Microblading - Frequently Asked Questions

Microblading is a method of tattooing eyebrows. We use a handheld blade made up of tiny needles to make a channel in your skin and I create a pattern of hairstrokes to look like a natural eyebrow. At the same time we implant ink into these channels.  

Quite often, microblading and eyebrow tattoos are referred to as semi permanent. This is because It isn't like a traditional type of tattoo done elsewhere on your body using darker and heavier inks. For microblading we use inks which are designed to fade over time. We microblade into a higher surface of the skin than a traditional tattoo method and your face is more exposed to the elements than other parts of your body. Therefore your brows will eventually fade. For some people they fade completely and for others they will lave a faint shadow. When this happens, will depend on your aftercare, your skin type (oilier skins fade more quickly as the oils will wash away the ink) and your lifestyle. 

When it has faded to about 50% you will require a colour boost appointment (this is one appointment)  to refresh them and this can be needed from as early as 9 months or not until 3 years.  If the ink fully fades at any stage, you will need to start the procedure again from the beginning with the two appointment process. 

Watch me doing a microblading appointment here

It all starts with a free consultation at my studio. Its a chance for me to see your current brow situation and to discuss what you are hoping for your brows to look like. At this appointment we carry out two patch tests, one for ink and one for numbing cream. we then book your microblading appointment. 

At your first microblading appointment when you arrive I will take some before photos.  I will then apply numbing cream. There will be a bit more form filling before we swatch some colours onto your forehead area for you to see and decide on. We make your appointment for your re-touch which should happen approx. 6-12 weeks later. After wiping away the numbing cream I start mapping your new brows. These are then checked by you before we proceed. Then comes the fun part, I do the microblading whilst you lie on my super comfy couch and relax. You are welcome to bring earpods to listen to some music or an audiobook or maybe your favourite podcast during the procedure. 

At the end of the procedure I will get you to sit up so we can both double check we are are happy with your brows. Once happy I finish with a pigment bath to really get the ink soaked into the channels.

Finally I go over your aftercare advice and provide you with a lovely balm to apply and you are free to go. 

You can expect to be at the studio for 2.5 to 3 hours

Everybody has a different perception of pain so some people may not be able to feel it and others will find it uncomfortable. I use numbing agents throughout to keep you as comfortable as possible. 

When you leave the studio, your brows will feel a bit numb from the numbing cream. They may be a bit swollen and red although this doesn't happen to everyone. If it does, it usually subsides 3-4 days post treatment. Your brows will be 30-50% darker when they are first done. Over the next 2 - 3 weeks your brows will heal, scabbing over and exfoliating and you must not get them wet or touch them (unless to apply the aftercare balm) during this time.  After the healing has completed the ink may go through a 'ghosting' phase where your body naturally tries to eliminate the ink. However, when it doesn't, the ink will resurface and reappear in your brows. During this patchy stage you can use a brow pencil to keep them looking even. At about 4-6 weeks the true colour of your brows will be seen. If any gaps are apparent, you want to tweak the shape, and/or you want to go darker, then we can do this at your re-touch appointment.  The re-touch appointment is exactly the same as the first appointment depending on how much work we need to do. Please expect the pre treatment advice, the aftercare advice and the healing process to be exactly the same for both appointments. 

This differs from person to person depending on pre treatment and aftercare adherence, skin type, colour choice, lifestyle to name a few. People with oilier skins will not get as long as people with dryer skin types. You can expect your brows to last from 9 months to 3 years.

Some medications prohibit microblading so please be as honest as possible about any medications you are taking or any health conditions.  Very oily skins are not as suited to microblading as it is more challenging for the skin to retain the ink. 

Microblading isn‘t suitable if any of the following applies to you;

• You are currently having, or have had within the past six months, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy
• Have experienced keloid scarring
• Are taking any blood thinning medications
• Are pregnant, breastfeeding or undergoing IVF or fertility treatment
• Have eczema, psoriasis, acne, rash, shingles, sunburn in/near to the brow area
• You are under 18 years of age
• You are taking Accutane, or have taken it within the last 6 months
• You are diabetic
• You have epilepsy
• You have a pacemaker/heart condition
• Are suffering with a viral infections and/or have blood diseases

Please follow this pre procedure advice really carefully as not following it will result in poor results and is also vital for your wellbeing;

Please do not have the following for at least 24 hours before any microblading session;

• Caffeine (remember there is caffeine in coke and chocolate)
• Paracetamol
• Garlic (yes you read that right, it's a blood thinner!)

