MicroBlading

Frequently Asked Questions:

The hand held instrument used in this technique has 15 different micro-needles aligned in a row. It is NOT a blade.

How long does a treatment take?
Eyebrow Embroidery is a 2 step process - usually 30-60 days apart. This is very important to complete 2 visits.

The initial procedure takes approximately 1-2 hours. During this time:
1) a consultation is undertaken;
2) a color tone is chosen and;
3) an initial outline of the procedure area is drawn on for the client to see and approve before application.
(The Above 3 Steps - Consultation - Can be scheduled separately and will take approximately 15-20min.)

Once the client is satisfied with the basic shape and symmetry, (please note that our faces are NOT symmetrical, as one side is often flatter than the other), however as Brow Artists, we aim to create as much symmetry as possible.

4) The area is then traced over;
5) Then the permanent pigment is applied with a disposable, one-use-only hand held tool (not a machine.)
6) The actual application will not commence until the client is 100% happy with the proposed color and shape.

The technique means the brow hairs at the head of the brow are curved upwards, transitioning to a flatter curved brow hair stroke. The first 2/3 of the brow and finally the hairs in the last 1/3 grow downwards - so it's the pattern we follow to create a natural look .
(All Brow Artists have their own style - this is why we urge clients to come for a consultation before the procedure so you can determine if we are the Brow artist for you).

The end result will depend on 50% pigment and 50% healing. We all heal differently, and what works on one client may not be effective on another. This is why a second visit it so important, it corrects any irregularities in color tones,and makes the look semi-permanent and longer lasting.

Second Visit - Maintenance.
The second stage of the treatment is called a ‘touch up’,and takes 40 min approx. This usually happens after 30-60 days because it takes that long for the pigment to settle in the skin, heal, peel and fade to a softer, natural tone. The brows naturally exfoliate in the previous month giving way to healed skin with the brow strokes just underneath it. It is IMPERATIVE you complete the touch up treatment, as without it, it will be a job half done and the results will not be optimum. The touch up gives the client an opportunity to get used to the initial finish before a final touch up consolidates the pigment into the skin , thus preventing fading. The color will have faded significantly in this 30 days as the skin heals, peels and fades. This is normal.

The look of the brows in the first 10 days will be very defined and no indication of the finished result. .

If the touch up is not attended to after 4-6 weeks, the brow will fade away gradually.



Step 3.
Occasionally a third visit is necessary for certain clients , (30 days later again.) This is not uncommon, however most clients cancel this appointment.


Eyebrow shapes that do not suit a client face or facial structure, pigment color that does not suit the tones of the client face colour will not be entertained irrespective to client pressure. Irish skins heal 'cool' so clients who ask for a black brow, will find it will fade off to a bluefish colour- not a good look!

How long can I expect it to last?;
Some therapists will quote 2-5 yrs (but this is usually PERMANENT brows performed at a Tattoo studio, and not Eyebrow Embroidery). However ,experience has taught Olive that there is no guarantee as each individual will respond differently.The brow treatment is semi-permanent, so it will begin to noticeably fade after 12-14 months, even though its only gradual fading. It depends on the skin quality and the occupation of the client.

If the client wants a super natural enhancement or more Highly Defined and in order to keep the look fresh, a ‘touch up’ is advisable every 18-24 months. More frequent touch ups may be required where a client chose a soft lighter shade initially, Alopoecia, sweats/swims a lot or if the clients did not follow after care advice regarding sunblock, etc. etc.
Clients who dye their hair will understand that certain elements will make their hair dye fade faster, our Embroidered Eyebrows are exactly the same.

Semi-permanent micropigmentation is not an exact science, so each client is different. However experience shows that Athletes who sweat a lot, swimmers in sea or chlorine pools 3-4 times a week, blatant sunbathing, these are the types of clients who may find their brows may need freshening up around 12-14 months. Some clients even find they would like the FRESHLY Finished Look and can come for a touch up after 12 months (there is a reduced touch-up fee for clients who like their touch-up every 12 months). This is purely a clients preference.

It is perfectly fine for clients to use eyebrow pencil while waiting for their touch up appointment.

