Eyebrow embroidery can seem complicated. Even scary! To the unfamiliar eye, all of the procedures and techniques may look the same. After all, microblading, microfeathering, and microshading don’t really sound all that different. Not to mention it all looks a little painful. But there’s a whole world of eyebrow embroidery that is fascinating to explore. If you have been thinking about taking the plunge, then this is the guide for you.

Why the craze over bushy brows? Contrary to popular belief, this is not a recent trend and was actually popularized way back in the 40s. Darker eyebrows came and went as the decades passed, along with its opposite trend: pencil-thin eyebrows. Today, most beauty and makeup gurus favor a dark and feathered-out look to go with equally glammed up makeup.

Not everyone was born with thicker brows. Because of this, plenty of Filipinas have sought the help of professionals to achieve the almost-permanent bold look. And why not? Bolder, shapely eyebrows can make anyone look gorgeous! Plus, it saves us the time and effort of doing our brows first thing in the morning.

If you are thinking of scheduling an appointment, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to find out what you need to know about the eyebrow embroidery process.

What do I need to know about Microblading eyebrows?

Microblading is a form of eyebrow embroidery that gives one’s brows a (semi-permanent) bold and filled-in look. And no, they aren’t the eyebrow tattoos that used to be uber-popular. The new technology utilizes a handheld tool to make little cuts or incisions onto the brow area, depositing a semi-permanent pigment into the dermis.

Older procedures were a permanent solution, but didn’t account for the fading of the pigment over time. Nowadays, most microblading patients will be expected to repeat the procedure within a certain period of time to maintain the full look.

Eyebrow embroidery is a procedure that is almost similar to tattooing, but not quite. It uses little cuts to create the illusion of fuller brows. These little marks are meant to mimic natural hairs so the inked-in brows look as realistic as possible. The feather-like strokes blend in seamlessly with one’s preexisting eyebrows to create a fuller, bolder look. 

Does microblading hurt?

To put it bluntly, eyebrow embroidery is not the easiest thing to do. The process demands a little pain tolerance. But don’t worry, even those of us who are a little scared of needles won’t be able to feel too much.

Anyone who has eyebrow embroidery will tell you that the numbing cream helps immensely. The numbing cream is applied before the process as an anesthetic. If you are a little apprehensive, you can always ask the technician to reapply numbing cream to ensure the treatment is as pain-free as possible. 

How long does microblading last?

The process itself doesn’t take long. However, microbladed eyebrows are expected to fade after a certain period of time. Patients who undergo the treatment are usually called back for a visit one month after their first operation for a touch-up, then another visit after after 2-3 years to repeat the process.

How much does microblading cost?

Since it is a semi-permanent procedure, the cost will vary on the skill level and clinic that you are visiting. The price range varies from anywhere around Php 10,000 to Php 30,000. Keep in mind that the pigment won’t last forever, so you’ll have to save up for another procedure in a few years.

You can also choose a clinic with a lower price, but be warned, a botched procedure may cost twice as much to fix! If you aren’t ready to spend too much on the treatment, go for the clinics or salons with promos to get a discount for the meantime.

What should I do before microblading?

Eyebrow embroidery is a daunting process. You may fear that things go wrong. But don’t worry. With the proper care before and after the procedure, you’ll be absolutely golden. Here are a few tips you should know before going down the eyebrow embroidery road:

Find the right place

Getting the procedure done, although not 100% permanent, will still alter your face and mess around inside your skin. So it is super important that you pick a good microblading artist who knows what they’re doing. Do your homework and look for a certified technician with positive reviews. These are the technicians who use high-quality materials, keep their clinic as sanitized as possible, and are trusted by many. With the right place, you won’t have to worry about a thing going wrong. 

Do not touch your eyebrows

Your brows are going to go through a harsh procedure, so taking the best care of them days beforehand is important. The semi-permanent alteration requires a bit of planning as early as a week before the procedure.

Make sure you DON’T tweeze, pluck, or wax your eyebrows at least one week before your schedule. Facial treatments such as lasering or chemical exfoliation are also a huge no. Doing so will make the skin on your eyebrows more sensitive and therefore prone to irritation. 

Likewise, it is a good idea to prepare a picture of the style of eyebrow you want and bring it to the appointment. The artist will know what shape looks best on the customer, but you should also know what you want and what style you’d like to have. 

Mind your diet

Some natural blood thinners should be avoided the week prior your scheduled procedure, including vitamin E and fish oil. Painkillers such as NSAIDs or Aspirin and Ibuprofen should not be taken as well. Experts likewise recommend staying away from caffeine or alcohol during the week leading up to your procedure. 

What should you not do after eyebrow embroidery?

If you have mustered enough courage to finally go through with a much-awaited microblading procedure, congratulations! Now, all you have to do is give your eyebrows the treatment they deserve. There are a few guidelines to follow that your technician has probably already advised. Just remember that you need to be gentle on your brows and the skin surrounding it.

Keep it dry

The first thing you need to know about eyebrow embroidery aftercare? Keep your eyebrows away from water or anything that will wet it.

The scarring in your eyebrow area will take anywhere from 7 to 10 days to fully heal, so keeping it dry during that area is crucial. Avoid getting it wet even during showers, your skincare routine, etc. Do not wear makeup for at least one week to let the pigment settle into the cuts in your skin. In case of itching or scabbing in the eyebrow area, don’t panic. This is normal and may be more common depending on your skin type. 

Keep it sterilized

The first thing you need to do after the procedure is keep the surrounding area of the brow (and the brows themselves) as clean as possible. One of the best ways is to run a cotton swab with sterilized water two hours after the treatment to get rid of excess dye or ink. After this is done, you can and should start avoiding any risk of wetting the area.

Don’t sweat it

Though you might want to start going back to your lifestyle, there are a few things that will be off limits during the healing process. Any activity which leads to excessive sweating, like a long workout, will be damaging to the pigment on your brows. It is best to wait until after a week to resume any intensive exercising. For any issues that may arise, consult the help of a professional.

Eyebrow embroidery can save you a lot of time in our morning routine. And honestly, waking up with perfectly shaped brows sounds too good to be true. Our advice? Find a technician you can have a conversation with so you have a better idea of your situation and how to take care of your brows after. They will know what is best for you and how you can avoid any common mishaps. 

Tired of over-the-counter treatments for your skin problems and want to seek the help of a professional? Read our guide on how to find the right dermatologist for you.