Please do not have the following for at least 72 hours before any microblading session;

• Alcohol
• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Niacin
• Vitamin E

Please do not have the following for at least 2 weeks before any microblading session;

• Antibiotics
• Brow Waxing or tinting
• Botox
• Retinols/retin-A, anti aging or acne creams containing acids
• Sunbeds

Please do not have the following for at least 2 months before any microblading session;

• Chemical peels
• Brow lamination

Achieving your best beautiful semi permanent brows is both a journey and an investment on your behalf. Included in that is committing to following the aftercare advice below;

For the first day

• Please remember that the colour is up to 50% darker immediately after treatment. It will start to become lighter after 4-7 days. The true healed colour will not come through until approximately 4-6 weeks after the initial treatment. During the healing process, the colour may seem to have disappeared as it is obscured by the healing layers of skin. Under no circumstances should you have any further permanent cosmetics work undertaken during this 4-6 week period. 
• Ice packs protected with a cloth may be applied as necessary if swelling occurs.

Daily Aftercare Routine (after both initial and re-touch appointments)

Follow this routine until your brows have stopped scabbing and are healed

• Keep your brows dry until your brows have stopped scabbing and have healed. If they do get wet, gently pat dry using clean lint-free tissue. Do not rub. Remember sweat is wet so refrain from heavy exercise during this time. 
• Apply the balm which I have provided you with twice a day from the third day after your treatment. So for example, if you had the treatment on Monday, start applying the balm on the Thursday morning of that week. You should apply a grain of rice sized amount of balm to each brow twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Always wash your hands before applying the balm. Using a clean finger or a new cotton bud each time (to prevent infection), ensure the balm has sank into the skin and doesn't sit on the top of the skin all greasy and shiny. 
• You can use the balm for as long as you like but as a minimum, use it until the scabbing process has finished. Also, remember to keep enough balm to do the same as the above after your brow re-touch appointment. There will be plenty of balm. 
• It is recommended to use a gentle facial cleanser to clean the face during the healing period. 
• Keep hair away to prevent any infection.

Important "Do Nots"

• Some itching is normal. Do not pick, peel or scratch the treated area. This may result in the colour healing unevenly and you could also risk scarring and infection. Allow the wound to flake o =n its own. 
• Do not apply make-up until 72 hours after the treatment. 
• Do not expose the healing skin to extreme heat, cold or moisture for 2 weeks following your treatment. This can include direct sun, tanning beds, jacuzzis, saunas, salt water, chlorinated pools, direct shower spray, hot water skin creams or ointments other than the aftercare balm provided. 

Long Term Care

Semi Permanent Brows are low maintenance, not no maintenance, so;

• Remember you will need colour boosters from anywhere between 9 months to 24 months (varies for each individual) to keep your new brows looking fresh so be organised and get booked in with me for those!
• To avoid pigment fade for as long as possible, avoid excessive exposure to the sun or UV rays. 
• Take care when using moisturisers  and other skin products which contain glycolic or fruity acids as these can fade permanent make-up. 
• If you have an MRI scan, a chemical peel or other similar procedures please inform the practitioner that you have had a permanent brow treatment. 
• You may not be eligible to give blood for 4 months post-procedure. 
• If you are planning on having anti-aging injectables or cosmetic surgery, remember these procedures can alter the shape of your eyebrows. 
• Laser hair removal can fade and change the shade of your semi permanent brows, always advise the laser technician that you have had your brow procedure so that they can act accordingly.  

After following the aftercare advice religiously of course, the main one is using SPF daily on your brows to stop them fading. Also, keep on top of your colour boosts by planning and booking in with me. 

Your colour should have faded to about 50% in order to have a colour boost.  If you have too much colour left in your brow I won't be able to do a colour boost so as not to overload the skin with ink. If you let them fade almost completely then you will have to start the entire process again of the two appointment process so as to get the shape back. If you're not sure, you are very welcome to drop me a message and ask. 

It all starts with booking a free consultation with me at my studio. You can book this on my booking link on the homepage. This is a 20-30 minute chat about what you would like to achieve, your suitability and we do a patch test. Book my consultation