MICROBLADING

Pros

• Microblading is a modern and temporary form of cosmetic tattooing that fills out thin brows and makes them look more symmetrical for one to three years. (With traditional tattoos, the ink is placed deeper in the skin for a permanent result.)
• When microblading is performed properly, the tiny hairlike strokes look very natural.
• It’s a semipermanent alternative for people who aren’t interested in getting eyebrow tattoos or an eyebrow transplant.
• The procedure is safe for all skin types and tones.
• Patient satisfaction is high: eyebrow microblading reviewers on RealSelf give this procedure a 86% Worth It Rating, with many saying they love the time they save getting ready every morning by not having to pencil in their brows. 

Cons

• It’s normal for microbladed brows to look overly dark and prominent right after the procedure, so it’s best to avoid this procedure before a big event or photo shoot. Many RealSelf members said they’d initially thought they’d made a huge mistake but ended up loving their new brows after the color faded.
• The application process can be painful if your provider doesn’t apply numbing cream throughout, or starts the procedure before it takes effect.
• Your new eyebrows may not match, if your provider didn’t map them carefully. Some of this can be fixed in a touch-up session after a few weeks, but it’s still possible you could have a result you don’t like for up to 24 months.
• You’ll need microblading treatments every 18 to 24 months, as your results fade.
• Eyebrow microblading isn’t recommended for people with very oily skin, since the tint may run, smear, or fade quickly after the procedure. Microshading, which delivers ink in pinpoint dots rather than strokes, is said to be a better option for those with oily skin.
• If you have bothersome hairs that grow outside of your new brow shape, you’ll still have to address them by plucking, waxing, or threading. (Don’t attempt this until microbladed brows are completely healed.)
• Aftercare instructions can be extensive and must be followed to the letter for best results.
• Some RealSelf members who said microblading was “Not Worth It” were upset by scarring (including keloids) in the eyebrow area and residual pink color above or around their natural brows after the color faded.

RealSelf Tip: If you get Botox or chemical peels, you’ll need to wait at least two weeks after those procedures before having microblading.

• Average Cost:
• $481

• Range:
• $300 - $650

Microblading is almost always considered a cosmetic treatment, so you’ll probably pay out of pocket. 

However, if you need to augment your brows because of an injury or medical condition, you may be able to get your insurance company to pay for some or all of it. Check with your insurer beforehand.

See our complete guide to microblading costs

The microblading photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Some U.S. states consider this to be a tattoo procedure, so providers need a special license—the same type of license a permanent-makeup provider has. Other states consider it a medical treatment, so a doctor, nurse, or other health-care provider does the procedure in a clinical setting. Check your state's regulations.

Microblading can take up to two hours. Your provider will start by applying a topical numbing cream to your brows to make the procedure less painful.

After cleaning off the cream, some providers measure your face and brows, a process called brow mapping, and then use removable ink to draw an eyebrow shape that’s tailored to your facial features. This gives them an outline to fill in your brow hairs with the pigment, preventing uneven results.

Using a handheld tool with tiny needles that scratch the skin’s surface, your provider will draw your new brow outlines and then fill them in with light, hairlike strokes to mimic the growth pattern of natural hairs. They’ll continue applying numbing cream along the way. Any bleeding should be minimal. 

Once all the strokes are done, they’ll spread medical-grade ink across your eyebrows and let it settle in for about five minutes before wiping it off. Most providers do this twice before a final cleanup. 

During the process, they’ll also tend to any strays.

Four to eight weeks later (depending on your provider’s preference), you’ll go back for your touch-up appointment. Your provider will fill in any gaps where the pigment didn’t take, refine your shape, and make any adjustments.

RealSelf Tip: Ink can be organic or inorganic. Organic ink is made from fruits and vegetables (also called lake pigments). These are oil-dispersible, meaning they blend more naturally, have a rich color, and work well with your specific skin tone. The downside? Sunlight and chemicals can dull organic pigments.

Inorganic ink consists mainly of iron oxide. It is often associated with other metal-containing acids (like lead, arsenic, and mercury), and generally contains preservatives, perfumes, and additives. These ingredients increase the risk of allergic reaction, and are less intense in color.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Better Brows—From Tints to Tattoos

Your provider should give you detailed aftercare instructions, but generally speaking, here’s what you should expect.

• Scabbing and flaking are normal during the initial two weeks of your healing process. You may even want to take a few days off of work, during the worst of it.
• Resist the urge to pick or scratch your scabs, which can cause scarring.
• People with sensitive skin may have some discomfort. Your provider will give you ointment or cream to apply over the affected areas while they heal.
• Avoid getting your new brows wet during the first week. This could cause the ink to bleed or run. Be careful as you shower and avoid your brow area when you wash your face.
• Skip skin care with irritating active ingredients, like retinoids and AHAs, until your brows have healed.
• Sweating is out too, so avoid exercise and saunas for the first seven days.
• Experts also recommend avoiding sun exposure and tanning booths, which can fade or discolor pigment and interfere with the healing process. 
• After the first week, get into the habit of applying sunscreen over your microbladed brows along with the rest of your face.

