WHAT IS MICROBLADING?

Microblading is an advanced technique of cosmetic tattooing that is done by a process of implanting color pigment beneath the surface of the skin with a row of micro sterile, disposable needles that form a blade which will produce the appearance of hair where there isn’t any, or add more to enhance and create fullness where hair already exists. This is with a manual hand tool, not a machine. It is considered a tattoo, and permanent makeup. Although it is considered permanent makeup, it does fade over time. Touch ups are suggested once a year in order to keep the color fresh and shape precise. Microblading is meant to be a natural enhancement, and to create the appearance of full, beautiful brows. It looks most natural on clients who already have semi full brow hair, and are wanting to perfect their shape. The more hair you have, the more natural it will appear.

WHAT IS SHADING?

This is the process of infusing pigment into the skin to simulate the appearance of filled in brows. When we microblade, we only add hair stokes to the brows to make them look full and natural. If you prefer a more “filled in” look, this is for you! A combination brow combines microblading strokes with shading, giving the brows more density and a soft ombre effect. This is a beautiful look for all skin types (including oily/aging skin), and heals very soft and beautiful.

DOES MICROBLADING HURT?

Topical anesthetic cream and gel are used for numbing before and during your procedure. Pain threshold levels vary from person to person and every effort is made to ensure you remain comfortable for the entirety of the procedure. Most clients say it does not hurt at all! However, please note you will be more sensitive on your menstrual cycle.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Microblading eyebrows will generally take about 2-3 hours to complete. Keep in mind this includes approximately twenty to thirty minutes to fully anesthetize the area for you comfort. The treatment is split into 2 appointments which are 4-8 weeks apart in order to allow the healing process to complete. 1. The initial application appointment consists of several stages:
  • completing consent forms o brow design consultation o ‘before’ photos taken
  • measuring
  • drawing
  • numbing
  • actual microblading
  • ‘after’ photos taken
  • given after care package
2. Your second perfection/touch up appointment takes around 2 hours. This is when the thickness can be added to your eyebrow’s and the color darkened if required.
  • results are reviewed
  • touch up where needed (This is when the thickness can be added to your eyebrow’s and the color darkened if required.)
3. Occasionally a third session is required. This generally applies to full reconstructed brows.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HEAL?

Entire healing process will take from 4-8 weeks depending on your body’s regeneration ability and your age.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

Cosmetic tattooing is designed to fade over time. Factors such as skin type, lifestyle, age, metabolism, medications, and pigment color affect the longevity of the tattoo. The sun and some kinds of lighting (tanning beds) can affect the rate at which these pigments are broken down. To take care of your brows follow the aftercare instructions and touch-up your brows every 12-18 months (as needed). Touch-ups are normal and expected for Permanent Cosmetics. *Please note that final results vary and CANNOT be guaranteed due to the nature of skin as it heals. A follow-up appointment is recommended at 4-8 weeks where we can assess your pigment retention and make any changes necessary.

WHAT IS A TOUCH UP AND WHEN WILL I NEED ONE?

Microblading and permanent makeup procedures often require touch-up appointments. The touch-up appointment is a fine-tuning session to make any adjustments that may be needed or desired to the shape, fullness, and color.

WHAT WILL AFFECT MY NEW BROWS?

  • Oily Skin: Increased oil production can cause hair strokes to blur and heal lighter and powdery.
  • Smoking: Smokers may notice that their Semi-Permanent Cosmetics will fade faster
  • Anemia and Iron Deficiency: Your body will absorb iron-based pigments more quickly.
  • Sun Exposure: Increased exposure to the sun will cause premature fading. You will want to use a special sunscreen for your Semi-Permanent Cosmetics (Color Guard on Amazon is amazing!)
  • Age and Metabolism. The Faster your metabolism the faster the pigment will fade.
  • Excessive Bleeding: Excessive bleeding during your procedure will greatly affect how your body retains pigment. While this is not entirely in our control, it is important that you follow before care instructions to help minimize bleeding. This includes avoiding blood thinning medications, alcohol, and caffeine 24 hours before your procedure.
  • Not following aftercare instructions
  • Exfoliating Acids

WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR MICROBALDING?