Allergies, does this often happen?
Once you book an appointment a detailed pre-appointment questionaire will be emailed to you for perusal. A high grade pigment is used and allergies are rare. However there is always going to be someone who will be allergic to something. This poses the same risk as anyone going to a doctor for a new medication - one never knows. Experience shows that if there is an allergy it might not be the pigment but be due to the use of latex gloves, so NITRILE gloves are the choice of glove we use. We advise a patch test 48 hrs prior to treatment, however most clients waive this and sign accordingly.

Special precautions:
Clients who have medical conditions / cardiac may need a doctors clearance before going ahead. Occasionally these clients may need antibiotics before teeth extraction, and the same would apply to Eyebrow Embroidery. A quick phone call to your Doctor for a letter of clearance will suffice.

Clients who use Botox must come before Botox treatment. This ensures the face all be at it's most relaxed state and ideal for the procedure. Please never recommend Botox but if you must, schedule Botox AFTER your second treatment of Microblading touch up.

Clients on blood thinners like aspirin/Warfarin as well as Retin-A and other Retinol products are not suitable. Please do not ask for this treatment if you are on these type of medications.

Pregnancy and Breast feeding mothers need to wait until after feeding is ceased.

Epileptic clients need to state when their last seizure was, and reveal their medication.

A list will be emailed to you once you register an interest in the procedure .

Do I need to do anything before my apt? Yes!
1) Read your consent form, and carry out any release letters you may need if you do not fit into the criteria. Bring it with you to appointment.
2) Do your research.
3) Apply your brow pencil as you normally like it so that we can work within these parameters, and bring your pencil / powders with you. We will still measure and suggest tweaks but ultimately the brow shape will look like it always did.
4) Designing a total new brow on clients who have no brow hair takes time, and takes the bulk of the consult. Nothing happens until you are 100% happy with the pre-draw stage.
5) Speak to friends who have had the treatment done and learn what to expect during the process and for the interim period directly after.


Are Semi -Permanent Eyebrows deemed permanent?
Technically, semi-permanent Eyebrow Embroidery procedure are considered permanent because the color is implanted into the upper reticular part of the dermal layer of the skin and cannot be washed off. However, the pigment is implanted more superficially than a ' tattoo', so it naturally fades over time. This semi-permanent method has gained popularity in the past 3 years - due to the fact that fashion changes, brow hair returns, people get well, etc., and the permanence of the old fashioned tattoo is less appealing.

What if I decide I don't like it after the first treatment?
A client can then just let the Eyebrow Embroidery fade off over time. The second /stage 2 appointment is cancelled.
This is the ultimate beauty of semi-permanent Embroidery, as the strokes are only the thickness of a hair, it can be left fade away if a client changes their mind.

Does it hurt?
Topical cream is applied 15 min prior to procedure, and a liquid topical anaesthetic is applied onto the brow after each pass. There is usually 3- 4 passes at each treatment. Everyone has a different level of sensitivity so topical anaesthetics are applied before and during the treatment to alleviate any sensation or discomfort. Some clients naturally feel one brow sorer than the other, and more so at times of menstruation.
The natural brow hairs grow upwards at the head of the brow, curved in the arch of the brow, and grow downwards at the tail of the brow - and this is mimicked at the Eyebrow Embroidery treatment.
It often happens that a client needs to sneeze during the procedure, as the facial nerve is tickled during the process. Be sure to let your Professional know when you are about to sneeze.

You will hear a scratch noise/sensation through out.
Music is usually played during the procedure, however feel free to bring your own ear phones and music to distract you. A warm blanket is supplied for your comfort.

Will I be able to go out after the procedure without people noticing?
Of course! Most ladies return to work right away. Work performance will be unaffected.
Excess pigment sits on the brow area for a few hours and can draw attention, so some ladies take a few hours off after the procedure .

After the procedure, the area treated will be darker and more intense, this is normal. This will last a few days until the skin heals and peels and naturally exfoliates and the true color emerges. In the first week as the tiny scabs form in order to heal, they may look even darker/thicker due to some minor swelling. The 2nd and 3rd week you may think they even disappeared altogether (this is due to the new skin forming over the scabbed area). Week 4 is where natural exfoliation has happened and the true color emerges. Generally, only the client will notice the changes. It will look like you had your eyebrows tinted that day (which looks darker initially). Other people may notice ‘something’ is different, but they are unlikely to identify the source of the difference. The brows may also appear thicker than you might like, however, this settles after 10 days, as this minor swelling recedes and the hair stroke will shorten as a result. Swelling/edema is usually very minimal, however it must be mentioned that some swelling happens. It is a similar analogy to a paper cut, which needs time to heal, grow new skin, peel and eventually fade - our Embroidered brows are the same, bearing in mind that up to 40 hair strokes are inserted into each brow at procedure time.

