MICROBLADING 

 

​

What is microblading?
Microblading (also referred to as Microstroking, Eyebrow Embroidery, Feather Stroke Brows, 3D Brows, micropigmentation, etc.) is the process of manually implanting color pigment into the dermis, by means of tiny, sterile, disposable needles to create the appearance of natural-looking hair strokes.

 

Can anyone have Microblading done?

Yes! There are no esthetical requirements for your brows to look in a specific way before the treatment - we are here to help make them look perfect regardless of how sparse or pale they are! Some high risk patients who have severe and chronic medical issues (cancer, autoimmune disorders etc.) are deferred from having this procedure done (please contact us directly if you have specific health concerns or medical conditions). Our client forms will cover all the necessary information regarding this question. If you still want microblading done please consult with your doctor and get back to us with a written clearance consent. 

Is microblading a tattoo?
With the sudden popularity and media attention to the term microblading, many are led to falsely believe microblading is not a tattoo process. THIS IS FALSE! Permanent cosmetics, "semi-permanent” makeup, micropigmentation, dermal implantation, microblading/microstroking, eyebrow embroidery, and long-time/long-lasting makeup, are all different names for the same procedure – cosmetic tattooing.

 

 Any time pigment is placed into the skin with any device, it is indeed a tattoo process. This is defined by many well-informed regulators, the medical community, and dictionary sources. Denying this process is a tattoo may be problematic for those who would, for religious or other personal reasons, normally refuse to have a tattoo. However, the traditional tattoo process is very different from semi-permanent makeup.

​

What's the difference between Microblading and regular tattooing?

First, traditional body tattooing uses electric tools and the needle will penetrate both the first and second layers of your skin (epidermis and dermis) when depositing ink. The Microblading procedures involve pigments deposited by a manual hand tool, drawing very precise and fine lines, and only penetrating the first layer of your skin (epidermis). Therefore, Microblading results are much more subtle than traditional tattooing, giving you a natural-looking enhancement while also creating depth through a 3D illusion. 

Who is microblading for?

Are you filling areas where your eyebrows are sparse, re-applying brow pencil several times throughout the day? One brow great, and the other, not so much? 

This technique is for ANYONE who wants fuller brows due to sparse hair, hair loss, light-colored hair,  corrections due to brow scarring or injury and those who want to effortlessly and naturally look their best at all times. 

 

After Microblading you will wake up with effortlessly perfect brows - throughout your workday, during the spinning class, and after a fun night out - your brows will remain perfect!

Do my existing eyebrows need to be shaved off for microblading?
Most definitely NOT! Please do not tweeze, thread, wax or modify your eyebrows in any way for as long as possible before your appointment. This will allow your artist to custom a brow design that blends in with your natural hair growth.

 

Your initial microblading service includes a brief consultation, followed by facial measurements, and a custom brow design outline for you to preview and approve. Any hair growth that falls outside of the design you choose may or may not be removed according to your preference. Your regular brow maintenance of tweezing, threading, waxing may continue once the brows have healed.

Does microblading hurt?
The discomfort is relative as everyone has a different level of sensitivity. Zensa Anesthetic is applied for 30 minutes before the procedure. Every effort is made to ensure you remain comfortable for the duration of the procedure. Our clients are usually pleased to discover that it is no more painful than tweezing or threading! With any tattoo, mild discomfort and slight swelling should be anticipated.

​

Microblading Pre-Care Instructions are designed and MUST BE STRICTLY FOLLOWED to limit bleeding and sensitivity during the service. Excessing bleeding and sensitivity during the procedure will dilute and expel the pigment color, leading to poor results.

​

* Having this service performed during your menstrual cycle may increase discomfort during your procedure.

 

* If you are a frequent smoker or "sun worshipper" anesthetics used during the treatment may not last as long and also can lead to poor retention and poor lasting results.

 

* If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, be aware that this may affect your sensitivity tolerance to the procedure.