  • Women who are pregnant, nursing, or trying to get pregnant. (Must wait 6 months after delivery & 6 months after nursing (no exceptions).
  • Women in Menopause (If you have hot flashes during the procedure, the pigment will not retain and we will have to interrupt the procedure).
  • People with a heart conditions/pace maker/defibrillator (no exceptions).
  • Diabetics
  • Chemotherapy
  • Epilepsy
  • Sick: (cold, flu, etc.)
  • Autoimmune Diseases
  • Viral Infections/ Disease
  • Botox in the Past Month
  • Sunburn on or Around Treated area
  • An Allergy to Lidocaine, Tetracaine or Epinephrine.
  • Hemophilia-Bleeding Disorder.
  • Trichotillomania (Compulsive pulling of body hair, due to constant pulling, scar tissue is prominent and pigment will not heal properly)
  • Shingles – If you have EVER had shingles on your face (procedure could cause a flare up).
  • Eczema, Psoriasis or Dermatitis in or around the brow area.
  • Severely oily skin (The hair strokes will appear more blended, solid or not retain at all).
  • Extremely large pores on your forehead & in the brow area (Pigment will blur/blend in large pores looking powdered).
  • Moles/raised areas in or around the brow area (pigment will not be put into anything raised).
  • Piercing in the brow area (Scars can cause the pigment to migrate).
  • Deep wrinkles in the brow area (The Hair Strokes will not lay properly in the creases, giving the brow an uneven look).
  • Hair transplant for your eyebrows (Pigment will not take in the scar tissue where the plugs were placed).
  • Rosacea (severe reddening of the face).
  • On Accutane (acne medicine) within the last year.
  • Extremely Thin skin (Transparent or Translucent or very vascular).
  • Alopecia (hair loss due to auto immune disease (patient’s consideration: hair strokes will appear more blurred or blended).
  • Thyroid condition and taking medication for this condition – check with Doctor for permission

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE?

You must be 18 years of age or older.

IS EYEBROW MICORBLADING FOR MEN AS WELL?

Absolutely! For all the same reasons. Fill in thinning brows or ones that have simply disappeared. Wendy uses a different pattern of strokes to make it appear more masculine.

CAN I BRING A GUEST TO MY APPOINTMENT?

You are more than welcome to bring one friend or family member with you to your appointment, however the county Health Department does not permit infants/toddlers or pets as we are considered a tattoo shop where client’s open skin and blood is exposed.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT IMMEDIATELY AFTER MY APPOINTMENT?

Immediately after getting your brows done, you may experience minor redness or swelling around the treated area, which typically goes away within 24 hours. Within the following hours, the pigment in the skin will darken, making the brows look bolder than they were initially. This is normal! The ink will look dark and warm the first few days as it oxidizes in the skin, and will go back to normal. You can expect the brows to heal 10-20% lighter than they were immediately after your appointment. Around day 3-4, you may notice light scabbing and flaking on the treated area. This is normal! Please refrain from picking at the brows. Doing so will result in loss of pigment in those areas. Brows may appear spotty or patchy until the entire brow has finished healing. Once all the flaking is complete (typically around day 10), the brows will appear lighter. The skin will normalize over the next 4-6 weeks and the pigment will return to the skin in its healed color. At 4-6 weeks, your brows will be fully healed. Whatever pigment that does not return will be addressed at your touch up appointment. At this appointment, we will assess your retention, touch up the spots that didn’t stick, and can adjust the pigment color to give you perfect brows! Once the brows have healed from your touch up appointment, you will have beautiful, full brows for 12-36 months!

DO I NEED A CONSULTATION BEFORE RECEIVING PERMANENT COSMETICS?

At this time, I do not offer consult appointments. If you have a specific question or concern you are welcome to call La Lou Salon for further assistance.

I’VE HAD MY BROWS DONE PREVIOUSLY BY A DIFFERENT ARTIST. WILL YOU FIX THEM/TOUCH THEM UP?

Any client coming to me from a different artist is considered a new client, with full prices. I do not do touch ups for new clients. If you have microblading already I require that the pigment be 80% faded or almost non-existent. I cannot work with microblading that has full color because it will affect the integrity of the new microblading.

HOW CAN I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?

Please contact me through La Lou Salon to book your appointment. A $150 non- refundable deposit is required to hold your appointment.

PREP: BEFORE APPOINTMENT

WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE MY PROCEDURE?

