While pencil-thin eyebrows were often coveted in the 90s, fuller, natural-looking brows from microblading have become a staple of the esthetics industry.
“In the aesthetics industry, there’s a belief that brows are the new lips,” Alex Thiersch, founder and director of the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) says. “Microblading has taken the industry by storm thanks to the reception, the profit margin for spas and huge patient demand.”
Although microblading offers a semi-permanent option for fuller brows, it penetrates the skin, which can cause concerns for safety. If your client has questions about microblading, remember the following:
- Practitioner certification: In most states, microblading is regulated the same way as permanent makeup or tattooing. “The practitioner needs a tattooing certification and the business needs to register as a tattoo parlor,” says Thiersch. “Estheticians who have a tattoo license can perform the procedure in most states, but they must be sure to identify themselves as a tattoo artist during the procedure because the practice falls outside their esthetic practice act.”
- It’s a two-step service: Microblading is broken up into two parts. First is an initial consultation and procedure. Here, patients fill out a detailed consent form and review it with their esthetician. This is followed by a second touch-up session after six weeks. “One of the most important parts of the process is the consultation and setting proper expectations,” says Maegen Kennedy, PA-C and founder of Fleek Brows Microblading Training (Orlando, FL).
- A steady hand: “Microblading is performed with a hand-held pen that holds a sterile blade on the tip,” says Thiersch. “After the eyebrow is drawn, the skin is cleaned and the blade is dipped into pigment. The pigmented blade is placed on the epidermis and a swiping or stroking motion of the blade penetrates the upper layers of the skin while depositing pigment.”
- Resources after your procedure: Patients should be provided with a detailed list of aftercare instructions on how to care for their brows. “Having a point of contact for the client post procedure can help through the healing phase,” says Kennedy. Due to skin sensitivity, professionals advise against touching new brows for a minimum of 24 hours after the procedure. Showers, gyms and sweating, sun, and makeup should also be avoided during this time.
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