Of the colors we use, we can blend several to achieve even more shades to suit the client. ALL clients who have had the procedure done will be conscious they have brows that are very obvious, however please bear in mind, the skin has been broken to allow the pigment settle into the created curved hair stroke and healing has yet to take place. This is why I ask you to bring your eyebrow pencil with you to your appointment - so I can match the pigment to the desired HEALED RESULT, which emerges after new skin has grown over the created hair strokes, the tiny scabs naturally fall off and the skin gently exfoliates naturally itself to reveal the new brow hair strokes through the healed new skin.

Clients who are used to having no brows for a long time, can find this few weeks challenging . Clients who are very blonde/grey/red hair usually opt for lighter color pigment still go through the healing phase which looks very dark for 10 days. The true color does not emerge until week 3-4 when healing is complete. Clients who have sparse/no brows are encouraged to start wearing pencil or brow shading for some time before the process so they get used to having a brow!

We cannot overstate how pronounced a brow looks on the day of procedure, or the few days after - particularly to ladies who have no brow. It will look thicker and darker than you would like, can be quite a shock. The thickness may even be more pronounced 24 hrs later. This is a normal stage of the process and one that is explained in the after care sheet given to all clients. Following the aftercare and waiting it out is the usual advice. The wounds need to heal and the brows settle. Most are delighted however as it's been something they have wanted for quite a while.
It's a 2 step process and the 2 visits MUST be completed to achieve the semi permanent brow. If you do not return for your 2nd visit it is job half-done and a less than satisfactory result obtained, which is a waste of your money. However if you decide that you don't like your brows, the second stage can be cancelled and you can let the brow fade out.

Return Touch up visit has to be completed within 45-60 days (unless ill advised by Doctor, say in the case of clients undergoing Chemotherapy), while clients may find the initial result dramatic, they get used to it, and during the healing process, the brows shorten and subside as swelling subsides, they come back at touch up, and ask for the darker/thicker brow! However exercise caution in requesting a very thick brow, as fashion constantly changes. Go with as natural a shape as possible and use your pencils/brow shaders to thicken the brow up for night time. If you do not like the decision you made, the Touch Up can be cancelled and the pigmented brow naturally fades away over time.


I have seen photos of the work and the strokes look so natural !
Yes they are natural looking , and the photos correctly depict the work. However most photos are taken right after the procedure , and there are 35-40 curved slits in the skin , full of pigment and look like brow hairs. These newly Embroidered brows still need to heal, peel and soften. Not all clients will heal off to a crisp brow. It depends on your skin, age, flaccidity, hydration etc. How your brow heals off will only be revealed after the work is done. There are no guarantees you will get a crisp stroke , but it will be close enough. How your brows heal is nature at work !

Do my existing eyebrows need to be shaved off?
Absolutely NOT!
Regular brow hair removal will continue to keep the brows looking tidy, and its usually advisable to have them shaped a week before your apt. You regular brow wax/thread/tweezing and tinting should continue once the brows have healed.
Occasionally clients brow hair can grow in different directions and can jeopardise the over all result, ie; brow tail. This may be removed by shaving at the appointment time with the clients consent to give a nice over all finish. Once the brows heal, the client can continue to have her brows waxed/ tweezes/threaded to keep the look defined. Stray hairs outside the brow line can make the brows look untidy, however this is the case in ALL brow maintenance.

Do I Need to Plan for my Treatment?
I have found that despite Ireland usually being a wet country, the last number of summers have been searing hot. Blatent sun bathing whilst your brows are healing, will dramatically fade the brow, even if you wear a sunhat.That is not to say you can not sit in the sun AT ALL, it does however mean that sunbathing whilst HEALING is not wise.Sunscreen on your brows after the healed phase is over is also wise.Swimming in the ocean or a chlorine filled pool is also unwise, as Chlorine will bleach the healing brow, and the salt in the ocean will pull out the pigment during the healing phase ( in fact some Practitioners use saline /salt in the brows to remove pigment - so this will depict how salt water will dramatically fade your brow). Sun beds will also dramatically fade your new brow. All of these instructions are in your after care sheet. Failing to comply will incur an extra fee to correct.