How long is the microblading healing process? 
It is normal to experience minimal swelling and tenderness immediately following your procedure. This usually subsides within a couple of days. The first few days following your procedure, the pigment will appear much darker than how it will appear once it has healed. Around the 1st or 2nd week post-procedure, the skin naturally exfoliates and regenerates. During this time, the pigment may appear “foggy” and difficult to see. Around week 4, when the skin completes healing, you will see the pigment become more visible.

 

Your complimentary Retouch and Enhancement Session must be scheduled 6-12 weeks after your initial appointment in order to perfect your desired brow color, achieve symmetry, and add density to any sparse areas.

How old do I have to be to get microblading?
You must be 18 years or older to receive Microblading.

Can I get microblading if I am pregnant or nursing?
As a precaution, we will NOT perform cosmetic tattooing on pregnant or nursing women.

How long does microblading last?
Microblading is a permanent procedure. However, the pigment will significantly fade over time and we recommend scheduling an Annual Touch-Up with your artist to keep your brows looking their best. 

​

Frequency of touch-ups depends on a number of factors including skin type and tone, pigment selection, lifestyle (sun exposure, smoking, etc.), your overall health, as well as the use of acidic and/or brightening skincare products and skincare services.

​

Please note that final results cannot be guaranteed as each unique skin type will hold pigments differently and break down at different rates. We will re-evaluate how your skin has received the pigment at your touch-up appointment and make any changes necessary.

How many microblading treatments are needed?
Microblading is a multiple-step appointment process. Your new brows will NOT be complete after just one service. For microblading, at least two appointments are needed initially. Each of these appointments being 6-12 weeks apart.

 

During your complimentary Retouch Enhancement Session, we will assess the pigment retention and make any adjustments necessary. Everyone heals differently and at different rates. If your cosmetic tattoo does not heal perfectly the first time, do not worry!  We can always go bolder and/or add more density at your next appointment. :)

What factors will affect how my microblading looks?
Excessive bleeding during the tattooing procedure will reduce the amount of pigment absorption. Alcohol, certain medications, and vitamins, or any other blood-thinners should be avoided prior to your appointment. For a full list of what to avoid before and after your microblading appointment.

​

Sun exposure: The sun will extremely soften the look of your tattoo, and may also change the color appearance of the pigment. A physical sunscreen should be used once your brows fully heal to prolong your enhancement. Whenever possible, we encourage our clients to wear hats to protect their beautiful brows (and skin too)!

​

The choice of pigment color: Some colors may fade quicker than others, e.g. a blonde pigment may fade quicker than a dark brunette pigment.

​

Lifestyle: smokers, "sun worshippers", or anyone with skin that is in a state of distress (rosacea, acne, etc) may have less desirable results.

​

If you are iron deficient/anemic, your pigment will fade sooner and bleeding or bruising may occur during and after the procedure.

What should I do before my microblading procedure?
If you have an ideal shape and color in mind, please bring a couple of reference photos with you to your appointment. You may fill in your eyebrows as you normally would so we may take into consideration the shape you feel most comfortable with. If you regularly get your eyebrows shaped, waxed, threaded or tinted, please refrain from doing so within at least one week of your appointment. If there are any stray hairs that fall outside of our final shape, we promise to remove them.

​

If you plan to go on a vacation, it is recommended to plan your trip a minimum of 30 days after the procedure. 

We require our clients to avoid any blood thinners for a minimum of 48 hours prior to their appointment. This includes Vitamin E, Aspirin, Niacin, fish oil supplements, and Ibuprofen.

​

Do NOT drink any alcohol or caffeine 48 hours prior to your appointment. (Yes, that includes decaf coffee, teas, and kombucha!)

​

NO Botox for 2 months prior to microblading (We recommend that it's best to wait until after your complimentary Retouch and Enhancement Session heals to get Botox, as an educated injector will take your new brows into consideration when choosing where to inject.) 

​

If you have been on prescription Accutane in the past, you MUST wait at least one full year (12 months minimum) before considering this procedure. Doxycycline users are also encouraged to wait up to 6 months before receiving Microblading.

​

Please avoid SUN and TANNING BED exposure for 30 days BEFORE and AFTER your procedure. If you arrive for your appointment with a freshly tanned or sunburned skin, you will need to reschedule and will forfeit your deposit. As your skin regenerates from a sunburn, it will take the pigment with it. Sun exposure can also cause excessive bleeding and sensitivity leading to pool healed results.

How will I look immediately after microblading? 
Your brows will appear darker and more intense than expected for the first few days or so. This will gradually lighten during the healing process. Slight redness and swelling is expected. You do not need to go into hiding, however! 

What should I do before and after my microblading procedure?
Please review our detailed Pre & Post Care Instructions. You MUST strictly follow these instructions to ensure a comfortable, safe healing process and also to achieve the best possible results! We have the right to refuse service for any clients who do not follow Pre & Post Care Instructions.

How will my microblading brows look in the future?
During your appointment, we will analyze your skin tone to anticipate how pigment colors will heal and fade in the future. We will also mix pigments to ensure the color blends well with your natural hair and skin color. There are some cases, however, where the color may fade to different tones according to the individual’s response to the pigments (like lifestyle and iron deficiencies). Many factors affect these changes.

 

At your follow up appointment, we will re-analyze how your body has responded to the initial color.  If needed, special formula alterations to correct the color is made at this time. Your eyebrow tattoo will eventually look softer and have more of a "powdered" look.  To keep your brows looking their best, a refresher appointment is suggested every 12 months. Results and preferences vary with each client.

What should I know about long term care?
* The pigment color will change and fade over time. We recommend an annual touch up to keep your brows looking their best. Fading greatly depends on your skin type, lifestyle, sun exposure, pigment color used, broken capillaries, iron deficiency, and if any aggressive skincare products or services were completed after your procedure.

​

*When using acidic or brightening skincare products or services (chemical peels, Retin-A, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, etc) please fully cover your brow tattoo with Vaseline, prior to product application on your skin.

​

* If you are planning to have an MRI, please inform the technician that you have had an iron-oxide cosmetic tattoo.

​

* If you are planning to have laser treatments, you must fully cover your brow tattoo with 20% zinc oxide. The laser may cause pigment prematurely fade or change color.

Will microblading work well for me?
If you have extremely oily skin, microblading may NOT work well for you. The constant production of oil will cause the hair strokes to heal with a diffused, softer look. Your end result will look more powdered instead of a crisp hair stroke appearance. You may be a better fit for an “Ombre Powder Brow”.

​

If you still not sure if you are a good candidate for Microblading, feel free to schedule a consultation with one of our artists by calling 202-423-4143.

Do you perform microblading for men?
We are happy to accommodate consultations for men interested in microblading and all other procedures.

How do I book my microblading appointment?
Appointments may be made via our online booking system or by calling 202-423-4143.

​

​

​

​

​

POLICIES

LATENESS: 
Please familiarize yourself with our location and plan to arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointments to allow time to fill out paperwork and get settled in. We have a strict policy for late arrivals with are permanent makeup sessions WE CAN NOT AND WILL NOT RUSH YOUR SERVICE! Exceptions will not be made for anyone arriving late due to traffic or any other personal emergency.  Late arrivals will be canceled and deposits may be forfeited. An additional deposit of $150 will be required to reschedule your appointment if you arrive late for your scheduled appointment time.

CANCELLATIONS: 
Please allow 7 days or more notice when rescheduling your appointment. Microblading deposits/payments are non-refundable. If you arrive late for your scheduled appointment time or if you reschedule with less than 7 days notice, your payment will be forfeited. If you choose to cancel your appointment, you will automatically forfeit your microblading deposit.  Additional deposits will be required to reschedule your appointment if you give less than 7 days notice.

 

NO GUESTS PLEASE:
Due to the nature of our detailed, semi-invasive services, we kindly request that you arrive unaccompanied to your appointment. We do not allow friends, spouses, significant others, children, and/or pets to accompany you into the treatment room. We have a waiting room where they are welcome to wait or enjoy the many shops, restaurants, and bars in our neighborhood if your guest(s) would like to wait close by for you to complete your service.

DEPOSITS: 
A 50% NON-REFUNDABLE deposit is due immediately upon booking to secure all permanent makeup appointments.  This deposit is to ensure that you are serious about your appointment and will be deducted from the total cost of your initial session. The remaining balance will be due 7 days before your appointment when you receive your appointment reminder.

COMPLIMENTARY RETOUCH ENHANCEMENT SESSIONS: 
New clients receive two sessions with their new client rates. The second session, called the Retouch Enhancement Session is complimentary. This must be scheduled no sooner than 6 weeks and no later than 12 weeks following your first session.  If your Retouch Enhancement Session is scheduled after 12 weeks, it is no longer complimentary and will incur an additional charge. Retouch Enhancement Sessions are STRONGLY recommended for the best results.  Additional Touch-Up appointments may be needed for oily, problematic skin, those with darkly pigmented skin and people who do not follow aftercare instructions properly. 

FUTURE TOUCH UPS FOR RETURN CLIENTS:
If you are a return client and you need to schedule a touch-up appointment, please call our us at 202-423-4143

EXISTING BROW TATTOOS:

We are extremely selective when working over existing tattoos and other tattoo artists' work.  If you have had your eyebrows previously tattooed, we request that you email us clear photos of your brows for approval BEFORE your appointment booking for a BROW TATTOO CORRECTION. In addition to the photos in your email, please include the date of your last brow tattoo, how many sessions you received, and the business name and artist name who performed your service.

GRATUITY
We do not accept gratuities on credit cards, we only accept them through apps like Venmo, Cashapp, PayPal, and cash. They are not necessary but welcomed :)  The greatest compliment is the referral of your friends and family!

IMPORTANT FOR ALL CLIENTS: 
Microblading and all permanent cosmetics are considered a multiple-step appointment process. Healed results will vary with each individual client. NO guarantees will be made. Additional sessions (at an additional charge) may be required to obtain optimal desired results. Although we give our best efforts to provide you with quality service, many factors can result in a less desired outcome as each client will heal differently. In order for your new brows to heal properly (and look the best) please follow all Pre & Post Care Instructions! These instructions are designed to limit bleeding and skin sensitivities during the service. Excessive bleeding during the procedure can dilute and expel the pigment color and lead to poor results. 

​

RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE:

It's never our desire to, be we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone at our discretion.

 

​

​

 

PRE & POST CARE

 

​

EYEBROWS 

We reserve the right to deny service to anyone at our discretion. If you have (or had) any of the following contraindicative conditions below, please contact us before scheduling to ensure you are a candidate. Diagnosed conditions that are waived may be required to bring a doctor’s note stating their approval.

• Upcoming vacations

• Pregnant or nursing

• Diabetic

• Viral infections and/or diseases

• Epilepsy

• Pacemaker or heart conditions

• Had an Organ transplant

• A tendency towards keloids or scarring

• Seborrheic dermatitis

• Skin irritations or psoriasis near the treated area (rashes, sunburn, acne, etc.)

• Sick (cold, flu, etc.)

• Had Botox in the past 2 months

• Used Accutane in the past year

• Taken Doxycycline in the past 6 months

• Allergies to anesthetic (lidocaine) or epinephrine

• Extremely oily or problematic skin

• Cancer or chemotherapy

• Auto-immune diseases

​

In order for your new brows to heal properly (and look their best) these Pre & Post Care Instructions found below are of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE! Pre-Care instructions are designed to limit bleeding and skin sensitivities during the service. Excessing bleeding during the procedure will dilute the pigment color and lead to poor results! 

Attention Please: We strongly advise prospective new clients to book their appointments at least 3-4 months in advance of Vacations, Weddings, and Special Occasions. This allows adequate time for healing of both your Initial Appointment as well as a Complimentary Retouch and Enhancement Session 6-12 weeks after your initial visit. Dream brows cannot be achieved in just one session, this is a multiple-step process! Some clients may require more than two sessions to achieve their desired density and shape. 

