With microblading being so sought-after at the moment, there’s virtually no beauty blog, website or magazine that hasn’t written about it. Everyone knows at least a little bit about microblading, and with so many resources out there, it’s not uncommon to come across conflicting information and half-truths.
Clients who are interested in the treatment sometimes get confused by so much information, and especially the labels: is it permanent or semi-permanent? Is it the same thing as a tattoo?
Artists often have clients coming in with misconceptions about microblading. Let’s clear them up.
Myth #1 – Microblading Is Just a Tattoo for Your Brows
Sort of.
We admit, microblading does sound a lot like a traditional tattoo: the skin is opened up with a sharp tool and colors are deposited into it. But there’s more to it.
Microblading is actually a cosmetic tattoo. The principle behind a cosmetic and a traditional body tattoo may be the same, but there are some crucial differences:
- Microblading does not stay visible forever, it fades within 18 months or so.
- It uses semi-permanent pigments, microblading can’t be done with regular tattoo ink.
- It’s done with a hand-held blade, not a machine.
- The color is implemented into the upper dermis layer of the skin, so, very shallow.
In the past, if you wanted a permanent brow fill, getting them inked was the only option, which worked if you wanted thin, tadpole brows, but they would turn blue after a while, and plus, brow trends changed so much they became totally passé.
Microblading is a much more advanced option which adds thin hair strokes and gives a natural-looking enhancement.
Myth #2 – It’s Permanent
False.
Although it’s a form of permanent makeup, microblading is not actually permanent. It does stay visible a relatively long time, but it’s meant to fade after a certain period.
This is what makes it so great. Since it’s done right on the face, you don’t want to be stuck with it forever. What if you stop liking it after 5 years? What if trends change?
That’s why microblading is done with special pigments which the body can break down and absorb, gradually fading the results until they’re practically invisible.
Myth #3 – The Pigments Disappear After 2 Years
On the other hand, many resources claim that microblading pigments disappear after a couple of years. This is also a half-truth.
The strokes of microblading will fade away after about 2 years. But the pigments will not disappear from the skin entirely. Once they’re deposited, the body starts breaking them down, since they’re perceived as a foreign matter by the immune system. But every pigment formula has several ingredients, and the body can’t extract all of it.
A tiny amount of pigments stays in the skin, even though the strokes become invisible.
Myth #4 – You Can Prolong It Endlessly
Microblading fades, so you need to touch it up occasionally to keep it looking fresh. If you get regular touch ups, let’s say, once a year, your brows will look good for a long time. If you don’t refresh it until it becomes invisible, your microblading will fade almost entirely, but, as we said, a tiny amount of pigment will stay in the skin.
At that point, you can get a new pair of microbladed brows. But the pigment residues build up over the years, and at one point, the residues will add up to a shade and getting new hair strokes won’t be possible, as they won’t look very crisp. From then on, you can get microshading, or powder brows.
Myth #5 – It Hurts
Microblading doesn’t hurt because a topical anesthetic numbs the area before the blading starts. That said, it does entail a bit of discomfort in the form of pinching or pressure.
To find out exactly what to expect during the procedure, check out this article.
Myth #6 – You Can’t Wash Your Brows After Microblading
False!
In fact, in the days after the treatment, you need to clean the brows from lymph build-up. Your brows are healing and need to be kept clean, or you risk developing an infection.
Your artist will explain how to do that properly. In short, clean your brows with a damp cotton pad on days 1-3, and then keep washing them once or twice a day with mild soap – don’t use your regular cleanser because it’s probably too harsh.
Even if you’re prescribed the so-called dry healing, you’ll need to clean the area, but in a specific way.
To find out more about washing your brows after microblading, check out this article.
Myth #7 – It Can’t Be Done on Oily Skin
Mixed opinions.
Microblading can be done on oily skin, but the results won’t look as crisp and they’ll fade faster. That’s why artists recommend getting one of the alternatives that work better and last longer on oily skin: nano brows, microshading, or powder brows.
But if you have oily skin and you’re stone set on microblading, you can get it, but adjust your expectations.
Myth #8 – It’s Really Expensive
When you hear that the average price of microblading is $600, you might feel a bit discouraged. Yes, microblading is an investment and it’s not exactly cheap, but bear in mind that this is an average price.
There are many artists who do great work at lower prices. You can get amazing results from someone who charges $400, or find a talented beginner who charges even less. Of course, it will take some research.
Plus, artists often do special promos, and many of them have referral programs and offer discounts if you bring them new clients.
For an overview of microblading prices in various locations, check out our research.
Image source: Pexels
Myth #9 – You Can Become a Microblading Artist in a Couple of Weeks
Huge overstatement.
You don’t need prior experience in beauty to take a microblading course, but claiming that you can learn it in a month is simply misleading. Mastering the microblading skill takes a lot of practice, and although a quality course will give you all the basics, be prepared to practice practice practice!
After all, you’ll be putting a tattoo on people’s faces, and you should take it seriously. If you devote yourself to perfecting the skill, you’ll probably be ready to start taking clients in a few months.
Myth #10 – And You’ll Earn 6 Figures in No Time
Again, claiming microblading will earn you unreal cash within a year is misleading. It’s definitely a lucrative career, but, just like in any other profession, it takes some time to make a name for yourself, set a price you’re 100% happy with, and get a steady flow of clients.
You definitely can get to 6 figures if you do great work, but not in a year. You’ll have to charge your first clients a lower price, but you’ll gradually increase it.
For more information on any aspect of microblading, check out our Ultimate Guide.
Cover image source: Pexels
