- A microblading service liberates clients from brow pencils, stencils and powders.
- Depending on your state, and license requirements, adding microblading to your skill set could be a smart money move.
- We learn from Maggie Staszcuk, Advanced Modality Specialist at Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) about what's required to offer this treatment and help evaluate if it might be right for you.
Please describe microblading: What is it? How long does it take? And what is a typical charge for the service?
Microblading is a semipermanent cosmetic tattoo procedure that fills in sparse eyebrows by placing pigment into the skin. Depending on your location and target demographic, microblading services range anywhere from $400 to $800, which is why many professionals choose to focus their career on microblading alone!
The technician uses a “microblade,” which is a hand tool consisting of a tight needle grouping of 7–18 needles. These needles are so thin they mimic the look of brow hairs by creating thin strokes against the skin as pigment is deposited. An actual blade or scalpel should never be used in this process since these are considered medical devices and cannot be legally used in this procedure.
Microblading is quite different from traditional tattooing in that each hair stroke is drawn in one by one rather than solidly filled eyebrow tattoos. This careful process can take up to two hours or more. The effects last anywhere from 12 to 36 months depending on the client’s skin, after which the pigment fades, leaving the brows as they were before. The procedure itself is relatively painless since a topical numbing agent is typically applied before the process.
The best part about this procedure is that there is no downtime. The brows will be ready for their big reveal immediately after the treatment. An after-care plan may be prescribed to aid in the healing process and prevent the pigment from fading.
What kind of license is needed to perform the service?
To become a microblading artist, you will want to check with your state board. Some states may require a separate license or an apprenticeship before you can begin taking clients. It’s possible they will request you speak to the health department or other licensing body, since a cosmetology license may not be required to perform this procedure in your state.
What training is needed to perform a microblading service?
Whether or not your state requires you to have an additional license, you should still invest your time and money to properly advance your training. The training requirements for microblading vary widely, from very minimal training to as many as 300 hours or more. Always choose a reputable and accredited company that provides you with solid hands-on experience. Further, being part of a professional association provides many benefits, including the mark of distinction your clients can trust, keeping you informed of industry news, and allowing you to network with others in your field.
Do clients need to return for a refresh? What would be a typical charge for that service?
After the initial session, it is not uncommon for the body to reject some of the ink and experience 60–80 percent fading or peeling. As a result, a touch-up is usually required within 30 days. While microblading is usually described as semipermanent, the pigment is still placed into the dermis just like any other tattoo. The reason it does not last as long is simply because not as much pigment is being used compared to other permanent makeup procedures. Typically, the touch-up is included with the initial cost of treatment.
What type of beauty professional really excels at performing this service?
A career in microblading and other permanent makeup procedures requires a thorough understanding of color theory. Microblading can be incorporated into any menu of services, making it the perfect procedure for cosmetologists. Those individuals who are detail oriented and have an eye for design will also excel at performing this service.
Is it a service that will continue to be attractive to consumers? What are the benefits to them?
Microblading is an attractive option for those who can’t (or don’t want to) apply makeup every day, have lost their brows as a result of various medical conditions, have thin, sparse brows from years of over-tweezing, or have scarring. Microblading will continue to have mainstream appeal, and as the industry advances and new pigment procedures like ombre powder brow are introduced, microblading will provide the backbone to these procedures.
Microblading also goes by alternative names, such as micropigmentation, permanent cosmetics, microstroking, dermal implantation, and eyebrow embroidery. Whatever you call it, a career in this highly specialized field is rewarding, exciting, and profitable.
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