Having pigments semi-permanently etched into your eyebrows might seem scary.
But the process – known as microblading – is hugely popular, especially for those with patchy or overplucked brows. We spoke to master microblading artist Sulema Trevino, of Sulema salon in Boca Raton, to learn all about the treatment, cost, upkeep and more.
The Consult
Booking a consultation is the first step, which starts with an allergy test to ensure you won’t react badly to the pigments. Trevino will also draw eyebrow sketches on your face. “I’ll do one side a little more arched and one side a little more natural and then allow the client to choose which one they like better,” she says. “You always want to customize it to the style of the person and not give everyone the same eyebrow.”
The Blueprint
Next, Trevino will create a blueprint of your chosen brow shape on your face with a surgical marker or a white wax pen. Then she’ll numb your skin.
The Process
Trevino will use a microblade (a pen-like tool with tiny needles) to deposit pigment in the uppermost layer of skin, the epidermis, creating strokes that fill in and shape the brows per the blueprint. “I’ll follow the client’s hair pattern so that it simulates existing hair or the missing hair within the shape we selected,” she says.
The Result
Your brows will be swollen for a few hours and may flake for two days, Trevino says. Within four days, the pigment fades to the desired color and the final form begins to appear. “You look good the day that it’s done,” she says, “but it’s not healed for four to seven days.”
The Cost
“The prices are anywhere from $350 to $1,000, depending on the experience of the microblader,” Trevino says, adding that coverups and corrections cost more.
The Upkeep
Microblading is semi-permanent, so the pigment lasts about a year. If you spend a lot of time outdoors or use skincare products like Retin-A or alpha-hydroxy acids, it may fade faster. O