Microblading is a modern cosmetic technique used to enhance and shape eyebrows. It's a form of semi-permanent makeup that creates the illusion of fuller, more defined eyebrows. During the process, a trained specialist, known as a microblading artist, uses a fine, handheld tool with small needles to create tiny, hair-like strokes on the surface of the skin. These strokes are then filled with pigment to mimic the appearance of natural eyebrow hairs.

The goal of microblading is to create natural-looking eyebrows that suit the individual's facial features and desired style. It's an excellent option for people who have thin, sparse, or uneven eyebrows, as it can dramatically improve the overall shape and fullness of the brows. The procedure typically lasts around one to three years, depending on the person's skin type and aftercare.

Microblading has gained significant popularity due to its ability to provide semi-permanent, low-maintenance results, allowing individuals to wake up with beautiful eyebrows every day. However, it's essential to choose a skilled and experienced microblading artist to achieve the best and most natural-looking results.

Refreshers are recommended every 1-2 years to maintain your tattoo.

Microblading typically lasts between 1 to 3 years, depending on factors such as skin type, lifestyle, and aftercare. Annual refreshers may be needed annually to maintain the desired shape and color. It is recommended to get them refreshed every 1-2 years.

The initial microblading session usually takes about 2 to 3 hours but you can expect to be in the studio for up to 4 hours at this time, including consultation and numbing time. Touch-up appointments may take less time, typically around 1 to 2 hours, at most 3.

Microblading is best suited for individuals who desire improved eyebrow aesthetics. Ideal candidates often include those with thin or irregularly shaped eyebrows, individuals who have experienced eyebrow loss due to medical conditions, and those looking to simplify their daily makeup routine.

Unfortunately, not everyone is a suitable candidate for microblading. Individuals who are pregnant or nursing, have been on Accutane within the last 12 months, have skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis in the brow area, have a history of keloid scarring, or are prone to excessive bleeding may not be good candidates for the procedure. It's essential to consult with a qualified microblading technician to determine if the procedure is suitable for you and to consult with your doctor as well.

For further information on candidacy please click here.

Microblading typically involves some discomfort. Before the procedure begins, you will be numbed with a topical anesthetic, however you will still experience some pain. While many people report feeling only slight pressure or a scratching sensation during the process, others may experience mild to moderate discomfort. Overall, microblading is generally considered tolerable, and most individuals find the results well worth any temporary discomfort experienced during the procedure.

There is minimal downtime after microblading. Some redness and mild swelling may occur immediately after the procedure, but this usually subsides within a few hours to a couple of days. It's important to follow aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing.

Microblading does not cause any permanent damage to the skin if the procedure is done properly. Microblading is the process of implanting pigment into the first two layers of the skin and the procedure does not require reaching a depth that should cause scarring. To minimize the risk of skin damage you must carefully follow all pre- and post-procedure instructions provided by the microblading artist to prevent any infection.

Yes and no. The touchup is meant to be done after your initial tattoo has settled. In most cases, the tattoo will look better and last longer with the touch up appointment.

The touch-up is typically scheduled 6-8 weeks after your first appointment but can be scheduled at a later date if you cannot make it within the 6-8 week timeframe (I suggest inside of 12 weeks for most ideal results). The touch-up appointment is considered a perfecting and colour-adding session.

In some cases, the tattoo heals perfectly to the client’s satisfaction, and in this case, a touch up is not suggested. If you feel that a touch-up is not necessary, you may cancel your touch-up appointment. Please give as much notice as possible, and feel free to send a photo of your healed brows for feedback or a second opinion.

Meanwhile microblading is best suited for normal/dry skin types, many people with oily skin have gotten microblading done, and the results do vary depending on the person and how they heal. While some clients heal great, some can find the healed result to be powdery and not as crisp. If you have oilier skin, using blotting papers around your brow area may not be a bad idea to reduce the amount of oil being soaked up by your brows. All in all the overall consensus is that even if clients have oilier skin they're still happy they did the microblading over having done nothing at all.

The pigment is deposited superficially into the upper layers of the skin, primarily targeting the epidermis. Therefore, it should not interfere with or damage existing eyebrow hair follicles.

However, it's essential to note that during the microblading process, some existing eyebrow hair may be trimmed or removed to achieve the desired shape or symmetry. Additionally, after the procedure, regular maintenance, including trimming and grooming of existing eyebrow hair, may be necessary to ensure a cohesive and natural-looking result.

Lastly, depending on what your desired brow style looks like, hairs that you didn’t include in your brow shape before, may be included in your brow shape now which overall could mean less maintenance and more hair growth.

Microblading involves manually creating individual hair-like strokes in the skin using a handheld tool, resulting in a more natural-looking brow. Traditional eyebrow tattooing uses a machine to implant pigment deeper into the skin, resulting in a more solid, filled-in appearance.

It's generally recommended to avoid wearing makeup on or around the eyebrows for at least the first week after microblading to allow the skin to heal properly. Makeup products, especially those containing oils and heavy pigments, can interfere with the healing process and may increase the risk of infection or pigment loss. Once the skin has fully healed, you can resume wearing makeup as usual, but be gentle when removing makeup from the treated area to avoid disrupting the pigment.

It's best to avoid strenuous exercise and activities that cause excessive sweating for the first week after microblading to prevent sweat from getting into the treated area and causing irritation or infection. Prolonged exposure to sweat can also cause the pigment to fade more quickly. After the initial healing period, you can gradually resume your normal exercise routine, but be sure to keep the treated area clean and dry, and avoid rubbing or scratching the eyebrows.

After just one session, the tattoo is likely to visibly fade away completely. With multiple sessions, pigment will build and it is less likely to have a completely faded eyebrow tattoo without tattoo removal.

If you are a new client to Arch Rivals, please send a photo of your eyebrow tattoo to get approval prior to securing an appointment. I will confirm with you that your tattoo can be worked with or will provide advice for achieving the best results if it’s not.

Studio Kiku is a laser tattoo removal studio in Vancouver that I would recommend to remove or lighten unwanted eyebrow tattoos so that you can proceed with a cleaner slate to have the most natural results with microblading. If you don’t like how it looks currently, chances are trying to microblade over it won’t help. Sometimes things are better off left alone unless you’re willing to get the work removed or wait long enough for it to lighten enough to be worked on.