EYEBROWS PRE-CARE

• Do not work out 48 hours before the procedure.

• NO alcohol or caffeine 48 hours before procedure (Yes, there is caffeine in decaf coffee and tea!).

• Avoid sun and tanning on your face two weeks prior to the procedure.

• Do not take Aspirin, Niacin, Vitamin E or Advil/Ibuprofen 48 hours before the procedure.

• Avoid Fish Oil, Prenatal Vitamins, Nutritional Shakes (Shakeology, etc), "Hair, Skin, Nail" supplements two weeks prior to the procedure.

• Discontinue Retin-A, Chemical and Laser Peels, Microdermabrasions, Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), and any chemical exfoliant or "brightening" skincare at least 6 weeks prior (Once your brows have fully healed, you must cover your brow tattoo with VASELINE prior to the use of these products on forehead area to prevent premature fading).

• Botox and filler on the forehead, temple, and eye area should be avoided 2 months prior to the procedure for those who do not regularly receive injectables.

• No brow waxing, tinting, or threading one week prior (the more natural hair growth you have, the better!

• Please Note: You will be more sensitive during your menstrual cycle.

EYEBROWS POST-CARE

* 24 HOURS AFTER PROCEDURE: Blot brows with tissue to absorb lymphatic fluid that is excreting from the tattoo.

1. With clean hands, gently wash the eyebrow area using a fragrance-free gel cleanser and water.

2. Allow eyebrows to completely dry before applying ointment (pat dry with a paper towel or air dry).

3. Once brows have fully dried, apply a thin layer of Aquaphor with clean fingertips (rice size amount on each brow).

• Repeat above steps 2x per day for 10 days after service.

• DO NOT rub, pick or scratch the treated area. Let any scabbing or dry skin naturally exfoliate off. Picking will cause scarring and pigment loss!

• Avoid direct sun exposure and tanning beds for a minimum of 4 weeks after your procedure. Direct sunlight can cause the pigment to change color while it is healing and can also cause hyperpigmentation and scarring.

• NO underwater swimming and bathing for 4 weeks to avoid bacterial infection.

• Avoid pool, sauna, steam rooms, steamy showers, and hot baths for 10 days.

• Avoid sweating on your face for 10 days. Sweating through or on the brows will expel pigment from the dermis producing poor "patchy results.

• Avoid sleeping on your brow area for the first 10 days.

• Keep your bangs and hair pulled back from your face for the first 10 days.

• NO makeup or skincare products to be used on the brow area for 10 days.

​

Protect your investment after you’ve healed!        

• Exposure to the sun and tanning beds will cause premature fading and discoloration of the pigment.

• Apply a physical sunscreen daily on brow area once completely healed (10 days). 

• For further sun protection wear hats, sunglasses, and stay in the shade!

• Maintain removal of unwanted brow hair outside of your tattooed brow design by tweezing, threading, waxing, or razoring.

• Lasers will alter the color of the pigment. 20% of zinc oxide must be covering your brow tattoo prior to any laser services.

• Yearly touchups are recommended to maintain your results.

• Certain skin care products and services will cause premature fading of your brow tattoo and may also alter the pigment color. Please apply a barrier layer of Vaseline over your brow tattoo before the use of any of the following: glycolic acid, salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, hydroquinone, retinol/Retin-A, vitamin c, peels, microdermabrasion, Obagi, or anything that brightens or treats hyperpigmentation.

• Frequent chlorine swimmers, please apply a barrier layer of Vaseline over your tattoo prior to swimming, to prevent premature fading.

​

The above Pre and Post-Care for brows will affect how quickly or slowly you heal. Mature age, poor diet, stress, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, age, general health, sleep/fatigue. The more fatigued you are the lower your immune system is and infection is more likely to occur. Please get plenty of rest and drink lots of water to hydrate prior to your procedure!

*** We have a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for those who fail to follow our Pre and Post Care Instructions. Failing to follow the above instructions will result in your artist denying your service and possible future services. There are no implied or written guarantees, especially if you do not follow instructions!

 

​