Microblading
Hair-like strokes etched by hand for brows that read as naturally full.
What it is
Microblading is a manual technique. A fine hand tool made of tiny grouped needles deposits pigment in short, individual strokes that follow the direction your own brow hair grows. Because it is drawn by hand rather than machine, the strokes are slightly irregular in a way that reads as real hair rather than a drawn-on line. It sits in the upper layers of the skin, which is why it softens and fades gradually rather than staying sharp forever.
Is it right for you?
A good fit if
- You have gaps, thin patches or an uneven shape you fill in daily
- Your skin is dry to normal — this is where hair strokes stay crispest
- You want definition that still looks like your own brow, not makeup
- You want a semi-permanent commitment rather than a lifelong one
Not right if
- Very oily skin — strokes blur and blend into a soft shadow within months. Powder or combo is the better answer
- Active eczema, psoriasis or breakouts through the brow area
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- You are on Accutane, or finished it under 12 months ago
Your skin, specifically
- Skin tone
- Works across all skin tones, but the approach changes. On deeper skin (Fitzpatrick IV–VI) the risk is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and pigment healing ashy or grey, so we choose warmer pigment bases, work shallower and build in more than one session rather than forcing saturation in a single sitting. On very fair skin the opposite applies — cool-based pigments can heal grey, so warmth is added deliberately. A patch test is available for anyone who wants one.
- Skin type
- Oily skin pushes out crisp detail: hair strokes blur and soften faster, so powder, ombre and combo techniques hold much better and are what we normally recommend. Dry and normal skin holds fine individual strokes beautifully. Combination skin usually does well with a combo approach — strokes at the front, shading through the body.
- Age & skin maturity
- Younger skin is firmer and holds pigment crisply, but also regenerates fast, so colour can fade sooner than expected. Mature skin is thinner and more delicate — we work with a lighter hand, softer shapes and expect a gentler result, which is usually what suits the face anyway. Skin that has had a lot of sun over the years tends to hold pigment less predictably regardless of age.
Before & after care
Before your appointment
- Skip alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours — both thin the blood and increase bleeding, which pushes pigment back out during the appointment.
- Stop retinol, glycolic and other actives on the area for 7 days.
- No waxing, threading, tinting or lamination for 7 days beforehand.
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning for 2 weeks — pigment cannot be matched accurately to burnt or freshly tanned skin.
- If you take blood thinners or have a medical condition affecting healing, tell us before booking so we can plan around it.
- Come with your brows or lips as they normally are. Seeing your everyday shape helps the mapping.
Aftercare
- Keep the area dry for 7–10 days. No swimming, sauna, steam rooms or long hot showers.
- Do not pick, scratch or peel the flaking — lifting a scab early lifts the pigment with it and leaves a patch.
- Blot, do not rub. Apply the aftercare balm in a thin layer exactly as directed; too much suffocates the skin.
- No makeup, sunscreen or skincare directly on the area until it has finished flaking.
- Sleep on your back if you can for the first few nights.
- No exercise that makes you sweat heavily for 7 days — salt in sweat fades fresh pigment.
- Once healed, wear SPF on the area daily. Sun is the single biggest cause of premature fading.
Common questions
Does microblading hurt?
A topical numbing cream goes on before we start and is topped up through the appointment. Most clients describe it as scratching or light pressure rather than pain, and many find the mapping stage longer than the work itself.
Why does it look so dark at first?
For the first 5–7 days the pigment sits in the surface layers and looks noticeably darker and sharper than the healed result. It then flakes and lightens by roughly 30–40%. Judging the colour before week four is the most common mistake clients make.
Is the 4–6 week touch-up optional?
It is strongly recommended. Skin heals unevenly and the second session corrects any patches, strengthens the strokes and sets the final shape. Pricing assumes you will come back for it.
How long does microblading last?
Typically 12–18 months before it needs refreshing, depending on your skin type, sun exposure and skincare. Oily skin and daily sun without SPF both shorten it considerably.