Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Microblading?
Microblading can also be known as cosmetic eyebrow tattooing, semi-permanent makeup, or micropigmentation. Microblading is the process of implanting colour pigment just beneath the surface of the skin using a tiny, disposable needle. This enhances or radically redefines your natural brows, bringing out the most beautiful features of your face and eliminating the need to fill in your eyebrows.
Is Microblading for Me?
If you find yourself filling your brows in on a daily basis, just to hit the grocery store, or find yourself redoing your brows after a hot yoga class or just not having the time to do you brows due to a busy life, microblading may be the solution you never knew you needed.
Microblading can bring back the misfortunes of the 90’s, fill in natural hair loss & give a more personalized, youthful & natural looking appearance. Brows frame the face, they can bring out self confidence & take years off your look.
Non Negotiables / Reasons why I may not be a candidate?
Must be 19+
Cannot be Pregnant or Nursing
Aquitaine ( must wait ONE year minimum after on medication)
High blood sugar levels
Anemia / Iron deficiency
Sunburn
Skin rash or condition
Blood thinner medication
Currently in chemotherapy. Must have approval from physician & minimum 1 year in remission.
How Long Does Microblading Last?
Microblading treatment is considered semi-permanent. It will not wash off, but it will gradually fade over time and may require a touch-up every 1-2 years. How often you need a touch-up depends on a number of factors, including:
The pigment used (lighter colours tend to fade faster)
Frequency and intensity of sun exposure
Iron deficiency (if your body is low on iron, it can absorb the iron-oxide pigment faster)
Facial treatment (chemical peels will fade your eyebrows more quickly)
Your unique skin type
If you have extremely oily skin, a detailed hairstroke look will NOT work well for you. The constant production of oil will cause the hairstrokes to have a blurred, softer look. Your end result will look more powdered than you would expect.
If you have little to no existing hair, your cosmetic tattoo will appear more 2-dimensional than those clients who have more hair naturally.
If you are a frequent smoker, your pigment may fade sooner.
If you are iron deficient or Anemic, your pigment may fade sooner and bleeding/bruising may occur during and after the procedure.
The need for touch-ups is normal for all cosmetic tattoo procedures. Each new procedure will typically require 1-2 visits. The first microblading procedure will be followed up by a touch-up appointment (if needed) approximately 6-8 weeks later.
What Should I Do Before Microblading?
Before your microblading appointment, you want to make sure your skin is in good shape for the procedure. Avoid tanning, harsh face scrubs, botox or chemical peels for a minimum of 2 weeks before your appointment. It’s also a good idea to avoid taking Advil (ibuprofen) or aspirin, or drinking alcohol for 48-72 hours before your appointment, as these substances are considered blood thinners.
It’s okay to wear makeup to your appointment! In fact, if you regularly fill in your brows, seeing how you prefer to wear them can be helpful before designing your new brows. Having a bad brow day? Just bring in a picture of how you like your brows to look for reference, and Elle will help you find the perfect shape and pigmentation.
What Is The Proper Aftercare For Microblading?
You will be given instructions about how to care for your microbladed brows at your appointment. There are comprehensive aftercare instructions found here, but here are a few examples of dos and don’ts to help you decide if you can keep up with the required aftercare;
Do not immerse your brows in water for 10-14 days. The aftercare sheet will explain how to gently wash the microbladed area and how often.
NO Exercising or Sweating within the first 7 days. This is a crucial step!
Don’t go swimming or tanning for 2 weeks. Limit sun exposure, if outside wear a hat or large sunglasses while healing.
Do not put any makeup on your brow area for 2 weeks. The skin has been broken, so treat it like an open wound.
Do not pick at the small scabs that may form. Any scabbing will be light, but necessary to properly heal your brows. Picking the scabs can affect your results.
Don’t use any harsh face scrubs or chemical peels for a minimum of 2 weeks.
Does Microblading Hurt?
