With all of the social media attention through Facebook and Instagram in particular, microbladed brows are today’s “must have” cosmetic enhancement. Tattooed eyebrows have been around for years, but they’ve never looked so natural until now, right? Not really. Skilled permanent makeup/micropigmentation practitioners have been producing beautiful, natural looking brows for years. Using a feathering or hair stroke technique with a digital pen or a manual hand tool is very similar to the microblading tools marketed today.
The point of difference that sets microblading apart is the technique, in which the hand tool is used to implant the pigment. Instead of softly tapping pigment into the skin, it is used like a blade, and scratches the surface several times, creating a shallow thin line of pigment to simulate a fine brow hair. The key to a successful application is knowing that “sweet spot” at the upper dermis where the pigment must be placed for color retention.
No matter what you have heard or read on social media, microblading is tattooing, an advanced technique of implanting pigment into the skin. Anything that is considered advanced takes practice and time to perfect. Knowledge is power when making decisions that affect your future! Do your due diligence as a professional and learn the facts.
TRAINING PROGRAMS
A basic or primary training program for micropigmentation or permanent makeup should be at least 100 hours for curriculum and application (procedures). The curriculum should cover the following topics: sanitation and disinfection, anatomy, color theory, pigments, psychological considerations of the client, facial morphology, brow shaping and design, equipment, machines and hand tools, needle selection and anesthetics. It should also include practice work and an opportunity to observe procedures before performing them under the instructor’s supervision. Even if microblading is the only permanent tattooing procedure you plan to practice, this information and training is extremely important.
QUALIFYING INSTRUCTORS
good instructor will require you to have your state approved Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) certificate before you take the class. Look for instructors who are certified by either the American Academy of Micropigmentation (AAM) or the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP). These professionals are required to have years of experience and pass a board or industry approved exam to obtain their instructor certification.
Always ask if you (the student) will be covered under the instructor’s liability coverage during the training. If something should happen to a model during training, YOU could be held liable and sued for damages. It’s a red flag if a trainer does not allow you to practice your application on a live model while they’re overseeing your abilities as a student. The best way to learn the correct technique is with the guidance of an instructor, who has the experience.
STATE REGULATIONS
Every state has its own regulations, laws and guidelines to practice tattooing or permanent makeup. Education and training requirements vary, from the number of clocked hours for each topic to the specific topics that must be included in the curriculum. In addition, some states require a certain number of pigment applications or procedures before obtaining licensure or permits to practice. Do NOT rely on an out of state instructor for information on your own state’s requirements.
GET INSURED
Professional insurance companies consider microblading to be tattooing. You must present a Certificate of Completion or Accomplishment for the training to apply for coverage. A Certificate of Attendance is not the same and is not accepted. With all this attention, the insurance agencies are now more closely monitoring who the certifying instructors are and making sure they are credible. Contact different agencies to find out what they require to provide you coverage for this service.
SCHEDULING SERVICES
Once trained, a new practitioner can expect to spend between two and three hours microblading brows on a client. The more procedures you do, the more proficient you become and the less time is needed to complete the application. Depending on the individual client’s needs, an experienced practitioner schedules between one and two hours for a set of microbladed brows. The client needs to come back for a touch-up four to eight weeks after this initial application. There is less time needed on the second visit because it entails simply implanting more color into the previously applied hair strokes.
If the pigment is implanted into the upper level of the dermis, it should last about 12 to 18 months with a color boost needed around the 12-month mark. Factors such as the client’s skin type, medications, sun exposure and skin care products influence the color retention. If, however, the pigment is only “scratched” in the surface of the skin (as many have been taught to do), it will pretty much disappear during the healing phase of the skin during normal regeneration of cells at the epidermal level.
SET THE RIGHT PRICE
The price you can set depends on your skill level. If your application is worthy of an experienced practitioner, a fair rate can be anywhere from $400 to $1,300, depending on your geographic area. This price includes both visits. However if you’re still practicing on models, charge a base rate of $150 to $200 for both visits.
