Microblading can be a great, lucrative career, and it’s often advertised as something you can learn quickly and start earning your dream income within a couple of months. There are so many classes available which claim to teach you the skill over just a few days, and certify you as an artist.
This educational explosion has resulted in a huge rise in the number of artists practicing microblading, but unfortunately, not all of them are as skilled as they should be. Plus, the industry isn’t regulated strictly enough in many places. As a result, the number of botched jobs and subsequent demand for removal services has also exploded.
PMUHub is here to raise awareness on the importance of proper training and practice before you start working on clients. If you’re just starting out in the microblading world, if you’re a student or if you’re still contemplating getting into the industry, keep reading to find out when to start taking microblading clients, and why you shouldn’t work on people’s brows until you’re ready.
First Things First – Do Not Work on Clients If You’re Not Trained and Certified
Depending on sources you consulted during your research into microblading, it’s possible you got the impression that microblading isn’t that hard and that it’s something you can learn by yourself. After all, there are so many YouTube tutorials that explain the process, you might be thinking, why would I cash out on a training when I can learn it on my own?
Wrong!
Microblading is basically tattooing people’s faces. You work on their skin, opening it up with blades and implanting substances into it. You’re doing mechanical damage and you need to have extensive knowledge on so many aspects of the treatment in order to do it safely.
You should never, ever perform microblading if you haven’t gone through proper training with an accredited academy and an experienced trainer, and if you haven’t gotten your certificate.
In some states, microblading isn’t regulated strictly, if at all, and you’re not technically forbidden from working without a certificate and license – but this does not mean you should! You have a moral obligation to not put the people who trust you to keep them safe and healthy and give them nice-looking brows in danger, or to give them unattractive results.
For a list of microblading licensing requirements per state, consult this page.
Image source: Freepik
Proper Training Does Not Mean Taking a 2-Day Course
Getting through 2 days of microblading classes does not mean you’re ready to start working, even if you’ve had the chance to work on a live model during the course. After you’ve taken the course, you still have a long way to go.
You need to practice microblading extensively before you can start taking microblading clients. That’s why most academies have an extended learning period after the actual classes where you need to practice and send your work for review. You only get your certificate when an experienced teacher assesses you’re ready.
And even then, you may need more practice.
Why? Because microblading is a complicated service. You have to master:
- Assessing your client’s skin
- Measuring
- Mapping
- Color mixing and matching
- Choosing the right tools
- Getting the right pressure
- Different stroke patterns
- Recognizing how the skin is taking the treatment
And more. It’s definitely not a piece of cake, and if you get any of these wrong, you can do a botched job, leaving your client unsatisfied.
Obviously, it’s not impossible to master all these aspects and we don’t mean to sound discouraging, but you have to put in the work and practice on latex, fruit, pig skin, hidden creases of your own body. Only once you’re 100% confident you’re doing a good job on practice props can you start thinking of taking a microblading client.
You can find some tips on choosing the right course in this article.
Image source: Instagram @ansje.pmuartisthawaii
What Can Happen If I Take a Client Before I’m 100% Ready?
If you take a client before you’ve mastered the most important aspects of microblading and before you’ve got the feel for the right pressure, you can:
- Give them the wrong shape.
- Give them an unrealistic pattern.
- Get the color wrong.
- Go too shallow and get no retention.
- Go too deep and cause serious issues, like color fanning out under the skin, or permanent scarring.
Basically, you can give them botched brows and cause permanent damage to their skin. As a result of this, you can get a bad reputation, and even get sued.
Obviously, your first pair of brows probably won’t turn out perfect, and this is completely normal – you’ll get better with every pair you do. But make sure you’re ready to do an okay job, without causing serious issues.
NOTE
Be honest with your first clients. Hiding the fact that you’re not that experienced will get you nowhere. This doesn’t mean you should belittle your skill, but your clients deserve to have all the information before they commit to a treatment.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Microblading?
This varies according to how fast you’re improving, but don’t expect to be ready to start taking microblading clients for at least several months of dedicated practicing. With time, you will see your work improving, but don’t just work on your pattern – you also need to work on finding the right pressure, and for that, fruit and pig skin are the best props.
In terms of mapping, you can master it by practicing outlining on your family and friends. Try to find as many different face shapes as possible. If you can find somebody with asymmetric brows to practice mapping on, that would be great, as mapping these clients can be challenging.
You can find tips on mapping in this article.
Image source: Instagram @phimaster_teslagold
So, When to Start Taking Microblading Clients?
The answer to when to start taking microblading clients is – no sooner than you’re 100% confident you’re ready. Ideally, you should have your trainer or another experienced artist review your work on practice props, and if they give you a green light, you’re probably good to go.
Don’t expect to feel ready right away. Dedicate yourself to practicing and build your confidence.
Conclusion
We don’t mean to be a downer, but raising awareness on proper training and shattering the myth that microblading is something you can learn fast and easy is important for keeping the microblading industry safe and stable.
Working on clients before you’re ready is unethical and it can have serious consequences. While this career can definitely be very rewarding, it’s important to take it seriously and get proper education and gain enough experience through practice before you start working. You don’t want to suffer the consequences.
Cover image source: Freepik
