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All About Microshading

If you’re amazed by how often you’re running into friends who look fantastic, who then confess that it is their new eyebrows that are making all the difference, you’re not alone. After emerging as a trend from an upscale Vancouver salon a couple of years ago, microshading is quickly going mainstream. It was only a year or so ago that this semi-permanent eyebrow treatment would cost you up to $1,200 at one of the few high-end salons that offered it. We’re glad those days are gone. You can now find highly-trained specialists across the country, including here at Skin MB MedSpa in Nashville.

Microshading goes by many names, including eyebrow tattooing, eyebrow embroidery, 3-D eyebrows, and eyebrow feathering. But, they are all the same thing.

The Whole Story

If you’ve got thin or light-colored brows, we think this could be a great option for you. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know before scheduling your consultation.

The first session takes a couple of hours. During that time, you’ll work with your designer to choose the eyebrow shape that is perfect for your face. It’ll be penciled in so you can get an idea of what the final results will look like. Then, a numbing cream is applied and you’re ready to get started. Pigment is added to your skin with many tiny cuts. One session could include more than 100 cuts. But, they don’t go deep, and the amount of pain is minimal. Unlike actual tattoos, which use a motorized tool, microshading is done with a handheld pen-like tool. And, unlike tattoos, which use ink, a special pigment is used on your eyebrows. It is the special pigment that allows for the fine-lines that look like natural brows.

But, you’re not done. You’ll probably need a second session in about six weeks. Once you’ve healed from your first session, your new brows may have lightened quite a bit. A second session is required to get a lasting look. Whatever you do, don’t panic between your first and second sessions. Your pigment may fade; it may seem to disappear almost entirely; in some cases, it will even change color. All of those things will be addressed in your second session. It is all normal, and it can all be fixed.

The final results last about three years, but you’ll need a couple of touchups during that time. We like that, because you can make adjustments as you go. If narrower eyebrows are becoming more stylish, you can begin planning for that during your touch ups, and by the time you are ready for your next full treatment, it’ll be easy to get perfect brows that are right on trend.

Aftercare is Essential

Make sure you are willing and able to make a commitment to aftercare. If you aren’t, then you shouldn’t undergo the treatment. You won’t be able to wear makeup for a while because it can cause infections. And, you have to keep the area ultra-moisturized. Ideally, you’ll need to keep a moisture-barrier on your brows with something like Vaseline or coconut oil. You’ll also need to keep your brows as dry as possible for seven days. That’s going to make showering and washing your hair a bit complicated. But, if you don’t follow instructions, you could end up with patchy, uneven-looking brows. You definitely don’t want that.

Choose Carefully

The last step to making sure you are thrilled with your new brows is to choose your technician carefully. Meet in person. Make sure you like her personal style. Ask to see a portfolio of before-and-afters. And, make sure to see before-and-after photos that show how brows look a few months after treatment.

That’s it. Now that you’ve got the information you need, if you think microshading is for you, come in and see us at our Nashville MedSpa. Let’s talk about getting you your perfect brows.