What is Microblading?
Microblading offers a beautifully, natural alternative to permanent eyebrow tattoo treatments, offering defined brow reconstruction, perfect for those who may have over plucked, patchy or scarred brows.
Contrary to the name Microblading involves precisely placing an organic vegetable based pigment, free from metals and iron oxide based pigments into the very top layers of the skin (Epidermis) using a hand tool which has tiny needles attached, not actually a blade that cuts.
Sometimes tattoo pigments containing metals can discolour over time, an example is a black tone which over time often looks blue or green dependant on your skin tone. Also Iron Oxide based pigments can react if you have to have an MRI scan at any point in your life, the metal in the pigment can in extreme cases cause burning!
A direct translation from it’s traditional Korean routes is Eyebrow Embroidery, as the hand tools originally used were embroidery needles attached to chopsticks!
This treatment has been used in Asia for centuries, and is considered a popular Spa beauty treatment rather than a sterile procedure. It is even thought that Cleopatra used a similar technique for her famous eyeliner and eyebrows!
How Does Microblading Works?
Using a Microblading hand tool, the tiny needles gently scratch the skin, creating a tiny graze. The pigment is then added onto the skin which soaks into the tiny grazes, once healed the pigment lasts until the skin sheds, which is approximately 12-18 months.
After your treatment you will be advised not to touch the treated area or get it wet, as the pigment will easily be removed until the skin is completely healed. The first treatment will fade up to 60% so you will need to revisit within 3-4 weeks for a top up treatment. As the pigment is only placed in the very top layers of the skin the treatment will fade eventually, but it should last 12-18 months, depending on the clients life style, age and skin type. Younger, more oily skin tends to hold the pigment longer than older, dryer skin. It is not recommended for people who suffer with conditions such as Eczema.
Embedding the pigment gently and accurately by hand in opposed to using a machine that injects pigment deeper into the skin (dermis) results in beautifully, natural, hairline strokes rather than a heavy block of colour, which over time bleeds, making the edges uneven, “fuzzy” and discoloured.
Sometimes people can be confused between Microblading and “Fine line Tattoos”, the key to look out for is Microblading uses a handtool not a machine or tattoo gun.