Everyone has a different pain threshold, but most people find that microblading is not very painful. It certainly doesn’t hurt as much as a “regular” tattoo, and likely no more than tweezing or waxing your eyebrows (if not less). A topical anaesthetic gel is applied to your eyebrow area to help numb the skin before microblading begins. Every effort will be made to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the entire procedure!
As your new brows heal, the pain level for the first few days is comparable to a very mild sunburn.
How Long Does Microblading Take?
Although microblading covers a very small area, you want your technician to take the time to make it perfect! An initial microblading session typically takes between 1.5-2 hours. A touch-up session may be shorter as the shape of your new brows has already been defined.
What Is The Difference Between Microblading And Tattooing?
The purpose of microblading—as with all cosmetic tattooing—is to enhance the appearance of your natural features. Cosmetic tattooing is softer and more subtle than body tattooing. Tattoos use permanent vibrant inks, while microblading only uses iron-oxide based pigments that are designed to gently fade over time. This is beneficial because it allows you to make gentle and natural-looking changes to the shape and colour of your brows over time to match your overall look.
When should I book a touchup?
12-15 months MINIMUM in between sessions. We want to see %50+ loss in colour. This allows for the skin to regenerate fully before adding more pigment.
If you’re unsure, please send us a few photos to further assess & we will give you a tentative timeline for booking.
The integrity of the skin is far more important then a slightly faded brow.
Do you offer Corrections or cover ups?
We take on a few amount of cover ups / corrections. You MUST send a clear photo of brows to ellemunster@gmail.com before approval, with details of timeline (how many times & what method was used)
YOU DO NOT HAVE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL THIS STEP IS DONE.
It is up to the discretion of the artist to decide whether or not they have a workable surface. Failure to communicate any of these may result in a cancellation or rescheduling of your appointment. All deposits are nonrefundable.
Annual Touchup (New Client)
Please send ellemunster@gmail.com a clear photo of your brows and a timeline of your previous sessions when booking this service.
**Your appointment will not be approved without this step
How Will My Brows look Immediatley after / What’s the healing process?
Your semi-permanent makeup will appear darker and more intense than expected for the first few days. This will gradually lighten during the complete healing process. Redness and swelling is minimal. Please view our detailed aftercare instructions here.
Can I get tattooed if I’m pregnant or nursing?
As a precaution, we do not perform cosmetic tattooing on pregnant or nursing women.
How will my Microblading look over time?
There are several factors that can affect the longevity of your cosmetic tattoo;
Sun exposure: UV rays will fade pigment faster. Sunscreen on your face daily after healing is always a good idea anyway, so make sure your brows are protected! As with any tattoo, sun exposure will make the colour soften faster.
The regeneration of skin cells: the longer your skin cells take to regenerate, the longer the pigment will hold.
Skin absorption: some pigments are absorbed and fade more quickly than others.
Colour choice: darker pigments tend to last longer.
Lifestyle: your overall general skin and body health can contribute to longer-lasting microbladed brows.
Skin type: brow strokes may look sharper and more defined on naturally drier skin.
It is completely normal to need a touch-up after your initial microblading session. This touch-up will allow Elle to analyze how the colour pigments look under your skin and correct any uneven areas that can happen naturally as part of the healing process. Any fine-tuning to shape and colour that you desire can be done at this time, too.
Can I Get Freckles With Microblading?
Yes! Microblading isn’t just for your eyebrows. Elle Munster is experienced in creating semi-permanent freckles using a simialr microblading technique. They will fade out over the year to give a natural “under the skin” effect.
The booking process is the same, and consultations are free.
How Much Does Microblading Cost?
The prices for Microblading are:
Consultations: FREE (Virtual Consults only at this time)
Brow Microblading Initial Session: $600
Corrections (to someone else’s work): Prices vary case by case (consultation required prior to booking)
6-8 week touch-up: $100
Annual touchup: $250
Freckles: $200
Prices do not include tax