You’ll see your new brows’ shape, placement, and arch right away, but it takes four to six weeks for the color to fade, so you can see the final result.

Your brows may seem way too dark when you first walk out of your provider’s office (check out these microblading before and after photos for comparison). Just be patient. The color should lighten up by about 60% within the first couple of weeks, and it will continue to fade.

Related: 5 Things You Can Do If You Hate Your Microblading Results

The color begins to fade noticeably after 18 to 24 months; you may hear this phenomenon referred to as “microblading shrinking.” After that, you’ll need to have another procedure done to maintain your results. 

Using retinol on your forehead can accelerate fading, so avoid it if you want to prolong your results.

“The pigment will completely fade over time, usually in two to three years, depending on your sun exposure, products used, and facial treatments,” explains Dr. Tonya Boudreaux, clinical director of a medical spa in Southern California.

You may be able to accelerate the fading process by using retinol or acid-based products. Be sure to talk to your provider before applying any products to your microbladed brows. They may recommend one of these options:

• Laser tattoo removal is often the quickest and most effective option, but it can lead to brow hair loss.
• Chemical peels work by removing the skin’s surface layer, encouraging skin renewal, and helping the pigment fade faster.
• If you don’t need as much fading, microneedling can be a great option with less downtime.

The risks of this cosmetic procedure include both aesthetic and medical concerns.

• The most common reason for microblading gone wrong is misshapen brows. Your provider should be able to correct most shaping issues during a touch-up session a few weeks later.
• Some people also experience fanning of the ink, which may require laser treatment to remove the spread pigment.
• As with any procedure that involves piercing the skin, there’s a chance of infection. If you notice any swelling or puffiness or your skin feels hot to the touch, contact your provider.
• Scarring can occur, especially if you peel off the scabs that form during healing.
• In rare cases, permanent eyebrow-hair loss is possible. “Trauma to your eyebrows, including microblading, can cause hair loss,” says Dr. Jae Pak, a hair restoration surgeon based in LA. “You’ll need to wait to see if the hairs will grow back.” 
• Allergic reactions are also possible. Microblading is not FDA-approved, and the agency doesn’t regulate the type of ink that’s used. Research your provider and understand the type of pigment they use.

Pregnant women should typically wait until after birth to have microblading. Pregnancy and diabetes can increase bleeding, which dilutes the pigment, causing less to be absorbed. This increases the chance you’ll need the procedure again, or that you’ll have less-than-ideal results.

Microblading is contraindicated for those on Accutane or other forms of isotretinoin and people taking blood thinners, which promote bleeding and bruising.

Related: Pro Tips for Avoiding a Botched Microblading Procedure

	Microblading nonsurgical	Latisse nonsurgical	Permanent Makeup nonsurgical	Eyebrow Transplant nonsurgical
Worth It Rating	86%	57%	67%	94%
Average Cost	$481	$139	$685	$7633
Downtime	Minimal downtime		Minimal downtime	2 days of downtime
Anesthesia	Topical anesthesia		Topical or no anesthesia	Local anesthesia

There are a lot of options for defining the arch, color, and shape of your eyebrows. Some of these can be done at your favorite facial spa; others need to be done by medical professionals. 

• Latisse is FDA-approved for eyelash growth, but the formula has also been shown to thicken eyebrows. You’ll just need a prescription.
• Powder fill or ombré brow is a type of microblading that works well for people with oily skin. It’s done with a digital hand tool, and the results are more dramatic.
• Microshading or microblade-combo treatments are gentler and less painful. The provider creates small pinpoint dots instead of longer hair strokes.
• Microfeathering involves a finer blade and a lighter touch. The hair strokes and incisions are thinner, creating a fuller, less crisp, more “feathered” look that’s softer and more natural. 
• Tattoo or permanent-makeup eyebrows offer a long-lasting solution to thin or thinning brows—but they’re harder to correct, if you’re unhappy with the results. 
• Eyebrow transplants can be a good option for natural-looking, permanent results, if you have especially thin eyebrows because of overplucking or aging.
• Tinting eyebrow hairs can make the shape of your brows more prominent, if you have thick but light eyebrows.

Related: 3 treatments for better eyebrows: Microblading, microshading, microfeathering

Acker, Alicia Ford. “State Regulations.” American Academy of Micropigmentation.

“Fact Sheet: Microblading.” Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals, Feb. 2016.

Goldman, Alberto, and Uwe Wollina. “Severe Unexpected Adverse Effects after Permanent Eye Makeup and Their Management by Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser.” Clinical Interventions in Aging, Dove Medical Press, 11 Aug. 2014.

“Tattoos & Permanent Makeup: Fact Sheet.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, 31 Oct. 2019.

“Tattoos and Permanent Makeup.” Cosmetic Facts, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, June 2015.