DIY - Do It Yourself

  • By Bryce Cleveland
DIY - Do It Yourself

The Cost Of DIY Microblading

Microblading has been rising in popularity because everyone wants perfect brows every day but it can be costly.

There have been attempts for “do it yourself” procedures. Read on to find our the risks related to DIY Microblading.

Microblading DIY

What’s inside (Click on the link to go to a specific step):

What Is DIY Microblading?

For a client to DIY a microblading procedure entails them buying all the necessary materials and doing the treatment on themselves or others.

Getting the supplies are accessible to anyone, but knowing how to safely use the materials takes training and practice.

The general consensus is it is not recommended to do microblading without training, certifications and licenses necessary for microblading procedures. Without these documents, there is a high risk to do damage to the skin and put you or another person in danger.

What Is Microblading?

Microblading is a popular permanent makeup procedure done to enhance the brows while keeping a natural yet full look. The artist can enhance the brows or fix the shape and color based on what suits the client’s face.

A manual tool is used to make tiny incisions where a PMU pigment is deposited into the skin to mimic the look of hair strokes. The treatment is quick and relatively painless that lasts up to 18 months. A touch up appointment is recommended at least once a year to maintain the look of treatment.

Can I Microblade My Eyebrows at Home?

It is possible but it has more cons than pros. DIY microblading may save money but without the skills and training, the risks are high.

There are many tutorial videos out there but they only show successful treatments and they tend to hide the botched attempts.

Consider the risks and benefits of a DIY Microblading procedure.

If you think you have the skill to do it yourself, read on to get detailed instructions on what you need to do.

Microblading DIY

How Can I Microblade Eyebrows at Home?

The supplies you need to do a DIY microblading procedure are the following:

  • A microblading tool - it is important to use a proper tool rather than using razors.
  • PMU pigments - Try to find a shade that is best suited to your brows. You can consult the Fitzpatrick scale. Knowing PMU color theory is an added bonus.
  • Numbing cream
  • Alcohol
  • Surgical gloves
  • Cotton swabs

Tip: There are different types of blades and some are easier to use while others require more training. For less experienced artists, a flexible blade is easier to work with since it absorbs some of the pressure. Hard blades are more difficult to work with so it’s better to leave them for more experienced aestheticians.

U shaped blades make it easier to work on all areas of the brow– arch, spine and tail. It is better to get that one blade than get different blades for the different brow areas.

DIY microblading process:

Step 1

Start by drawing the brow shape using a surgical marker. Avoid using dark colors or brow pencils because they could leave color, smudge or cause irritation once the cuts are made.

Brow shape stencils also work.

Step 2

Next is to apply a topical anesthetic on the treatment area and wait for about 15 minutes for it to work. After the time is up, wipe it off and try to pinch the area to gauge how much you can feel. You can reapply more until you feel comfortable with the numbing effect.

Step 3

It’s time to put on the surgical gloves and start preparing the pigment. Keep the manual tool sterilized by only bringing it out once it will be used.

Refrain from touching any other surfaces other than clean skin.

Step 4

This is the step when the cuts will be made into the skin. Get some pigment into the blade and gently draw strokes that mimic natural hair. Don’t put too much pressure on the tool.

It takes a few minutes for the pigment to settle into the skin so leave it for a few minutes.

Step 5

You’re done! All you need to do is wipe off the excess pigment and the blood that comes from the cuts.

What is the Aftercare Like for DIY Microblading Eyebrows?

Aftercare for DIY procedures follow the same process as for any PMU procedure. Here are the general guidelines to follow:

  • In the first few days, clean the brows by patting it with tissues to avoid lymph build up. Do not get the brows soaking wet at this point.
  • After the second day, you can now wash your brows with a gentle foaming soap. Pat to dry. Avoid rubbing the area as it is still sensitive.
  • For the next 10 days, avoid using your usual skincare and makeup products. Certain products can interfere with the pigments used in the procedure. They can also speed up fading since the pigment has not yet settled. Oftentimes, artists have special balms or ointments they recommend based on the skin type of their clients.
  • Avoid picking the scabs that show up. Let it fall off naturally.
  • When you sleep, avoid putting pressure on your brows and make sure your pillowcase is clean.
  • Refrain from wearing makeup for 10 days.
  • Avoid excessive sweating or getting your brows wet such as going to saunas, swimming or taking long showers.
  • Stay in the shade and avoid sun exposure or even tanning procedures.

DIY MicrobladingWhat Are the Risks of DIY Microblading?

There are many reasons why microblading is not recommended for inexperienced artists without training and certification. Read on to find out the numerous risks and costs that come with DIY Microblading.

Infection

Salons are kept clean and sterile to avoid risks of infection. Certified artists receive special training on how to sanitize equipment and avoid contamination throughout treatment.

It is not enough to dip the needle and tool into alcohol but autoclaves are unlikely to be found at home. It is important to make sure the pigment only touches clean skin and avoids contact with any other surface.

Homes may seem clean but it is harder to keep sterile unlike a salon. It is not the best place to break the surface of the skin. The risk of infection is higher if the procedure is not in unsterilized environments.

The range of skin infections include itchiness, redness, swelling, excess pus, blisters, excess pain and high fever. If not treated well, it can leave permanent damage on the skin.

Scarring

There is a special technique in making the strokes with the blade. Lack of skill or using the wrong technique can easily cause permanent scarring to the brows.

It is hard to tell how much pressure to put into the needle without enough training and experience. The pressure on the tool tells how deep the pigment will go. The recommended layer of the skin to deposit the pigment is just below the basal membrane between the epidermis and dermis.

Going too deep can lead to excessive bleeding, skin damage and permanent scarring other than higher chance of pigment fading and discoloration. If the cut is too shallow, the pigment will not stay put as well.

It takes months and years for licensed artists to master the necessary technique. They aren’t even allowed to practice on live models until they have perfected the skills needed. They practice on latex props until they get it right.

The risk of causing permanent damage to the skin is not worth it.

Unattractive Results

Most of the time, the results of a DIY Microblading procedure are botched brows. Some are lucky to avoid infection or scarring but the brows end up asymmetrical in the arch, have unnatural shapes or are in the wrong color.

Studying proportion theory is part of the training for microblading artists as well as mastering arch shape that suits the person’s face. It doesn’t help to copy the brows of your favorite celebrity since they may have a different face shape as you.

Color theory is also important to understand because you have to consider how the pigments change after the healing process. It doesn’t work to choose the pigment that looks closest to the natural hair because the different shades can have different effects on the skin tones and undertones of the client. