Am I a good candidate for microblading?

By Tina Davies, Artist and Founder Tina Davies Professional 

Eyebrows are easily one of the most defining features of the face and have become a focal point of recent beauty trends. Whether you prefer yours thick and bold, or arched and precise, it seems that everyone is obsessed with having their “brow game” on point.

But what if you’re not blessed with model-esque brows a la Kendall Jenner or Jessica Alba?  Are you doomed to forever committing the fashion faux pas of sparse, patchy, asymmetrical eyebrows? Will you have to fill them in everyday living in fear that with one wrong move you’ll wipe away your eyebrows?

                                   

Thanks to microblading, we’ve been given a solution that allows us to have the brows we’ve always dreamed of by having them tattooed alå microblading in a very natural and discreet way.

So, now that microblading has piqued your interest, you’re probably wondering, “Is microblading right for me?”

The process goes far beyond finding the right artist. It’s just as important to determine whether your skin is fit and ready to be tattooed. From your age, sensitivity to the condition and quality of your skin, a lot goes into the safety and effectiveness of the microblading process.

As an artist, my goal is always to ensure that you receive the best possible results from your treatment. This is heavily reliant on your skin being healthy, strong, and calm.

Unfortunately, pre-existing skin conditions and skin treatments can heavily compromise the effectiveness of microblading, leaving both you and I in an unfavorable situation. So, before you go ahead and book your appointment, read the pointers below to find out if microblading is for you...

SKIN CONDITIONS (FACE ONLY)

• Skin Complications - If you have skin which is prone to complications with eczema, psoriasis, keratosis pilaris and dermatitis (i.e., your skin is constantly flaking, itching, or aggravated), chances are your skin is in a is in a constant state of unrest and shedding and is not suitable for tattooing and therefore won’t hold the pigment well.

Keratosis Pilaris

Dermatitis (i.e., your skin is constantly flaking, itching, or aggravated), chances are your skin is in a constant state of unrest and shedding and is not suitable for tattooing and your skin won’t hold the pigment.  

Chronic Acne

Rosacea

 The inherent nature of these types of skin causes easy bleeding once aggravated, which once again means your skin will not retain the colour and intended effect of microblading. Additionally, excessively oily skin can cause those tattooed hair strokes to blur together and give off an unwanted solid effect instead of a naturally feathered look.

• State of Skin - If your skin is sensitive, it is likely to be easily aggravated and bleed easily.  A good way to know if your skin is sensitive is if turns pink very easily from a little scratch.  If your skin has large pores, specifically in the region of the eyebrows and forehead (aka the T-Zone), the color will blur and result in a powdered look. Along similar lines, tattooed hair strokes will not lay properly on skin with deep wrinkles, which can make the overall look appear uneven. Moles, bumps, piercing, and generally raised skin around the eyebrows will also not be able to retain color. 
  
  
• Skin Type - If you have Fitzpatrick Skin type 1 (i.e., you are a redhead, have thin, translucent skin with light eyes), your skin is very likely to be hypersensitive and your skin will not be able to tolerate microblading well.  The same applies if you just have generally very thin skin - it will bleed easily and not retain colour.
  

• Sunburn - If you are hoping to get microblading done but have gotten a tan or worse, a sunburn, it’s best to wait until your skin has resumed it's normal colour and wait until your skin has healed before booking in for a procedure.  
  
  
• Previous Permanent Makeup - People who have previously had permanent makeup may want to change or fix what they have previously had done. Clients may have to consider laser removal prior to a procedure or ask the artist if they can work with their existing permanent makeup to incorporate the old design and colors into the new one.  Always disclose if you’ve had previous permanent makeup so the artist can treat you accordingly.  

MEDICATIONS

• Accutane/Retin-A - Individuals who have been taking acne medications such as Accutane or Retin-A within the last year have an altered skin condition that will not heal well after the procedure. It’s very important that you wait a year before tattooing the skin. Similarly, Retinol and Vitamin A users should discontinue the use of each a month prior to their procedure.
  
  
• Latisse - Eyelash and eyebrow growth serum bring extra circulation (aka blood flow) to the area resulting in more growth of hair/lashes.  Do not underestimate the power of these products!  If you have been using Latisse or any other eyelash or eyebrow growth conditioners, the skin in that area is in a hypersensitive state and will bleed easily. Be mindful to discontinue using these at least 3-6 months before going in for a session otherwise you will instantly bleed profusely.
  
  

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

• Hair Transplant - A commonly unknown fact is that scar tissue will form within the eyebrow transplant site. If you've had a hair transplant for your eyebrows, microblading is not a suitable procedure for you. 
  

• Irregular State - If your body naturally runs hot or you have a bleeding disorder, this will result in excess bleeding and prevent adequate color deposit.

• Autoimmune - Even more seriously, if you have an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, or frontal fibrosing alopecia, you will be not a good candidate for Microblading due to your compromised skin health caused by these disorders.
  
  
• Other Conditions - If you are pregnant, nursing, have hemophilia, a heart condition, , it is absolutely not recommended that you get any form of permanent make up done as this puts you in a high-risk position.  People who have heart issues often are on medications that thin the blood which will cause excessive bleeding a poor results with microblading.

REACTIONS TO TREATMENTS

Below is a list of medical conditions that often cause skin irregularities, making microblading an unsuitable procedure for you:

• Trichotillomania (i.e., the compulsive pulling of body hair) can causes scar tissue in the skin to be prominent, which does not allow the color to heal properly. 
  
  
• Glaucoma-If you hope to get eyeliner tattooed, the use of glaucoma eye drops makes eyelash follicles and eyelids hypersensitive, causing excessive bleeding and poor color retention. 
  
  
• If you have continued use of Accutane, Retinol, or skin-peeling acids, you may be prone to excessive bleeding due to your altered skin condition, therefore, microblading would not be a viable option for you.
  
  OTHER CONSIDERATIONS YOU’VE MIGHT HAVE MISSED....
  
  
• Botox- Get Microblading done BEFORE you get botox so your muscles will be in a normal state of movement.  Alternatively, if you regularly use botox, you will need to wait at 3 weeks after botox before doing microblading in order to allow the botox to settle in at its full effect.
  
  
• Vacationing- microblading is a tattoo and therefore is a mild injury to the skin which takes time to heal.  If you are planning to go hot vacation involving sun, sweating, and swimming, make sure you give your skin two weeks to heal post microblading before showing off your newly microbladed brows on the beach!

So, if you’re thinking you’re ready for a microblading procedure, it is important to know that the results of your permanent makeup will be based on the health and quality of your skin. Results will vary from person to person, and if you have a pre-existing skin condition or are on medications, you may still be eligible for a procedure but should adjust your expectations based on your situation.  Like any procedure, every person is unique and will react differently. If all checks out and your skin is in good physical condition, you can start researching the best artists near you.