What is the difference between microblading and standard body tattooing?

The purpose of microblading is to enhance the features with what appears to be undetected, natural looking eyebrows. Microblading is more subtle – it is meant to be a natural-looking enhancement. Traditional body tattoos use electric tools and ink while microblading procedures involve pigments and a manual hand tool.

Does it hurt?

Everyone has a different level of sensitivity. An anesthetic is applied for numbing during the procedure to alleviate discomfort. Every effort is made to ensure you remain comfortable for the duration of the procedure. Clients are usually pleased to discover that it is no more painful than having your eyebrows tweezed or threaded. The area can be a little sore for the first few hours and then tender to the touch for a few days after your procedure.

How long is the healing process?

It is normal to experience minimal swelling and tenderness following your procedure. It doesn’t take very long for it to disappear. Immediately following your treatment the pigment will appear darker than how it will appear once it has healed. Around week 2, the surface color naturally exfoliates to leave a softer color. During week 3 and 4 when the skin completes healing, you will see the pigment darken a bit. A complementary Touch-Up visit approximately 4-6 weeks after your initial appointment is necessary in order to achieve that richness of color and density in the shape.

How old do I have to be to get tattooed?

You must be 18 years or older to receive microblading at Hair Lounge.

Can I get tattooed if I am pregnant or nursing?

As a precaution, we do not perform cosmetic tattooing on pregnant or nursing women.

What types of pigments do you use?

Cosmetics and medical tattooing have been proven to be safe.  Many medical professionals, who perform their own tattooing, use the same pigments that we use.  People have been placing color in their skins for a very long time and through the years a generally accepted list of color additives, which are expected to perform well, have proven to be safe.  The FDA does not regulate the colors that are used in tattooing nor do they regulate colors used in cosmetics.  Our supplier’s ingredients for our inorganic pigments are iron oxides, distilled water, alcohol, glycerine and general colors that are found in all retail makeup.

How long does microblading last?

Microblading is a cosmetic tattoo. The pigment will fade over time and we recommend getting a touch up annually to keep them looking their best. Results can last between one to three years however there is no guarantee as each individuals skin will respond differently. Frequency of touch-ups depends on a number of factors including: skin type, pigment selection, lifestyle (sun exposure), iron deficiency (your body absorbs iron-oxide as a supplement), chemical peels, etc.

Please note that final results can not be guaranteed as each unique skin type will hold pigments differently and break down at different rates. We will re-evaluate how your skin has received the pigment at your touch-up appointment and make any changes necessary.

How long does the treatment take?

Microblading is an extremely meticulous process that takes approximately two hours to complete. At the beginning of the microblading procedure, we will draw in a suggested shape for your new brows and then we work together to perfect this to your preference and measurements are taken to check symmetry and position. Be cautious of places that claim to complete the process in one hour. It’s not a rushed procedure, it cannot be done in an hour. Next, we choose a color together by applying small amounts of different colored pigments to the skin near to your brows then select the best match for your skin tone, features and personal preference.

How many treatments are needed?

For microblading, at least two appointments are needed initially, at least 4-6 weeks apart.  At your second treatment, we will assess the color retention and make adjustments as necessary. Everyone heals differently and at different rates. If your cosmetic tattoo does not heal perfectly the first time, do not worry! We can always go bolder and add more density at your next appointment.

What factors will affect microblading?

Sun exposure: The sun will extremely soften the look of your tattoo, so a physical sunscreen should be used (once healed) to prolong your enhancement.

The regeneration of skin cells: The longer the regeneration takes, the longer the pigment holds.

The speed at which the skin absorbs the pigment: The slower the absorption, the longer the pigment will hold.

The choice of pigment color: Some colors may fade quicker than others, e.g. a blonde pigment may fade quicker than a dark brunette pigment.

Bleeding during the procedure: Any bleeding during the tattooing procedure will reduce the amount of pigment absorption. Caffeine, alcohol, and certain medications act as blood-thinners and should  be avoided 48 hours prior to your appointment.

What should I do before my eyebrow procedure?

If you have an ideal shape and color in mind, please bring a couple reference photos with you to your appointment. You may fill in your eyebrows as you normally would so we may take into consideration the shape you feel most comfortable with. If you regularly get your eyebrows shaped, waxed, threaded or tinted, please refrain from doing so within a week of your appointment. If there are any stray hairs that fall outside of our final shape, we can remove them.

PLEASE NOTE: Having this service performed during your menstrual cycle may increase discomfort during your procedure.

* If you are a frequent smoker, the topical anesthetics used during the treatment will not last as long.

* If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, be aware that this may affect your sensitivity tolerance to the procedure.

How will I look immediately after?

Your brows will appear darker and more intense than expected for the first week or so. This will gradually lighten during the complete healing process. Redness and swelling is minimal.

What should I do after the procedure?

Please review our detailed Pre & Post Care Instructions. It is highly beneficial to follow these instructions to ensure a comfortable healing process and to achieve the best possible results. DO NOT rub or pick the healing area as the color will peel off prematurely, and avoid extreme heat, sweating, and contaminated bodies of water (such as saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, pools, lakes, and places with hot humidity, etc.).

How will my microblading brows look in the future?

During your appointment, we will analyze your skin tone to anticipate how pigment colors will heal and fade in the future. We will also mix pigments to ensure the color blends well with your natural hair and skin color. There are some cases, however, where the color may fade to different tones according to the individual’s response to the pigments (like lifestyle and iron deficiencies). Many factors affect these changes. At your follow-up appointment, we will re-analyze how your body has responded to the initial color.  If needed, special formula alterations to correct the color is made at this time. Your eyebrow tattoo will eventually look softer and have more of a “powdered” look.  To keep your brows looking their best, a refresher appointment is suggested every 12 months. Results and preferences vary with each client.

What should I know about long term care?

The color will lighten over time. We recommend an annual touch up to keep brows looking their best. Fading greatly depends on your skin type, lifestyle, sun exposure, pigment color used, broken capillaries, iron deficiency, and if any chemical peels were done after your procedure.

If you are planning a chemical peel, MRI or other medical procedure, please inform the technician that you have had an iron-oxide cosmetic tattoo. Careful application must be taken to avoid affecting the tattooed area.

If you are planning to have laser treatments, tell your laser specialist to avoid the pigmented area. Laser may cause pigment to turn black.

Will microblading work well for me?

If you have extremely oily skin, the microblading technique may NOT work well for you. The constant production of oil will cause the hair strokes to heal with a diffused, softer look. Your end result will look more powdered instead of a crisp hair stroke appearance. If you are a frequent smoker, your pigment will fade sooner. If you are iron deficient or anaemic, your pigment will fade sooner and bleeding/bruising may occur during and after the procedure.