SEMI-PERMANENT BROWS
Semi-permanent brows, also known as machine brows, are a form of tattooing. It involves implanting pigment into the upper layers of skin to create the illusion of hairstrokes and colour. There are 3 different types of machine brows - hairstroke, ombre/powder and combination.
COMBINATION BROWS
Combination brows is a mix of hairstroke and ombre/powder brows. This style brow is perfect for mimicking hairstrokes where there are less, giving a natural/fluffy start of the brow, but adding definition and shading where needed.
Ombre brows are made up by extremely small pixels of pigment shaded into the skin, to create a soft shaded brow powder look. They are designed to fade from a more dense colour at the tail of the brows to lighter in the middle, creating the drawn on affect. Results can vary from sharp and defined, to soft and shaded. Oilier skin types work better with an ombre/powder brow.
OMBRE/POWDER BROWS
HAIRSTROKE BROWS
Hairstroke brows are designed to mimic your natural brow hairs. This can be done to create a natural brow, thicken the shape, fill in any gaps, or create a fluffier brow.
This style brow is most similar to microblading. This style is not recommended for excessively oily skin types.
HOW DO I KNOW I'LL BE HAPPY WITH THE SHAPE?
The first part of your brow appointment consists of mapping the shape, and we'll spend as long as needed until it's perfect. This is one of the most important parts, so we take our time and I will continuously show you in the mirror to make any changes until you're happy. Your brows will need a 6 week retouch after your initial appointment to be complete, so we can start more natural and adapt the shape at your 2nd session once we see the heeled results.
HOW DO YOU PICK THE RIGHT SHADE FOR ME?
Picking your pigment shade comes down to a number of factors. The most important one being your skin undertone, as this will determine how the pigment heals in your skin and fades overtime. Your natural hair colour, and how you normally draw on your brows are also taken into account. These are the details we cover at your consultation appointment. I will always go lighter in your initial appointment, and darken in your retouch appointment if needed.
DOES IT HURT?
Although machine brows are a form of semi-permanent tattooing, it's done using a micro needle and is only implanted in the upper layers of skin (epidermis). Less than 0.5mm of the needle is penetrated into the skin, whereas body tattoos are 1.5-2mm deep using thicker needles and permanent pigment. Meaning machine brows cause minor discomfort during the procedure. This is why machine brows require more maintenance than a body tattoo, and do not appear as dense and bold. Numbing cream can be used throughout the treatment, and many clients even fall asleep!
QUESTIONS ANSWERED!
WHO CAN HAVE SPMU BROWS?
You must be 18 and over for this treatment. Before your appointment you will be sent a copy of the form that you'll need to fill out at your consultation, to check for any contra-indications that may prevent the treatment from going ahead. SPMU brows are perfect for clients who want to save time in the morning, would like more defined/fuller or darker brows, have gaps that need filling, little to no hairs due to chemotherapy or alopecia, wear glasses and struggle to fill brows in, are unhappy with their current shape, or not confident with applying makeup.
WHAT IS THE MAINTENANCE?
Your initial brow appointment is followed by a 6-8 week retouch appointment, this is included in the price of your initial appointment as your brows require 2 appointments to be complete. How the pigment holds in the skin will vary for everyone, which will determine how soon you need to come back for a retouch appointment. If the pigment tends to fade in your skin quicker than others, you may want to return for a 6 month touch up. If the pigment holds well in your skin you may not need to return for up to a year and a half. How long you wait for your retouch will vary the price. If you decide not to have a retouch the pigment will eventually fade over a number of years.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MACHINE BROWS AND MICROBLADING?
Machine brows are done using a digital tattoo machine needing power supply, and fine needle, whereas microblading is done using a microblade tool that doesn't require power supply. Microblading can only create hairstrokes, not shading. Typically microblading can feel more uncomfortable than machine brows, as it creates cuts in the skin, instead of pinpoint dots created by the needle. Machine brows tend to last longer in the skin and require less maintenance. Microblading does not work as well on oily skin, whereas machine brows is suitable for all skin types, and is less damaging to the skin.
WHAT IS THE HEALING PROCESS?
Before your brow procedure you will be send a copy of the pre treatment and aftercare advise, fully prepping you for the best healing process for your brows. You will also be supplied with some aftercare soothing balm to keep your brows hydrated. The healing process typically consists of:
Day 1 - 4 - You love your brows, will appear darker and fuller.
Day 5 - 7 - May start to flake in areas.
Day 8 - 13 - Brows can begin to look light/ashy/patchy.
Day 14 - 21 - Colour and shape begin to come back through.
Day 30 - heeled brows.
If you have any questions regarding Semi-permanent brows, pop me a message for a free virtual consultation!