I had my brows done somewhere else, and am unhappy, can I come to you to have them corrected?
We do not CORRECT brows done elsewhere. We will however consult with you and decide between us which is the best way to IMPROVE your brow. Our insurance does not cover CORRECTIONS. A separate consent form is applicable.
If you had your brows done elsewhere and require a touch up 18 months later, we can do this for you by assessing the fading before our procedure.
If we fear there will be a clash in colors / pigment we will advise returning to your original Brow Artist for your touch up- this will depend on a few factors - where the original treatment was done, how much you paid for it, and how it faded. Usually it is not a problem however.
Please call to discuss.
Eyebrow Embroidery on a faded brow will show as brow hair strokes over the faded brow.

I had my brows done elsewhere and happy with them, but you are closer,. Can I come to you?
Yes we do touch-ups on previously Embroidered brows done elsewhere but require them to be well faded so there is not a pigment clash . A separate consent form is signed to waiver the possibility of an unsatisfactory result. Usually these touch-ups work out perfectly fine .

Consent forms and aftercare, are they important?
We have clients who do not read consents, or aftercare, and sign the dotted line, just because they want it done. This is not legal, and why we have consultations and send all the relevant info out to you before any appointment is made.

I am about to undergo Cancer treatment, can I come before my cancer chemotherapy?
Ideally yes! The first treatment can be done even before you lose your brows, so that an imprint of where your brow once was is there. This blueprint guides us in giving you the same brow you once had, rather than designing a whole new brow. It is usual in this instance to have your touch-up after the cancer treatment is complete, or sooner if your oncologist approves.
With each subsequent chemo therapy the brow hair gets thinner and thinner, and eventually they may not ever return at all. This is where a baseline is good, as we can Embroider along the template, rather than designing a whole new brow that may not look like what you looked like before treatment. In cases like this we urge clients to bring an old photo, so we can emulate you old brow

Some ladies may feel they need to sit quietly or get a tea/drink before driving home.
Please take that time if you need it.


Who would use Semi Permanent Eyebrow Embroidery?

Usually clients who;
Apply brow pencil/ brow powder daily to cover in bald spots/or due to scarring.
Clients who naturally have a very very thin brow and want it fuller.,
Suffer from Alopecia or other hair loss problems.
Are dissatisfied with the shape of their eyebrows .
Want to save time due to busy schedules.
Want more confidence and want to enjoy a no-fuss beauty routine.
Have visionary problems when pencilling/shading in brows.
Have sustained burns/scars in brow area.
Clients about to undergo Chemo and will lose brow hair.
Want to look groomed and look their best .

Clients about to undergo Cancer treatments and fear they may lose their eyebrows during their treatment process. The transition from having brow hair to no brow hair is less traumatic in this instance. The Embroidery is 3 D there for its very lifelike . Ideally I like to do the first Embroidery session before chemotherapy begins so that the first ' pass' is complete. This ensures the client gets the brow they originally had , as an imprint is now implanted. This avoids designing a completely new brow . The second visit can be delayed to when chemotherapy is completed in this instance . This can be done up to a few weeks before chemotherapy starts. Clients for chemotherapy AND on aspirin are not deemed suitable for Embroidery before treatment .
The majority of my clients either are about to embark on a chemotherapy journey, or post chemotherapy . Whilst head hair loss can be complimented by wigs/ bandanas etc, the hair eventually returns . Eyebrow hair gets thinner and thinner but rarely returns to its former glory. Eyebrow wigs often slip , and drawn on brows can look very flat. 3d Embroidery whilst flat gives an illusion of a brow hair stroke.


Clients with Alopecia.
Due to the nature of the skin on clients with Alopecia, the experience to date has been the pigment retention is poorer with machine powder brows than with Embroidery . However to date, the retention with he unique hand tool that we use, has been considerably longer. Block brow by machine is not a service we offer , favoring the Embroidery technique, where each hair is drawn in, one by one giving a natural look. Retention from client to client is varying, however freshen up touch-ups could be as frequent as every 6 months to keep the look fresh. .
Eyebrows are eyebrows, and the procedure is the same on all, once the measurements are done. However more frequent visits are required for the Alopecia client, irrespective of the pigment color used.


