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A young woman with microbladed eyebrows poses behind two rods.

Tips to Help You Get the Most Out of Your Microblading Treatment

Eyebrows can be the most frustrating part of your face to shape and style. Whether they’re not as full as you’d like, the hair is too light, or you’re just tired of plucking, there’s good news:

Microblading is here to help!

This semi-permanent solution can give you fuller, darker, perfectly shaped brows with results that last up to 18 months. Microblading treatments in Ottawa can provide stunning results, all without the need for constant plucking and shaping!

Of course, getting the very best results means you might have to do a bit of homework before and after your treatment. Don’t worry, though! These simple tips help prepare your brows before the experts do their work and will help maintain those results for months to come.

Let’s get started! Here’s everything you need to know about preparing for microblading eyebrows and aftercare.

How Does Microblading Work?

Microblading uses a special tool outfitted with a very, very fine and small nanoblade, hence the treatment’s name.

Highly skilled technicians use microblading tools to “draw” in your new brows, using hundreds of tiny strokes to create the shape and definition you want. The nanoblade deposits pigment into the outer layer of your skin, offering a semi-permanent treatment option.

This gives your brows a perfectly textured appearance, indistinguishable from your natural brow hair.

Microblading requires an artistic eye in addition to training for a safe, comfortable, and effective application.

As such, your technician applies an anesthetic to the treatment area to reduce discomfort during the procedure.

Preparing for Your First Microblading Session

Before your initial consultation, ask yourself a few questions. What look do you want? Is there a particular style or shape you’d like?

These details will help your technician zero in on an application that will complement your look perfectly. During your initial consultation, you should also inform your technician of any existing medical conditions or medications you’re currently experiencing.

Your technician will help you settle on a style and answer any questions you might have about your treatment. When it’s time to book your treatment, try and give yourself two weeks’ worth of time to prep to ensure optimal results.

During those two weeks:

  • Do not use AHA skin care products near the treatment area for two weeks before and after treatment.
  • Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, niacin, vitamin E, or fish oil supplements.
  • Skip the tanning bed and avoid sun exposure for at least three days prior to your appointment.
  • Avoid alcohol for at least two days before your treatment. Ideally, avoid alcohol entirely for the week leading up to your treatment.
  • Avoid caffeine on the day of your treatment.
  • Do not use anti-aging skin care products or Retin-A near the treatment area for one week before and after treatment.
  • Do not wax the treatment area within three days of your appointment.
  • Avoid tinting your eyebrows for two weeks prior to your treatment.
  • Shower and fix your hair before your appointment since you won’t be able to get your brows wet for several days after.

By taking a bit of extra time to prepare for your treatment, you can help ensure fantastic, long-lasting results.

Three Healing Phases: Heal, Peel, Fade

During the healing cycle, your eyebrows will go through three distinct phases: recovery, peeling, and fading.

As tempting as it may be, don’t rub your eyebrows during the initial recovery phase. This will disturb the healing process and risk damaging the final results of the treatment.

Immediately after your treatment, the pigment will look very natural, but it will appear much darker within 24 hours. This is totally normal!

During the healing process, the treatment area will look dry and flaky. This is part of the skin’s natural healing response. Dry, flaking skin is removed (the peeling phase) as healthy skin regenerates beneath.

Finally, your brow colour will fade between 30 and 40 percent to the natural, beautiful look you’re after once you’ve healed completely. At this point, you can get touch-ups and additional treatments, if needed.

How Long Does It Take for My Eyebrows to Heal?

Depending on your age and your body’s ability to recover, your eyebrows will heal in four to six weeks. The final look of your eyebrows should be visible after around 30 days.

When Can I Wash My Eyebrows After Microblading?

Based on your technician’s recommendations, you may be able to wash your eyebrows once using sterilized water and a cotton swab about two hours after the treatment. Still, it’s best to avoid getting the treatment area wet for up to 10 days after.

Aftercare Tips for Optimal Results

You’re not done after treatment! To ensure you get beautiful, long-lasting results, and to reduce the risk of infection, we’ve put together a few key aftercare tips to follow.

Remember, follow your physician and technician’s recommendations! They understand your skin type and what will work and what won’t. Always check with your technician before you begin aftercare.

  • Apply medicated healing cream, ointment, or balm as directed with clean hands and a cotton swab. This may be one to three times a day for seven days.
  • Do not touch your eyebrows for 24 hours following treatment. Keep your hair and bangs pulled back to prevent hair from touching your eyebrows.
  • Don’t let any makeup, water, soap, or lotion touch your eyebrows a week following the treatment.
  • Try to sleep on your back during the healing process. If you can’t, place small Band-Aids on the ends of your eyebrows to protect them while you sleep.
  • Wash your face carefully around the eyebrows without getting water on the treatment area. When showering, keep your face away from the showerhead, or take a warm (not hot) bath instead.
  • Do not wear makeup for seven days following treatment since this will risk getting makeup in your still-healing eyebrows.

The treatment area will likely be itchy and flaky for the first seven days after treatment, but these symptoms diminish over time and with proper aftercare.

For 14 days following the microblading treatment, you must avoid:

  • Excessive sweating
  • Playing sports
  • Swimming
  • Saunas
  • Hot tubs and baths
  • Tanning
  • UV rays and chemicals

  • Laser treatments
  • Chemical peels
  • Creams with Retin-A or Glycolic acid
  • Performing tasks with heavy airborne debris
  • Riding in open-air vehicles
  • Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
  • Scratching and picking the treated area

Once your eyebrows have completely healed, always apply SPF 30 or SPF 50 sunscreen to the treated area before going outside. Without proper sun protection, sun exposure might cause the colour pigment to fade quickly.

Finally, keep foundation away from your eyebrows as this will cover the pigment and make your eyebrows appear lighter.

Are There Any Complications?

There is a risk of infection due to irritation or allergic reactions from the pigment. However, working with a professional technician reduces the likelihood of any irritation. You can also reduce this risk with proper aftercare.

Some redness, pain, and discomfort are normal following the treatment. But if you experience severe pain, inflammation (puffy or raised treatment areas), excessive redness, and a yellowish discharge visit your doctor as soon as possible to treat the infection. Antibiotics can help fight off infection.

When Do I Need to Go to My Next Session? How Often Do I Need to Go?

You may need to go for a touch up four to six weeks following the initial treatment and at least once a year afterwards to maintain your results. Depending on your results over time, you may need to repeat the procedure after a year or two.

For fuller, natural-looking eyebrows, consider microblading treatments in Ottawa and follow these tips for the best results. You’ll be looking and feeling your best in no time!