Microblading is such a popular treatment right now there’s no way you haven’t heard about it. It’s the no. 1 biggest brow trend and by far the most sought-after permanent makeup treatment. And for a good reason – microblading gives you a stunning natural-looking brow enhancement that lasts up to 2 years.
You probably know this, but you might be thinking – how does microblading work exactly?
Let’s explain the microblading technique and get you familiar with all the key information.
How Does Microblading Work?
Microblading works by opening up the skin and depositing pigments into it.
Thin, tiny incisions are made on the surface of the skin with a handheld tool. The microblading tool has a tip made up of several thin pins that act like a very thin blade that’s dragged through the skin in a stroke that mimics the shape, curve and length of eyebrow hair.
The blade is dipped into an ink formula called a permanent makeup pigment, which has a different composition from traditional tattoo ink and the body can break it down gradually, which means that microblading doesn’t last forever (although it’s called permanent makeup). This is a good thing, because it allows you to change up your look every couple of years.
Once the incisions filled with pigment heal, they look like brow hairs. The strokes are placed following the natural pattern of brow growth, so, although you don’t get any extra physical hairs, you get the illusion of having naturally thick brows with arches best suited to your facial morphology.
The arches are created by precise measuring, which ensures the final result suits your features.
Image source: Instagram @hellostudiohue
What’s a Microblading Treatment Like?
The microblading treatment is a several-step procedure. Let’s go through it step by step:
Step 1 – Consults
Arguably the most important phase of the microblading process happens before the actual treatment. Consultations with your microblading artist (this is what a person who does microblading is called) are a chance to tell them what exactly you want from the treatment, and for them to tell you what’s realistic and what will work best.
It’s important to meet your artist beforehand so that they can establish whether you’re a good candidate for microblading – some people’s skin isn’t suitable for microblading (too oily, mature, or particularly sensitive) and those clients are pointed in the direction of nano brows or powder brows instead.
It’s also a chance to do a microblading patch test and confirm you’re not allergic to any of the products used for the treatment.
Step 2 – First Session
When you show up for your microblading appointment, you will be asked to fill out a microblading consent form.
You will settle into the microblading chair and the artist will clean your brows area. They will draw an outline and then they’ll apply a topical anesthetic which ensures the treatment is comfortable. When the numbing kicks in, they’ll start microblading your brows.
The blading part is usually done in 2-3 passes, with a thick layer of pigment left to sit on the brows for a few minutes after each – the so-called pigment mask. The color will soak into the skin, and when it’s cleaned off, you will have full, thick brows. Yay!
But the process isn’t over. Your brows will go through a healing process during which you’ll have to follow some aftercare instructions, and 6-8 weeks later, you will have to get a microblading touch up.
Image source: Instagram @thebrowtician
Step 3 – Second Session
Microblading is a 2-session treatment – once your brows have healed, you need to go back for another session of blading to fix any possible imperfections.
The artist will assess how your brows have healed, and they’ll go back over the strokes which healed too light, or didn’t take. This is a chance to make any adjustment you want (go darker, thicker, or modify the shape).
This session shouldn’t take long, and afterwards, the healing process won’t be as intense as the first time around, although you’ll still need to follow some aftercare.
Image source: Instagram @microblading_phibrows_mariola
Other Information You Need to Know
Okay, now we’ve covered how does microblading work, but there are other important facts about microblading you need to know if you’re thinking of getting the treatment. So let’s answer some frequently asked questions:
Does the Treatment Hurt?
Not really. Topical anesthetics are used during the procedure, which ensures that the treatment is uncomfortable at most.
Find out what microblading feels like in this article.
What’s the Healing Process Like?
The healing process after microblading entails several stages, and some of them can be annoying and unattractive. Luckily, the visible signs of healing are only present for about 2 weeks, after which time your brows will settle into their true color and the skin will heal internally.
Learn about the stages of microblading healing in our guide.
During these 2 weeks, you’ll need to take care of your brows in a certain way to make sure the skin closes up properly, and your results turn out as good as possible.
Find out everything you need to know about microblading aftercare.
How Long Do the Effects of Microblading Last?
As we mention, microblading is done in such a way that ensures the results don’t last forever. The average longevity of the results is about 18 months, at which point you can have them refreshed. The strokes start fading visibly after about 9 months, but the pace of fading is very individual.
Read more about the factors that determine how long microblading lasts.
Image source: Instagram @hellobellaandbrow
How Much Does Microblading Cost?
The average price of a microblading treatment is around $600, but the price can vary significantly from salon to salon.
Find out which factors affect the price of microblading and how much it costs near you in this guide.
Microblading Sounds Great! Where Do I Sign Up?
Now that you know how does microblading work, you just need to book a treatment and get your dream brows! If we’ve convinced you to go for the treatment, explore PMUHub’s base of permanent makeup salons and find your artist!
Cover image source: Freepik