It all starts with a good canvas! The eyebrow area must be healthy, strong, non-sensitive, and non-irritated. Here’s how to get your skin ready for the procedure:
  • If possible, please come to your appointment with your brows filled in the way you do them daily so we can get a general feel of how you’ll be comfortable with your microblading result.
  • If you plan to go on a vacation, it is recommended to plan your trip a minimum of 7 days after the procedure.
  • It is best to do a scrub 3 days prior to the procedure
  • Do not tint/tweeze/wax/perform electrolysis one week before the procedure
  • Do not tan two weeks prior to the service, or have a sunburned face
  • Do not have any type of facial 2 weeks prior to the procedure
  • Do not have Botox 1 month prior to the procedure
  • Do not work out on the day of the procedure
  • Stop using any Retin-A or AHA products for 2 weeks prior to the procedure
  • No lasers or chemical peels for 1 month prior to the procedure
  • No microdermabrasion or dermaplaning for 2 weeks prior
In order to avoid excessive bleeding and poor color deposit:
  • Do not drink alcohol 24 – 48 hours before your tattoo
  • Do not consume coffee before your procedure
  • Do not take an Aspirin or Ibuprofen for pain relief (these also thin the blood)
  • Do not take Fish Oil, Vitamin E or Vitamin A one week prior to the procedure (they are natural blood thinners)
Now that you know what NOT to do, it’s time to share my secret recipe for getting amazing microblading results! It’s all in the aftercare.

AFTERCARE

I love a good acronym so here’s one to help you out, just think of: A – W – M which stands for Absorb, Wash, and Moisturize! THE DAY OF THE TREATMENT: ABSORB After the procedure, gently blot the area with clean tissue to absorb excess lymph fluid. Do this every 5 minutes for the full day until the oozing has stopped. Removing this fluid prevents hardening of the lymphatic fluids. DAYS 1-7: WASH Wash daily to remove bacteria, buildup of product and oils, and dead skin. (Don’t worry, THIS DOES NOT REMOVE THE PIGMENT!) Gently wash your eyebrows each morning and night with water and an antibacterial soap like Dial Soap or Cetaphil. With a very light touch, use your fingertips to gently cleanse the eyebrows. Rub the area in a smooth motion for 10 seconds and rinse with water ensuring that all soap is rinsed away. To dry, gently pat with a clean tissue. DO NOT use any cleansing products containing acids (glycolic, lactic, or AHA), or exfoliants. DAYS 1-7 MOISTURIZE Apply a rice grain amount of aftercare ointment with a cotton swab and spread it across the treated area. Be sure not to over-apply, as this will suffocate your skin and delay healing. The ointment should be barely noticeable on the skin. NEVER put the ointment on a wet or damp tattoo. HOW TO PROPERLY WASH THE BROWS One must wash the brows daily to prevent bacterial build-up. I recommend that my clients wash the area twice a day (morning and evening) using a gentle soap or cleanser such as Cetaphil and apply aftercare product 3-4 times a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and before bed is a pretty good guide). First, wash the hands with soap and water then using tepid water, gently cleanse the area in a circular motion using the fingertips. The client should also be mindful of not getting the area too soggy or wet with activities such as swimming, long hot showers, and hot yoga. Remember, the wound needs to dry up. Please remember that washing the brows is NOT going to cause pigment loss during the healing process. You know how tattoo artists always advise clients to gently cleanse the tattooed area a couple of times a day when it is in their first days of healing? It’s the exact same thing. Although people say that microblading counts as a semi-permanent tattoo (because it’s a super fine tattoo with tiny, paper-cut like incisions that can fade more quickly than the average tattoo), microblading IS a tattoo. Applied properly, it’s not going to wash away – the pigment has been deposited right into the dermis, just like any other tattoo, so don’t worry about washing it away. IMPORTANT REMINDERS
  • Use a fresh pillowcase while you sleep.
  • Let any scabbing or dry skin naturally exfoliate away. Picking can cause scarring or loss of color.
  • No facials, Botox, chemical treatments or microdermabrasion for 4 weeks.
  • Avoid hot, sweaty exercise for one week.
  • Avoid direct sun exposure or tanning for 4 weeks after the procedure.
  • Wear a hat when outdoors.
  • Avoid long, hot showers for the first 10 days.
  • Avoid sleeping on your face for the first 10 days.
  • Avoid face-down swimming, lakes, and hot tubs for the first 10 days.
  • Avoid topical makeup and sunscreen on the area.
  • DO NOT rub, pick, or scratch the treated area.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SHOWERING Limit your showers to 5 minutes so that you do not create too much steam. Keep your face/procedure area out of the water while you wash your body, then, at the end of your shower, wash your hair. Your face should only be getting wet only at the end of the shower. Avoid excessive rinsing and hot water on the treated area. Remember, with the proper prep and aftercare routine, you will have much better results with your microblading procedure. Don’t forget your new favorite acronym: AWM – Absorb, Wash, Moisturize!