Are you considering COVERING OR REMOVING YOUR EXISTING MICROBLADING?
Then please read my most recent blog post below! 🌸⭐️
April 21, 2020
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Most people who get microblading or other permanent make up are fully satisfied with results; however, for whatever reason, this is not always the case.
Clients regularly request guidance from me about microblading over an old treatment or an existing tattoo. Here is a short blog with my thoughts on the matter!
⭐️Why decide to cover or remove microblading?⭐️
There are a number of reasons why a client could be unhappy about their treatment. These can include:
👉🏻The final shape is not as expected
👉🏻The quality of the work
👉🏻Pigments (ink) migration or shape changes
The first thing to remember is that this is intensely personal to the client: it affects their self-esteem, which in turn can lead to depression and anxiety. This is in the forefront of my mind when I deal with correction clients. I find being calm, friendly and providing a sympathetic ear is the best way.
⭐️How I avoid a microblading/spmu fail?⭐️
When advising my clients and to prevent any issues I like to give them as much information as possible about my brow styles that I offer. I refer them to my website and Facebook pages to view my previous work, also at consultation I show my clients a ‘before and after’ portfolio, this I find helps them understand how I work and get a feel for if my results will reflect their taste. I stand by the fact that I would much rather lose a potential client before doing any work on them if I feel I cannot offer them what they are wanting, for example if I feel the result will not suit their face or will not cover up what they already have or make it look worse. I will only tattoo clients that I would be happy to put my name and reputation to their results.
In addition, at consultation, I like to show my clients my advanced certificates from accredited institutions, along with my council license and insurance documents. This I find further puts my clients at ease. This is something any reputable tattooist/beauty therapist should be keen and willing to show you as a potential client.
Finally, I ensure that my clients are confident that they are getting the shape and colour they want, whilst managing their expectations, before I start the treatment.
⭐️How can a previous microblading/spmu be corrected⭐️
Actually the truth is that not every case can be corrected! However in my experience I can offer several different solutions of which I will detail below. I am always keen to try and help my clients as much as I can, however I will also always be honest and manage their expectations. If I cannot make better their previous work I will not touch it!
When I receive an intial enquiry about correction work, often via social media or email, I ask for clear pictures: preferably one straight on and one from each side, so it is possible to for me to assess the whole, including the tail, of each eyebrow. The most important thing I remind prospective clients is that these photos should be make-up free, filter free and taken in natural daylight. This way, I can check if they are a good candidate for correction/removal or not.
If I think the client is suitable there are many solutions to opt for from which the client can choose from. Often I combine several of these methods, for example 1-3 sessions of removal to fade the exhausting colour enough for a new style of brow to be implanted over the faded old ink.
⭐️Colour correction for clients⭐️
The first remedy consists of implanting new pigment (ink) to improve the overall effect: this procedure is more difficult than applying the pigment in the first place and it is often more expansive than the typical first SPMU treatment. Therefore my correction work prices can be more expensive than if you were coming to me with “fresh virgin skin”. I will quote correction work on an individual basis.
The most challenging part of applying fresh colour over old is choosing the new pigment colour. Often 1-3 sessions are needed. One to colour correct/cover the old faded ink (which is often red/blue/grey). Then another 1-2 sessions for the target colour to set in and hold over the old ink. Please note this type of procedure an be quite risky because you do not know how the new pigments will hold over whatever ink the previous technician used. However rest assured I have been successfully colour correcting brows for 4 years now. I deeply understand colour theory and I have recently completed an advanced colour theory and correction course.
Following on from colour theory, below are a few examples of styles I may offer you if I deem colour correction treatment suitable for you...
⭐️The Shading technique⭐️
This consists of a procedure that takes about 1-2 hours. It is similar to microblading, but gives a soft shaded brow pencil look, this also offers a great definition and depth to brows.
The results obtained with shading may last from 1 to 3 years.
⭐️Combination Style⭐️
The other option is called combination style and merges the best of the two microblading and shading worlds.
In fact this is a mixture of hairstroke and shaded effect techniques, useful to obtain a more defined natural looking set of brows. By adding in hair strokes over the top of the shading this will achieve a more realistic look. However please note this is only a suitable option on very faded brows. I have had numerous clients that have tried to have microblading done over previously tattooed or heavily shaded brows by other technicians. Although initially (first 2 weeks) this may look good I can guarantee you the hair strokes will merge and fade leaving a muddy/smudged looking appearance. Please DO NOT accept an offer of microblading over the top of your previous semi permanent make up. You will be wasting your money and risk scarring! I go into a bit more detail about this below...
⭐️When microblading is not possible:⭐️
It is often not possible to use microblading to correct previous work. This is due to microblading being a very light method of micropigmentation. If the previous SPMU pigment (ink) has been deposited too deep and has a dark shadow effect: it then becomes very difficult to cover because the artist will not be able to create the natural effect that microblading is known for as it will not hold over saturated previous work.
Another factor to consider is that it can be difficult to fix the previous shape: in fact it is very difficult to recreate the perfect shape when the permanent make up is outside of the outline where it’s supposed to be. In these cases I will not simply “go over” the previous incorrect shape as some artists do as you would be reinforcing bad work. In these cases I will suggest removal first, of which there are the options below.
⭐️Laser⭐️
One solution to deal with a microblading or tattoo fail is to proceed with laser removal.
This service is often only provided by a doctor or licensed medical practitioner and it is very expansive, they could charge about from £100 to £500 per session.
Through this process the laser will break up the colour into smaller particles, allowing them to be absorbed by the immune system.
Results from Laser are often quicker, however there is more risk of scarring. You will need to wait at least 6 weeks between sessions to allow your skin to heal.
⭐️Saline removal⭐️
An excellent alternative to laser, and which I recommend and offer is saline removal.
It is usually provided by doctors or medi-spa professionals and, sometimes, SPMU technicians.
It consists of tattooing a sterile salt water solution into the previously tattooed area to remove the pigment from the skin. This works by using the salt to break up the pigment, allowing it to exit slowly up to the surface of the skin.
This type of treatment is cheaper and more suitable for all SPMU including the sensitive eye area. In addition it is less painful than laser due to the use of topical numbing agents.
Anyway, I hope this information has been helpful! As I menthined before and for which my clients will vouch for me, I believe in being entirely open and honest with clients thus ensuring they are confident that they have chosen the right artist to help them with their semi permanent make up or correction treatment. Please get in touch for a free online consultation/chat! 💕