Microblading, also known by a variety of names such as embroidery, microstroking, feather touch and hair like strokes, is a form of semi-Permanent Makeup that provides a means to partially or fully camouflage missing eyebrow hair with the appearance of simulated hair using fine deposits of cosmetic tattoo pigments. Over time the strokes can blur and fade and will need to be refreshed.
October 2012: Jody Stoski presented her Microblading Technique known as Feathering or Embroidery technique at Dr. Dixon’s Las Vegas Bootcamp in October of 2012. The women were shocked at seeing the needles being drawn in a line through the skin. They were much more impressed by a hairstroke method using a single needle in a machine. But little did they know that what they were witnessing by Jody Stoski would become the technique of choice throughout the world after Dr. Dixon introduced it to the American and European Markets in late 2013 and early 2014. Microblading has taken the world of eyebrow techniques from ordinary to extraordinary. Ironically, the technique had been used in Asia for decades.
May 2014: Dr. Linda Dixon invited Tina Davies and Joyce Cirasuola to join her to teach almost 60 professionals for the first Annual Browmasters™ MASTER MICROBLADING Class. A Certificate of Completion was issued which included 14 hours of CME Credit from the American Academy of Micropigmentation from each of the three AAM Certified Instructors and Experts. The illustration on the Right is a Microblade Practice kit #877 available at www.kolorsource.com
December 2015: American Academy of Micropigmentation Bahama’s Cruise and Meeting. Over 90 professionals attended this sold-out event which included many live demonstrations of microblading. What we now know is that microblading is an advanced technique which requires a lot of practice, education, experience and time to see fully healed results after a period of at least 2 years. The good news is that Microblading can be used for a very natural brow, to correct a previously done brow and to enhance symmetry on brows that need help. You can do it but don’t go it alone. Be wise and seek a good trainer.
April 2016: Dr. Linda Dixon taught microblading to 45 professionals in Australia in a course organized by Donna Moody-Martin, herself an instructor.
The technique of implanting pigment after the creation of fine incisions in the skin may date back thousands of years, but the trend towards using the technique for eyebrows emerged in Asia and was known as feathering or embroidery prior to becoming known as microblading. Dr. Linda Dixon coined the term microstroking, which is used synonymously with microblading.
Placement and design
This technique is a process that may be used to improve or create eyebrow definition, to cover gaps of lost hair, to extend the eyebrows, or may be used as a full reconstruction if the brows have little/no hair. Each microblading stroke is applied individually, allowing the tattoo artist/beauty therapist to control the shape, color and density of the completed eyebrows.
The treatment begins with developing the desired shape, then using individual tattoo strokes or ‘feathers’ in the area to plot the shape and style requested. The color choice is patient-specific and is mixed using a natural selection of micropigments to complement hair color and skin tone.
When done by a properly trained artist, Microblading is performed by placing pigment or ink in the dermis with the use of a hand tool with attached needles fused together in a curvilinear grouping. The same look can be achieved using a traditional tattoo machine or digital machine using cartridges or traditional tattoo needles, though this technique is called Hairstroke, not microblading. Exactly the same as brow treatments using a machine, the microblading technique involves drawing individual, crisp hair strokes that can be very natural looking. The needles used come in a variety of diameters so that the thickness of each individual hair stroke can be customized to each client depending on the width of their natural hairs as to make the microblading process look more natural.
Microblading is a form of cosmetic tattooing. Some microblade needle groupings may contain needles that are extremely fine in diameter in comparison to the needles used in traditional tattooing (though recent advancements in cosmetic tattoo needle technology has also produced extremely fine needles gauges for machine use). Technicians usually use topical anesthetics to limit discomfort and consequently like all forms of cosmetic tattooing if performed correctly the procedure causes minimal discomfort.
Microblading is a tattoo. Pigment is deposited into the dermis (not into the epidermis as so many techs are claiming. Were it placed in the epidermis it would slough off within 30-90 days, depending on age, as the epidermis continuously renews itself) so as to make the pigment last. The tattoo, as all other tattoos, can fade depending on multiple factors (quality of pigment/ink used, UV exposure, use of acids in skincare products, medications) but will never disappear completely. Tattooing is permanent, whether it is on the body or face. It is crucial to do your research on the experience and education level of the artist before having any work done.
Immediately post treatment, eyebrows will appear darker than expected, but will fade during the healing process over the following 4 weeks. The treatment is typically a 2 step application process:
- The initial appointment includes consultation and initial application.
- The second appointment a minimum of 4 weeks later is to refine the strokes and fine-tune color. The 2nd application ensures that the micro-pigments are healing properly and responding well.
Microblading, although often marketed as semi-permanent, is permanent just like any other tattoo on your body. Periodic Color Boosts will be required to keep the color fresh.
Safety precautions for microblading are similar to those for any other tattooing technique. The most common complications and client dissatisfaction that results from any form of tattooing is misapplication of the pigment, pigment migration and color change. Serious complications are uncommon though it is important to stress that like all forms of tattooing risks associated with microblading include the transmission of blood-borne pathogenic organisms (e.g. HIV, Hepatitis C Virus) as well as short term or long terms reactions to pigment ingredients. Therefore, it is essential to check that the technician holds appropriate licenses and registrations for the provision of tattoo services as well as inquiring about the standard of training that has been attained by the technician.
There is not yet a standard for independent testing of microblading professionals. However, the Board of Microblading is being formed complete with examination and requirements of training, a knowledge of the basics of sanitation, Bloodborne Pathogen Certificate, Color Theory, Techniques, Safe needles (such as the hygienic cartridge microblading needle with retractable “no stick” design”), and healed photographs of work completed. Members will be listed online for the public to refer to for qualification and location of a microblading professional near them.
Procedures performed by technicians who have completed a comprehensive course of instruction can minimize the risk of unwanted outcomes and client dissatisfaction.