Blog
Hello and welcome to the Trillium Creek Dermatology blog. My name is Michelle Koenig and I’m a Registered Nurse at Trillium Creek Dermatology.
Waxing? Plucking? Threading? What’s your preferred method of defining your brows? As a licensed Cosmetologist and Makeup Artist, I’ve seen them all. In today’s blog, I’ll talk about how we use the symmetry of your face and alternative ways to help you make your mark with the perfect brow.
It seems more recently, an emphasis on a defined brow has been all the rage and trend, however the idea of tattooing cosmetics has been around for quite some time. If you think about henna tattoos, these have been dated back to 2160 B.C. when Cleopatra wore henna tattoos for makeup or decorative purposes. Now jump back to the 21st century, I commonly hear patients state they are left with the “overplucked 90s and early 2000’s” style brows and go through eyebrow pencils and powder quite quickly. There is only so much we as makeup artists can do to fill in brows with makeup, but this is where microblading comes into play! With more experience and different modalities available than the early years of Cleopatra, the cosmetic tattoo technique is now better developed and taking the cosmetic industry by storm one brow at a time.
Microblading is a semi-permanent tattooing technique used for eyebrows. Color is deposited into the epidermis which is the outer layer of the skin. Microblading is a procedure utilizing a group of tiny needles in the shape of a blade. We manually place tiny hair like strokes while depositing pigment into the epidermis to create a natural looking brow appearance. Because this is a semi-permanent procedure, microblading can last between 1-3 years depending on each individuals skin type. Both internal and external factors play a role in how long results will last on an individual.
Microblading first began in Asia in the 1990s. In the U.S., microblading has become more popular within the last 8 years. There are many institutions offering this new and exciting service, so it is important to do research to find someone who has been certified in microblading. The risk of developing an infection can be extremely high if the person offering microblading has not been educated on the proper sanitation and disinfecting that is required.
It is also important to go to someone who is certified and know what they are doing when it comes to microblading, as many people don’t realize that the shape of our brows should be based off each person’s face shape. For example, the oval face shape is known as the ideal face shape. Therefore, the goal of the brow shape on an oval face is to maintain this oval shape making the brow into a soft angle. On the other hand, for someone with a round face the goal is to make the face appear longer. We can do this by creating a high arch, and by adding vertical strokes which will draw people’s eyes up and down. Avoid round shaped brows which will just make the face appear more rounded. It is so impressive what the right kind of shape and arch can do to a person’s face. I am always impressed the way people look after microblading their eyebrows!
Many people are nervous about the pain associated with this procedure. There is some discomfort felt during the procedure, however topical numbing agents are used before and also during the process to help minimize discomfort.
If you are not sure you want to commit to microblading, there are alternatives to consider if this is something you don’t feel comfortable with. Our HH Science makeup line sold in the boutique at Trillium Creek Dermatology offers great alternatives to create a more desired brow shape. The Precision Brow Pencil gives a soft-powder finish to draw a desired brow line without the harsh penciled on look. Then we have one of my favorite products called Brow Tint with Fibers. This product can be used alone to give a fuller and more natural look to the brows, or pair it with the Precision Brow Pencil to get a more structured looking brow. The micro-fibers work to increase fullness and thickness. I absolutely love it!
Remember, eyebrows whether microbladed or not, require maintenance in order to get the brow you want. Take the time to take care of your brows. Even just getting your eyebrows trimmed can help maintain a good brow shape. Get educated on how to shape and wear your brows by coming in to talk to the amazing girls who work at the HH Science boutiques. Or come in to see me, Michelle Koenig at Trillium Creek Dermatology for a microblading consult!
If you would like additional information, visit TCOhio.com. To schedule an appointment, call us at 330.725.0569. We have five convenient locations in Brunswick, Medina, Strongsville, Wadsworth, and Wooster, OH.