From Flaking to Fabulous: Your Microblading Healing Journey
Microblading is a semi-permanent brow treatment that requires minimum down time. Healing can take up to 10 days and varies with each individual. We have created a timeline to help you understand the microblading healing stages you may encounter as you heal.
Tracking your progress on a weekly basis during the recovery period will ensure that your microblading is healing as expected.
The procedure involves the technician making tiny incisions 2-3 layers into the skin, using a microblading tool. Your skin’s natural response to this action is bleeding from the site of incision; the amount of bleeding depends on your skin and any underlying conditions.
Stage 1: Clotting and Scabbing
As the procedure carries on, the blood becomes thickened and soon forms a clot. This process is known as coagulation. It is your body’s way of blocking the flow of blood. This thickened blood then forms the scab that encloses the small incisions and protects them during the early stages of healing. At this point your brows begin to look darker and may appear raised due to the scabs forming. This stage typically lasts for 2-3 days.
Stage 2: Swelling and Secretion
Following your procedure you may experience slight swelling and secretion in the treated area. The swelling is a response to the increased blood and fluid circulating in the wound. Blood has many components that carry vital nutrients, antibodies, oxygen, and hormones to the fresh wound. The plasma component of the blood aids in clotting and also moves waste material away from the wound during the healing.
You may experience slight secretion of clear fluid from your brows; this is normal and begins to subside within 24 hours following your procedure. If necessary you can gently blot the brows with a clean gauze or tissue to absorb the excess fluid. This stage typically lasts between 1-2 days.
Stage 3: Growth and Repair
During the growth and recovery stage, the scabs that protected the open wound will begin to shed thereby exposing fragile skin. The overall brow colour will appear patchy as the dark scabs fall revealing the lighter tone underneath. The exposed skin may appear thinner and slightly pink while it is re-building. This stage typically lasts for 2-3 days.
Your skin forms a network of collagen fibres that support the new layers of skin cells, as the new skin layers build, the pink colouring will fade along with the pigment of your brows. The length of time the skin takes to build back the layers of skin ranges depending on the overall health of the skin prior to procedure and how closely post-care instructions are followed.
Stage 4: Recovery and Refresher
Once your brows have fully recovered, the pigment will once again resurface revealing their true colour, the strokes will also appear more defined and realistic. This stage typically lasts between 1-2 days.
Daily application of a serum after moisturizing strengthens the skin and accelerates the recovery process.
View Dérmica’s literature on microblading healing stages…
Knowing the healing stages of microblading can help you better plan for your procedure. Here is what you can expect of your brow healing journey.
The first stage if healing is typically inflammation. So, you body will send signals to the areas which will make for higher activity in that area than you are used to. For example, you will likely have some inflammation, redness, and weeping.
Weeping is lymphatic fluid seeping though the cut. This process helps move along the healing process. Blood and fluids clot the area usually within the first couple of hours after your microblading, that is, if not during the procedure.
Days 2-3 see the forming of scabs. These are filled with a little bit of ink, lymphatic fluid, and blood. The scabs eventually separate which is how you get that flaking part of the process. Flaking can last between days 4-6, depending on your skin.
Once all the flaking has finished, you will have fresh juicy cells at the top. Still, you may feel a little tenderness and it could still look scabby and patchy during days 7-10.
End of Healing
By the time you get to week 2, the skin cells have begun to compress and dry, therefore the colour starts to come back up to the surface.
From there, everything seems pretty consistent as you are now healed. Keep in mind that the colour continues to come closer to the surface. It can take up to 6 weeks for the colour to come up and your skin to look visibly healed. However, for up to 12 weeks, your skin is still reforming all of the collagen fibres and networks that make it solid under the surface. The 12th week marks the end of the stages of healing for microblading.
Are you medically eligible for procedure?
Microblading, like all other forms of tattooing, has risks associated with the procedure that though uncommon, must be reviewed. Please read carefully through the following contraindications to ensure you meet criteria.
When deciding which service to go for- Microblading vs Tattoo- ask yourself two questions: How long do I want it to last? What do I want it to look like?
There are 2 main differences between microblading vs tattooing. One is the esthetic of the brow: microblading gives a natural appearance because it’s delivered strand by strand. It is meant to mimic natural hair growth and the fibres of the hair. On the other hand, tattooing has a solid finish, there is no separation between the colour.
However, microshading or powdered ombre give the same look as a tattoo but with a gradient because you are not going that deep.
The other main difference is the longevity. Tattoos last the longest whereas microblading or microshading will last half the time. A true permanent makeup tattoo lasts 5-6 yrs, microblading or microshading lasts 1-3 years.
