Microblading Scabbing Explained in Detail
Scabbing is the most uncomfortable stage of the microbading healing process. Prepare by reading all about it in this guide.
Original image by PMUHub
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Microblading gives you impeccable brows for months, even years. However, your brows won’t look great immediately after the microblading treatment.
They have to go through the healing period, which lasts 4-6 weeks and entails several stages. The most frustrating one is definitely scabbing, as the microwounds are closing up.
Here is everything you need to know about the microblading scabbing process.
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What Is Microblading Scabbing and Why Does It Happen?
Microblading is done by making thin incisions on the skin and depositing pigments into them.
The incisions aren’t that deep. The blade reaches the papillary dermis, the skin’s second layer. Nevertheless, the surface of the skin is broken and it heals just like any other cut.
Scabbing is your skin’s natural response to this trauma and part of its recovery.
It’s a normal part of the healing process. It can be pretty annoying because your eyebrows are itchy, but you are not allowed to scratch them. After a few days, they start flaking lightly and the scabs fall off on their own.
Some of the pigment will come off with the scabs, but only a tiny amount if you let them flake off naturally.
Image source: Instagram @browology_melbourne
How Long Does the Scabbing Process Last?
The microblading scabbing stage starts approximately 3-4 days after the treatment.
It lasts around 7 days, and it should end by day 12 or so.
@pmuhub ‼️ ARTISTS, keep your clients informed about each healing phase to set clear expectations! 👀✅ 💭 Got questions or tips about eyebrow tattoo healing? Drop a comment or DM us. #healingprocess #healing #healingbrow #pmuhealing #pmuartist #pmubrows #pmutraining #pmuworld #tipsforgirls #wednesdaymood #wednesdayvibes #september #pmuhub ♬ Medical Music - HeartDrumMachine
NOTE
Scabbing is the least attractive part of the microblading healing process, so you should plan your microblading appointment carefully. You don’t want to attend an important event with your eyebrows flaking off.
Besides, you are strictly forbidden from wearing makeup at the beginning stages of the healing period.
So schedule your microblading appointment at least a month before any important event, or, for better results, two or three months, so you have time to get the touch up.
What Does Microblading Scabbing Look Like Day by Day?
Here’s a general timeline of microblading scabbing. It’s individual and your experience may deviate from it.
Days 1-3
Your brows look too dark and swollen. There is some redness around the brows. Don’t worry, the color will fade a few shades.
Day 3/4
Microblading scabbing process starts. Eyebrows might become itchy.
Original image by PMUHub
Day 5
Scabs start flaking off. Your eyebrows are becoming patchy. Some parts of your brows are too light while others remain dark.
Days 6-8
More flaking and more patches. Eyebrows are losing pigment at this stage.
Image source: Instagram @caren_beauty
Day 9
Most of the scabs have fallen off. The pigments underneath look too light.
Day 10-12
Scabbing has stopped. Eyebrows look too light. Pigment seems to have disappeared.
Days 12-28
The pigment has settled and it’s slowly re-emerging. Your microblading is showing back up.
Days 28-42
Your eyebrows are recovering, taking their final shape and color. It’s time for your touch up.
Image source: Instagram (not their work) @thebroweffect
When Should I Be Worried?
While light scabbing after microblading is completely normal, heavy scabbing is not.
It can be caused by poor technique, i.e. if the incisions were made too deep. It can also be a sign of infection that is usually followed by inflammation and redness.
Generally, infections happen extremely rarely. However, if you notice your brows are scabbing extensively, speak to your microblading artist.
How Do I Know If My Brows Are Infected?
If you experience heavy scabbing followed by inflammation and redness or pus after day 5, it is highly likely that you have developed or are about to develop an infection.
Contact your microblading artist. They will advise you what to do.
Can I Prevent Microblading Scabbing?
Unfortunately, scabbing cannot be prevented, but it can be minimized by following aftercare instructions.
The scabbing/flaking stage of the microblading healing process requires patience. There are some rules you need to follow so you don’t ruin your microblading.
The most important one is not to touch or pick at the scabs. Under no circumstances should you scratch your eyebrows or peel off the scabs. If you do that, the pigment can be pulled out and your microblading might be ruined.
The damage can’t be fixed until the skin heals completely, so you’ll have to walk around with patchy brows for 6 weeks.
Picking your scabs can lead to even more serious damage – scar tissue. In that case, the situation gets complicated, since scar tissue shouldn’t be microbladed.
If you are prone to picking scabs or wounds, make sure to inform your artist about that habit before the procedure. They might adjust your aftercare routine.
How Do I Treat My Eyebrows During the Microblading Scabbing Process?
There are two ways of treating your brows during scabbing.
The first one is dry healing. It means letting your brows recover naturally, without using any aftercare ointments.
On the other hand, there is ointment healing or wet healing. It means applying an ointment onto your microbladed eyebrows. Ointment healing can reduce and soothe scabbing.
Microblading aftercare routine is prescribed by the technician. Your artist will know which type of healing is better for you depending on your skin type. If you are irritated by scabbing and you can’t resist scratching your microbladed brows, your artist will suggest ointment healing.
No matter whether you are advised to go for dry or wet healing, you need to keep your eyebrows clean. Wash them regularly with a little bit of soap and water, and dry them afterward.
Also, you are strictly forbidden from wearing makeup or any other cosmetic product not recommended by your artist during scabbing. Wearing makeup can lead to an infection.
What If I Accidentally Scratch Microblading Scabs?
If you scratch your brows and peel off some scabs accidentally, assess the damage and contact your artist. Send them a picture. In most cases, the worst that can happen is patchiness, which should be fixed at the first touch up, 6-8 weeks after the treatment.
What Will My Brows Look Like After the Scabbing Process?
In many cases, scabbing leaves your eyebrows at least a little patchy. They are sometimes so light that you might be worried that your microblading disappeared.
It is all part of the healing process.
The pigment will start to show again. If your eyebrows are still patchy after the healing process is finished, they can be corrected at the touch up.
WHY TRUST THIS GUIDE
This guide is a result of 5+ years of studying and researching the permanent makeup industry. The information comes from reliable sources: a number of eyebrow tattoo technicians, and a wide variety of medical sources.
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