Microshading/ Ombre Brow Information

 WHAT ARE MICROSHADING/ OMBRE BROWS?

Microshading is another word for Ombre, they are the same just different names, but in the description below I will be refering to the procedure as Ombre to simplify the explanation.

Ombre brows is a cosmetic tattoo that creates a soft, filled in/ tinted brow look similar to makeup. They’re called Ombre because they go from dark to light which creates a natural look. The tails of the brow are darker and fade into a lighter color towards the beginning to the brow.

NOTE: Brows may appear darker after initial appointment but they will heal lighter.

The Ombre brow process is typically a 2-step process. The initial phase then the touch up phase (6 - 8 weeks apart).

MICROBLADING VS OMBRE?:

Microblading and Ombre are both forms of cosmetic tattooing. Instead of creating hair strokes eyebrow like Microblading, the Ombre technique is natural shading/gradient effect from the beginning of the brow to the end starting from light and fading to dark, giving your brows the sharp and clean yet natural look.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS LIKE?

After taking your before photo, I will draw the brow design in pencil so you get an idea of shape and form. I will shape your eyebrows then we will decide on the color. Shortly after that the outline and scratch pass is performed. The pain is very mild (most clients say 3/10) then a topical anesthetic will be applied to ensure comfort. Once you’re numb, the remainder of the tattoo process continues.

During healing, it's normal to experience some pigment loss; this is why we have the touch up in place.

DO YOU HAVE TO SHAVE YOUR EYEBROWS OFF BEFORE?

NO! Absolutely not. Your brows will be groomed prior to the tattooing stage and this is done to clean up your shape. NO brow waxing or threading 72 hours prior to appointment.

HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?

Up to 3 years, they’re waterproof and heal completely natural.

Within a week of your first treatment the color will fade lighter in shade and shrink in size. While some clients may heal beautifully without a touch up, most clients are required to come back for a second session. On rare occasions, a third appointment is needed to achieve complete look.

Healed results will vary with each individual client. No guarantees will be made. Additional sessions may be required to obtain optimal desired results. How the skin will react is different for everyone and many factors are to be taken into consideration.

HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED A TOUCHUP?

In order to keep your eyebrow tattoo results looking fresh, a touch up between 12 - 18 months is recommended. The color is implanted in the facial area there tends to be more fluid circulation than other parts of the body. They will fade over time and need to be touched up.

Although they’re semi-permanent, touch ups are needed because color is implanted in the facial area which tends to have more fluid circulation than other parts of the body. Your face is exposure to the sun, food, facial products—the list goes on and on. All of these things cause permanent color to fade overtime.

 

LIST OF CONTRAINDICATIONS (who can’t book)

Permanent makeup is NOT recommended for any clients who are:

  • Pregnant or nursing
  • History of Keloids or Hypertrophic scarring
  • Use Accutane, Retin, Acne Medicine (Refrain usage for 1 month)

If you use Accutane, you will need to wait one year after your Accutane treatment is completed. Accutane alters the skin and makes it thin, dry, and sensitive. It also weakens your immune system so you will have to wait until your skin is back to its normal state.

  • Diabetic (require doctor’s clearance)
  • Iron Deficient or Anemic:

Bleeding and bruising may occur during and after the procedure. It will reduce the pigment absorption as blood will push the ink and slow down the healing process. Retention can be very poor.

  • Chemotherapy (consult your doctor)
  • Use of blood thinners or have bleeding disorders:
The risk of developing an infection is higher in people with compromised immune system. Bleeding and bruising may occur during and after the procedure. It will reduce the pigment absorption as blood will push the ink.
  • Viral infections and/or diseases
  • Epilepsy: It is unsafe to undergo treatment in case of a seizure.
  • Pacemaker or major heart problems
  • Organ transplant
  • Skin irritations or Psoriasis near the treated area (rashes, sunburn, acne, etc.)
  • Sick (cold, flu, etc.)
  • Had Botox in the past 2 months
  • Heart conditions, Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure, Poor general health.
  • Any treatment, medication, or illness that compromises the immune system / healing would make you NOT a good candidate for micropigmentation procedures.
  • Those with Lupus

The risk of developing an infection is higher in people with compromised immune system. They may become overly sensitive, which will make the procedure impossible and the results poor. Medication can also affect results.

 

HOW LONG DO THEY TAKE TO HEAL & WHAT TO EXPECT:

Healing time varies from individual to individual. Just like a normal tattoo, the area will scab then heal properly. Usually, it takes about a week to 14 days for the epithelial crust to form and fall off. Your skin will be considered healed after that happens. Then, the pigment takes some time to settle into the skin. A good month should pass before I consider the process complete.

