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Welcome to Inland Empire Microbladers (IEMicrobladers.com). We share information on microblading in Southern California.

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The Art of Microblading | Shown Above – “Ombre” Shading Technique

What is Microblading?

First, microblading is very different from tattooing. Rather than a tattoo machine, microblading is a technique where a technician uses tiny needle-tools to embed color into the uppermost layers of skin. Although it is called “permanent makeup”, in truth, it is meant to last anywhere from three to five years depending on the treatment and the type of skin you have. It’s not as permanent as a tattoo. It is a minimally invasive way to add strokes and/or shades of color (ombre fill-in shading) to your eyebrows.

Microblading experts say that the term is somewhat misleading because you’re not really cutting like a “blade”. In fact, in microblading, it would be counterproductive to color too deeply. Microblading is simply implanting pigment in the uppermost layers of the skin of the eyebrow. Good Microbladers understand the importance of appropriate pressure and depth. For the best results, they need to go deep enough for the pigment to last, but not into the middle layer of skin (the dermis) like a tattoo.

Microblading generally involves just the epidermis.

Skin Types

Before beginning, Microbladers will consider the color and type of skin you have as well as the nature and color of your hair. They will also ask you plenty of questions to make sure that you are a suitable candidate (most women are but you want to be sure). You’ll generally have to fill out a questionnaire with all the questions necessary.

Many Microbladers use a system invented by dermatologist, Thomas Fitzpatrick to categorize your skin color and sensitivity. This helps them to determine the best ways to treat you.

The Fitzpatrick Scale is often used to categorize skin type and sensitivity.

Microblading Effects

The most popular effects of microblading are the filling in of eyebrows and Ombre shading. To fill in eyebrows, the technician will match the color of your hair and literally draw individual hairs to create a more full look, to change the shape of your eyebrows more to your liking, or to fill in areas that are missing hairs. Sometimes eyebrows are lost due to earlier scaring or just natural genetics. When done properly, these eyebrow hairs are almost indistinguishable from your real ones.

Ombre shading is a special effect that gives your eyebrows a more full, deep, and defined color. Many women love the look of deeper, defined eyebrows.

Eyebrow Shapes

In the industry, technicians define the shapes of eyebrows using several characteristics which include:

  • The Eyebrow Head
  • The Eyebrow Arch
  • The Eyebrow Tail
  • Thickness / Density
  • Eyebrow Direction
  • Evenness / Symmetry
  • Placement

Each of these can be of various sizes and thicknesses. The hairs of your eyebrows flow in their own unique direction. In addition to the color of your eyebrows, you will have your own unique thickness or density. All of this is considered by your technician as part of the plan.

What kind of eyebrows do you want?

Microblading Tools

Microblading requires the use of a pen tool that holds a row of small sharp needles (made of medical grade stainless steel). The needles are dipped into a mixture of dye. As the tool are pressed against the skin, the dye is deposited into the top epidermal layer of skin, absorbing into thin hair-like cuts. There may be some bleeding through the process but healing will result in natural, healthy looking brows. The process should take no more than 1 to 2 hours to complete. There are special blades for drawing eyebrow hairs and other types of blades for filling in color.

Various Microblading Needle Types

Anesthetics

Your Technician will use a special anesthetic cream, usually a Lidocaine mixture, to desensitize your skin. The anesthetic is usually effective within ten minutes or so. Many clients are concerned about whether microblading will hurt. People’s tolerance to pain and skin sensitivity is always different but most people get through it with minimal pain and the technician can help by altering the concentration of anesthetic and the pressure used.

Pigments

She (or he) will also determine the best pigment type and color. Pigments come in various brands, types, and colors. They are generally organic or non-organic. Each has its own benefits in terms of how long they last and how deep they color.

Organic Pigments for Microblading

Talk to Your Technician

Ask your Technician lots of questions. Microblading is truly an art form involving both the drawing of individual eyebrows and/or proper shading and filling depending on the procedure you are having done and the effect you wish to achieve. You may just need some filling or you may want to change the shape of your eyebrows. Make sure to discuss these things with whoever you choose to do the work. Check out our Inland Empire Microblading Directory.