Microblading: Everything You Need To Know About This Beauty Game-Changer

Ever since I was a kid, I have hated my eyebrows. I was born with one huge, bushy unibrow that kids loved to tease me about throughout elementary and middle school. My mother loved it though, and begged me not to pluck it.

Well, once I hit my teenage years, I stole my mother’s tweezers and plucked that unibrow within an inch of its life. Thanks to the over plucking, I was left with two sad, sparse eyebrows that I often get trolled about on social media. It was time for an “Eyebrow Revolution”. I booked a microblading consultation at Concept Medical with Dr. Sam Hetz.

I won’t lie – I was scared. Microblading is semi-permanent and I had visions of it going very wrong.

The Consult

Upon telling Dr. Hetz of my worries and what I hoped to achieve, he assured me that the microblading process is an easy one and I would be thrilled with the results. Petra, Concept Medical’s microblader, is a visual artist with a lot of microblading training under her belt. In addition, she had detailed experience microblading the brows of women of colour. This was of utmost importance for me because microblading could respond differently on black skin (we are more prone to scarring and hyperpigmentation).

During my consultation, Petra explained in depth the microblading process, what I could expect, healing time and aftercare. She showed me examples of her previous work and how she mixes colours according to your skin’s undertones and skin type. She also went through the aftercare process

What Is Microblading?

Microblading is a very precise process used to reshape the eyebrows. A fine, pen-like tool tipped with a sharp blade is used to lightly scratch the skin similar to a paper cut. A medical grade dye is then applied to the minute cuts creating a hair-like look.

There is a huge misconception that microblading is tattooing. It isn’t! Tattooing penetrates the skin more deeply achieving a permanent effect. Microblading is a lot less deep, therefore the results fade within 18-24 months. The results are much more fine and realistic than tattooing also.

The Microblading Process – Part 1

On my first microblading visit, Petra took her time shaping and perfecting my eyebrows according to my face shape with a black pencil suitable for skin. She drew in one eyebrow and left the other alone for me to see the difference which was like night and day.

She created the exact look I was going for – not bushy, but definitely fuller than what I had, including filling in a few bare patches.

The Microblading Process – Part 2

The big day was finally here! Upon arrival at with a black pencil suitable for skin , Petra went over the steps of the microblading process again along with aftercare. She used sterile, disposable tools and products to eliminate any chance of infection.

She then applied a numbing cream to my eyebrows for about 30 minutes. While this topical ointment worked its magic, we chose the best ink colour for my skintone, which was a very deep brown that looked almost black.

Petra measured my brows and begun tracing their outline according to the symmetry of my face. She then began microblading quickly and painlessly using feather-like strokes and implanting the dye into the superficial cuts.

After about an hour or so, Petra added a final layer of pigment to my new brows for a few extra minutes to allow the dye to further penetrate each cut.

The Final Product

I was stunned at how much better my eyebrows looked! Not only were they much more even, they were fuller and looked less coarse! My wimpy brows were transformed into eyebrows that perfectly framed my face.

Healing Time And Aftercare

It takes about 10 days for your new brows to heal. In the meantime, you have to keep the brows clean and free of any skincare products that contain any acids (glycolic, alpha hydroxy, etc.) and retinols (Vitamin A).

Petra gave me a mild cleanser (baby wash) to cleanse my eyebrows and a light moisturizer to keep them hydrated. She also gave me sterile q-tips to apply the moisturizer twice daily for the first four days.

While you are healing, you must avoid excess sweating (exercise, saunas), sleeping on your side to avoid ruining the shape of your new brows, exfoliating facial products and washing your eyebrows vigorously.

Some Microblading Pre-Care Tips

• Leave your eyebrows alone the week before your treatment. No waxing, tweezing, nada.
• No facials or facial treatments of any kind for 2-3 days before your treatment.
• Absolutely no tanning leading up to your treatment.
• Avoid retinols/Vitamin A products for about a month before microblading.
• Do not exercise the day of your treatment.
• No Botox for about a month prior to your treatment.
• Avoid blood thinners including natural ones such as Omega-3’s, fish oils or Vitamin E, along with aspirin and ibuprofen.
• Do not tint your eyebrows before your treatment.
• Do not consume alcohol 24-48 hours before or the day of your treatment.
• Do not drink coffee the day of your treatment.

What To Expect Directly After Microblading

It’s important that you understand that your eyebrows will be much darker directly after microblading. Don’t be alarmed! The pigments will settle and fade a little, and even out over the coming weeks.

DO NOT PICK AT YOUR BROWS EITHER! This could lift the pigment and leave you with a patchy look and delay healing.

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Things To Do To Help Healing

• AGAIN – NO PICKING!
• Be sure to use a clean pillowcase.
• No botox or facials for about a month after microblading.
• No exercise during your healing time.
• No steamy, hot showers.
• Stay out of direct sunlight.
• No swimming.
• Do not apply any makeup to your eyebrows until after they have healed.

Things To Keep In Mind…

Sadly, there are some people who cannot benefit from microblading. Avoid this treatment if:

• You have oily skin and/or large pores. It will cause the pigments to feather and fade quickly.
• You are on blood thinners.
• You are undergoing chemotherapy.
• You suffer from keloidal (raised) scarring.
• You are pregnant/pregnant and nursing.
  

The Touch Up

Six-eight weeks post-treatment, I will be heading back to Petra at Concept Medical for a touch-up, which is a recommended part of the microblading process. Petra will assess how my brows have healed, along with adding a few more strokes to any areas that need it.

Petra has been great throughout the healing process. She has been checking in with me weekly to ensure that everything is healing properly and that I experienced no discomfort directly after the treatment.

The Cost

I researched microblading carefully and was not willing to spare any expense. Not only did I want my brows to look very natural, I was careful to find a person who had experience microblading black skin due to the increased risks involved, mainly potential scarring (this is rare though).

While I collaborate with Concept Medical on a regular basis, this is *not* why I chose to have my microblading done at this clinic. After researching microbladers for several weeks, I discovered that Petra had the most training and certifications, had the most experience microblading on people of colour, and I loved the top-notch professionalism of Concept Medical’s team and overall spotlessness of the clinic.

Microblading at Concept Medical costs $650 and is worth every penny.

Conclusion

Needless to say, I am thrilled with my results! My touch up is in about three weeks, but so far, my eyebrows look 100% better already.

Gone are the bald patches and unevenness. Several people have commented on how nice my eyebrows look and best of all, it doesn’t take me forever to do my eyebrows in the morning. I rarely use my eyebrow pencil anymore and I no longer feel self-conscious about how they look.

This is definitely one of the best beauty investments I have ever undertaken. A HUGE recommend!

Please note that Petra books quickly – she’s so popular! Feel free to call Concept Medical at (613) 829-1266 to book your consultation. You may also email the clinic at office@conceptmedical.ca.

Concept Medical is located at 11 Holland Avenue, Suite 400 in Ottawa, ON.

*In collaboration with Concept Medical. All opinions are my own.