive to pain, while others are extremely tolerant.  I cannot guarantee how your skin will react to the anesthetic.

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  • I may ask you to sit up several times during the procedure. This is so I can check placement and symmetry and make small adjustments as needed. Sitting you up straight is the most accurate way to assess your brows. We will look at them together, and if you feel that there are any adjustments made, this is the perfect time to let me know. It is very important to me that you are involved in the process, and that you leave my studio 100% happy with the results

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  • When the procedure is complete, I will invite you to look in the mirror and meet your brand new eyebrows for the first time!  Then we will take some "after" photos, and I will review your after care instructions with you.

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POST-PROCEDURE INFO

 

  • Pain or discomfort --- Your eyebrows may look a little red straight afterwards and this is not unusual. They may also feel a bit ‘tight’ but they shouldn’t be too painful. It should feel like a mild sunburn for a day or two.  You can take an over the counter pain-killer if you feel the need to. Any discomfort should disappear after a few hours although the area may remain tender for a day or so.

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  • It is important that you are prepared for the fact that your brows will look quite dark immediately after the treatment is completed. You may even be a bit "shocked" with the intensity of color at first.  This is absolutely normal and nothing to be concerned about. We anticipate that the color will  fade and/or soften around 10%-30% (on average) over the next 4 weeks. The brow shade is chosen with this in mind.

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  • Healing time ---Some heal more quickly, others may take longer, it depends on each body’s own natural rate of repair. In any case, brows are considered fully healed in 4 WEEKS.  The color can change dramatically during this time, and can often appear patchy and uneven.  You may even feel that it was disappeared!   This is totally normal, so please wait the full 4 weeks before jumping to any conclusions about the color, shade, or intensity of your brows. 

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  • Pigment retention depends on age, nationality, skin type, lifestyle, sun exposure, use of certain skin products, pigments used, immune system, medications, home care and other factors. Microblading is not an exact science, and there is no guarantee as to how your skin will react to microblading, however in order to help you achieve the best possible results, I will give you verbal post-procedure instructions, as well as a printed post-procedure card, and a container of healing balm to take home and use, which helps the natural healing process.

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  • Initially your brows will be very dark, then after a few days they are likely to become a bit flaky, and possibly itchy. DO NOT pick at the flakes! Do not touch the treated area at all except to clean and apply balm as instructed.  The treated area can also appear pale and patchy while the skin repairs itself. You may feel that they have gotten too light, or even disappeared!  But once the dead skin tissue exfoliates and falls away, the healed result will be visible.  The healing process take a full 4 weeks, after which time a "Perfection Session" may be scheduled to make any changes or additional, such as filling in a spot where pigment did not take, sharpening the tails, adding more hair, or darkening the overall color.  This perfection session MUST take place between 4-8 weeks after your initial procedure to receive the special discounted Perfection Session rate.  It is highly recommended that you schedule your Perfection Session as soon as possible, as the schedule is often booked up to 12 weeks or more in advance. You can always cancel it if you don't need it, but if you don't schedule in advance, you may not get an appointment within the 8 week required time frame, and a higher rate may apply.

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AFTER CARE INSTRUCTIONS

  • NO water, cleansers, creams, makeup or any other products on treated area for at least 7 days.

  • 1-2 hours after your procedure clean your brows only once with clean cotton balls/pads or gauze ligtly dampened with clean, cool water. Squeeze out the excess water from cotton ball, pad or gauze so that they are not over-saturated .  Gently wipe and then dry with a clean, lint-free tissue or gauze.  After that, simply keep area clean and dry, and do not touch or apply any other products to the treated area unless instructed.

  • DO NOT rub, pick or scratch the treated area. Let any scabbing or dry skin naturally exfoliate off. Picking can cause scarring, loss of pigment and infection.

  • Avoid heavy sweating for at least 7 days.

  • Do not submerge face in water & do not hold face directly under shower head for at least 7 days

  • No swimming, saunas, facials, or any activities that may cause you to perspire for at least 7 days

  • NO facials, botox, chemical treatments and microdermabrasion for 4 weeks.

  • Avoid sleeping on your face for the first 7 days, and always use a clean pillow case

  • Avoid direct sunlight for 7 days, after that SPF 30 or stronger sunblock should be applied daily

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LONG TERM CARE

  • Use a good sunscreen (SPF 30 or more) Sun exposure will quickly fade your permanent cosmetics, and AVOID tanning beds altogether!

  • If you are planning a chemical peel, laser procedure or an MRI scan, please inform the technician of your permanent cosmetics

  • The use of Retin­A/Tretinoin or any other rapid skin exfoliation products used regularly on the forehead area will cause the permanent makeup to the eyebrow area to fade prematurely.

  • The use of chemical peels and acid peels regularly on the forehead region can also cause eyebrow tattoos to fade prematurely.

 

Approximate Healing Schedule (just a guideline, not the bible)

  • Days 1-2: Your brows are approximately 10-30% darker, bolder and more solid than your healed result will be. The skin underneath the implemented pigment is red, and combined with the pigment residue that temporarily stains the hair & skin in the brow area, this creates the appearance of darker color. There may be some slight discomfort, like that of a light sunburn, however the eyebrow area does not retain much fluid, therefore swelling should be very minimal.

  • Days 3-4:  Your eyebrows may begin to itch and the pigment may appear somewhat raised. Do not scratch or pick! 

  • Days 5-7: The top layers of skin will begin to shed, and you will begin to see a loss of color. This is normal. The skin is now rapidly exfoliating and will shed evenly if left alone. The color under the exfoliating skin will continue to appear light until the epidermis takes on its more transparent characteristics. You may feel like they have disappeared, but this is a temporary healing effect caused by new skin growth that is concealing the strokes beneath the surface.  You may also notice a "reddish" color within the brow area, which is another characteristic of the healing process.  This will gradually subside within the  coming week or so.

  • Days 7-14:  Brows may continue to appear lighter than desired, but will color and definition will start to become more noticeable toward the end of week two.

  • Week 3-4:  Now is the time to critique your brows.  The pigment that was implemented by the microblade has now become part of the upper dermis, and can be seen under the epidermis. We will fill in any uneven areas and/or adjust color or shape at your Perfection Session appointment, which you should already have scheduled in advance.

 

IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY SEVERE PAIN, REDNESS, SWELLING, OR OTHER SIGNS OF INFECTION,

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PRIMARY MEDICAL DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY.

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