Updated: Sep 12, 2022
This blog is written for those considering eyebrow microblading and/or microshading, to screen yourself for contraindications that makes this service inadvisable. And to also eliminate an in-person consultation. If you do not have any of the contraindications listed in this blog, and are able to completely follow your after-care instructions, you are ready to book!
If you have had previous eyebrow tattooing done by someone other than us, you are required to book the correction consultation so we can see you in person and evaluate what the following steps will be, if any, before you book your service online. The consultation fee will be applied to the service, if we move forward.
This blog is required reading before going to the "Request an Appointment" button to reserve your service through our online booking system. We require microblading and microshading appointments to be booked online because they are a large time slot and we ask that you consent to our cancellation policy upon booking. Additionally, we do not have a receptionist so we have designed this for ease of use for you and us, and you can find a time slot that works with your schedule and ours.
Under no circumstance, will microblading or microshading be done above the top of the brow bone (on the forehead) OR into the temples, above or past the curvature and end of your brow bone. Also, if you are even slightly pink from a sunburn, tanning bed, or have extremely red skin from any skin conditions, your service will not be performed and a 50% service fee will be charged for that time slot.
So there are a few things to consider before making your microblading appointment that can effect how well your skin holds the pigment and how well the color will heal in true to tone. Therefor there is a time-frame you will want to wait if using any of these medications listed below, any of these topical skin treatments, and a few miscellaneous things you want to avoid/cannot do before and after microblading and microshading for the best results (every one of these items WILL effect your healed color if you have a listed contraindication or unable to follow pre and post care guidelines):
PERMANENT MAKEUP CANNOT BE PERFORMED AND/OR INADVISABLE FOR ANY CLIENTS WHO ARE OR HAVE:
-Pregnant or Breast Feeding
-bake in a tanning bed or sun
-Diabetes
-History of Keloids or Hypertrophic scarring
-Have Cancer or undergone Chemotherapy/radiation within the last year (consult your doctor)
-Current Viral infections and/or diseases
-Epilepsy
-Been on Accutane within the last year
-A Pacemaker or major heart problems
-Had an organ transplant
-Skin irritations, Red flushed skin/Rosacea, Eczema, or Psoriasis on or near the treated area (rashes, sunburn or peeling, severe acne, etc)
-Sick (cold, flu, etc) You want your immune system strong and healthy for your healing process
-Heart conditions, Uncontrolled high blood pressure, Poor general health
-History of MRSA
-Sun damaged, thin or couperous skin
-Allergic to Iron, Lidocaine, Tetracaine, Epinepherine, Dermacaine, Benzyl alcohol, Carbopol, Lecithin, Proplyne Glycol, Lanolin, or Vitamin E Acetate
-Any treatments, medications, or illness that compromises your immune system/healing
-Cannot have used ANY hair growth serum on the eyebrows for at least 6 weeks, otherwise the healed color will be discolored and splotchy
-Cannot have brows waxed for at least 3 days prior to appt.
-If receiving Botox or Dysport, full paralysis of the muscles treated needs to be in effect, so a minimum of 2 weeks prior to Microblading appointment, or 2 weeks after
-Have used Accutane in the past year
-No laser resurfacing or chemical peels 60 days before OR 60 days after (brows will peel quicker due to chemicals traveling under the skin and thickness of skin is in a compromised state)
-Do not take Aspirin, Vitamin E, or Ibuprofen or alcohol for AT LEAST 24 hrs before procedure (thins the blood and affects how well you numb up) Best if not taken for 3 days before.
-Regular illicit drug use will also effect how well your skin responds to the lidocaine
-Do not work out the day of the procedure (or for 2 weeks after) Sweating opens the pores, allowing bacteria in and pushes the pigment out
-Cannot use a tanning bed, have a sunburned face or peeling anywhere on forehead or around eyebrows
-No Retinols/Retin-A, glycolic acid, or other creams and serums containing AHA's or BHA's on or around brows, as these will fade the pigment prematurely and potentially discolor them. Discontinue using them on or near the brows at least 4 weeks before the appointment,
-Excessively oily skin does not hold pigment well and can also blur the hairstrokes, therefor a shaded "powder" brow or "ombre" brow may be recommended based on healed results or skin analysis.
-Moderate to severely sun damaged, couperose , or extremely thin skin you are not a candidate for microblading due to the way the pigment is implanted, dragging through the compromised skin
-If your natural brow hair has dense patches of hair and not evenly distributed, microblading alone may not provide adequate blending, therefor an ombre brow (a mix of microblading and microshading) or powder brow may be required for an even flow of color throughout the brow to blend any dense areas of hair. If you are uncertain what to book, book the ombre brow for the longer time slot and we will determine that at your appointment.