Before embarking on making your appointment please read the procedure details, medical consent form and the after care instructions . These will be sent out to you on request of an apt, and/ or emailed for you to print off. This is to enable you to research and decide if the treatment is for you, and to plan. Most ladies go right back to work after the procedure, however some ladies, who have little or no brow prefer to plan 2 days off, at a weekend, to get used to the finished result.

It is usual to have the entire eyebrow embroidered at the apt, however occasionally a client may only want / need a head/base of brow or tails of brows. This is not protocol normally. A demarcation line can sometimes become apparent and this is not a good look. However some clients who have a tiny bald spot due to a small scar, can have a few hair strokes applied , this will improve the look of an already perfect brow.
If this is what you wish for, please book in for a consult first and a proper decision is made regarding what is the best option for the client.

Please print off the Consent form and bring them with you to your appointment.
The Medical consent - form check list is to prompt clients who are on anticoagulants/warfarin/aspirin etc to check with their doctor if it is ok to go ahead. It is usual for the client not to take such medications that morning, but can be delayed to the evening time the day of the procedure.It is in my experience clients on Aspirin/Warfarin that the resuly can take up to 4 visits to achieve the optimum result. This is beacuse the pigment may not sit very well into the hairstroke made, due to blood flow, and its thinness. The clients on these medications must be aware, that whilst the best efforts made, it is their healing may necessitate a few extra visits to get the desired look. Bear in mind, the hand held tool makes HAIRSTROKES, which are quite thin and hair like, this may not happen. Powder brow look may be their best option in this instance.

I have heard some clients just do not retain pigment even after a few visits. Could this happen?
Yes, it does happen and yes it's true! It's rare however.

A third appointment is often set up so the client has the opportunity to return and I get the chance to review the work and sort out any ( if any) tweaks that might need to be done. This is usually a 20 min apt and time to sort out any minor irritations regarding 1 or 2 strokes to complete a look.
Mostly the clients cancel this apt as all is usually well, however there are the occasional few that may need one or two extra strokes to finish off the look.

Not retaining the strokes at all is something that is something TOTALLY DIFFERENT and very very rare and not often seen. However that not to say it won't happen. Some ladies skin may react to the trauma of the Microblading, and the skin may try to push out the foreign body of pigment by producing an extreme scabs, so they eventually fall off taking all the pigment with it (our bodies are very clever!). There is a condition called Pigment Allergy (PPD Allergy, a condition known by dermatologists) or Auto Immune disease symptoms ( the client may not even be aware of it). The skin would have over reacted and become super sensitive to the pigment and reject it by extreme scabbing , thus taking the pigment with it. It is rare however.

At a third visit, whereby there is no pigment retention, we would usually advise the client to give the brows a rest and review in 6 months. Sometimes after review our only advice is to go visit a GP or Dermatogist to be checked out. We may loathe to re-microblade again, as the results will be the same again. As the skin has 4 stages of healing to undergo, a third Microblading carries the risk of scarring - a risk we do not want to take as a practitioner.


If you are unsure about your decision, a separate consult can be arranged to discuss the procedure and check our portfolio. Sometimes a tint/pencil drawing can be carried out on your skin to show what the finished result will possibly look like. Consultations may be scheduled at the end of the day, in the off chance you decide to go ahead and the time does not encroach on the next clients scheduled time.


The money thing;
First visit and second visit are 2 separate fees.
If a third is required , this is complimentary.
Card payments accepted as are check and cash.
Please email for more info, appt times. $100 deposit is required to secure your appt, this is regrettable but reduces time wasters.

Touch-ups are necessary, usually within 2 yrs to keep it fresh. Touch-ups within a year of the full procedure is at a reduced fee of $100.
Touch-ups outside of this time is not considered a touch-up, but a whole new procedure, and the full fee is payable. If you wish to be reminded via text or email when your touch-up is due to be scheduled, please make it known at your apt time.

You will be emailed a list of "After care" instructions and/or provided with them at apt time . When you follow these instructions, you will have a satisfactory result. If you do not follow these instructions and there is lack of pigment retention (usually through picking off of scabby areas) you will be charged $75 for a retouch within the first 3-6 months of the initial procedure.