Microblading

Microblading is a manual method of cosmetic tattooing. It is a visually more pleasing type of cosmetic application. Fine blades are used to deposit pigment in to the dermal layer of the skin creating natural hair like strokes. Microblading service can last one to two years depending on the client. 

The process requires two sessions: The initial session and a follow up session approximately six weeks after the initial session. After the second session, a touch up is recommended yearly for maintenance. 

There is really no down time with microblading. Once the procedure is complete, the eyebrows will immediately start to oxidize and become very dark. They will remain dark for a few days. Once they begin to lighten, the color will fade by 30-40 percent. The eyebrow may have slight scabbing and peeling which is normal. This scabbing and peeling should be allowed to fall off naturally. Picking at the scabs can cause scarring and loss of pigment. 

Microblading is ideal for clients who wish to enhance the fullness of their eyebrows. It is also known to be beneficial to those clients who suffer from thin or sparse eyebrows, as well as, those that may have alopecia or other diseases that result in hair loss. 

There are certain individuals that should not receive permanent cosmetics. One should NOT receive PMU if:

1. they are an expecting or breastfeeding mother (no exceptions)
2. they are currently undergoing chemotherapy
3. they are currently taking Aspirin or other blood thinning products (if you have a history of heart disease, atrial fibrillation, CAD, stroke, etc please contact me. Certain medications can be temporarily stopped with your doctors permission, others cannot depending on the severity of your disease process.). 
4. they have a history of allergies to latex, metals, or lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, tetracaine,  or epinephrine
5. they have scar tissue in the desired area
6. they have previously tattooed eyebrows that are extremely saturated
7. they are on Accutane (must wait approximately 1 year) or strong retinoids (must stop for a short period of time)
8. they have a sunburn
9. they have a broken capillary in the desired area
10. they have a skin break out in the desired area
11. they have had botox or chemical peels in the two weeks prior to their appointment

*We reserve the to refuse service to any individual that we believe is not a candidate for a permanent make up procedure. 

Upon your arrival you will be asked to fill out some paperwork. This will include your consent form and a quick health history form. Once your paperwork has been reviewed the process will begin. Typically the first session will last between 2 and 2.5 hours from start to finish. The session will start with a discussion of your wants and needs regarding eyebrow shape and color. From there the design will be drawn on your brow. The design is drawn on using precise eyebrow mapping. Once approved, numbing agents will be applied and you can relax for about 20 minutes. 

After the numbing agent is removed, the microblading will begin. One quick pass will be made to place the main strokes and open the skin. This implants pigment and opens the skin to allow more numbing agents to be put into the skin. At this point the remaining strokes can be placed to complete the brow. Quite often shading is also added. This gives a little added color behind the strokes.

After the brow is complete, it will be time for clean up and after care instructions. The brow area will be looked over again to make sure it's nice and tidy. From there you will receive your after care instructions, six week follow up appointment, and have a chance to ask any questions you need to. 

Pain varies from client to client. The pain level for the procedure is considered mild to none. Prior to the procedure a topical anesthetic will be applied. Additional numbing agents will be reapplied during the procedure. Everyone responds differently to anesthetic. Depending on the client, the feeling has been described as paper cuts, cat scratches, or nothing at all. The topical anesthetics used may contain lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, tetracaine, and epineprine. 

After the procedure ,  there may be redness and light swelling around the procedure site. This is normal and to be expected. Clients may take Tylenol for any discomfort but no Aspirin or Ibuprofen for 24 hours. 

Once the brow procedure is complete, the eyebrows will start to oxidize and become very dark. They will remain this way for a few days. Do not be alarmed this is normal. Around day five or six the brows will begin to scab and flake off. This too is also normal. During this time the procedure site may be very itchy. It is very important not to pick or scratch at the brow area. Doing so can cause scarring and loss of pigment. It is best to let the scabs fall of naturally. As this happens the brow will lighten and you will be left with a more natural looking brow although still not yet totally healed.  The following few days the brow will go through a milky phase as new skin begins to grow. It may seems as though your tattoo has disappeared. Relax, it will peek back through.  

After a full thirty days your brow is considered healed. You may have some areas of patchiness, unevenness, or one brow slightly darker that the other. This is why we do touch ups in six weeks following the initial procedure. The touch up appointment is where we pack in additional color where needed and fix those areas of unevenness or patchiness. 

After the six week touch up appointment, clients come in for yearly touch up appointments based on individual needs as their tattoo begins to fade. Some clients prefer a darker brow and others prefer theirs a little lighter. One is not better than the other. It is a personal preference. 

Cosmetic tattoos are not implanted as deep into the skin as traditional tattoos. Therefore, over time they begin to fade. It is impossible to say exactly how long a procedure will last on a particular client. There are too many factors that come into play. But typically a cosmetic tattoo can last 1-2 years depending on the client. To maintain a fresh looking brow,  a touch up is recommended yearly. You may also let the tattoo fade out over time, but please know a slight shadow may remain. 

Factors affecting pigment retention:

1. skin type: normal/oily/dry
2. age: youth vs. mature
3. skincare routine
4. clients who tan or spend a significant amount of time in the sun
5. clients who use Retinoids or Glycolic Acid products 
6. smoking
7. clients who have a vigorous exercise routine

Each client is different in his/her own way regarding pigment retention. Results will vary and cannot be guaranteed. No two brows are the same as no two people are the same.