5 things to consider before getting microblading


5 things to consider before getting microblading

 

Done well, our brows beautifully define our face – so making subtle changes to their shape and structure can make a dramatic difference to our overall appearance. There are many reasons people opt for semi-permanent brows or microblading treatment (you can read some of the most common reasons here) – but sadly some fall foul of the many artists out there who aren’t proficient enough to provide SPMU, or simply don’t know what to expect from the treatment and don’t get the most out of it as a result.

 

Throughout my years in SPMU I have seen plenty of disasters occur simply because a person chose the wrong artist, failed to follow proper aftercare procedure, or was not a suitable candidate for SPMU.

 

In this blog I’m covering some very important points to consider before you embark on your journey to beautiful new brows with microblading or semi-permanent make-up.

 

1/ Choosing the right person is key

 

I cannot stress this enough – when allowing someone to tattoo your face, make sure that person has adequate training and experience to do so properly. The industry is regulated, yes – but only so far as safety is concerned. The actual quality of an artist’s work and their experience is often largely unknown, unless they can show you examples of their skill and previous clients. Time and time again I’ve seen people who have had their confidence severely impacted by terrible SPMU work. At best, you’re left with permanently bad brows – at worst, you could experience scarring or skin damage.

 

To make matters worse, many reputable artists (myself included) won’t touch other people’s work, especially if it is very poorly executed. The best course of action in most cases is full removal

(where possible), before a fresh treatment with someone else can take place. Of course, this option can be costly and takes time – which is why locating a reputable artist in the first instance is so important.

 

Often in the SPMU industry you really do get what you pay for. I see many places advertising cheap SPMU treatments, either within a clinic offering lots of other (non-invasive) beauty treatments or with students who are new to SPMU. If you agree to be a ‘guinea pig’ for a newly trained SPMU artist or artist in training, be sure to ask exactly where they trained and for how long – and whether a tutor or someone more experienced will be present to support them.

 

2/ There’s a healing process

 

One thing lots of people don’t realise about SPMU and microblading is the healing process attached to cosmetic tattoo treatments – and how important this process can be to the finished appearance. Many people assume that once the treatment is done, their brows are finished and will look exactly the same as they do when you leave the clinic forever.

 

But when you consider that the upper layers of your skin are being penetrated and then infused with pigment during an SPMU treatment, it makes sense that the skin will need some time to heal before it goes back to normal.

 

Lots of clients are horrified when their brows begin to fade, change colour or scab during the weeks immediately post-treatment. But this is totally normal and part of the healing process – any rare issues that arise post-treatment can be addressed at your touch up (more on this below).

 

If you want to know more about what to expect after SPMU or microblading treatment, I’ve shared a full run-down of the SPMU healing process here.

 

3/ Aftercare is key

 

Good aftercare goes hand-in-hand with a seamless healing process. Your brows cannot heal properly if you do not follow the aftercare advice you receive fully. If you’re planning on getting SPMU brows or microblading, it’s important to accept and prepare for the aftercare process, which will require some time and effort on your part.

 

Some aftercare is active (applying cream), some is passive (avoiding getting water on the brows initially, not picking scabs, refraining from touching your healing brows). Every artist has a similar yet slightly different aftercare procedure they recommend – there are varying schools of thought on healing (wet healing vs dry healing, for example) – but the best course of action is always to follow the advice your SPMU artist gives you rather than consulting Dr Google.

 

You can find my detailed SPMU aftercare advice and more on different types of aftercare here.

 

4/ You’ll need a touch up (and future maintenance may be required)

 

Lots of clients are surprised to learn that their brows will not be complete after the first treatment. In fact, we do need to carry out a touch-up on the brows to ensure they are fully finished and remain in perfect condition for years to come. At your touch up, your SPMU artist may need to tweak the brows or address any fading or changes that may have occurred during the initial healing process.

 

Most artists include the cost of the touch-up within the overall treatment price – but be sure to book and attend this appointment within the defined parameters. Failing to do so could mean you need to pay again, or have a more extensive

treatment to remedy fading caused by lack of a timely initial touch-up.

 

As well as an initial touch-up, you may find that your brows fade

over time. Some people find that their brows need an additional touch up after a year or two – others can go for several years without needing another treatment. Either way, you should treat your SPMU brows as a lifelong commitment.

 

The rate at which SPMU fades really depends on a variety of factors – sometimes your unique skin type and genetics play a role. There are some lifestyle aspects to consider though, such as diet, skincare (acids and peels can fade SPMU quicker), smoking/alcohol consumption and excessive sun exposure.

 

5/ Skin conditions and medical status can affect the result (or prevent treatment altogether)

 

To ensure optimal results, it’s crucial to determine your skin type and find out whether you are going to be a good candidate for microblading. Some skin types simply don’t take to SPMU or microblading well – in some cases treatment can be modified to better suit or ensure optimal results, but in other cases it prevents treatment altogether. Be sure to disclose any previous SPMU treatments or Botox, existing medical conditions, any medications and skin complaints such as eczema, acne, psoriasis. If you don’t, you could find that your SPMU result is not as you desired.

 

A good artist will see you for a thorough consultation prior to booking you in for treatment. At this preliminary appointment they’ll ask you lots of questions and ask you to fill out some consent forms, as well as discussing your motives for treatment and desired outcomes.

 

Being as honest as possible during this initial appointment is key – so don’t skip any details, however small!

 

Searching for Microblading in Cheshire?

 

Since starting my career in ___ I have been the number one provider for semi-permanent make-up and Microblading in Cheshire. You can see my work and reviews here or read more about me here.