Even after trying every gel, pigment, powder, and pencil, your brows may still be sparse. And you may be ready to give up on that lush appearance you’ve been dreaming of, but don’t throw in the towel just yet. At Advanced Clinics in Oklahoma City, OK, we have a more permanent solution to fix thin brows and change your beauty routine: microblading. This treatment has grown steadily in popularity over the years and delivers reliably natural-looking results.
How Does Microblading Work?
Microblading (MB) is a highly specialized, semi-permanent tattooing technique that can add fullness to your brows. It involves implanting pigment into the skin’s superficial layers to mimic the appearance of eyebrow hair. Treatment is ideal for a number of patients, including those who have experienced some hair loss, have always had sparse brows, or simply want a thicker and more well-defined brow.
During the treatment, tiny hair-like strokes are created as pigment gets deposited into the skin’s epidermal layer. Thanks to this manual tattoo technique, results last a long time and look very natural. In fact, few will even know you’ve had treatment – unless you specifically tell them. And simple maintenance treatments repeated every one to two years can keep your results intact without the need for messy powders and pencils.
How MB Compares to Other Brow Tattooing
MB has exploded in recent years to become the most requested form of brow tattooing. During the process, a member of our staff will use a handheld tool that includes several tiny needles to implant pigment beneath your skin. This tool helps mimic the appearance of realistic-looking hair strokes.
Even better, the pigments used during MB are designed to fade with time so your brows can be updated with age. This guarantees the most natural look possible at all stages and helps MB stand out when compared to other brow tattooing techniques.
Nano and Powder Brows
Nano brows, for instance, is a technique that uses a single needle and a digital tattoo machine. This treatment is ideal for those with oily, thick, or textured skin, as a single needle allows the tech to address each problem area one at a time.
Powder brows are also created using a single needle and digital device. The results, however, are more intended to mimic the appearance of brow makeup. Again, patients with oily, thick, or textured skin can benefit from this treatment, although the brows look less natural than with MB. And because it doesn’t rely on a machine, MB allows the ink to be more precisely deposited into the skin’s surface, allowing for a more customized appearance.
Digging Into the Details
Now is a good time to reiterate that your MB results can last between one and three years, meaning you get to enjoy thick, shapely brows throughout that time. The best way to determine when you need a touch-up is with the “pencil test.” The moment you feel the need to again darken your brows with a pencil, you know it’s time to schedule a maintenance session.
You can extend the longevity of your results by following all aftercare instructions provided to you. For instance, it’s important you wear sunscreen every day, even when the weather is overcast. An SPF of at least 55 will keep your skin looking its best by helping to prevent wrinkles and fine lines. You should likewise avoid tanning beds.
Caring for Your New Brows
We further recommend that you not wear makeup over your brows for the first six weeks after treatment. Certain products formulated with acids can cause your MB brows to prematurely fade. Also be sure to eat nourishing foods and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water – at least 48 to 64 ounces each day. The quality of your diet significantly impacts the health of your hair and skin.
Last but not least, use facial cleansers and moisturizers with care. If you need help choosing those that are right for your skin type, we’re happy to help. And if you smoke, now is the time to quit. Tobacco impedes oxygen flow to your tissues, including the skin, and can make the pigment from MB fade more quickly.
Ways to Prepare for Your Appointment
You might be surprised to learn the preparation tips we’re about to give are very similar to our post-care recommendations. To illustrate, you should stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and excess caffeine right before treatment. In addition, for two weeks before your session, avoid prolonged sun exposure so you don’t risk burning or peeling.
You should also make a note of all questions you have and bring them to your consultation appointment. Reference photos of the way you would like your eyebrows to look can be equally helpful. Do keep in mind, however, that we’ll work with you to identify a brow design that will complement your face. Your results may therefore not precisely match the brows of a celebrity or influencer you admire.
A Thorough Consultation
We’ll use the consultation to assess your skin health, evaluate your aesthetic goals, and determine if this treatment is right for you. Some of the factors we’ll consider include your age. With time, facial skin becomes laxer so that as you enter your 40s and 50s, your eyebrows may start to sag. MB is flexible enough to reposition your brows as gravity takes a toll on skin. This is an easy way to revive your appearance and help you look your best.
What to Expect from Treatment
Again, we’ll work closely with you to identify the shape, thickness, and pigment color that suits your facial shape and skin tone. The session will take anywhere from one to two hours and will likely start with eyebrow mapping in which a member of our staff will measure and draw the outline of your desired brow shape. We’ll then apply numbing cream to reduce any potential for irritation and provide you with a relaxing experience.
Finally, your artist will begin the MB treatment, making tiny, hair-like strokes to deliver the most natural-looking results possible. Once we’re finished, you can continue with your day as normal. You will, however, need to avoid sweating and swimming throughout the healing process.
Cleaning Your Brows
We may also recommend that you keep your brows clean by regularly blotting them with a sterile water wipe or damp paper towel and gently patting them dry after. This helps remove excess pigment and oil to keep the area fresh.
The Benefits of MB
In addition to delivering realistic-looking brows with added texture and shape, MB can also:
- Keep your brows in place, even after you sleep
- Resist water and sweat
- Help hair loss conditions
- Support autoimmune disorders
- Cover scarring in the brow area
- Increase your confidence
- Simplify your beauty routine
MB additionally keeps up with changes to your hair color. It’s not uncommon for people to dye, highlight, or otherwise change their hair color throughout the course of several years. If you want your brows to match your hair, microblading can easily help you achieve this goal.
A Creative and Worry-Free Approach
MB is right for patients who aren’t quite sure what shape they want their eyebrows to take but know they want something a little bolder. And keep in mind your brows can transition through different stages of your life. Perhaps you want significantly more volume now but, as your career and/or lifestyle changes, you may want a more sculpted look. MB can easily deliver both and, in the meantime, you get worry-free results.
Debunking a Few Myths
Some people believe they can do MB at home or a nearby hair salon, but the truth is you need to find a reputable service provider. MB does involve skin penetration, meaning your provider must be diligent about cleanliness. You can rest assured that our entire staff is committed to both your safety and satisfaction. We’ll take all necessary precautions to ensure your treatment is sound and that you feel happy with your results.
Others believe that by going to the same provider, they can get the exact same brows as their friend or family member. But MB is a unique experience for each person. This means factors like facial symmetry, skin type, and the initial shape and form of your eyebrows will influence your results. As mentioned earlier, you can bring in a photo of brows you admire for guidance, but you shouldn’t count on yours looking exactly like them.
A Semi-Permanent Solution for Beautiful Brows
Microblading is the easiest and most effective way to achieve the beautiful brows you want. Whether you’ve experienced hair loss, sagging skin, or simply want fuller brows, treatment is versatile enough to accommodate a range of goals. Schedule your consultation today by contacting the team at Advanced Clinics in Oklahoma City, OK.