What Is Eyebrow Microblading? We Share the 411 on Semi-Permanent Brows

Microblading is taking the eyebrow game world by storm. To find out more about this technique—and how it can affect your skin—we turned to an expert. What is microblading? Allow us to explain.

If you’ve ever found yourself shamelessly sifting through the over 830,000 “eyebrows on fleek” posts on social media—I know I have—the great lengths one might go to achieve perfectly tamed brows probably comes as no surprise. From plucking to waxing to threading, most of us are willing to go through the frequent pain—and hassle—of brow maintenance in the name of perfect-looking, on-point eyebrows. But, the maintenance doesn’t end there. 

On top of the hair removal aspect of attaining model-worthy eyebrows, we have fully dedicated ourselves to penciling them in and applying tinted gels on the regular—read: every day—in order for our brows to reach their full potential. But, what if there was an easier way? One that saved you the time and the patience it takes to get beautiful, bold brows every day? One that would leave you with (semi-permanent) brows on fleek? Enter: microblading, an eyebrow etching technique that has taken the social media world by storm.

Microblading 101

According to board-certified dermatologist, and Skincare.com expert, Dr. Dendy Engelman, microblading is similar to permanent makeup or eyebrow tattooing, but uses a different method where “pigment is deposited under the top layer of the skin.” Microblading uses a special needled pen that deposits cosmetic-grade ink into the dermal—or second layer of skin—and is tediously applied in small, individual strokes that resemble eyebrow hairs. The result? A natural-looking approach to permanent makeup that lasts between one to three years and can be used to fill gaps, enhance over-plucked arches, and reconstruct the appearance of your brows entirely.

This is all well and good, but is it okay for the skin? According to Dr. Engelman, yes—if, and only if, it performed by a trained specialist in a sterile environment. “Follow the same precautions as you would when getting a tattoo,” she says. Before going forward with the process, it may be a good idea to do your research—both online and in person. Just like you would with a tattoo, schedule a consultation with a trained professional before you put your brows under the needle and ask them what to expect during and after the procedure and how they sterilize their tools and facility to ensure that you are not putting your skin at risk of infection or permanent damage.