What is Microblading? Types, Costs, Recovery & More

For those seeking thicker and more lush arched brows, microblading may be the answer. This non-surgical procedure will make you look younger and give you the look of fuller eyebrows without the bother of having to fill them in daily using makeup. While not inexpensive, microblading may just end up giving you the breathtaking brows you've always dreamed of having.

What is Microblading?

Microblading is a minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure which uses semi-permanent makeup to create a fuller eyebrow look.¹ Microblading treatments should only be done by qualified and/or licensed professionals, such as:

• Estheticians
• Cosmetologists
• Tattoo artists
• Physician's assistants
• Nurses
• Doctors

Microblading — also called eyebrow feathering, eyebrow embroidery or eyebrow microblading — has its origins in Asia. It's become more popular in our Western culture since about 2015, thanks to social media. While microblading can be done on any skin tone with any color brows, many first come to trying this cosmetic procedure if they have thin, light-colored or sparse eyebrows.²

How Does Microblading Work?

Generally speaking, microblading treatments are performed by a qualified professional using a hand-held tool containing tiny needles that deposit micro-pigments into the top layer of your skin, much like a tattoo. The practitioner uses the tool to manually draw hair-like strokes that mimic real hairs in your brows. As a result, you end up with realistic-looking and fuller eyebrows.³

To prevent any pain during the procedure, the practitioner will apply a numbing agent or numbing cream to your eyebrow area prior to microblading. Most patients only feel mild discomfort as the esthetician creates their new brows.⁴

However, there are different types of microblading techniques to know about and research before you find your eyebrow technician and book your first appointment.

Types of Microblading

Here's the scoop on various types of microblading and how each, specifically, works.

Traditional microblading

The eyebrow area is cleaned and a needle is fitted at an angle of about 155 degrees into the microblading pen so that all needles are entering into the skin at the same time at 90-degree angle. Your skin will be stretched into opposite directions. The pen will be dipped into the pigment after every stroke. After the microblading is complete, pigment will be stretched across the brow for about 5 minutes since some areas lose the pigment due to bleeding. Then your brows will be wiped with saline and an antibiotic ointment. Someone with normal to dry skin will have longer-lasting benefits with this technique. Microblading usually lasts one year to 18 months on average for most customers.²

Microshading

This microblading technique is good for someone with oily skin and/or sensitive skin. The microshading artist creates dots on the brow areas instead of hair strokes like they do in microblading which helps the pigment set better on this type of skin. These results tend to last about two years.⁵

Combination brows

This microblading technique is when microshading and microblading are used together. The final result is a more defined and denser eyebrow.⁴ These results often last between two and four years.⁵

Ombre shading

This microblading style is a semipermanent tattoo that results in a powdered brow look by using fine dots. Some people might get microblading on the front of their brow and ombre on the tail end.⁶

Nanoblading

This is also called 3D brows or 3D nano brows because the hair strokes are so thin they are indistinguishable from natural hairs. This technique is best for someone with oily skin and results in a crisper finish.⁷

How Long Does Microblading Last?

After going through a microblading cosmetic procedure, you're going to want to take steps to make the results last as long as possible. Microblading is considered a semi-permanent cosmetic procedure because most microblading treatments last, on average, 18 months, but some techniques — like those mentioned above — have longer-lasting results. The ink may also fade faster depending on skin type. Those with oily skin may have their treatment fade faster than those with dry skin.⁸

Typically, two microblading sessions are needed to achieve the desired results, spaced four to six weeks apart. Some people also go back to their eyebrow artist for touch-ups a month or so later if areas lost color due to scabs.²

Expect the first microblading session to last two to three hours and the second to last around an hour. Initial sessions are longer because the practitioner determines the correct shape, color, thickness, and look of your brows during the appointment. The follow-up appointment is to correct any errors, fill in any sparse areas and refine the look.⁹

Microblading Recovery

It's recommended to follow your technician's after-care advice as well as not touching the brows for the first 48 hours. You'll also want to avoid direct exposure to the sun and use a hat whenever possible — or large-framed sunglasses that cover the brows — to minimize sun damage that could lead to fading. Avoid retinol products a month before getting microblading done and for at least one month after. You should also skip any makeup applied to the brow area for about 10 days so you don't damage the perfect brow look you're going for.^2,9,10

After each microblading appointment, you'll need to keep your newly drawn brows dry for one week.⁴ That means no sweat-inducing workouts, getting your face wet in the shower, washing your face or getting spa facials for seven days. Instead, you can clean your face with things like micellar water and cotton rounds.⁹

During the healing process, you'll also need to apply antibiotic ointment to the brow area for the first 24 hours after the procedure and then petroleum jelly for the remainder of the week. Most importantly, don't scratch at the area which may become slightly itchy as it scabs over and heals because this can lead to scarring, damage to the pigments and skin infections.⁵

Microblading Risks

As with any form of cosmetic tattooing, there are some risks associated with microblading since you're permeating the skin and dyeing it with ink. Risks vary from an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink, to infection if the needles aren't sterilized, to nodules and scar tissue that can form around the microbladed brows.^{1, 2}

Find a reputable microblading tattoo artist by asking friends for referrals, conducting research online, reading reviews and confirming that the person is a licensed and certified microblading artist who received formal training.

How Much Does Microblading Cost?

Microblading isn't cheap, especially when done by an experienced practitioner. The average cost of microblading can range from about $175 to over $1,000 for higher-end services, with some practices charging upwards of $2,000 per appointment.¹¹

Some average costs for microblading in major metropolitan areas around the country are listed below:

• Chicago, IL: $640
• New York City, NY: $800
• Houston, TX: $570
• Miami, FL: $720
• Olympia, WA: $530
• Los Angeles, CA: $675
• Phoenix, AZ: $500¹¹

There are a variety of factors which can influence the price for a microblading procedure. Common reasons why microblading costs can vary so much are listed below:

• The salon or med spa's location. Large cities on either coast, like Los Angeles or New York, may charge more for the procedure.
• The experience level and skill of the practitioner. More experienced estheticians or doctors will typically charge higher prices than newly certified ones.
• The quality of the equipment used. Some salons or med spas will use high-end equipment that's usually safer and produces more realistic-looking results. Those with less-advanced equipment may charge lower prices.
• The reputation of the artist. Some artists are known for their high-quality work. They may also have special certifications to justify charging a higher fee.
• The amount of work needed. Those with very thin or sparse brows will need more detailed work than someone with thicker brows.¹²

Microblading and Insurance

Most health insurance plans typically will not cover microblading because it is considered a cosmetic procedure similar to facial fillers including Cosmetic Botox®. Health insurance generally only covers reconstructive medical procedures.¹²

Most covered procedures are considered medical necessities. However, microblading is not considered medically necessary because it simply enhances your appearance like a facelift.¹²

CareCredit Financing for Microblading

You can use CareCredit to pay for your microblading appointments. Remember, the CareCredit credit card is an easy way to pay for microblading and additional cosmetic procedures like facial fillers and other spa treatments to help you look and feel your best.* Use our online Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a salon, day spa, med spa, or cosmetic provider near you that accepts CareCredit.

Author Bio

Diana Kelly Levey is a freelance journalist, content marketing writer and author with more than 15 years of experience covering health and wellness.