Microblading is one of the most popular eyebrow enhancement treatments today that mimics the look of real brow hair by creating thin, hair-like strokes. Sparseness, patchiness, and even total lack of brows can all be corrected with this technique, but is it useful for camouflaging scars?
Read this article to find out all about microblading over scars, is it safe, should you try it, and which alternative treatments exist that can reduce the visibility of eyebrow scarring.
Can You Get Microblading Over Scars?
To put it shortly, yes, you can get microblading over scar tissue. However, there are certain things to consider before deciding to go forward with the procedure.
While in some cases scar tissue is completely numb, in others scarred skin can be very sensitive and no amount of numbing cream will be able to make this experience bearable.
According to many experienced microblading artists, retention is not all that great but with patience and time, it can be achieved over the course of multiple sessions.
However, allowing adequate healing time in between microblading sessions is a must. If you want to try microblading over a scar, it is advisable to get a couple of dry tattooing treatments beforehand to flatten out the scar tissue and allow for better retention.
Image source: Instagram @katiecosmetictattoo
Is Microblading Over a Scar Safe?
Microblading is safe to do only on scars that are at least a year old and white in color.
If your scars are pink in color, raised or textured, microblading is not the safest option for getting the brow results you want.
Most microblading artists agree that you cannot do this procedure over keloid scars, as this can cause further trauma to the skin and result in even more keloid scarring.
Even if your scars are eligible for a microblading procedure, you should bear in mind that it can be quite tricky even for experienced microblading artists to create clean, crisp hair strokes over scar tissue.
Most of the time, the implemented pigment will spread out and blur, which is not the case when getting microblading done on regular skin.
That’s why most artists recommend booking a machine brow treatment instead since better quality results can be achieved through shading.
The Benefits of Microblading Over Scars
The biggest benefit of microblading over scars is that it can help camouflage scarring across, above, or below the eyebrows and create a natural-looking effect.
It can help fill in the gaps caused by the scar, creating a thicker and more even eyebrow look. This can be truly beneficial for people who have scars from accidents or various medical conditions.
Scars can be a source of insecurity for some people, and microblading can help them bring their confidence back.
Having more defined eyebrows without having to fill them in with makeup every day can help save time and money, plus you can enjoy swimming, exercising, and other activities without worrying about them wiping off.
You can learn more about the benefits of microblading here.
Image source: Instagram @katiecosmetictattoo
What About the Risks?
While microblading over scar tissue may work out and be a great solution for some, there are several risks to consider before deciding to book your procedure.
One of the main drawbacks of microblading over scars is that it can affect the healing process and the general outcome of the procedure. Scars can cause the pigment to be absorbed differently, resulting in uneven, blurry, or patchy results.
In addition, microblading over scars can be more painful than getting it done on normal skin. This is because scar tissue is denser and less pliable than normal skin, making it more difficult to create the small, precise strokes required for microblading.
Alternative Eyebrow Tattoo Scar Camouflage Treatments
Before any microblading procedure begins, it is important to get a scar assessment from your artist. If you’re not a suitable candidate for microblading don’t worry – there are still some alternative treatments that you may want to consider.
Let’s take a look at the available options:
Permanent Brow Shading (Powder & Combo Brows)
Permanent brow shading is a form of brow tattooing done with an electric PMU device, unlike microblading which is performed with a manual microblading tool.
Brow shading implies implementing tiny dots of pigment into the scar tissue to create the look of wearing brow powder or brow pomade. This technique can blend scars into the arches of the bow very efficiently and make it almost impossible to see.
And even if there’s some blurring, that’s not a problem, as the effects are a powdery shade anyway.
This technique gives better pigment retention than regular microblading, and can be done in combination with it i.e. combo brows, where microblading is applied over healthy skin and shading is done over the scarred area.
Image source: Instagram @unfadebrows
Dry Tattooing
Dry tattooing or MCA dry needling is a scar-remodeling technique that stimulates collagen production by creating micro punctures in the scar tissue. It is very similar to regular tattooing, but no pigment is used during the procedure.
This technique is used before any PMU procedure to flatten raised scars and make loose or sunken scars more filled up and firmer. It can also be used on its own for regenerating the scarred area and stimulating hair regrowth.
Brow Lamination
Brow lamination is a process that involves lifting and setting the eyebrow hairs in place to create a fuller and more defined look. This treatment can also be used to hide gaps and scars in eyebrows.
Combined with a brow tint, it can add color to the skin underneath the eyebrows and make the scar tissue much less noticeable.
So, Should You Get Microblading Over Scars?
Whether you should get microblading over scars depends on the nature of the scar itself and your desired outcome.
While it may be recommended for some people, microblading isn’t the best option available for camouflaging your eyebrow scars due to some potential risks like poor pigment retention and even more scarring. This can be avoided by opting for machine brow treatments instead.
Cover image source: Freepik
