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What is the difference between Micro Blading and Tattoos

What is the difference between Micro Blading and other Permanent Makeup modalities. Microblading is a tool that is popular with the newer generation of permanent makeup artists.  The marketing of Microblading has dominated our industry in the past 2 to 3 years. Microblade is a hand held tool where the series of needles are configured tightly to form a "blade" or a "knife".  The artist uses the "blade" to cut "hair like" incisions into the skin.  The pigment is then smeared into the cuts.  The width of the blade is extremely narrow so that the artist can create an illusion of eyebrow hairs. Due to the narrow width of the blade, the artist must minimize the space in between each stroke.  If the strokes are placed too far apart, the tattoo may appear sparse when healed.  If the strokes are placed too closely, then the pigment from each stroke blend into the next stroke and causes pigment migration or a shaded look.  Immediat

Various names for Permanent Makeup

Depending on who you ask, there are various names for Permanent Makeup.  Here's some for starters... Micro pigmentation Dermal Micropigmentation Cosmetic Tattoo Semi Permanent Makeup Brow Tattoo Microblading Feathering Tattoo Hairstrokes Ombre brows They are all tattoos.  As artists, we are implanting pigment into the dermal layer of your skin.  We are required to call it permanent because once pigment is embedded into the skin, the pigment particles (iron oxide) are permanently in your skin...forever and ever. However, the color of the pigment fades over time.  Like anything with color, if left out in the sunlight, the color will slowly fade.  Whether it's your furniture, colorful book, or favorite shoes, if left out in the sun for excess amount of period, the color will fade.  Since our face is exposed to the sun daily, whether driving, walking, or playing, the color of the permanent makeup will fade.  Tattoos that are hidden under clothing fades
Alopecia is an auto immune disease that results in thinning or hair loss.  It does not discriminate age, ethnicity, nor gender.  The targeted area (face, head, or body) and the rate of hair loss is unpredictable and varies from person to person.  Doctors may prescribe Cortisone shots to affected area to slow down hair loss, however, most of my clients do not prefer this method for long term treatment. When in remission, tiny peach fuzz or small amounts of hair may grow back over time.  But for some, they completely lose their brows and lashes.  Cosmetically it may be a concern to some, but most people live happy, healthy lives.  Stressing does not help, so don't fret. I recently had a male client with Alopecia.   Male brow procedures require a different Permanent Makeup technique than Female brow procedures.  We have to be extremely careful not to make it look feminine.  Male brow shape are thicker, fuller, and less uniformed than female brows.  We as artist should no

What is Micro Blading

Microblading is a tool that is popular with the newer generation of permanent makeup artists.  The marketing of Microblading has dominated our industry in the past 2 to 3 years. Microblade is a hand held tool (non electrical) where the linear series of needles are configured tightly to form a "blade" or a "knife".  The artist uses the "blade" to cut "hair like" incisions into the skin.  The pigment is then smeared into the cuts.  The width of the blade is extremely narrow so that the artist can create an illusion of eyebrow hairs. Due to the narrow width of the blade, the artist must minimize the space in between each stroke.  If the strokes are placed too far apart, the tattoo may appear sparse when healed.  If the strokes are placed too closely, then the pigment from each stroke blend into the next stroke and causes pigment migration or a shaded look. Immediately after the procedure, you will see the individual hair like stokes fo

Eyebrow Hair transplant

The two most common eyebrow transplants are as follows:  Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) NeoGrafting The average cost for full brow transplant is approximate $5000.   Cost may vary depending on where you live and the number of procedures.  In some cases, individuals need additional sessions to fill in the gap after the initial procedure.   FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant) involves approximately four-inch-wide slice of scalp from the back of your head. It does leave a scar, however, the procedure is less noticeable for women with long hair because they can hide the scarred area with hair.  On men, it may be more noticeable since they tend to keep hair shorter on their head.  It may also be noticeable for some women with thinning hair.  The technician then dissect all the hairs from the four inch slice to graft in wherever you'd like.  The second most common procedure is called NeoGraft or  Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)  method  .   It involves a medical device

Canker sores and mouth ulcers; how to avoid and relieve pain

For years, I've been suffering from canker sores. Canker Sores are white ulcers that forms inside the mouth.  They are quite painful and can last 3 to 7 days.  There are many theories about canker sores, however, there's no simple explanation as to how to avoid outbreak. It is important to note that Canker sores are not transferable to others by contact.  Canker Sores differ from Cold Sores (HSV-1) Here are some suggestions as to why you may develop a canker sore: 1.  Fatigue 2.  Stress 3.  Compromise to immune system 4.  Food allergies or sensitivity 5.  Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) Sodium Laurel Sulfate is a detergent in most toothpastes, it provides the foaming action.   It is best for people with canker sores to avoid this ingredient in their mouth.  Foaming detergent will irritate your mouth.  Check the ingredient list on your toothpaste.  So far, the most accessible toothpaste that is SLS free is Biotene for Dry Mouth.  You can purchase at most drugs

Cold sores, herpes (HSV-1) for Lip Permanent Makeup Procedures

Common question asked by Permanent Makeup Artist when performing Lip Blush or Lip Blushing procedures..."Have you ever had cold sores or fever blisters?"  On average, 1 in 3 clients will answer "Yes".  Cold sores are highly contagious and is transferable to others. Cold sores or fever blisters pop up on the lips or surrounding skin around the lips.  You may feel a tingling sensation around the mouth prior to an outbreak.  They are clusters of sores, red in color, and secrete a clear fluid.  They are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1).  HSV carriers have periodic outbreak due to fatigue, stress, compromise to their immune system, over exposure to sun/wind, or  trauma to the lips or mouth area.  Upon outbreak, average duration of time to heal is 2 weeks.  During outbreaks, it is highly contagious to others.   May transfer to others via sharing of utensils, food, toothpaste, kissing, etc... There are over the counter remedies to shorten the duration a