Northwest Face & Body

Microblading Bellevue & Kirkland

Everyone’s eyebrows are different. Brow arches, thickness, and overall shape all vary based on genetics, medical conditions, and physical factors. If you have sparse brows or just want to enhance the look and thickness of your brows without having to touch up your makeup every few hours, microblading offers a great solution. A form of permanent makeup, microblading is a way to keep your brows looking their best all the time. Northwest Face & Body offers the best microblading Bellevue and Kirkland provide.

Overview: Microblading

Microblading is a brow enhancement procedure that involves applying a realistic hair-like tattoo to look like eyebrow hair. The ink differs from traditional tattoo ink due to the sensitivity of the area and is considered semi-permanent. Like a tattoo, the results of microblading are customized to match your hair color, skin tone, and the results you want.

A microblading procedure can help enhance the brow arch, create fuller looking brows, and reduce the amount of makeup you use. Your microblading artist will discuss your goals and perform brow mapping using the golden ratio.

History Of Permanent Makeup

The history of permanent makeup starts with the history of tattoos. Creating incisions and adding pigment goes back hundreds of years. Though, nothing caught on or became widely viable until the advent and popularity of tattoos. Originally popular among sailors, tattoos began as a way to decorate and modify the body. The first use of tattoos for permanent makeup occurred in 1902. At this time, a renowned tattoo artist tattooed round, pink blush on the cheeks.

Tattoos also started to be used to cover up scarring and skin conditions such as vitiligo, which still occurs today. Asia is thought to have pioneered microblading specifically in the last three decades. Permanent makeup, particularly for the brows began to gain popularity in the 2010s in the United States.

Though permanent and semi-permanent makeup has only recently gained popularity, forms of permanent makeup have existed since the early 20th century. They were either not available to the general public, expensive, or experimental at times. Some salons even performed permanent makeup procedures without telling their clients. Thankfully, these days are behind us and only professional tattoo artists and microblading artists perform permanent makeup on consenting individuals.

Benefits Of Microblading

Microblading comes with many benefits and advantages for people wanting to enhance their brows. Some of the benefits of microblading include:

  • Alter or perfect the shape of your brows
  • Fill in sparse areas
  • Create realistic looking eyebrows for those with little to no brow hair
  • Shape procured based on your preferences and the golden ratio
  • Highlight the shape of your eyes
  • Quality color and pigmentation selection, no green eyebrows in 3 months
  • Natural appearance
  • Does not smudge once healed
  • Less need for makeup
  • Save time and money in the long term
  • Results that last longer than eyebrow tinting
  • Minimal to no pain
  • Little upkeep required
  • Few risks, similar to traditional tattoos
  • Ink is vegan and cruelty free
  • Lift emotional expression
  • Can exercise and play sports
  • Semi-permanent results which allows you to change up the shape and look as the trends change every few years
  • Performed by a certified tattoo artist and trained microblading artist

Microblading has several more benefits that individuals may experience based on their lifestyle. With top brow artistry techniques, your artist may be able to help cover scars or gaps in the eyebrows. Additionally, due to past decade’s brow trends, some people have permanent damage due to overplucked eyebrows. Microblading can help correct or disguise this long term.

Types Of Microblading

Microblading techniques can vary based on the client’s goals. Ultimately, the main difference between the techniques is the type of strokes used and the way the ink is applied to the skin. At Northwest Face & Body, our microblading artist offers three types of microblading: traditional microblading, powder brows, and combo brows.

Traditional Microblading

As discussed, microblading uses short, thin strokes to create a natural looking brow enhancement. It can help fill out the shape of your brows as well as any sparse areas with hair-like strokes. This is the traditional method and the most popular form of microblading currently.

Powder Brows

Instead of using strokes to fill in the brows, the powder brow method uses small dots to shade in the brows. This creates a powdered look that could be achieved using makeup. Though, it still often looks fairly natural and can help effectively fill in the brows and enhance the overall look.

Combo Brows

Combo brows—as the name suggests—use a combination of hair strokes and shading. This is ideal for patients who want a natural, but also more dramatic look. Combination brows are gaining popularity and are great for those with extremely sparse brows. This technique is the most advanced brow artistry technique available with microblading.

Microblading vs. Powder Brows

Powder brows—sometimes also called microshading—is another form of semi-permanent way to provide enhancement to the arch and boost density. When initially deciding on the right option and provider for you, knowing the differences between these two procedures ensures you undergo the treatment right for you and get your desired results. The table below details some of the differences between these two micro brow treatments.

Microblading

  • Uses hair-like strokes
  • Better for addressing shape or lack of brows
  • Looks like brow pencil or natural hair
  • Creates a more natural look for many patients

Microshading

  • Uses small pin-dots
  • Better for addressing overall thinning
  • Looks like eyebrow powder
  • Ideal for more sensitive skin
  • Looks somewhat natural, but not as consistently

Microblading and microshading are both types of tattooing and permanent makeup. They simply use different shapes and slightly different techniques to create a customized look. Patients have varied needs and therefore sometimes your artist may need to change the technique for the best results.

