MICROBLADING/MICROSHADING INTRODUCTION

Most of us are not satisfied with our natural brows. Whether it is due to asymmetry, sparseness, or poor shape, we do not look our best without the help of our brow pencils and powders. Trying to draw on beautiful eyebrows every morning can be a difficult, time-consuming chore. Microblading/ Microshading gives us the flattering brows we desire without creating them ourselves with makeup. Better than makeup, microbladed/ microshaded brows are smudge-proof and waterproof and look great any time of the day or night! Another favorite benefit of microblading/ microshading is that it helps stop us from tweezing improperly. Over-tweezing is a problem for many people and is the most common cause of bad brows! After microblading/ microshading, only the hairs that grow outside of the pigment will need to be tweezed. By the time pigment fades, some clients discover they have grown back their lovely brows!

Microblading is a cosmetic tattoo of the eyebrows. A tiny blade (technically a configuration of microneedles that looks like a blade) dipped in cosmetic pigment is used to implant the pigment into the skin throughout the eyebrow in hair-like patterns. These tattooed "hair strokes" fill in the sparse areas of the brows, giving the illusion of fullness and better symmetry and creating a more defined, flattering shape.

Unlike traditional tattoo methods, which implant ink deep into the dermis layer of the skin, the microblading method deposits pigment much more superficially into the uppermost layer of the dermis. Since the cosmetic pigment sits in the uppermost layers of the skin, the color will gradually fade as it exits the skin over the following months or years through the natural shedding of skin cells. Also, cosmetic pigments are specifically created to soften and eventually break down more than traditional tattoo inks do. This is positive since brow trends AND our faces will change over time. This "fade factor" allows us to make changes and adjustments to the appearance of our brows later. Clients should expect to have their brows touched over the years, ensuring a current and flattering brow design and fresh color.

Microblading does not work well for oily, mature, or sun-damaged skin clients. MicroShading is the proper technique for these skin types. Microblading is only suited for clients with smooth, normal-dry, healthy skin, tiny pores, and a fair amount of natural eyebrow hairs present. The microblading technique subtly enhances the existing natural eyebrows by creating additional "hairs" to add fullness and definition and improve shape. Microblading is not intended to, nor is it a strong enough application to "create" eyebrows that are not already at least 60% there. MicroShading is the proper technique for creating brows when natural brow hair is severely lacking.

While microblading creates the very soft look of individual hairs, microshading, also referred to as the Powderbrow or Ombre Brow technique, is done for clients who are lacking natural brow hair, or desire a more filled- in look. Also a cosmetic tattoo of the eyebrows, MicroShading mimics the powdery/ shadowy look of makeup, giving the brows a more dense and defined appearance than microblading alone does, but the look is still a softer, much more natural-looking result than the tattooed eyebrows of the past. MicroShading creates the look of makeup, not a tattoo's harsh, clownish look! MicroShading will fade over time, but usually last longer than microblading does. Emily uses a cosmetic tattoo pen/ machine for microshading.

While microblading cannot be done successfully on very oily, mature, or sun-damaged skin, microshading produces great results on basically all skin types.

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Combination of Techniques/ Combination Brow

When a mix of microblading and microshading techniques is done, the result is called a "Combination Brow." The combination brow has become a very popular choice among clients because it gives the soft look of hair-strokes at the front of the brow while giving the density and definition of shading through the arches and tails. There is no additional charge for the combination brow technique. The best option to meet your goals will be discussed at your appointment

Most clients have a personal preference when it comes to the way they like their brows to look. Before the actual procedure begins, the client's goals and expectations are discussed, and the best technique is decided upon. Then, the design of the brows is mapped out and drawn on with a pencil so the client can see and approve of the shape and position. If applicable, pigment/ color is chosen to best suit the client's skin tone and existing brow hair.

The initial appointment takes about 3 hours.

All first-time permanent makeup/micropigmentation clients receive a complimentary touchup or "Perfecting Visit" eight weeks after initial service. The touchup appointment time is significantly shorter than the initial service time. Read the complementary touchup policy here.

Topical lidocaine is applied during the service in order to keep the client comfortable. People have varying degrees of sensitivity, but many clients fall asleep during service. Some tips: women are significantly more sensitive to pain near the time of their period. This should be considered when scheduling a service date.

Clients are welcome to bring wireless or earbud headphones along to the appointment to provide entertainment/ distraction during the actual procedure. Headphones must be the type that sit inside the ear. Headphones that fit over the head and outside the ear get in the way of service and cannot be worn.

As previously mentioned, cosmetic pigments are deposited very superficially in the skin and are specifically created to fade over time. Brows will need to be touched up over the years to maintain the best-looking result. How long an individual retains pigment varies greatly (from 6 - 24 + months) depending on many factors not limited to individual skin type, speed of cellular turnover, and proper aftercare. Proper aftercare is very important for achieving the best-looking, longest-lasting result. Detailed instructions and supplies for proper aftercare are provided to the client upon completion of.

• Under 18 years of age

• Pregnancy

• Breastfeeding - treatment is possible, though anesthetic will not be possible

• Keloids, or if you tend to keloid (Microshading is ok)

• Birthmarks or moles in the eyebrow

• Inability to lie down. Service requires the Client to lie still, flat on their back, throughout the pigment application portion of the appointment

• Diabetic - A doctor's note is required, and the Client must sign a supplement to the consent form

• Cancer - must be 6 months post chemo. Otherwise, a doctor's note of clearance is required, and the Client must sign an addendum to the consent form

• Autoimmune disorders being treated with steroid medication - a doctor's note is required, and an addendum to the consent form must be signed by the Client

• Circulatory and bleeding disorders - a doctor's note is required, and an addendum to the consent form must be signed by the Client

• Epilepsy - doctor’s note is required

• Hemochromatosis - doctor’s note is required

• Clients currently taking blood thinning medication are not eligible for microblading. MicroShading is the correct procedure for these clients

• Clients currently on Accutane must wait at least 6 months after treatment ends

• Any symptoms of skin disease or irritation present in the brow area

• You've recently had Botox - Emily will discuss this with Client

• Existing microblading/ microshading, old eyebrow micropigmentation/ tattoo done by a different artist- Emily will discuss with the Client

• Clients with broken capillaries in the eyebrows are not eligible for microblading. Microshading is the correct procedure for these clients

• Sunburn or significant suntan on the face

• Sun-damaged skin is not eligible for microblading. Microshading is the correct procedure for this skin type

• Very oily skin with large pores is not eligible for microblading. Microshading is the correct procedure for this skin type

• Very fair/ translucent, hypersensitive skin does not respond well to microblading. Microshading is the correct procedure for this skin type

• Wrinkled / creased skin through or around the eyebrow area is is not eligible for microblading. Microshading is the correct procedure for this skin type.