According to statistics, the eyebrow services industry in the United States is worth 109 million dollars. It's no wonder as eyebrows have the power to transform your face. Fortunately, there are effective solutions to attaining the eyebrow look you desire.
When it comes to choosing the best semi-permanent brow treatment in the beauty industry, the debate seems to be: microblading vs. microshading? Read on to learn more about the benefits of each treatment to decide on the ideal solution for you.
The Importance of Eyebrows
Eyebrows are one of the most noticeable parts of a person's face. They draw attention to the eyes, bring balance to your features, and have a significant impact on how people communicate.
Our eyebrows protect our eyes by keeping sweat and rain from dripping into them and reducing the amount of light and debris that filters in.
Eyebrows do more than frame your eyes; they tread a fine line between making or breaking the overall symmetry of your face. The concept of "perfect eyebrows" has evolved over time and across cultural boundaries, but whatever the trend in history, the eyebrows remain the most defining feature of your face.
The Right Eyebrow Shape
Many factors affect hair growth and shape, from genetics to years of wear and tear. Since not everyone is born with perfectly groomed eyebrows, they require regular maintenance with various eyebrow products and hair removal procedures to achieve the desired look.
There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to the right brow shape. However, a good rule of thumb is to go for an eyebrow shape opposite to your face shape. For example, if you have a round face, aim for a high arch to add length to your face, and for a long face, aim for a lower arch with an extended brow to add width to your face.
Once you know your face shape, it will be easier to map out where your brows should start, arch, and end. This will also give you a blueprint of how to regain or reconstruct the look of your eyebrows should you choose a professional eyebrow treatment.
What Is Microblading?
Microblading is a semi-permanent brow treatment that adds pigment to the skin using a hand-held tool with fine needles to draw strokes that resemble real hair. The result is eyebrows that appear natural and last for at least a year without fading.
Microblading Procedure
Before the procedure, a qualified technician will meet with you to discuss how natural or bold you want your eyebrows to look. They will consider your skin tone, natural eyebrow color, and other facial features to determine what will complement your face.
The technician will sketch out the general shape of your desired brows with an eyebrow pencil. The technician will clean and numb the area around the eyebrows before using a microblading tool to make minute cuts that resemble eyebrow hairs inside the natural brow.
When the technician is finished with the first brow, they will spread the pigment over the entire brow and let it dry before moving on to the second brow. The technician will remove the smeared pigment once the procedure is complete to reveal thicker, fuller, and better-shaped eyebrows.
What to Expect
Depending on your skin type, microblading can last one to three years (oilier skin types tend to fade the fastest). Consistent touch-ups every 12 to 18 months can help microbladed brows last throughout the years.
Redness, swelling, and scabbing are common in the first 5 to 7 days after microblading but don't pick at the scabs as they could cause an infection and take longer to heal.
It takes 7 to 14 days for the pigment to settle into the epidermis and for the skin to heal. Deeper layers of the epidermis continue to regenerate for several weeks following the procedure.
Precare and Aftercare
Avoid using acne products one month before the procedure to avoid thinning of the skin. Do not take antibiotics three weeks prior, and do not get fillers, botox, or chemical peels at least two weeks before. Refrain from hair removal procedures one week before your treatment, and avoid blood thinners, alcohol, smoking, and fish oil 24 hours before your appointment.
For the first week after treatment, use a damp cloth to gently clean your eyebrows every day and let them dry on their own. Make sure to wash your hair before your appointment, as you cannot wet your brows for ten days post-treatment. Limit sun exposure and don't pick at your eyebrows or scratch them.
The Benefits of Microblading
Many have turned to microblading to improve their eyebrows and simplify their beauty routine, meaning one less thing to worry about with a busy day ahead. Here are some benefits of microblading:
The result is natural-looking fuller eyebrows
Ideal for a dry skin type
Saves time and money
Waterproof
Apart from giving you long-lasting results safely and effectively, microblading may even aid hair growth by stimulating lymphatic fluid, which may encourage the hair follicle to support some hair growth.
What Is Microshading?
Microshading is a type of semi-permanent make-up done by placing tiny dots of pigmentation over the brow area to fill in thin spots in your eyebrows. This method gives your eyebrows shape and makes them look fuller by giving them an airbrushed, powdered effect.
Microshading Procedure
Your make-up artist will start by measuring your face and figuring out the best shape for your eyebrows. Once you agree on a shape, your technician will draw the shape on both eyebrows, remove any extra hair, and find the correct color pigment for your brows.
The first meeting lasts about two hours and is the longest. Your brows will look darker for up to five days after the procedure. As your eyebrows heal, the color will get lighter over time.
A second session will be scheduled for you in about eight weeks. Your make-up artist perfects the design at this appointment by thickening the brows and, if necessary, adjusting their shape. The second session lasts for about an hour.
What to Expect
Microshading typically lasts 1 to 3 years, but you may require a touch-up every 6 to 8 months.
The healing process can take 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the individual. You may experience itching and flaking in the first week, and the pigment may seem stark at first but will soften gradually.
Precare and Aftercare
Do not consume aspirin, ibuprofen, alcohol, and caffeine for 24 hours before your appointment. Avoid hair removal procedures for at least five days prior, and steer clear of retinol, acids, and facial ointments to lessen the chances of skin irritation during and after the treatment.
After the procedure, avoid getting your eyebrow area wet for the first week. Do not use harsh products or make-up on your face, and limit sun exposure until your skin has fully healed.
The Benefits of Microshading
The days of achieving a look of deeper, accentuated eyebrows are no longer limited to pencils, pomades, and shadows. Here are some of the benefits of microshading:
The result is thicker and fuller eyebrows
Ideal for oily or sensitive skin
Creates a soft or bold powdered effect
Smudge-proof
Microshading, the long-lost sister of microblading, can help give eyebrows volume and symmetry while saving you time on your beauty routine.
Microblading vs. Microshading
Microblading and microshading are both types of cosmetic tattooing, but they use different tools and methods to get different results.
In microblading, tiny needles on a handheld tool are used to put pigment under the skin in hair-like strokes for a natural-looking, fuller finish. For microshading, a tattoo gun is used to make tiny dots of pigment for a filled-in, powdery finish.
The proper treatment may depend on your skin type and sensitivity, the condition of your natural eyebrow hair, and your overall lifestyle. A skilled technician will work with your personalized needs to give you fuller, more defined eyebrows unique to your features.
In the Heart of San Diego
When it comes to personalized and professional service, you don't have to look any further than Lip Blush & Microblading San Diego. With a fine eye for detail and customized care, you (and your eyebrows) are in capable hands.
Located in the heart of Southern California, Lip Blush & Microblading San Diego strives to provide you with a high-quality customer experience the moment you step through the door. Their skilled technicians are there to answer all your questions about procedures, price, and proper care, from the popular trend of lip blush to the best microblading in San Diego.
Beauty Made Simple
Each set of eyebrows is unique, and all that's needed is an effective treatment and a skilled touch to reveal them. If there is a treatment you would love to learn more about, one of our team members would love to help find the best solution for you.
Our goal is to ease your internal debate about microblading vs. microshading and simplify your beauty routine. Book now and take the first step to attain the eyebrows you have always wanted.
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