Before the stroke of midnight ushering in 2019, I listed down the changes that I wanted to do on myself physically, mentally and emotionally. I don’t necessarily want a new me; I am quite content with myself, but just a reinvention in some ways. If we do not reinvent ourselves every now and then, we become stagnant and boring. Mentally and emotionally, I needed a paradigm shift on some issues. I heard this line repeated many times over: “If you cannot change a situation, change your attitude towards it!” This is what I intend to do starting this year.
Physical changes, big or small, are another matter. What seems like a small change but which I consider “big” is changing the shape of my eyebrows. My eyebrows are not thick enough and not well shaped. I spend a lot of time doing my eyebrows and more often than not, they are not evenly done. Usually, one is higher than the other, darker than the other, longer or shorter, whatever. It is truly frustrating.
Recently, some friends had eyebrow microblading and they encouraged me to do it as well. They claim that they wake up beautiful with ready-to-go-eyebrows, saving a lot of time on their makeup regimen. Waking up with ready-to-go eyebrows was enough incentive to convince me to do it, let alone saving a lot of time when applying makeup. A vain lady friend who has perfect brows after doing eyebrow microblading told me that the “eyes are the windows of the soul, but the eye brows are the curtains of the windows. The curtains have to be perfect!” That is a funny analogy, but it makes sense and I get her point. Furthermore, she says that she no longer worries about her eyebrows coming off in the swimming pool, during a workout session in the gym or during intimate moments with her husband.
“It is the best beauty decision I have made in my life,” she says. “I have natural-looking, perfectly shaped eyebrows every day without my having to spend a lot of time drawing on them. My husband complimented me on my new eyebrows and that even made me feel more confident!”
While checking my Instagram recently, I saw the post of my friend Margaux Arambulo Lucena, who works as a microblading artist at her mother Dr. Julieta Arambulo’s Hair Restoration Clinic. Her post was about a microblading procedure she did on a friend, complete with before-and-after photos of her friend’s eyebrows. I lost no time in visiting Margaux at her workplace to get a complete report on the pros and cons of microblading. I also wanted to know the pain level on a scale of one to 10.
“Pain is not the word for it,” Margaux says. “I would describe it as minimal discomfort. We put an anesthetic cream to make sure you don’t feel any pain.”
Microblading 101
Eyebrow microblading is a semi-permanent tattoo procedure that requires artistry, knowledge and skill in order to create the most natural-looking eyebrows for the client. During this process, a sterilized, handheld microblade applies pigment with tiny needles in individual strokes, creating fine lines in a color that resembles extremely lifelike hair. No damage is done to the hair you currently have and some clients report that hair grows back even better after they’ve had microblading. Pigment is inserted into the dermal layer of the skin; therefore it is far less painful than a tattoo and will fade in 16 to 24 months. This is perfect because eyebrow style trends change.
This procedure has become a popular choice nowadays instead of tattoos because it does not turn green, gray or blue compared to the old tattoo technique that changes color instead of fading. Tattoo deposits pigments deeper into the dermis and is almost permanent, unless one does a laser procedure to remove it.
Also known as “embroidery” or “feathered brows,” microblading is used to restore and correct sparse and sad-looking eyebrows or simply define and enhance once’s natural eyebrows.
The Process
Your microblading artist will custom-blend your perfect color, get to know your lifestyle and personality and ask your preferred shape. But she will also advise you on what is the best arch and shape for your face. She will draw them in with pencil, then with your skin having been numbed with a topical cream, use a handheld microblade tool to artistically hand-draw your new eyebrows with fine strokes.
The procedure usually takes two hours, including consultation. There is no downtime but there is minor scabbing on the eyebrows. Your eyebrow color usually looks bolder than what the final result will be after about a week when the color settles in. It will take about a week for the skin to completely heal. Scabs will begin peeling four to seven days after the procedure. A touchup after two weeks is recommended to perfect the shape and color.
Do’s And Don’ts
Don’t get the procedure area wet for four days. If needed, put Saran wrap over the eyebrows when washing your face and dry the face well. Avoid excessive sweating during this time.
Don’t rub, peel or scratch the treated area or the pigment could be removed.
Don’t apply lightening products such as retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, etc.
Don’t apply makeup, creams or lotions except your healing ointment to the eyebrows until after the area has healed. Apply ointment sparingly with clean fingers.
If you notice any sign of infection, consult your doctor.
Don’t expose healing skin to direct sun, saunas, pools, or a direct shower spray till one month after your procedure.
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For interested parties, call Margaux Arambulo Lucena at 696-7567, 502-0009, or 0917-580-1684