The reason for the difference is not the product itself. Instead, it’s the depth of penetration of the layer in which you are depositing that ink. With microblading you are depositing at an artificIal layer, however, with tattoos you’re depositing closer to the dermis so you are in the deeper levels of the skin.
Different Tools
Microblading uses hand-held tools and the technician manually breaks the skin in a scratching motion. With microshading, the technician uses a power tool, however, it also used manually. As the technician is scratching with the tool, the tool is also vibrating.
Brow tattoos are delivered using a permanent makeup machine.
A tip to the wise
The thing to remember with permanent makeup tattooing is that the pigment is in the skin for very long. The actual composition of that pigment is going to change overtime. This occurs because certain colours absorb out of the skin before others. So when you see the salmon-coloured eyebrows- you can assume those are the last layers of the tattoo.
While there are many pros to microblading, like anything else, there are also cons. Many of you know the pros, for example, full, natural looking brows that do not wash off. However, some of you have asked,
“What are the negatives to microblading?”
In our opinion, the number one negative is the pain. Unlike a brow waxing service where you get through that little bit of pain, microblading takes much longer. While we use numbing cream to minimize discomfort, we have seen a full spectrum of pain tolerance. To clarify, most clients take well to the numbing cream.
Another negative to microblading is the recovery time of the service. This is where some people may have trouble. People may reconsider their decision because of the look of the brows during the recovery period. Brows in recovery can either look extremely dark or off due to the swelling.
During the recovery phase you are limited to what you can do afterwards, not only because of the skin recovering but also because of the look of them.
A third negative we can think of is specific to people who have really thick and/or oily skin. Their pigment retention is lower so they will have to get their refresher sooner rather than later. We recommend refreshers as early as 6 weeks post procedure and as late as 12 months post procedure.
A minimum of 40% of the initial shape must be present for your Refresher. This time varies per person. Oily skin reaches a 40% fade rate closer to the first 2-3 months, while other skin types can stretch the refresher closer to 10-12 months post procedure.
Microblading before and after pics can help you select the right artist for you. NOTE: Most of these pics were taken immediately after the procedure. Therefore, the images are intended to depict hair stroke detail, not final colour. To clarify, the final colour is revealed about 5-10 days into healing process.
All microblading levels include one Refresher which can be booked within 12 months following initial procedure.
Microblading Before and After pics: LEVEL 1
Increase the definition of your brow line, add density to thinning areas, fill small gaps and scars, or balance the overall brow shape. Includes 30% brow coverage.
Need more coverage? LEVEL 2
Remodel your brow shape, balance highly uneven brows, fill-in gaps, scars, increase density and thickness in sparse brows. Includes 60% brow coverage.
New brows, new you: LEVEL 3
Restore your brows from tip-tip and top-bottom with a complete coverage of severely thinned brows or missing brows. Includes up to 100% brow coverage.
Refresher- 2nd procedure (included)
Before booking, is Microblading safe for you?
Like all other forms of tattooing, microblading has associated risks. Though uncommon- such as the transmission of blood borne pathogens or reactions to pigment ingredients- reviewing the contraindications will minimize risk. In addition, it will help you prepare for your procedure.
Take advantage of our Microblading specials during February 2021.
Microblading specials
Our microblading specials are here! Receive $70 OFF your microblading service throughout February 2021. Furthermore, ask your service provider how you can save an additional $30 at your appointment. No pre-purchasing. Not valid with any other promotions. Offer ends February 26, 2021. Valid for Microblading Levels 1, 2, and 3 only.
Book your consultation
Book your consultation online. Please note we will remove any brow makeup worn to your consultation. Your consultation will determine medical eligibility and the level required to achieve your desired results. A $50 deposit will be required to book your microblading appointment. Subsequently, pre-treatment instructions will be provided.
Tips for your appointment day
We ask that you do not wear makeup to your appointment. Be prepared to spend up to 3.5 hours depending on your microblading level. We recommend washing your hair the day of your appointment to avoid wetting the brows during the recovery period.
Wear comfortable clothes. Additionally, we recommend contact lens users to wear eyeglasses on the day of the appointment.
Microblading Levels
Level I : Increase the definition of your brow line, add density to thinning areas, fill small gaps and scars, or balance the overall brow shape. Includes up to 30% brow coverage and 1 Refresher which can be booked within 12 months following initial procedure. $350
Level II : Remodel your brow shape, balance highly uneven brows, fill-in gaps, scars, increase density and thickness in sparse brows. Includes up to 60% brow coverage and 1 Refresher which can be booked within 12 months following initial procedure. $450
Level III : Restore your brows from tip-tip and top-bottom with a complete coverage of severely thinned brows or missing brows. Includes up to 100% brow coverage and 1 Refresher which can be booked within 12 months following initial procedure. $550
