What Is Hairstroke Microblading?

What It Is

Artists know that even subtle variations in the angle and thickness of a drawn line in an illustrated face can dramatically affect the look of a portrait. The same is true when the shape and thickness of a client’s brow is in question. Hairstroke microblading is a procedure that at one time, no one was familiar with at all, but in the last ten years, it has gained such popularity that most people have some level of familiarity with this service. Stroke by stroke, it has the potential to transform a face with the enhancement of the brows.

Hairstroke microblading has the ability to balance and even out a face with brows that are appropriately proportioned to the rest of the facial features. This means that the brows can more accurately match the rest of the features to balance the face. We don’t think it’s too overblown to say that it’s potentially life changing; your day to day routines and confidence are affected in such a way that you feel your best in all your interactions, knowing you look your best.

How It’s Done

Hairstroke microblading is a technique used by trained artists with specialized tools and techniques to create subtle hairstroke lines which recreate the appearance of natural hair, one stroke at a time. The artistry of this technique blends created hairstrokes with existing hair. The artist is familiar with hair growth patterns and is able to work with each client on an individual basis to imperceptibly add shape and volume to the client’s existing brow, resulting in a more balanced, symmetrical, thicker, and overall more attractive brow line.

The best artists will work within the parameters of a natural look so that the final effect looks like it could have been on the client’s face all along.

Tools Used

The tools used in hairstroke microblading are different from those used in other brow enhancing techniques in that they are manual and require a steady, even, and well trained hand on the part of the artist. Individual blades open a shallow area of skin to deposit pigment. The thickness, size and curve of the tools can vary depending on a client’s skin condition which includes thickness, dryness or oiliness, and age, among other factors. A skilled artist will recognize these factors and choose their tools appropriately for the best outcome.

Pigments are yet another aspect of the procedure that must be carefully considered. Your artist will examine your existing skin, eye, and hair color and assess your skin’s undertones for cool or warm tones. If you are a golden toned natural blond with light eyes, your pigment color will be dramatically different than if you are a naturally dark eyed deep brunette with slightly olive skin. This information is then matched with the appropriate pigment to enhance and blend naturally with your coloring. Pigment choice is not a one-size-fits-all proposition.

Artist Requirements

Your artist is extensively educated and has experience working with a wide variety of clients, allowing you to have peace of mind when it comes to your procedure. Your artist will have trained and practiced countless hours, encountering a variety of situations, conditions, and skin types prior to your procedure, including undergoing a lengthy apprenticeship under a licensed tattoo artist as required by state law as well as being certified in each of the procedures being performed, and operating under the supervision of a medical director in a medspa setting. Your artist also has access to ongoing education and mentorship opportunities and frequently consults with other aesthetic professionals on the newest and best tips and techniques for achieving flawless permanent cosmetic results.

How Long It Takes

Depending on which procedure you have chosen, your time in the aesthetic chair for our most popular procedures can last two to three hours as a general rule. If you choose to combine procedures, you may experience a slightly shorter time frame since we can utilize multiple tools and/or techniques at once.

How to Prepare

Preparation for permanent cosmetic procedures should be considered before the service is performed. Clients will be asked to take good care of their skin, including following a minimum basic skin care routine, eating healthfully, getting enough sleep, and hydrating, especially in the 24-48 hours prior to their procedure.

There are a few health conditions that preclude services from being performed including pregnancy and breastfeeding, some cancer treatments, and some skin and blood conditions, among others. If you think you may fall into one of these categories, you should consult with your artist prior to booking your service to confirm your eligibility. Your artist can work with certain conditions with the approval of your medical professional, but it’s always best to communicate for best results.

What to Expect

If you have a “virgin face,” meaning that you have not had any permanent cosmetic procedures performed before, your procedure will encompass two appointments. The first appointment will include brow mapping for shape and placement, topical numbing, the initial procedure, a second numbing if needed, and the completion of the procedure. You should see a good representation of what your brows will look like at two weeks and they will take another two to four weeks to fully heal. Your brows will lighten and darken during the healing process. The challenge most clients face during the healing process is quite frankly not freaking out about the final result and instead trusting the process. The change in color is caused by the different stages of the healing process and flaking and peeling is also normal during this time. You will be provided a full set of instructions for aftercare as well as an aftercare ointment to properly care for your brows during the healing period.

The second appointment allows six weeks for complete healing time and the opportunity to make adjustments to the first procedure. It is normal to have areas that will need additional attention and this is when your artist will fine tune shape and placement, filling in any remaining areas and dazzling you with your gorgeous new brows.

Follow Up Procedures

Permanent cosmetic procedures could more accurately be referred to as being semi-permanent since time and the natural sloughing of skin and age will change the appearance of everything on the face and body, including permanent cosmetics. This is why we recommend you stay in touch with your artist and plot your one year touch up appointment when you complete your initial and follow up procedures. Like everything in life, our appearance does require some degree of maintenance and luckily, we can help. Your touch up gives you the opportunity to evaluate what really living with your new look means so you will know what you’d like to enhance when the yearly appointment comes around. You may decide you want to go darker or thicker or just a little fluffier, but either way, we want you to maintain the youthful vibrancy and the bounce in your step a fresh set of brows provides.