Hair Loss and Micropigmentation and Microblading

Brows can be the best or the worst accessory to your face… which I took a really long time to learn, but once I learnt the lesson I was desperate for something which made it easy and permanent. Microblading or Micropigmentation is the answer. Or is it.

Below is my real life review of microblading and micropigmentation. I’ve tried them both. I have some great tips and tricks to share, as well as a South African alternative which may be even better.

As I mentioned above, I have had my eyebrows micropigmented, meaning I have had color digitally implanted into the dermal layer of my eyebrow skin. I have also had my eyebrows microbladed, meaning I have had a blade manually slit across my eyebrow skin creating hair strokes, before color pigmentation was rubbed into the fresh cuts. Both methods are considered to be forms of eyebrow tattooing or semi-permanent makeup, however micropigmentation is said to last longer since the color is implanted deeper (I don’t totally agree). I found the results and price (Approximately $300) for both methods to be pretty much the same. The initial results are amazing, your eyebrows look on flek and natural. I have encouraged so many people over the years to get microblading or micropigmentation. The only real downside is the lack of permanence. Which is why I am so excited to tell you what the South Africans are doing.  

I was 22 when I first got my eyebrows done, but I wish I had them done earlier (check out “Introducing Alopecia Alicia“ to see what my eyebrows looked like growing up…if you can spot them!) . I think anyone over the age of 16 would be able to handle getting them done. It’s a little uncomfortable and can take up to two hours, but it is also not a permanent tattoo so you are not committing to one shape eyebrows for the rest of your life. I was stoked when I first got them done, and for once, I had noticeable and defined eyebrows 24/7. I could swim, have sleep overs, sweat etc. I had absolute freedom to do whatever I wanted and never had to worry about my eyebrows. More than that, I got so many compliments about my eyebrows always being perfect!

However, it is not permanent. Micropigmentation is pretty perfect for the first 6 months, depending on how much sunlight you get etc, then it will start to fade, not totally, but mostly. I got my eyebrows microbladed when I was 26. Unfortunately, I have not tracked down ‘before and after’ pictures from my micropigmentation, but they would look pretty much the same as the microblading ‘before and after’ pictures you can see here. If you look closely at the before picture you will see remnants from the micropigmentation (approximately 4 years after the fact). The same goes for the microblading. Its been just over a year since I got it done and they have already faded. On the plus side, I still have perfect and even outlines to apply my makeup to.

Both procedures were relatively the same. On both occasions I laid on the technicians table. They moved from side to side measuring and drawing outlines on my eyebrows, requesting my input now and again, regularly stopping to analyse the accuracy of their marks, before finally confirming whether I was happy with them. Thankfully both technicians were perfectionists, because I would not have had a clue if they were slightly crooked. I struggle to see such inaccuracies, which was my issue with just using makeup to enhance my eyebrows. Once we were both satisfied with the outline of my eyebrow, they grabbed their tools (digital pen for micropigmentation, and blade for microblading) and started etching in hair strokes for roughly an hour and a half, dabbing excess ink and blood away. If you’re like me and literally cannot handle needles or blood, don’t worry it’s really not that bad and it is very survivable. For me, getting my eyebrows micropigmented/ microbladed was easier than getting my finger pricked by the doctor. Needles usually put me on the floor, white faced, and ready to hurl.

The pigment will appear very sharp and dark immediately after the procedure, with a tiny bit of swelling and redness. It’s definitely obvious day one that something has been done to your eyebrows, but it is not shocking- both times I got my eyebrows done I went to work afterwards without too much fuss. Your eyebrows will appear dark for the first 7 to 10 days as a result of your skin healing. The bodily fluids (blood uuuurgh) mix with the ink and start forming a scab over your eyebrows. Before you start visualising a thick scab like what you had on your knees as a child. Stop! It’s not like that at all. The scab is much thinner and flakes, more like dandruff but far less obvious. During this period, you may be tempted to itch or rub your new brows. Don’t. It’s just part of the natural healing process. Let it be and you will be amazed at how good they feel and look a few days later.  

My preferred method was micropigmentation, which is more similar to getting a tattoo, due to the electronic application. Microblading freaked me out a little bit because it is done manually with a blade. It felt a little like getting tonnes of paper cuts… even now, just thinking of it makes me think of fingernails screeching down a chalkboard.

Overall, I hugely recommend semi-permanent makeup (micropigmentation or microblading). It makes a stunning semi-permanent difference to your eyebrows, giving them naturally appearing depth and thickness. I would especially recommend it to you if you have fine, patchy, or barely existent eyebrows like me.

I am still on the hunt for a solution which is more permanent, which is how I came across what the South Africans are doing. Shortly after getting my eyebrows microbladed I was speaking to an amazing and talented beauty technician from South Africa who stated that what her clients were doing and what is really popular in South Africa is getting your eyebrows tattooed in layers. The first tattoo layer is only slightly darker than your current skin tone, and fills your eyebrows creating depth. The second layer is tattooed hair strokes, in your desired eyebrow color, creating a naturally full and permanent set of eyebrows. I absolutely love this idea, and can’t wait to try it out once my microblading fades to the point of needing replacement. I’ll be sure to let you know once that happens.

What solutions do you have?

Xox

PS I thought about doing a youtube video on everything you need to know about microblading/ micropigmentation, but then i came across Cristina Viseu’s video, showing below, which based on my own experience, she sums it up perfectly. 

Are you considering getting microblading or micropigmentation of your eyebrows or are you interested in finding out whether microblading or micropigmentation is right for you.  Read my real life reviews of microblading or micropigmentation.