If you have thin or light-colored eyebrows, or one of the many medical conditions that causes eyebrow hair loss, like alopecia, microblading may seem like a dream come true. Microblading is

a semi-permanent cosmetic tattoo that fills in thin eyebrow areas to make them look naturally fuller. The procedure involves using a bladed tool to apply a line of semi-permanent pigment

under the skin Microblading produces a natural-looking feathery brow, and results can last for up to 3 years, though more frequent touch-ups are needed about every 18 months. Although the

procedure can take upward of 2 hours, most people report only feeling minor pressure or discomfort and less pain than a typical tattoo due to the use of a numbing cream. Of course, this will

swelling after the procedure. Does microblading eyebrows hurt? As the name suggests, microblading is essentially having hundreds of tiny cuts made on your brow line. Just like a tattoo,

these little cuts break the skin, which is then filled in with a pigment. Most practitioners will use an anesthetic to numb the area prior to starting the procedure. So, rather than actually

feeling the pain from the cutting of the blade, you’ll most likely only feel pressure from the microblading tool on your face, or you might feel a scratching sensation. During the process,

you may also hear loud scratching or crunching sounds, sort of like feet crunching on compacted snow. Pain will be worse if no anesthetic is used, or if you tend to have a low pain

tolerance. It may feel like something is scratching the skin over and over again. Be sure to discuss the use of anesthetic with your practitioner before starting the procedure. It can take

30 minutes or more before the numbing cream begins to take effect. As the procedure continues, your practitioner will begin adding cuts on top of or close to existing cuts. Your skin may

begin to feel irritated or burned, sort of like a sunburn. The practitioner may take turns going from one eyebrow to the other. They may add more anesthetic to the resting eyebrow during

this time. While some minor discomfort and skin irritation should be expected, you may be able to lessen the tenderness and irritation experienced during microblading by following these

steps before your appointment: * Avoid caffeine or alcohol on the day of the procedure. * Avoid tanning or sunbathing for a few days before the procedure. * Don’t pluck or wax your eyebrows

for a few days before the procedure. * Avoid chemical peels, laser treatments, and other facial treatments for a few weeks before the procedure. * Stop using vitamin A (retinol) for a month

beforehand. Microblading pain vs. tattoo pain Microblading typically uses a different type of tool than a tattooing needle, but it’s still considered a tattoo since penetration of the blade

into the skin is needed to deposit pigment. Traditional tattoos use a machine, while microblading typically uses a manual tool. Microblading isn’t permanent. The pigment is inserted into the

upper layers of the skin. Microblading will most likely feel different and hurt less than a traditional tattoo because of the numbing cream (anesthetic) applied prior to the procedure, and

because there are fewer needles involved. As a rule, traditional tattoo professionals don’t use any anesthetics for their tattoo procedures. Still, microblading is subject to the same risks

as tattooing, including infection and allergic reactions to the pigments used. In rare cases, serious reactions can occur. Pain following a microblading procedure It’s very common for the

area to feel bruised or tender for about a day following a microblading procedure. Your skin shouldn’t appear bruised, but it may be a little red. As the wounds heal, you may feel as if you

have a sunburn for a few days. It takes about 10 to 14 days to fully heal as the pigment settles. During this time, your skin will be sensitive. To help prevent complications and to assist

with the healing process and avoid infections, follow the aftercare instructions provided by the microblading technician. These may include the following: * Apply coconut oil to your

eyebrows twice a day until healed. * Keep the area clean and dry. * Avoid touching, rubbing, picking, or wetting the brow area for a week to 10 days. * Avoid using any harsh skin care

products. * Don’t apply makeup to the area for a week. * Try to avoid sweating for a couple weeks. * Stay out of direct sunlight, including tanning beds. Takeaway A numbing cream is

typically used during a microblading procedure. Some people will still feel pain during the procedure, and soreness or irritation is expected in the days following. By properly researching

the microblading provider and following all pre- and post-care instructions, you can ensure a relatively painless and safe appointment. A provider with accreditation from either the American

Academy of Micropigmentation or the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP) is likely to have more credibility and training in microblading and is a good place to start.