Before & After Microblading

Consultation

Before undergoing microblading in Bellevue at Northwest Face & Body, you will meet with our microblading artist for a consultation. At this appointment, they will ask you about the shape you want. As well as anything you want to address concerning your current brows. From there, they may also ask about aspects of your medical history and lifestyle. Certain medications, conditions, or procedures can affect candidacy for microblading.

If your microblading artist believes that you are a good candidate and that microblading will provide the results you want. You will then discuss shape, color, and the deeper specifics of your Bellevue microblading results.

Procedure

Your treatment appointment will last around two or two and a half hours. After cleansing and disinfecting your brows, your microblading artist will apply numbing cream. This will sit for about ten to twenty minutes. After you are numb, your artist will perform brow mapping to mark your natural features and identify the golden ratio. This allows your artist to best shape and shade your brows based on your natural anatomy.

They will then begin tattooing the brows. You should feel little to no pain during the entire process. Though you may feel some pressure from the creation of the hair strokes, it should not be painful. Using the brow map that they previously created, they can align your brows perfectly and provide the ideal brow shape. Brow mapping allows your artist to customize the alignment of the golden ratio based on your anatomy.

Once finished, you will get to look at the results for yourself. Your artist can then immediately touch up areas if necessary. However, touch-ups can also be done once your brows have fully healed. Before you leave, your microblading artist will provide aftercare instructions.

Aftercare

Microblading is not associated with any major downtime or recovery. However, during the treatment, the skin was damaged. Therefore, it needs to heal. Your results can be hindered or even ruined during this time if you are not careful. Most of the time, patients can return to most of their daily activities immediately.

Among the aftercare instructions that your microblading artist will provide may include:

  • Limit exercise and do not perform any strenuous exercise for about one week
  • Do allow the water to hit the brows and do not submerge them
  • Clean around the brow area
  • Avoid picking at the area
  • Do not apply makeup on or around the brows for a week
  • Keep your brows away from hot and/or wet environments such as saunas and pools

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Microblading Ruin Your Eyebrows?

No, not usually. Like with traditional tattoos, hair will continue to grow after the treatment. It may take some time immediately after the procedure, but it should not permanently ruin your natural eyebrows. While the risk is there, it is extremely minute.

Can You Remove Microbladed Brows?

Yes, laser tattoo removal can remove microbladed brows. However, microbladed brows last around two to three years. This means that they are typically easier to remove and will fade over time. Most people love their brows and do not want to remove them. However, if you underwent a botched treatment elsewhere or simply just want a more natural look, there are ways to speed up the fading of the ink.

Do You Still Have To Wax Or Pluck?

Usually yes, your natural brow hairs will continue to grow and will need to be cleaned up occasionally. However, it generally requires less maintenance overall than non-microbladed brows. Often, right after a microblading procedure, patients may experience some expedited and increased hair growth due to the healing response triggered by microblading.

How Long Does Microblading Last?

On average, microblading lasts between two to three years. However, depending on your biology and environmental factors it may last more or less time. Your microblading artist can perform touch-ups to maintain your results. This tends to happen every one to two years for most people. However, when compared to other brow enhancements, this is relatively infrequently.

Additionally, a common concern among patients and clients is that their brows will discolor with time. Many have seen what can happen when traditional tattoo ink or low quality pigment is used for microblading. At Northwest Face & Body, we use only medical grade pigments made with high quality vegan ingredients. We combine medical expertise with the gold standard of brow artistry to create your perfect brows.

What Are The Risks Of Microblading?

Microblading has similar risks to getting a tattoo. They are fairly minimal and unlikely to cause any long term complications or effects. If you have concerns, talk with your microblading artist during your consultation. Some of the risks of microblading include:

  • Infection
  • Scarring
  • Allergic reaction
  • Prolonged swelling
  • Formation of granulomas
  • Body rejection of the procedure and/or ink

The Best Microblading In Bellevue & Kirkland At Northwest Face & Body

Northwest Face & Body is a premier plastic surgery practice and medical spa. Providing the top cosmetic and beauty services, to the Bellevue, Kirkland, and Seattle areas. As a medical practice, we hold our beauty procedures such as microblading to a higher standard than in most salons. This is why Northwest Face & Body offers the best microblading Bellevue and Kirkland provide.

With a state-of-the-art facility on the shores of Lake Washington, Northwest Face & Body caters to patients from around the world. The facility also features on-site medical professionals who ensure the utmost safety. Microblading requires a skilled and trained professional like those at Northwest Face & Body. As certified tattoo artists and with years of experience, they are the best microblade artists in Bellevue and Kirkland.

To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 425-576-1700. You can also reach out online using Price Simulator, chat, and our contact form.