Microblading is a process which allows your eyebrows to have an architecture which fits your face and style better. Your technician will form your natural eyebrows in the best shape for your face, which means every service provides customized results. The actual treatment is quite precise because the tool used is similar to a pen with a sloped blade on it. Instead of cutting into your skin, the provider will use a dozen small needles at the end of the device to lightly scratch the surface instead.
These needles will implant light strokes using medical-grade pigments to create the look of fuller eyelashes almost immediately. The results look realistic because each stroke the technician takes works with the natural direction of your hair. Since this doesn’t impact the deeper layers of skin, the results are not permanent either – but they can last for up to 18 months.
If you are thinking about an improvement to your personal look, then microblading could be the answer you want. Here are the pros and cons of this procedure to consider today.
List of the Pros of Microblading
1. Pain levels are minimal when you use microblading for your eyebrows.
The pain levels are manageable when you go through the microblading process because your technician will numb the working area before the improvements begin. A topical ointment provides the necessary results to prepare your eyebrows for the work ahead. It can take up to 40 minutes before you are ready for the procedure, so your technician may have you review different color examples to determine what the best shape will be for your final look. When this process works correctly, all you will feel is a slight scratching on your face.
2. The results from a microblading appointment can last a long time.
Even if you have oily skin that pushes out the pigment from your eyebrows more rapidly than others, you can expect to see good results from your appointment for up to a year afterward. The brows will eventually fade if you stop coming in for top-up sessions, but since there is no discoloration or scarring with the work, no one would know if you ever had this procedure done if you decide to let the fading take its course. That means you can try it for a while, see if you like it, or let nature run its course to let the colors eventually fade.
3. It will make your eyebrows darker for the first days after the procedure.
The pigment that technicians use as part of the microblading process will leave your eyebrows darker by up to 40% for the first week or two after the procedure. This outcome remains until the scabs begin forming and flake off as the skin heals itself. You will see a noticeable increase in color about 48 hours afterward, but this is normal. The final coloring will begin to set in not long afterward.
If you have concerns about an immediate impact to your appearance, then consider taking a long weekend to have your brows begin the healing process. An early Friday morning appointment will reduce the impact of the color by Monday or Tuesday for most people. Just remember to avoid picking at the scabs for the best results.
4. It can help you to correct uneven eyebrows without losing hair.
One of the primary reasons why women (and some men) choose microblading over other brow beautification options is that you get to receive a fuller look without losing any hairs at all. If your eyebrows are uneven, then the procedure can correct this issue as well. Assuming that you follow all of the aftercare instructions carefully, then very few touch-ups are necessary. Some people can go once every 2 years after their initial procedure to maintain their look. No matter what your preference may be, whether it is thick, thin, slender, or feathery, this procedure will work hard to give you the results you want.
5. This procedure can restore the appearance of your eyebrows.
Microblading can also help individuals who are losing or have lost their brow hair for a variety of reasons. The technician will still follow the same processes to ensure the color and tone match your expectations. Then the process will replicate the eyebrows you once had – or give you the dream brows you’ve always wanted – at an affordable rate. Because it is a semi-permanent option, you won’t need to worry about getting your face ready for the day as part of your morning routine.
6. You are getting to wake up with your makeup on.
If you need to get ready in a tight window every day, then microblading can take a step away from your routine. With the results that this procedure offers, you can wake up with your brows ready to go without any additional work. This advantage is certainly worthwhile if you are drawing your eyebrows each time. If you can manage the upfront cost of the procedure, then the work will eventually pay for itself because you can follow whatever eyebrow trend you want.
7. Anyone can have their eyebrows worked on with microblading.
The effectiveness of this procedure is so high that anyone can speak with a local provider about how microblading could change their life. Even if you have thick, full eyebrows right now, microblading can help you achieve a specific look in a reasonable amount of time. The same is true for anyone with fine and feathery brow hairs. Any natural color is possible with this service as well, although most people request shades that are typically a step or two darker than what the technician would suggest. If you are not satisfied with the way that your eyebrows look right now, then this option allows you to do something about it right away.
8. You can lighten the tone of your eyebrows at home if you are dissatisfied with the result.
Even though a majority of people who choose microblading are satisfied with their results, when something goes bad, then you can be stuck with the outcome for a long time. If you have waited the full 10 days for your brows to heal and the color still seems off, then you can lighten the tone with glycolic or salicylic acid. Wash your eyebrows frequently with a gentle formula to avoid drying out your skin from frequent contact. Then speak to a different professional in this industry to see what your options might be to repair this situation.
9. Some people don’t even experience scabbing with microblading.
Although microblading can feel like a tattoo when it starts to heal with the scabbing that takes place, some people do not go through that process at all. Flaking is common with this procedure as the skin begins to heal. If you keep the eyebrows dry for 24 hours after the work and then apply Vaseline®, an oil, or a soothing balm each day, you can often minimize the impact of this issue. You might also be one of the lucky ones who doesn’t need to worry about it at all.
List of the Cons of Microblading
1. Microblading can trigger an allergic reaction in some people.
There are some individuals who are allergic to some of the pigments that a technician uses to style the architecture of your eyebrows. Another group of people are exceptionally sensitive to them. It tends to be rare, but if you do have a significant number of allergies that you juggle every day, then testing the service first is a good idea. You would want to have a small patch in an unnoticeable location for the test to see if you can go through with the process or not.
