Permanent Brows: Brow Styles, Benefits, Healing Process & More.
Many of us nowadays lead pretty busy lives and being busy means there’s less time available to do the little things, like doing your hair and makeup in the morning. For some, the fuss and time that comes with these is too much.
Permanent makeup is a solution for those who need to cut time out of the day when it comes to applying makeup. It’s also useful for those who want to make changes to their appearance whether that’s to elevate certain features or improve areas that they are self-conscious of.
1. What is Permanent Makeup?
Permanent makeup is a cosmetic procedure where tattooing is used to produce designs that resemble makeup. It’s often referred to as permanent cosmetics, micro-pigmentation, or cosmetic tattooing. The most popular type of permanent makeup focuses on enhancing the eyebrows, however treatments are slo available for the lips and eyes.
Eyebrow tattoo treatments have grown over the years, due to the effectiveness and satisfaction that many have found through this technique. The eyebrows are a facial feature that defines and enhances your face in general, so a treatment like this one is well worth considering.
2. Types of Permanent Eyebrow Treatments
There are a number of permanent eyebrow treatments worth exploring beyond just microblading which most people will have heard of before. In order to ensure you pick the right one for you, here are some of the types you can choose from.
Microblading
Microblading is a tattooing technique where there are several tiny needles used to add semi-permanent pigment to the skin. With this technique, it provides fuller eyebrows for those who might have sparse or thin eyebrows currently.
Hairstroke Brows
This is an alternative to microblading. Hairstroke brows or nano brows as they are sometimes known, is another natural and realistic eyebrow enhancement. It’s done by machine to create individual hair strokes to mimic the look of your natural eyebrow hair.
Again, like microblading, the result is a fuller and fluffier brow. It’s a fantastic treatment, but may not be suitable for those who have oily skin or large pores located around the forehead.
Powder Brows
For those with oily skin, powder brows, or ombre brows as they’re often referred to, are a suitable choice. It involves building up layers of soft, pixelated shading. If you’re someone who often uses a pencil, powder, or pomade to fill in your eyebrows, the same effect can be created with this technique and treatment via a machine.
You’ll get a soft and light finish at the front of the brow, which gradually gets darker towards the tail end. This technique is versatile and flexible to your needs to give a deeper colour and a more defined shape if needed.
Combination Brows
Combination brows involve blending both the strokes and shading together. This can create a variety of looks depending on what you’re after from a PMU eyebrow treatment.
You’ll achieve a fluffy, defined but natural eyebrow shape with this treatment. It’s a technique that promises long-lasting results and is suitable for most skin types.
Which PMU brow treatment is right for me?
The type of PMU brow treatment you pick is really up to you and what result you want. For some, it might be definition whereas for others, it might be filling in more hairs that are missing. If you are ever unsure about which style is best for you, consult with an artist as they will be able to advise based on your natural hair growth, skin type and desired result.
3. Benefits of Permanent Eyebrow Treatments
If you’re asking yourself, ‘Is this the right treatment for me?’ then it’s good to know the benefits of PMU. Here are some of the positives you’ll get through this type of treatment for your eyebrows.
Time-saving and convenience
Elimination of daily eyebrow makeup routine
Long-lasting results and reduced maintenance
Enhanced facial features
Well-defined eyebrows can improve overall facial aesthetics
Boosting confidence through improved appearance
As mentioned above, you’ll save a lot of time and effort when it comes to your makeup routine. It’s also helpful if you’re not naturally talented in lining or defining your eyebrows.
The boost to your confidence is priceless and something that many clients express when it comes to this type of treatment and permanent makeup in general. With long-lasting results, many people who go for this treatment find they have less effort in maintaining their brows.
4. Who is a good candidate for an Eyebrow Tattoo?
A good candidate for permanent eyebrow treatments is those who have sparse or uneven eyebrows. Whether it’s something that’s been done by overplucking, age, or simply genetics, this type of eyebrow treatment is the ideal option for achieving better shaped brows that won’t wash off. With that being said it also achieves some incredible results with those who have fuller natural brows but just want to add shape or definition.
With an eyebrow tattoo, you can tailor your experience to get the results you want. Every eyebrow is different and as the saying goes, eyebrows are sisters - not twins! With that in mind, one eyebrow might need tweaking more than the other which is not always achieved best with conventional makeup products or brow tints.
