Eyebrow Treatments
Eyebrows accentuate your eyes, frame your face, and add character. If you struggle with sparse or thinning eyebrows, there are many brow treatments available to give you the look you’ve always wanted.
One of today’s most revolutionary semi-permanent makeup treatments is microblading. It creates fine curved hair strokes that resemble natural eyebrows and last up to two years.
Microblading
Microblading is a specialized eyebrow treatments that involves depositing color pigments into the superficial layers of skin to make your brows look fuller. Whether you have minimal brow hair or a condition that causes you to lose brow hair (such as alopecia, thyroid imbalances, or trichotillomania), microblading can help you regain your coveted arches. It is also a great solution for people who suffer from mental distress, such as depression or anxiety, and struggle with pulling out their own eyebrows.
During the procedure, an esthetician uses a tool with multiple small blades that create fine cuts in the skin, into which they apply the pigment. This creates the appearance of real, individual hair-like strokes. With a talented artist, this technique can produce natural-looking results that are so realistic, they are often mistaken for actual brows.
The process is similar to tattooing, but less invasive. A topical anesthesia is typically all that is required. This is particularly helpful if you have sensitive skin, as the microblading blade does not penetrate the skin any deeper than the papillary dermis. In some cases, injectable anesthesia may be necessary but is not common.
Your brows will take some time to heal, and in that time they will appear different from your regular look. This is due to the healing process, which involves shedding the outer layer of skin as it regenerates. As a result, the brows will appear darker for a few days as they transition to their new, healed state.
While the healing process takes a few weeks, you will need a follow-up appointment to complete your brows. During this appointment, the artist will fill in any missing strokes that have faded during healing. The touch-up costs are an important factor to consider when researching microblading prices.
A good microblading session at Dot Matrix will last a year before you need to get them touched up. After that, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of having perfectly shaped brows without the need for additional maintenance. You can keep the color from fading by applying sunscreen to the brow area as instructed by your esthetician.
Microfeathering
Like microblading, feathering involves adding a series of tiny hair-like strokes to produce a natural-looking full brow. However, unlike microblading, the strokes are dispersed throughout your brow rather than concentrated in one specific area. This allows for a more subtle look, and it makes the brows appear more naturally thick. It also helps to cover up sparser areas of the brow so that they look more full and shaped.
Microfeathering is often done by a tattoo artist, who is trained to make the strokes look as natural as possible. The tattoo artist will use a numbing cream to minimise discomfort during the treatment, which usually lasts an hour or two. The tattooist will then stroke the pigment in a colour that matches your natural eyebrows as closely as possible, and it may take several appointments to achieve the desired result.
As with microblading, it is essential that you protect the skin for a few weeks after your appointment. This means avoiding chlorine pools, hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms. It is also a good idea to avoid using alpha-hydroxy acids and chemical peels on the area, as these can cause the pigmentation to fade more quickly.
If you follow the dos and don’ts for protecting your brows, you can expect them to last up to three years. Typically, the brows will need to be touched up once or twice per year for continued longevity.
You can expect a little bit of swelling and redness immediately after your appointment. This usually subsides within a few hours, and it is important to avoid rubbing or scratching at the brows during this time. You should also refrain from plucking or waxing the brows for a few days before your appointment.
The best candidates for microfeathering are those with naturally full brows or who don’t have a lot of fine lines in their brows. It is also not a great treatment for those with oily skin, as the excess sebum can cause the pigment to fade more rapidly. If you are unsure whether you are a suitable candidate for this treatment, it is best to consult with an experienced tattoo artist or beauty therapist.
Lash Extensions
Eyelash extensions are a popular way to achieve a dramatic, fuller look. They’re completely customizable, too — you can choose the length, curl type, and overall lash shape you want. Plus, unlike false eyelashes, lash extensions are attached directly to your natural lashes (not the skin). “The results can make your eyes look more dramatic and open while also letting you skip mascara,” says Gafni.
Like any beauty treatment, lash extensions come with some risks. But for the most part, they’re a safe and effective way to cut down on your makeup routine.
The most common risk is an allergic reaction to the glue used to attach the lashes, which can cause itching, redness, and swelling around the eyes. Make sure your lash technician does a patch test before starting the procedure to see if you’re sensitive to it.
Another potential risk is bacterial infection. “If the lashes are not properly sanitized or if any cuts or abrasions occur during the application process, it can create an entry point for bacteria,” says Brissette. That can lead to a stye or chalazion.
If you’re concerned about safety, ask your lash artist for a list of ingredients in the adhesive. Typically, it should not contain formaldehyde or latex. Also, make sure to avoid getting your lash extensions wet for 24 hours after your session. That means no saunas or steam rooms, swimming, showering, practicing hot yoga, or avoiding oil-based cleansers and facial moisturizers.
Other ways to extend the life of your lash extensions include regularly brushing them with a spoolie and conditioning them with a nourishing serum. Other things to avoid: rubbing your eyelids or touching them too much, which can make them weaker and more likely to fall off prematurely (taking the natural lashes they were attached to with them). And try to sleep on your back so the weight of your head doesn’t pull at your lashes. (Also, consider investing in a silk pillowcase to prevent your extensions from snagging or drying out while you sleep.)
Botulinum Toxin Injections
Botulinum toxin, also known as BOTOX, is a neuromodulator that temporarily relaxes the muscles in the face. This helps to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. It can also be injected into the muscles that raise the eyebrow treatments to create a subtle brow lift.
It is a very safe treatment when administered by an experienced physician or ophthalmologist who understands the anatomy of the mimetic muscles of the eye and face. It is derived from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum and consists of eight distinct types of toxin. The most common is botulinum toxin type A, which is sold under the brand names Botox, Dysport and Xeomin.
The procedure is quick, convenient and extremely safe. It can help reduce frown lines on the forehead and brow, as well as crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes. It can also subtly lift the brow, giving it a more youthful appearance. It is also an excellent choice for patients who are not ready for or do not wish to have surgery.
After a brief consultation, the botulinum toxin is injected into specific areas of the face with a needle. The injections can cause some discomfort, but it is generally a painless process. Depending on the areas being treated, multiple injections will be required to ensure that the desired effects are achieved.
Once the injections have been placed, they will take a few days to take effect. The botulinum toxin blocks the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which allows the muscle to contract and relax. When used in the right places and in small amounts, it can reduce or eliminate pain caused by a variety of conditions.
It is important to talk to a board certified cosmetic surgeon or physician who has extensive training and experience performing these procedures before you consider this treatment. Avoid spas, shopping malls and walk-in clinics that offer this service and do not have a doctor on staff. Some non-medical personnel such as nurses and physician assistants may be able to administer the treatments, but it is best to see a doctor who is trained in this field.
Eyebrows accentuate your eyes, frame your face, and add character. If you struggle with sparse or thinning eyebrows, there are many brow treatments available to give you the look you’ve always wanted. One of today’s most revolutionary semi-permanent makeup treatments is microblading. It creates fine curved hair strokes that resemble natural eyebrows and last up…