Frequently Asked Questions

MICROBLADING IS CONSIDERED A FORM OF PERMANENT MAKEUP. YET IT ONLY LASTS 1-2 YEARS VERSES TRADITIONAL TATTOO THAT LASTS FOREVER!! PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT BROW TRENDS ARE ALWAYS CHANGING. WITH MICROBLADING, A STERILE HAND HELD MICROBLADE PEN IS USED TO CREATE INDIVIDUAL HAIR LIKE STROKES WHILE DEPOSITING PIGMENT INTO THE SKIN. THIS ALLOWS THE ABILITY TO CREATE A NATURAL 3-D BROW EFFECT. A TOPICAL LIDOCAINE BASED NUMBING CREAM AND NUMBING GEL IS USED FOR COMFORT. THE COLOR IS THEN MATCHED TO EACH CLIENTS NATURAL BROW'S HAIR COLOR AND SKIN TONE TO ADD LIFE LIKE DETAIL. 

What is Microblading?

Microblading is a semi-permanent brow tattoo using a handheld tool, which creates very natural hairlike strokes. Microblading is perfect for those who want the most natural look, or for those who want to define their brows and fill in some gaps. This is best for clients who have normal/dry skin with fine and relatively evenly dispersed hair. If you get keloid scarring, this treatment will NOT be suitable for you.

What is Shaded Brows?

Shaded Brows is not microblading. It is a semi-permanent eyebrow tattoo using a digital machine, giving you that "filled in" look. Full shaded brows can range from a soft powdery look to a more dense and bold “Instagram brow” look. Shading is better suited for those who have oilier skin or who like the look of brow makeup, but don't want to fill them in every day.

WHAT ARE COMBO BROWS?

Comb brows is the love child of microblading and powder ombre shading. The combo brow procedure is different from blade and shade, as it is a full shaded brow (using a machine) with microbladed hair strokes only at the front part of the brow. Combo brows suit clients who prefer the filled in makeup look (“Instagram brows”), who have dense and uneven eyebrows, and who still want the natural look of some hairlike strokes at the front of their brows. This works for clients who don’t have an oily t-zone as microblading strokes can heal less crisp on oilier skin.

How do I prepare before my appointment?

You will receive a series of reminders from us leading up to your appointment, including reminder emails, texts and a phone-call. We want to make sure you are fully-aware of your appointment time, location, directions and more. There are a couple of things to note in advance of your appointment:

Any treatments to your face, such as botox injections, fillers or micro-needling facials, should take place at least two weeks before or two weeks after your permanent makeup appointment. We want to make sure your skin is healthy enough for a procedure so please plan accordingly.

You will need to cease any use of hair growth serums in the area you are having your procedure done (either eyebrows or eyeliner) at least six months prior to your appointment. The reason for this is that hair growth serums encourage blood to rush to the surface of your skin to stimulate hair follicles. While this is great for hair growth, it may compromise your permanent makeup results due to excessive bleeding during your procedure. You may resume use of your hair growth serums once your brows or eyeliner have healed.

Try to avoid caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment. The reason for this is that caffeine and alcohol are blood thinners. During your permanent makeup appointment, your artist will use needles to make a series of small incisions in your skin and any excess blood could compromise the healed eyebrows/eyeliner.

As well as caffeine and alcohol, please avoid any medication that includes blood thinners (such as Aspirin) for 24 hours prior to your appointment. If you need to take painkillers, we recommend consulting with your doctor on an alternative that will not thin your blood. Lots of our customers use Advil or Tylenol as an alternative to Aspirin.

We ask that you arrive 5-10 minutes before your appointment time, so please take this into consideration for your travel plans. We encourage you to check Google Maps and input your location and desired arrival time to see what time you will need to leave your home based on live traffic updates. We want to make sure you have plenty of time when you arrive for proficient numbing.

Who is NOT suitable for this procedure?

Microblading is a safe procedure that is suitable for most people, however, there are some conditions that exclude clients from being candidates. Those with overall poor health, Pregnancy, breastfeeding, history of keloid scarring, Cancer, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Autoimmune disorders, Viral infections, Chemotherapy within 1 year of procedure (must be cleared by a physician), Hypertension, organ transplant recipient, bleeding or clotting disorders, those taking blood-thinning medication, have taken Accutane within 1 year, Retinols/Retinoid use must be stopped 1 week prior, recent injections fillers or Botox must be at least a month prior to procedure, current sunburns, or anyone with previous brow work that is not significantly faded.

Are there any other reasons why I may not be a candidate?

You must be 18+ years of age to receive service at Willow Tree Body and Skin Care.  Any client who has had previous brow work by another artist (no matter how long ago) must inquire and submit current photos of previous work via email at wtbscreception@gmail.com before making an appointment. Individuals with diabetes or healing conditions are not candidates of this procedure. However, I have done microblading on several diabetics. So if anything you may schedule a consultation to see if you are a possible candidate. Uncontrolled and high blood sugar levels also contribute to poor healing and are not ideal candidates. Individuals who are on chemotherapy will not be candidate due to extreme high risk of infection to these clients who are immune compromised.  

