Some of us with thin brows are continually seeking ways to make them look thicker and fuller, and Microblading is a semi-permanent solution that is longer lasting than makeup, but not quite as permanent as tattooing – which is why it’s recently become so popular.
During the process, an esthetician uses a microblade tool to apply color pigments in thin strokes that resemble real hairs. The end result is natural-looking and defined brows, but it can take a few sessions to get your brows exactly where you want them.
When first applied, Microbladed eyebrows will appear darker than expected, which can be a little jarring if you’re used to having very fair or thin eyebrows!
This is completely normal. Your eyebrows appear darker because your brow area will be slightly irritated after the Microblading session, which contributes to the darker color of the pigment.
There is also excess pigment “trapped” near the surface of your skin, and as the skin heals, the excess pigment sheds and reveals lighter brows. New skin cells will also form over the pigment that is embedded in the skin, which again softens the overall appearance of your brows.
So while you may feel a little self-conscious at first, don’t worry – this isn’t the end result, and the color of the pigment will soften by up to 40 – 50% in about a week.
For some people, their brows may fade more than they’d like, because a lot of new cells are forming over the pigment. Again, if this sounds like you fear not – the pigment is still there but it’s hidden underneath the new skin cells.
During your follow-up sessions, the esthetician can apply a little more pigment and perfect your brows so that you finally want to show them off, and not hide them away!
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Does Microblading look bad at first?
It’s important to recognize that your eyebrows won’t look amazing straight after Microblading, but trust us, after the healing period they will do!
When you first have your brows Microbladed, the area surrounding them will be red and swollen and your brows will start to scab over, and as we mentioned above, the pigment will likely look way too dark. However, this will soften over the next week, and the redness will soon go down.
Scabs will also start to appear on or around the 5th day, and this will cause irritation – though it’s important to resist scratching, as this can literally rip the pigment out of your skin.
Several days later the scabs will start to come off, revealing lighter brows that may appear a little patchy. You may also notice that the baby skin beneath the scabs looks very light but don’t worry, in a few days this will blend in.
Again, this is completely normal, and the Microblading healing process will take 28-42 days until your brows are looking their best, but you’ll get there. Once your brows are past the healing stage, it’s time to schedule your touch-up appointment and get your brows looking how you pictured them.
Why do my eyebrows look so thick after Microblading?
In all likelihood, your eyebrows will only appear too thick – kind of like an optical illusion.
Because the pigment appears darker straight after having your brows Microbladed, this can also make them appear thicker than you’d like. Plus you have to remember that your eyebrows have been changed significantly, so it’s going to take some getting used to and they may appear a little jarring at first.
The darkness of your brows can automatically make them appear thicker without actually changing the width, as naturally more attention is drawn to them.
Like we said earlier, your brows will soften and lighten in a few days, and this should also make them appear less thick.
Hold tight and wait for 2 weeks until they’ve healed a little more. Most of the time Microbladed brows aren’t too thick, they just need time to settle.
Of course, there’s a very small chance that your brows are too thick, but this isn’t an unfixable issue.
Sometimes, but very rarely, an artist may microblade your brows in a fashion that is simply too thick for your face. This can also happen if you’ve requested a brow shape of someone else that doesn’t really suit your face shape.
Your brows will soften up in the coming weeks, and if you’re still unhappy, they can be fixed in the touch-up session in 6-8 weeks.
Try to trust your brow technician – if you’ve gone to an experienced, certified salon, we promise they know what they’re doing!
Microblading healing process
To give you a more specific picture of what you can expect after having your brows Microbladed, here’s a basic timeline:
Days 1 and 2: brows are swollen and red, and tender to touch. The strokes appear too dark and thick.
Days 3-4: the color is starting to fade slightly, but they’re still too dark.
Days 5-7: the scabbing stage begins and the Microbladed area is very itchy. However, you MUST resist scratching! You may also experience some flaking. You may be wondering at this point can microblading cause scars?
Days 8-10: the scabs are starting to come off, however, your brows look lighter than you hoped, plus a little patchy.
Days 11- 28: the hardest part is over and your brows are starting to take shape! They may still be a little patchy, but some of the Microbladed strokes will reappear. It’s also time to schedule the touch-up appointment. This usually takes place at the end of the healing process – ie. 4-6 weeks after treatment, though some artists request you wait as long as 8 weeks.
Days 28-42: the Microblading healing process is finally over, and your brows are finally looking how you want them.
Bear in mind that the healing process is different for everyone. It depends on factors such as your age, skin type, overall health, and daily routine.
Final Say
Microblading is a process that takes some time to heal, but we promise the results of having microbladed eyebrows is worth it. If your brows appear too dark, thick or your skin is irritated at first, please try not to panic! This is all part of the process.
As a certified lash and brow artist, I am passionate about helping others grow their lash and brow businesses, while educating consumers on the current trends.
So let me help you get the lash or brow business you’ve always wanted! We have a lot of great information on One Stop Lashes to help you.
Need more clients? Get your business listed with us, and we can help you get customers in your seat. I have 15 years of experience in the beauty industry and am certified in eyelash extensions, lash lifts, microblading, and lash and brow tints.
Being involved in the lash and brow industry, I have helped numerous businesses as a consultant helping lash artists grow their businesses and income.
In addition, I help my clients with a strategy to build the perfect lash business for long-term sustainable growth.