Microblading is a tattooing technique in which a small handheld tool made of several tiny needles is used to add semi-permanent pigment to the skin.  Microblading differs from standard eyebrow tattooing because each hairstroke is created by hand using a blade which creates fine slices in the skin, whereas eyebrow tattoos are done with a machine and single needle bundle. Microblading is typically used on eyebrows to create, enhance or reshape their appearance in terms of both shape and color. It deposits pigment into the upper region of the dermis, so it fades more rapidly than traditional tattooing techniques, which deposit pigment deeper.  Microblading is also sometimes called embroidery, feather touch or hair-like strokes.

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History

The technique of implanting pigment after the creation of fine incisions in the skin may date back thousands of years, but the trend towards using the technique for eyebrows is thought to have emerged in Asia within the last 25 years. Little else is known about the history of microblading. It had become the most popular method of cosmetic eyebrow tattooing in Europe and the United States by 2015, and new techniques such as 1D, 3D, and even 6D have emerged.

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Brow placement and design

Microblading artists begin each appointment by discussing their client's desired look and needs before measuring and sketching out the placement of the eyebrows. Measuring brow placement is a multi-step process that begins by determining the center of the face and the set of the client's eyes. The starting point, arch, and ending point are determined by whether the eyes are normal, close-set, or wide-set. The artist sketches out the full brow with the appropriate thickness and arch height to give the client a good idea of what the finished brows will look like and set the outline for the microblading. Manual smooth shading (Microshading) can also be added to go over spine and between the hair strokes to visually give the dimension of natural eyebrow thickness without any sharp contours on the eyebrows.

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How long does it last?

The microblading procedure is a semi-permanent tattoo. Like all tattoos, microblading can fade, depending on multiple factors, including quality of pigment/ink used, UV exposure, elements found in skincare products, medications. The treatment lasts from one to two years. A touch-up session is encouraged 6 weeks after the first microblading procedure and every 12-18 months thereafter.