You will go through three healing phases: 1-heal, 2-peel and 3-fade.

  • Once the brow area starts to peel, it will appear flaky and unappealing. The area may feel a bit dry. Do not pick or pull at the treated area as it will result in pigment loss
  • Once all scabs have fully fallen off completely and naturally, healed results should appear 10-30% lighter in color and 10-15% smaller in size from the initial. 

It can take 30 + days to completely heal.

Please note - Time frame of the healing process vary per individual. How fast your skin heals will be slightly different for each person. It depends on many factors such as your age, overall health, skin type and if you follow the pre-care and aftercare instructions.

• Day 1 - 3: Brows will appear slightly thicker and darker than what you’ve expected. Sometimes may appear uneven because they may be swollen and some redness may still persist on some clients.

• 1 - 6 weeks. Your brows will dry, itch, crack, peel, and scab. Once they start flaking, some areas of the eyebrows will fade more than others and as the pigment oxidizes. It will start to darken up again over a 3-4 week period and may take up to 6 weeks for the true color to come through.

Don’t be alarmed if the color seems to disappear during the healing process, this is due to layers of skin forming and is only temporary. We have no control over our body healing process, so please be patient and trust the process. Any concerns can be addressed at your touch up appointment.

 

AFTERCARE:

Please Note: Clients should refrain from getting any permanent makeup procedures two-weeks before or after a COVID-19 vaccination. There may be delayed reactions to the vaccines, and it may be difficult to discern an untoward response to products used during the permanent cosmetic procedure.

Permanent makeup tattoo is more than just a piece of art, it’s a medical procedure too, because needle are used to insert the ink underneath your skin.

• Lymph fluids may appear on the surface of the brow the first 1-3 days. Use a clean/dry tissue and dab gently over the area and pat dry.

• Apply a very thin coat (a rice grain size) of the provided ointment once a day for 7-10 days. Use Q-tip to apply gently with very little amount as too much ointment can end up in infection or too much scabbing, which will end up in losing the pigment. (Do not apply ointment if you have oily skin).

• Do not consume any alcohol beverages, or caffeine (coffee - even decaf, tea, energy drinks) or eat high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, refined carbohydrates, spicy foods, and smoke cigarettes for 72 hours prior and 72 hours after your appointment. It will cause the skin to irritate and bleeding will reduce the pigment absorption as blood will push out the colors and can also slow down the healing process.

• Avoid water on the brow area for 14 days. Wash your hair while keeping head tilted back so the water doesn’t run towards your brows. If you don’t know how to avoid getting water on your brows while showering, please visit a salon to get your hair shampooed or you may use dry shampoo. No long hot showers and steam for 14 days.

• You can wash your face by using a damp cloth to cleanse around the brows. Normal washing routine can be used for the lower half of your face (from the eyes down).

• Do not scrub, scrap, rub, tap, or pick at your brows. The scabbing and peeling dry skin will look like it’s ready to come off, but while it’s still attached, it still has the ability to affect the ink if it’s accidentally pulled at or ripped off. Pulling off any scabs or pieces of flaky skin will very possibly contribute to areas of scarring, hair loss, and additional pigment loss - allow it to fall off naturally.

• Sleep on your back or in a reclining position to avoid rubbing your brows on the pillow. Again accidentally pulled at or ripped off any scabs or pieces of flaky skin will very possibly contribute to areas of scarring, hair loss, and additional pigment loss.

• Do not work out or have excessive sweating for 14 days. The treated area needs to be kept away from two things – moisture and bacteria – and sweat can expose it to both. The dryer the skin the better results. Not following the aftercare instructions will put you at risk for infection and will cause the color to heal unevenly.

• Direct sunlight and artificial tanning beds for 1 month. Especially during the 14 day period after you get your brows done. This is when your tattoo is in it’s delicate healing stage, and very vulnerable to outside elements. UV rays can cause fading, and damage your skin. ⠀

• No swimming for 1 month. NOTE: Chlorine in swimming pools, hot, tubs, and salt in seawater can bleach out your color.

• Do not wear makeup or USE ANY FACIAL PRODUCT / TREATMENT on or near the treated area for 3 weeks or longer. Wait until your brows are fully healed.

• Avoid Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peels, alcohol in facial products, toners, Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, AHAs, BHAs, Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Retinoids of any kind on your brows after treatment. You can still use these products on the rest of your face, but not on your brows. These products can cause the pigments to fade prematurely and alter the color.

• To extend the life of the procedure, avoid abrasive facial treatments and harsh facial products that may alter the color in the brow area.