-If you have bumps or blemishes within the brow, the pigment will not heal in and will leave little holes. This can be fixed at your touch-up but you need to take care of that skin in-between sessions.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER THE PROCEDURE:
Immediately after treatment, your skin is freshly cut into and healed color results are not visible for a minimum of 14 days. This is because the pigment takes around 7 days to enter the deeper layers of the skin. Slight swelling and redness will occur. Your eyebrows will continue to darken as your scabs fully develop. After 7-10 days, your skin loses its top layer of skin, your scabs start sloughing off, leaving a softer and lighter color below. The result is a very natural looking enhancement, approx. 40% lighter than what you saw while you were healing. As the treated area is settling down, itching may occur and simply means the skin is healing. You cannot pick, pull or rush the scabbing process. You cannot sleep with your brows rubbing anywhere on your brows. Your brows dry heal from days 2-14 to allow the scabs to come off naturally. Failure to follow aftrcare, results in poor pigment retention and a 3rd session may be required. There are never any guarantees how your body will heal, but YOUR skin, lifestyle, general health, etc ALL impact if they take well to the procedure or not. Every action is taken to ensure the best possible outcome, but know that is a potential risk you take when consenting to permanent cosmetic procedures.
Permanent make-up is an art. Nobody's face is symmetrical and being realistic with your expectations is key. Cosmetic tattoo design and placement will always slightly differ from one side of the face to the other because facial bone structure always has a dominant/protruding side and/or higher side. Hair growth density on either side of the face rarely matches. Client results will vary and sometimes using a brow pencil or powder will still be needed.
EYEBROW Microblading AFTER-CARE:
On a side note, I always aim for perfection with every service I provide, but everyone's skin is different and will react differently to the procedure. Some skin will heal faster than others, some skin will retain pigment longer, all skin is aging, some of us will be harder on our skin than others; the sun/tanning beds, frequent exercising, anti-aging or acidic facial products, and professional skin care services all will cause premature fading. My goal is to make them match as closely as possible, but remember this is an art, not a science! And nature does play a role in our facial contouring and healing of our brows and skin.
-Cannot have an MRI during the 2 weeks of healing
-Do NOT get the brows wet during the healing process from day 2-14
-Do NOT put anything (make-up, lotion, serums, etc) on the brows for 14 days (and preferably not your forehead either) , **Except what I specifically give you in your aftercare kit and instruction sheet**
-Do NOT sweat for 14 days-this may be the hardest one for some people that love to work out, but body heat expands the pores. Sweat has salt and will prematurely fade, blur, or CAUSES PIGMENT NOT TO TAKE AT ALL
-Stay out of the sun for 2 weeks, then be sure to use sunblock hourly on the healed brow to prevent fading.
-Do Not use any retinols, glycolic acids or manual exfoliants on the brows/forhead during or after healing
-Do not use a tanning bed for 1 month before or afterward, your pigment WILL discolor...remember you have 2 initial sessions 6-10 weeks apart
Key Points to remember during healing: Eyebrows will appear darker and bolder at first, due to the natural scabbing and healing through the first 10 days... but do not worry! They shrink and fade about 40% upon healing. Healed microblading is very soft, light and natural. Microshading will have a very bold solid look that heals into a powdery finish 30-40% softer. I want you to be thrilled with the results for the months ahead, so FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS!!
Your 2nd session touch-up is booked for 6-12 weeks out from your initial 1st session. 1st session results will not be perfect, that is why we have the touch-up. ($450 for first 2 sessions of microblading or split into two payments $300/$150. $500 for first 2 sessions of an ombre combo brow). ***Your touch-up/2nd session is when we perfect and refine any areas that didn't take or need to be tweaked. Color may be darkened but not lightened. Shading can also be added with extended time if your skin did not respond well to the microbladed hairstrokes.
**Failure to follow after-care instructions may result in infections, pigments loss and/or discoloration, which may lead to needing a 3rd session, priced at $100**
Yearly maintenance sessions will be required to maintain microblading color and shape ($250) approx 10-14 months apart. If you get a microblading and shading combo brow, you'll be able to go about 2 years before needing a maintenance session. Skin is constantly renewing and sloughing on our face. The pigment fades over time. How you to care of your skin, with the guidelines provided above, will dictate when you need your yearly session and whether or not you'll need 2 sessions again.
*If you burn your face during the summer or tan throughout the year your microblading will NOT last as long and WILL discolor. Using the AHA's or BHA's listed above on your forehead or temples, will migrate to the eyebrows and effect color and retention as well. Extra exfoliation or peeling of the skin around the brows, fades them quicker and alters the pigment color. It is up to you when you come in for your "yearly", but you want to come in soon enough that you don't need 2 sessions, saving you the extra time and money.
If you have a question on any of these contraindications that may prevent you from having the service or which type of brow to book, please email us at: info@hairlovelashes.com or submit your details on the "contact" tab and we will get back to you within 24-48 hours.
If you do not have any of these restrictions and can successfully follow your 2 weeks of aftercare (required after every session), you are ready to book!! Please follow the steps from our Request an Appointmet tab or button on JoHanna's Service Menu. Eyebrows are a very important feature on our face, providing a beautiful frame that can lift, brighten and liven tired eyes. I am an expert at mapping the perfect brows fit for your bone structure and facial features. Great eyebrows will change your life and now you are just one click away!
www.thelashroomandbrowbar.com/online-booking-johanna