Over the years, the beauty industry has continuously evolved to create looks that make us feel confident and express ourselves while also saving us a little time in front of the mirror. Much like many other beauty trends, eyebrows have changed every few years. However, most of us don’t want to spend hours trying to get the shapes just right with painful plucking, tedious drawings with makeup pens and pencils, or visiting the waxing salon every week.
In recent years, microblading has quickly gained traction in the beauty world and is booming with people looking for a low maintenance option to keep their brows looking amazing. With the uptick in popularity, a lot of questions have risen over this ever growing technique and we are here to help answer them! So, let’s go through some microblading FAQ to help you discover more about the process and why so many people are making the switch.
Is Microblading a Tattoo?
One of the most commonly asked questions is, “Is microblading a tattoo?” Well, it is! However, it’s not your typical tattoo. Tattoo ink is meant to go deeper into the skin and is designed to be a permanent addition to the skin. Microblading uses pigment that is meant to be semi-permanent and fade over time in order to allow for the shape to change with the coming of new trends.
Since it is a cosmetic tattoo, some salons have adapted by adding a separate area for microblading as it is a tattoo and requires certain things that a regular salon may not normally offer. By turning to a tattoo shop for microblading, you are ensuring that the facility is going to be set up with necessary sterilization, the correct tools, required certifications, and licensing.
Microblading Fading - How Long Does Microblading Last?
When it comes to Microblading FAQ, “How long does microblading last?,” comes up quite often. Since it’s a form of tattoo, it definitely lasts a while, but the ink is curated to fade out within about 1-3 years. Microblading fading is to ensure that if you ever want to alter the shape of your arches or brows, you have that ability.
Does Microblading Hurt?
Microblading has been described as hurting less than a traditional tattoo, but it still comes with a certain degree of pain. Some equate it to the pain of waxing or plucking, but it really depends on the individual.
How Long Does Microblading Take?
On average, the first session with measuring, drawing, and tattooing, you will likely be in your session for about 3 hours. Sessions after that for touch-ups will end up shorter as long as you aren’t looking to change the shape as the original design will still be visible as a guideline.
What Tool is Used for Microblading?
Although microblading is a form of tattooing, a traditional tattoo gun is not used. There are specific tools such as the hand-held tool using a technique called “etching” to create finer, hair-like lines that don’t go as deep into the skin.
What Does the Microblading Healing Process Look Like?
A microblading FAQ that we often see is about the microblading healing process. Since it is on the face and in a very noticeable spot, this question comes up a lot as traditional tattoos can look pretty “fresh” for a couple of weeks depending on the skin and application. The process of healing is always dependent on the skin of the person receiving the procedure. The typical length to fully healed brows is about 4-8 weeks. Much like tattoos, there are stages of redness from skin irritation, some swelling, light scabbing, and pigment changing as it settles in. Not to worry, though, your artist is skilled at what they do and you follow the after-care regimen, your brows should heal up and look fantastic within the aforementioned timeframe.
Is Microblading the only style of Eyebrow Tattoo?
The Aloha Monkey offers a few different styles of eyebrow tattoos. Nanoblading or “nano”brows provide similar hairstrokes to microblading while using a machine instead of a hand-held tool. Combination or “combo” brows have both shading, microblading and/or nano strokes. Powder or Ombré brows employ shading only to create more saturation and fullness. The best way to determine what option is best for you is to set up an in-person consultation with the artist so they can see what you’re starting with and the end results you’d like to achieve.
Still Have Questions That We Didn’t Cover?
We hope this helped answer a lot of the microblading FAQ that most of our clients have before seeing us. If you have more questions that you couldn’t find here, please don’t hesitate to contact The Aloha Monkey Tattoo to set up a complimentary consultation. Our consultations provide you one-on-one time with our cosmetic tattoo artist to discuss any and all concerns regarding the process as well as mapping/design time to show you what your new brows will look like. It’s important to us that our clients feel confident and comfortable with the process through good education before we get started. If you are thinking about getting microblading done, we are here to answer all of your questions!