2. There is a cost consideration to factor in with this procedure.
Microblading is not the cheapest beautification procedure that you will ever choose to do. The price range in the United States is from $400 to $1,000 for this service, with some premium providers charging over $1,500. Your geographic location will have a tremendous impact on which end of the scale you fall on with this potential disadvantage.
The price of microblading includes your initial consultation with the technician, the first treatment that you need, and then a follow-up appointment in 6-8 weeks that will finalize the looks of your eyebrows.
3. You will need to do some of the work before your appointment.
Even though the purpose of microblading is to give your eyebrows better shape and architecture, there is some work that you will need to do before your appointment for a successful experience. Your technician will require that you shape the brow area by threading the hairs there, cleaning it up and preparing it for the overall treatment. Although some salons might do this work for you with an additional fee, most of them will want you to prepare at home for the experience.
4. The pigment doesn’t always set right.
After 6-8 weeks have passed after your microblading session, your treatment provider will want you to stop by for another appointment. The cost is included in the overall price for the procedure with most facilities. Your return is necessary because there might be gaps in your eyebrows where the pigment did not take very well. Some individuals do not heal as fast as others, so a review of the needling work is necessary as well. This session is an opportunity to fill in those gaps, add further strokes, or use a darker pigment if desired.
5. Infections are still possible with microblading.
Because a single microblading session can require more than 100 unique cuts, the equipment used for the procedure must go through proper sterilization procedures. If you are working with an inexperienced technician, then this step may not take place to the extend it should. When the scratches from the needles go too deep, this can also create more swelling and the potential for an infection. That is why it is essential to browse through a provider’s public reviews before booking an appointment. When you have the initial consultation, ask them to show you their sterilization procedures. If they open new equipment each time, then have them do that in front of you.
6. The results do not look realistic to everyone.
If you look closely at someone’s eyebrows, you can begin to tell who has gone through a microblading procedure and who has not. The look is thick and full, even if you’re used to thin and feathery brows, which come to an exact point above your eye. Some people think the look is “painted” on, reducing the impact of natural brows. This disadvantage is especially noticeable if the quality of the work you receive is suboptimal. Then there is the issue of removal if you don’t like the work, which can lead to scars if the pigment was set too deep.
7. Not everyone should get microblading work done, even if they can.
There are times when someone should avoid this procedure whenever possible. It can have a direct impact on your health is there are some specific conditions which currently apply. If you have received a prior permanent tattoo for your eyebrows, for example, then microblading can interfere with the pigmentation that is already in your skin.
As your skin ages, it will begin to lose some of its elasticity around the eyebrow area. This natural aging process can make it challenging for a technician to create results that look authentic. Scarring in the eyebrow area, as well as the use of specific thyroid medications, can interfere with a successful result too.
8. Aspirin and microblading do not make a good combination.
Because a technician will be making over 100 cuts as part of this procedure, bleeding can happen without warning. This disadvantage will not apply to most people unless they are taking aspirin or a blood-thinning medication. Always make sure that you tell your service provider about any medicine that you’re taking because it could impact the achievable results from the procedure. Microblading can cause your bleeding to be excessive if you regularly take something to thin your blood.
9. This procedure is not approved by the FDA in the United States.
As with all tattoo procedures performed in the United States, the semi-permanent nature of microblading is not regulated or approved in the country. That means you are taking certain risks into your own hands when you decide to go through with this option. In just one year of reporting, the FDA received over 150 reports of adverse reactions to permanent and semi-permanent make up shades. You may not know if there is an allergy to these substances until the procedure starts.
10. There is a risk that keloid formation could occur.
Keloids are scars that begin to grow beyond their normal boundaries. If you are prone to developing them in your past, the microblading may increase the risk of their future formation. They can form at any time when there is trauma or an injury to your skin – especially when this occurs where there are thin layers situations above a bony prominence. You might increase your risks even further if you decide that the look provided by microblading doesn’t suit you because of the techniques used during the removal process.
11. You may experience adverse side effects during an MRI.
Some people have reported to the FDA that they felt a burning sensation or experienced swelling around their eyebrows after receiving a microblading procedure. This disadvantage occurs more often with permanent makeup and only occurs rarely, but it could interfere with the overall quality of the images that are taken as well. You will want to tell your doctor about your microblading work before receiving this imaging procedure to ensure that an adverse reaction does not occur.
A Final Thought on Microblading Pros and Cons
Microblading is a widely used service that allows individuals to enhance the appearance of their eyebrows. If you do not feel comfortable in your own skin, then this procedure can help you to achieve the exact results that will improve your self-esteem. It is a convenient, straightforward method that can help your brow line to look better every day for a long time.
It is imperative to review these pros and cons of microblading because it isn’t a process that suits everyone. Although the work is reversible, it can be a time-intensive process that could leave you feeling worse instead of better. There is a healing process to follow in either instance as well that will show people you have had some work done unless you take an extended time away from work or your home responsibilities.
Speak with a local treatment provider today about their tools and techniques to determine if this service can meet your needs. If you have experienced a poor outcome from your microblading work, then you can call 1 (800) 332-1088 or visit the MedWatch website to register your complaint.