Entering the world of cosmetic surgery or the beauty industry, you’ll suffer from information pollution. You can easily get misinformed about the benefits that the products or services are offering. In all this messy chaos, you can end up making the wrong decision.
If two very different but similar services are offering apparently the same result, how do you choose what’s right for you? The same is the case with microblading eyebrows or getting an eyebrow transplant. An eyebrow transplant is an invasive surgical procedure, which is enough of a reason for many people to avoid it.
Knowing the difference between the two treatments is important. Choosing what’s right for you depends on the kind of results you’re looking for and the expectations you have. Both procedures target people who have sparse, thin eyebrows. Thus, they intend to boost the volume of the hair and give it a thicker, fuller, and bolder look.
Oftentimes, marketers simply play on people’s insecurities and influence them to make a quick decision to purchase a product or service. Lack of research and knowledge on your end can lead to disappointment in the end. It’ll also waste your time and money.
In this guide, you’ll find out what you need to know about these procedures. It’ll help you make the right decision in the end, whether it’s microblading eyebrows or eyebrow transplant.
In any case, having sparse eyebrows impacts the self-esteem of the person, especially when the latest trend is to have thick, bushy eyebrows. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
What is Microblading Eyebrows?
Are you tired of sitting in front of the mirror doing your eyebrows for hours on end? Well, microblading eyebrows is one solution to this problem.
It is a semi-permanent treatment that’s done with a handheld tool. The pen used has 10-12 needles on its end, which ejects the pigment into the scratches made on the skin beneath the eyebrows. It may sound like tattooing, but it’s different.
The pigment doesn’t penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. It stays on the surface, which is why it’s only semi-permanent.
Many women look for long-term solutions to thicken their eyebrows. Now you may wonder that the micro-bladed eyebrows might look fake since it’s only pigment and not real eyebrow hair. While it’s not as good as the real thing, it does a pretty good job at giving a natural, hairy appearance.
However, you can expect the colour of the pigment to start fading after some time has passed. In less than two years, you might have to get another treatment. This causes the problem where you’ll have to keep paying for the treatment to keep seeing the results.
While some people may be fine with it, many people look for a more permanent solution, so they don’t have to keep incurring this expense. Moreover, the quality of the result will worsen over time as the pigment starts to fade each time.
This means that you’ll have to sit back with your eyebrow pencil in front of a mirror for a few minutes at first and then hours again. However, temporarily, you can achieve real-looking results through microblading eyebrows.
Microblading Eyebrows Aftercare
The healing of the skin after microblading can take around 1-2 weeks. In the meantime, you have to make sure that you do not scratch any scabs that form in the area as that can cause bleeding, delayed healing, and infection.
In addition, you may be advised against applying makeup to your eyebrows. You may need to do this for 1-2 weeks, depending on the practitioner’s advice to you. Many people ask, “When can I wash my eyebrows after microblading?” The answer to that may be anywhere between 2-10 days, again, depending on what your practitioner says.
For the best results, you need to make sure that you’re following their instructions. Just keep in mind that even though the pigment will eventually fade, prolonged sun exposure can speed up the process. Therefore, it’s best to wear sunscreen, wear hats, or avoid it as much as you can.
What Is an Eyebrow Transplant?
It works more or less like a scalp hair transplant. Of course, there are some big differences, though. To begin with, the hair for the eyebrows is taken from the scalp. The surgeon specially chooses the one-haired grafts for transplantation of the eyebrows to create a natural look. Moreover, the angling of hair is matched to existing brow hair for a natural look.
Having thin eyebrows affects the way a person looks and feels about themselves. Our eyebrows mirror our emotions and expressions. Without them, we can’t completely express ourselves the way we want.
This is a common reason why many women are willing to spend lots of money to restore their eyebrows or shape them in a manner that’s complementary to their facial features. However, with an eyebrow transplant, you only need to go through this thing once.
What Are the Similarities Between Eyebrow Transplant and Microblading Eyebrows?
Let’s take a look at some of the similarities between eyebrow transplant and microblading eyebrows.
Thicker Brows
Both these procedures can help add volume to your eyebrows and make them look thicker. Even though both the procedures use different techniques, they have the same goal.
Give Your Eyebrows Your Desired Shape
Both of these techniques can freshen up the look of your brows and give them a new shape. The practitioner and the surgeon will draw a suitable eyebrow for you.
You can discuss your desired eyebrows shape with them and achieve it through either of the procedures. The original shape of your eyebrows doesn’t have to matter as it can be altered.
Recovery
In both the procedures, there will be some time before the results start showing in their complete glory. However, each patient has a different recovery period. Since microblading eyebrows involve tiny cuts, you’ll have to wait for some time for them to heal and the results to start showing.
Time of Procedure
In both procedures, a local anaesthetic may be used so that you don’t feel any pain. Numbing cream is another option in microblading. Both the procedures last for about 1.5 to 2 hours. In any case, you should find a trustable person to perform the procedure to ensure the best results.
What Are the Differences Between Eyebrow Transplant and Microblading Eyebrows?
Let’s take a look at these differences so that you know what’s right for you.
Permanence of Results
Microblading is not permanent. The pigment used will fade over time. It may take a couple of years for the pigment to completely fade or less for some individuals.
The duration for which people experience the results can vary. Your skin colour and type can change with time too. On the other hand, an eyebrow transplant is permanent. The transplanted eyebrows will stay with you for a lifetime.
Colour of Eyebrows
You can choose a suitable colour for your eyebrows with microblading, but an eyebrow transplant will use your own hair, so you cannot change the colour.
Check-Ups and Touch-Ups
Microblading may require a touch-up appointment to fill in the gaps left in between the eyebrows. Eyebrow transplant only requires a check-up appointment a day later to clean the surgical areas. You will be required to follow some aftercare steps as well.
Getting Stuck with One Shape
That’s what can happen with microblading eyebrows. Since microblading uses ink to create a fuller look, it’s not actual hair that you can manipulate and change the shape of. The shape of your eyebrows will stay the same as you cannot pluck the hair, trim or wax it.
In eyebrow transplants, you can do that after the surgical area heals. It’ll also give your eyebrows a more natural look since it’s your own natural hair. It’ll stay with you, and you can change it to a new shape however or whenever you want.
Which is the More Suitable Treatment for You?
This depends on the kind of results that you’re looking to achieve. Eyebrow transplant is permanent. With microblading, get ready to set some cash aside, as you’ll have to get a touch up every year.
Another problem with microblading is that it can look fake once it starts to fade. The colour of the surrounding eyebrow hair will differ from the colour of the pigment. This will make it look patchy and weird. Before going ahead with any procedure, book a consultation appointment with the clinics to consider your options. They’ll help you decide if it’s the right choice for you depending on your expectations.
Can I Have an Eyebrow Transplant After Microblading Eyebrows?
Yes, you absolutely can! Tattooing on the skin doesn’t affect the success rate of the transplant procedure. For instance, many men with scalp micropigmentation (a treatment similar to microblading) have hair transplant procedures later on with success.
Conclusion
You don’t have to waste hours on end filling up your eyebrows only to wash everything away and redo it again. There are many eyebrow products available in the market to give them a thicker look, like eyebrow soaps, pencils and pomade etc. If you want natural, permanent, thicker eyebrows, then an eyebrow transplant might be just right for you.
Reviewed and Approved by Trichologist Yaprak Yazan
