“I have always been fascinated by eyebrows. They frame our eyes and shape our expressions. But few are born with beautiful, full, perfectly arched eyebrows. Instead, we get thin, scraggly brows. Or thick, bushy ones. Those who are fair end up with brows that are thin and washed out. As we age, our brows fade.

So we augment our brows with brushes and pencils, and they often end up looking artificial and heavy-handed; they’re too dark or too thin. They don’t match.

No wonder women are responding to microblading, the newest technique in permanent makeup.”

Microblading: Semi-permanent makeup

Microblading is a form of semi-permanent tattooing. As a trained, licensed expert who has done hundreds of these procedures, Jillian uses tiny, fine-point needles to scratch and deposit pigment under the skin along the brow line.

Microblading and your expectations for your eyebrows

At Haute Ink, each session begins with a discussion of brow expectations. Clients often bring in pictures of how they want their brows to look. The goal generally includes filling in the brow’s arches to create a timelessly full, classic shape. In most cases, eyebrows are shaped to follow each person’s bone structure and existing brow shape.

The process begins by penciling in the desired shape, then applying a topical cream to anesthetize the brow area. Microblading uses a state-of-the-art hand tool to create tiny superficial cuts in and along the brow line, then deposits a pigment over the brow so it seeps into these miniscule cuts. While this may sound invasive, it really is not. A session generally takes about two hours. Clients walk out of the studio with full, naturally arched eyebrows.

Combo brows: Microblading plus a shading, or powder, technique

Semi-permanent makeup continues to evolve. Combination brows, or combo brows, have become popular. They combine the machine technique of powder brows with microblading’s tiny cuts and pigment deposits. These two techniques give the eyebrow more fullness and definition.

Which technique is right for you?

For a natural brow, microblading alone will likely achieve the desired look. If your goal is an eyebrow that’s more dramatic—darker and fuller—then a combo brow will help you achieve this look.

Microblading aftercare is an important part of the procedure

It’s important to take care of your brows after the procedure. Sterile conditions during the procedure and proper care afterwards assure a successful outcome. It’s important to keep the area dry and clean. There will be scabbing and some itching.

Rinse with water and antibacterial soap, then pat dry. Reapply the aftercare cream. Avoid makeup in the area for at least a week. Don’t pick at scabs; don’t tug or scratch the eyebrow area. Avoid saunas, swimming and excessive sweating until the area is completely healed and you’ve completed your follow-up appointment. After your session, Haute Ink will provide creams to apply a few times during the day and at night for at least a week. While you may feel a slight discomfort during the procedure, it’s not normal to have severe pain in the affected area after your appointment. If this continues, you should see a doctor.

Longer term care for your microbladed eyebrows

We recommend coming back in 6-8 weeks for a touch-up. In this appointment, the colors can be adjusted by adding more strokes and shading to ensure that both brows match perfectly.

An eyebrow touchup at least once a year that involves adding pigment to the brow outline is an excellent way to prolong your microblading investment. Take care of your skin. Once your brows are fully healed, applying sunscreen to the brow area may help prevent fading if you’re going to be in the sun. Wearing a hat will further protect your skin and your brows. Microblading generally lasts from one to three years.

Who should avoid microblading

Women who are pregnant, anyone who has had an organ transplant. Anyone with a compromised liver or immune system or a viral condition such as hepatitis. Those with excessively oily skin, those prone to keloids or transmittable blood disease such as HIV or hepatitis, and patients undergoing chemotherapy. People with any kind of skin condition on or near their eyebrows—eczema, psoriasis, shingles, rashes, rosacea or chronic acne are not good candidates for microblading. Microblading works best when skin is healthy. With any of these conditions, the skin is compromised, which undermines the results of the procedure.

Microblading is for adults. We do not recommend microblading for those under 18.