Can I get microblading done over an existing brow tattoo?

The original tattoo must be significantly faded (about 85% or more) to allow the hair strokes from the microblading to appear more natural and crisp. If your brows are not substantially faded, the risk of your new microbladed brow strokes will fade into the previous color and give you the appearance of a solid brow appearance. We ask that if you have had previous work on your brows to please send us an email inquiry along with a close-up photo of your brows.

Are there any possible side effects?

There may be minor bleeding during the procedure. Slight bruising is rare, but possible. Tenderness is likely for a few days following the procedure. We ask you to follow our after-care plan in order to help deter the risk of infection after the procedure is completed. Risk of infection is always possible in any treatment when the skin is broken or penetrated. 

I’m interested- what happens when I make a booking?

Before booking for a permanent makeup session, you should schedule a consultation to determine the colour and shape of the permanent makeup you desire. Factors such as your makeup style, skin tone, hair colour, and desired outcome will be considered to determine the design of the permanent makeup that will be most flattering and suitable for you.

Does the procedure hurt?

Each individual will have a different level of discomfort associated with the procedure. Some say they only feel pressure being applied and others say it feels similar to tweezing. A topical anesthetic will be applied prior to the procedure to help ensure your comfort.

What is the recovery time?

Immediately your brows may appear pink/red and the pigmentation may seem darker than you may prefer. The healing process takes about 2 weeks and 4 weeks to be fully healed. There is no need to shy away from public events as your brows will appear natural pretty quickly.

How often can I get touch-ups?

You most likely won’t want or need a touch-up until at least 12 months after the initial procedure. It may be common that some fading or unevenness in pigmentation may occur after just your initial microblading session. To achieve the best results, Megan will always recommend that you have a touch-up session after 4-6 weeks to your initial session to really define your brows. It is not required, but recommended. Maintenance touch-ups should be delayed until significant fading has occurred in order to achieve the best microbladed look going forward. Often times, results may last 1-3 years. We do suggest a yearly touch-up for optimal results.

How long will the results last?

Microblading is a form of semi-permanent/permanent makeup technique, meaning it will not wash off, but will fade gradually with time and aging. Results differ for each client, however typical results tend to last on average from 1-3 years. Annual touch-ups may be necessary to refresh the pigment and define the hair strokes. Good AFTERCARE is important in the longevity of your microbladed brows!

Should I wax or tweeze before my appointment?

No, it is not necessary. Come as you are. The more brow hair to work with, the better! Once a shape is mapped and agreed upon, any remaining hair that falls outside of the design will be shaped accordingly.

Can I wear makeup to my appointment?

Only if you wish to. Keep in mind, your brow makeup will be removed before the mapping & design process begins.

Do I need shading?

Shading is often recommended for clients who have sparse or inconsistent brow hair growth that are looking for a fuller look. Shading is always recommended for clients with oily skin and/or large pores for best retention. Shading always adds a more “finished” appearance to any microbladed brow and the amount of shading can vary based on client expectations and desire.

How do you choose a color?

Each client is color matched by applying small amounts of pigment to the skin near your brow to match. Skin tone, facial features and personal preference are all taken into consideration during the color match process. Your brows may appear darker than anticipated at first, but will fade into the intended color as time progresses.

Do I get to choose my brow shape?

Clients are more than welcome to bring in inspiration photos of their ideal brow and even fill them in as you normally do to see for reference. Keep in mind, the perfect brow for YOU is going to be based on YOUR measured facial features and bone structure while your desired brow will be taken into consideration in the process. We will not begin the actual procedure until the client is in 100% agreement with the final mapped out design and pigment selection. Please note that Megan has the right to refuse service to any client with unreasonable or unrealistic requests and/or expectations.

What are your safety precautions?

Megan takes great pride in having a clean and sterile work space and studio. Only sterile, single-use, surgical-grade, stainless steel tools are used which are safely discarded in a Sharps needle container after each appointment. Sanitation of the work area occurs before and after each client with hospital grade formula and the use of sterile gauze, cotton swabs, gloves are used for protection. Gloves are worn at all times during the procedure with the microblading.

Can I bring my children to the appointment?

Permanent Makeup requires diligent focus and concentration. Although we absolutely love children, however the answer is NO. We ask that you come to the appointment with a commitment to perfection. In order to achieve this, we ask that you understand the sterility and precision that goes into designing your treatment area. Please be courteous and plan to attend your appointment without children. We hope you understand!

Do different skin types react differently to Microblading?

In short, yes. Healed results are unique to each client. Dry skin typically heals more crisp hair strokes, whereas excessively oily clients heal a softer and slightly blurry hair stroke. When clients are explained this, they often agree to the procedure knowing the outcomes do vary. This is why following the aftercare instructions is very important.