Eyebrow issues can also impact the rest of your face, a poorly shaped or asymmetrical brow can have a negative effect on your appearance. Whereas the right brow shape can add dimension, bring symmetry and have you looking and feeling younger and more refreshed! And for those with conditions such as alopecia, an eyebrow tattoo can be life changing and have a huge impact on that individual's confidence and self-esteem.
This treatment, however, isn’t recommended for certain individuals. For example, if you’re currently pregnant or breastfeeding, taking blood thinning medication, or undergoing cancer treatment, you might want to avoid this treatment.
Are PMU eyebrow treatments while pregnant or breastfeeding safe?
Permanent eyebrow treatments involve micro-injuries to the face. As a result of this, there is a risk of infection or other complications which may be dangerous while breastfeeding or during pregnancy. You should avoid this treatment until after you’ve finished breastfeeding or once your pregnancy has come to an end.
5. The healing process
If you decide to go forward with this treatment, what can you expect from the healing process? The session itself will typically last around 2.5 hours. Immediately after the procedure, you will notice some redness around the area. There may also be tenderness and some mild swelling.
Some might experience skin flaking after the procedure and this is all normal - you’ll find that this all goes away after two weeks. However, you might find that the healing process takes a little longer, this depends on skin type, age, and the general health of the person. Your practitioner should give you instructions on how to care for your brow tattoo to follow during this time, along with advice on what products to use and what products to avoid whilst your new brows are healing.
In the first couple of weeks post-procedure, you’ll find that your brows do change in appearance. Here’s a brief rundown of how your brows will change in colour and shape over the course of the healing period:
The first few days - Eyebrows are fuller but tender. The color will be very dark to begin with.
Days three to five - Eyebrows are dark but begin to flake off as the skin heals.
Days five to eight - Skin flaking continues and colour fades.
Days eight to twelve - Flaking ends and colour begins to come back, shape is more defined.
Days twelve to thirty - Skin continues to heal fully.
After around 6 weeks you’ll return for a top up session where your artist will assess how your brows have healed, reinforce any areas that need it and ensure they are perfectly ready for you to enjoy for the next 1-2 years.
6. How long do Permanent Eyebrows last?
You’ll find that permanent eyebrows will last for up to two years. For some, they may last a little longer and for others, they might need a top-up sooner.
The longevity depends on the client’s skin, as well as a number of other factors. These include your metabolism, lifestyle, any medication you might be taking, your health, your skincare routine, cosmetics used, and sun exposure.
It’s therefore useful to know how to take care of your brows in order for them to last as long as possible. Always wear an SPF on your face, making sure to apply over the brows too in order to keep them protected. Be wary of using certain skincare products that might cause the tattooing to fade over time quicker.
Top-ups to your permanent brows are typically required after twelve to eighteen months in order to maintain results.
7. Can Permanent Eyebrows be removed?
If, for any reason, you no longer want your permanent eyebrows, there are ways to lighten and/or remove them. The two most popular microblading removal options are saline and laser. Let’s take a look at what that involves:
Saline
The saline technique is great for clients who need their brows reworked or removed. The saline solution is ideal for smaller tattooing, especially when it comes to facial tattooing. This is a great option if you’re looking for an alternative to laser, it's applied in much the same way as when you first had your brows done except instead of pigment a saline solution is used. This helps to lift the pigment up and out of the skin.
With saline, you might need 3-6 sessions or more to lighten/remove the pigment. For others, it might not require as much.
Laser
When you hear the word laser, it’s normal to think of it as a type of laser that a James Bond villain would use. However, this laser emits short pulses of light energy that break up the ink particles.
With each treatment, you’ll find that the tattooing on the eyebrows gradually disappears. It’s a more intense treatment when using a laser but it’s very effective. Typically three to six treatments are required in order to remove the brows. Laser is particularly effective on extremely dark or saturated brows.
8. Conclusion
Permanent eyebrows are a great option for those who lack eyebrow hairs, either through overplucking or simply not being born lucky with thick, fluffy brows. Thankfully though through PMU, anyone can get that model-worthy eyebrow.
The transformation that occurs with these eyebrow treatments is worthwhile, especially when it comes to boosting the confidence of the client. The treatment is tailored to your needs and preferences in appearance.
If you’re considering an eyebrow treatment like this one, then it’s definitely worth trying. At Skn Plus, we offer a range of permanent eyebrow treatments, so be sure to check out what’s on offer and get in touch to start your journey to beautiful eyebrows.
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