Perfectly shaped brows are the beauty trend of the past decade and as a result, everyone is trying to either regrow their eyebrows or temporarily fill in the bold spots with makeup.
Thankfully, permanent ways to enhance your eyebrows exist with microblading holding the spot of the most sought-after treatment to date. But, before you rush to book the appointment, you must first ask yourself – Should I microblade my eyebrows?
Read this article to decide whether this procedure is the best option for you. Let’s get started!
First and Foremost – Does Microblading Hurt?
If you know anything about microblading (if you don’t, here’s our guide), you’ve probably heard that the procedure implies using a tiny blade and cosmetic pigments to create the illusion of brow hairs.
So, naturally, the first question that pops into your mind when reading the word blade is – does microblading hurt, and if so, how much?
Before answering this question, it is important to understand that every person has a different definition of pain and a different pain threshold.
The good news is that during the microblading procedure, a topical anesthetic cream will be used to numb the treated area, minimizing the chance of having a painful or uncomfortable experience.
Most people that have tried microblading describe their experience as completely pain-free, but they have also noted that they felt a slight scratching or tingling sensation. One of our editors had this to say about her microblading experience:
The blading was completely bearable, I can’t really say it hurt. I can compare the level of pain to eyebrow tweezing. I felt a light tingling sensation when she stopped blading and when she let the brow rest or when she put a pigment mask over.
Still concerned? Get more in-depth information about microblading pain here.
Image source: Instagram @marcu_daciana
Is Getting Your Eyebrows Microbladed Worth It?
Before you decide Should I microblade my eyebrows, you’ll probably first want to know if this procedure is worth it. The answer to this question depends on each individual and it is based entirely on how much you want the results.
Microblading has become the most requested brow enhancement procedure in recent years, due to its natural-looking and long-lasting results, plus many other benefits.
So if you’re tired of spending time trying to perfect your brows only to have them go back to their normal selves as soon as they get wet, microblading can be a great solution to cut your makeup routine in half.
If you have light or sparse eyebrows, or if your brows are non-existent because of various health reasons, microblading can be the best way to get back hair density and even recreate the look of your natural brow hairs.
So, if you don’t mind enduring quite the healing process and aftercare regimen to get the results you want, we say go for it!
Image source: Instagram @lamicrodesilviagonzalez
What Are the Biggest Benefits of Microblading?
When done correctly, microblading can define your eyes, balance your features and complement your face shape. It has a rejuvenating effect, but besides that, it comes with many other benefits.
Let’s take a quick look at the biggest microblading pros:
It Offers Long-Lasting Results
When you get your eyebrows microbladed, you can finally say goodbye to your brow pencil and other brow products for up to 18 months.
If you take good care of your newly done brows and stick to a proper aftercare routine, you can prolong the effect of the procedure. Besides, you can always book an additional touch-up to refresh your brows.
It’s Waterproof
Getting your eyebrows microbladed means no longer having to worry about them coming off during hot or rainy days. You can swim and work out knowing they’ll keep their shape no matter what.
It Can Cover Up Scars & Sparseness
Microblading can be an effective solution for camouflaging scars in the brow area.
It can also be a good option for people who suffered hair loss related to cancer treatments or alopecia, to regain their confidence and achieve natural-looking results.
Image source: Instagram @unfadebrows
Are There Any Downsides?
Although microblading offers incredible results that almost everyone can benefit from, there are still several cons to this procedure to keep in mind.
Let’s take a look at some of the negatives of microblading:
It Can Be Quite Expensive
The average cost of a microblading procedure in the US is somewhere around $600, but the price range can vary up to a whopping $2000.
For this reason, it may seem like a good idea to book your appointment at a less expensive salon or artist, but be wary. When going to an unqualified artist, you not only risk ending up unhappy with the results but also developing an infection.
Allergic Reactions Are Rare, But They Can Happen
Developing an allergic reaction to the cosmetic pigments used during microblading is a possibility for people that are prone to allergies or have sensitive skin. To avoid this, you should always do a patch test beforehand.
The patch test is usually done during the consultation with your artist, ideally 48 hours before the procedure.
Find out how patch testing for microblading works here.
Removal Can Be Quite the Challenge
If you end up unsatisfied with your microblading results you don’t have to wait for your brows to fade completely, there are several removal options available for you to choose from.
However, these removal procedures can not only be costly, but also be quite painful and sometimes even lead to scarring.
Learn everything about microblading cons and how to avoid them here.
What Does Microblading Look Like After 1 Year?
Right after your first procedure, you’ll notice your eyebrows look very dark and prominent. It will take them about 2 months to heal completely and for their true color to show up.
However, microblading results don’t last forever. They will gradually fade, up until they completely disappear somewhere between 1-2 years from your initial procedure.
So a year after your procedure, you can expect your brows to be a couple of shades lighter than before.
The speed at which fading occurs depends on your skin properties, as microblading results tend to last longer on people with normal to dry skin, but also on how you maintain your microbladed brows.
If your eyebrows have faded and changed quite a bit or if you want to keep them looking fresh, regular touch-ups are the way to go.
Image source: Instagram @hairstroke.microblading
What Does Microblading Look Like After 5 Years?
If your artist did everything right and used quality pigments during the procedure, your microblading results should become invisible after 5 years.
However, there are cases in which microblading results fade only a little bit during a period of 5 years and they all come down to improper technique.
If you notice a shadow that doesn’t change over a long period of time, pigments that change their color to orange or blue, or strokes that have blurred together, there is a chance that you’ve had your procedure done by an inexperienced or untrained artist.
You can learn more about what happens to microbladed brows after 5 years here.
So, Should I Get My Eyebrows Microbladed?
Microblading is a treatment that can truly make a difference in how your brows look and can be very beneficial to everyone struggling with putting on makeup on a daily basis.
We hope this article helped you with answering the question of Should I get microblading, and as a final note, we leave you with the advice of our editor after trying out the procedure for herself:
If you are contemplating microblading and you make a good candidate, go for it. But the most important thing is to find an artist you can trust. And to get well informed about the treatment, follow the aftercare, and not skip the touch-up.
Cover image source: Freepik
