Everything you'd want to know first

Microblading is a form of semi-permanent makeup applied entirely by hand, no machine involved. Safe, plant-based pigments are deposited into the first three layers of the epidermis using a handheld tool made up of 6 to 14 micro needles in the shape of a blade. The result is a very natural-looking, well shaped, fuller brow that you won't have to fill in with cosmetics every day.

The pigment is semi-permanent, so results typically last up to 16 months or longer. Skin and lifestyle vary from person to person, so exact longevity can't be guaranteed. Most clients want a touch-up within 12 to 24 months.

A prepackaged, sterile, single-use blade made of needles 3x smaller than tattoo needles is used with just the right pressure to score the skin and deposit pigment into the epidermis, the outermost layer. Think paper cuts, not tattoos.

Your first appointment runs 45 to 75 minutes. Plenty of that time goes into designing and drawing the shape you want before the procedure starts. Your perfecting session takes about 30 minutes.

Everyone's experience is different. Some clients find it relaxing and feel only pressure. Others compare it to tweezing. Two topical anesthetics keep you comfortable, one applied 10 minutes before the procedure and a second applied throughout.

When you leave, the brow area may look a little pink and the pigment darker than you'd prefer. By the next day, few people would notice anything unusual. Over the 1 to 2 week healing process the color softens to a more natural shade, and you'll stay presentable the whole time. One tip: don't book microblading right before a beach vacation.

The 4 to 6 week perfecting session darkens any strokes that need it, evens out small imperfections from healing, and adds a layer of dimension that can't be added the first time around. You'll leave with the most realistic brows imaginable.

Everyone heals differently. Some clients are perfect after one visit, others need more than one follow-up. The first perfecting session is included in your service.

We choose it together. Whether you want to enhance your natural fullness or create a whole new shape, your design is drawn on with a cosmetic pencil first so you can see exactly how it looks on your face. Nothing starts until you're happy with it.

No. Because individual strokes are made to closely mimic natural brow hair, the results are hardly distinguishable from the real thing.

Yes, and that's a feature. The natural, plant-based pigments fade true to color, so as your brows soften they stay natural-looking. Unlike tattoo ink, the pigment sits only in the outermost layer of skin and won't bleed outside where it was placed. That means no blurry blue, grey, green or orange brows. Sun exposure and certain skincare products can speed up fading.

Remember that brows look darker for the first couple of days than they will once healed. After healing, minor imperfections are fixed at your perfecting session. A removal process also exists, and while results can't be guaranteed, it generally works well.

Absolutely still an option, and a great one. Microblading works beautifully for alopecia, trichotillomania and post-chemotherapy regrowth, and it can correct past wax accidents, over-tweezing, or the thinning that comes after menopause.

Mostly, yes. Skip heavy exercise for at least a week, since sweat on your brows can fade the healing color, and hold off on swimming, since pool chemicals do the same. Gardening, golf and other outdoor activities are fine as long as the area stays clean, dry and out of the sun.

No, this service isn't offered during pregnancy.

• Pregnancy
• Diabetes (requires doctor's clearance)
• Undergoing chemotherapy (consult your doctor)
• Epilepsy
• Pacemaker or major heart problems
• Accutane in the past year
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure or poor general health