Ottawa Microblading
Ottawa Microblading – Complete Guide
By: Petra Hrziwnatzki – Microblading Technician and Medical Aesthetician, Concept Medical
What is Microblading?
Microblading is a form of permanent make-up, which has become very popular in Ottawa in the last few years, due to it’s very natural look and the fact that results can last years. At Concept Medical in Ottawa, each brow is customized to every client’s facial structure. It’s truly about creating the best shape for each face. Most people require a colour boost after a year, but there are some who retain their results for up to two years.
How to make sure your technician is the right one for you?
This is a very good question! I believe the first step is viewing and liking the style of work a technician is producing. These days there are so many different styles, most of the time an artist tends to create brows that resonate more with their own personal style. Questions to keep in mind when booking a consultation in Ottawa: Are they asking you about your needs? Are they providing you with in depth information? Where did they learn to microblade? How long was their course?
I took an extensive three-day training, in Ottawa. Even though I’ve been in the aesthetics field for over ten years, I knew that I was still not ready to start microblading. I proceeded to travel to the US, to take a very in depth seven-day training where I worked on numerous people and watched countless procedures.
Bottom line, I strongly support each client doing research before hand on whether their prospective artist fits in with the results they’re looking for.
Does microblading hurt?
I use a combination of topical freezing (numbing) creams that keeps every client very comfortable throughout the entire procedure. Many clients have even fallen asleep! Microblading is an incredibly precise process that uses a tool that has a sloped blade with 10-12 extremely thin needles at the end. The needles do not penetrate the skin deeply; instead each stroke is more like a small paper cut. However, given the numbing cream, patients feel virtually northing during their treatment.
What happens during a consultation?
I believe in involving our clients in every step of their visit and microblading consultations are no exception. Microblading is not for everyone, so a consultation is important to determine if the treatment is right and safe before moving forward. We’ll discuss your desired look and I will use a make-up pencil to draw the shape to give an idea of what the end resulted will be. We will spend as much time as required to get the shape perfect. This is a great time for you to ask any questions you may have and gain comfort with me as your artist. Our consultations take about 60 minutes.
What does microblading involve?
After we apply the numbing cream and ensure you’re comfortable I precisely measure and outline your brown shape. We have a look together to ensure it is the right shape for you and that we are meeting your expectations. I then apply careful strokes of pigment. Every delicate stroke implants pigment into the border between the epidermis and the dermis layer of the skin. This is only about 0.10mm in depth. In comparison, tattooed eyebrows are performed a 1.0mm depth. Treatment takes approximately two hours.
How long to wait to have Botox after microblading?
It’s safe to have Botox two weeks after having microblading, as well as two weeks before your appointment.
Why can’t I have caffeine before my appointment?
We ask that you do not have caffeine prior to your appointment. Caffeine increases blood pressure, which is not optimal for microblading as it may promote the pigment flushing out. This will result in areas of the brows not retaining colour well. In addition, higher blood pressure may promote excessive bleeding, which can blur the strokes out instead of keeping them nice and crisp.
How long before I can use make-up on my brows?
After two weeks you will be able to wear make-up on your brows. It is important to keep the area free of any make-up or creams during the first two weeks, while the area heals, after your procedure.
Why is it important to wear sunscreen everyday on my brows after microblading has healed?
It’s very important to stay out of the sun, post-microblading, until the brows have fully healed. This is because the sun can cause damage to the healing area, including fading and even changes to the pigment colour. Once your brows have gone through the full two weeks healing period, then it will be mandatory to wear sunscreen every single day. This will continue protecting them from premature fading and colour change over time.
What steps do I need to take prior to my microblading appointment?
- Do not drink caffeine for 24 hours prior to your appointment.
- No alcohol for 24 hours prior to your appointment.
- Do not work out for 24 hours prior to your appointment.
- Stop using any products with AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) on the forehead for 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after treatment. Make sure to check your make-up, face wash and moisturizer for these ingredients.
- No chemical peels, Retin-A or Glycolics for 4 weeks prior to your appointment.
- Avoid sun exposure and sun beds for 1 week prior to your appointment.
- Avoid moisturizing your forehead for 48 hours prior to your appointment.
- Do not take Advil/Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Niacin or Vitamin E for 24 hours prior to your appointment.
- You must be off Accutane for a minimum of 1 year prior to your appointment.
- Avoid Latisse on brows for 3 weeks prior to your appointment.
- Avoid brow tinting 1 week prior to your appointment, Brow waxing/shaping (minimum 2 days prior)
- No power shakes, green powders, fish oils and hair, nail, skin supplements 24 hours prior to your appointment.
Microblading Aftercare
It is really important to spend some time on this subject. In today’s world of Instagram, where photos are edited and airbrushed, it can leave people with a lot of questions about the after the treatment process. Results are very dependant on your after care.
Day 1:
Expect your new brows to look a little bit darker and more dramatic than what the fully healed final result will be. It’s not unusual for the area to be slightly pink and a little tender. You may even notice a tiny amount of blood or serum (clear fluid). It’s good to dab the fluid with clean gauze that I provide in a take home kit. Dabbing the area every hour until bedtime is ideal, especially the first day, to keep your brows from creating a crusty layer. I also provide a gentle cleaner in the kit used to wash your brows. No rubbing or scrubbing. Once you’ve gently dabbed your brows dry, add a tiny amount of aftercare ointment (the size of a piece of rice) using a clean Q-tip.
Day 2:
Your brows will be darker and may even look thicker than they did the day before. It’s important to trust the process and know that this is completely normal as there is probably swelling in the brows. Depending on your skin, expect to wash your face and apply ointment 1-2 times per day. We will discuss what post treatment regiment is best for you during your appointment.
Day 3-4:
If you experienced any discomfort it should start to subside around the third to fourth day post treatment.
Day 5-7:
Even though you may start to feel a little itchy in the brow area, it’s very important not to scratch them. If you have any scabbing, (this should be pretty minimal with microblading) resist the urge to pick them because this can cause the pigment to come out with the scab. As well as cause scarring in the area that we want avoid completely. From personal experience, I had my brows done and removed a large scab, while I washing my face, and it pulled out the pigment that has resulted in a bald spot without any colour. At this point scabbing is normal since your body is trying to heal itself.
Day 7-20:
Any flaking that occurred post treatment should now be resolved as the top layer of skin is almost completely healed. Keep in mind the healing process is still happening under the skin. The colour in some areas may appear very light, grey or even completely missing in some spots. It’s very common for people to think that their skin didn’t take the pigment, but it’s important to note that this is very normal and all part of the process. The six-week mark will truly give you an idea of what your brows will look like long term.
We hope this guide has been helpful to further understand the microblading process in Ottawa! For more information about microblading in Ottawa, please contact us. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
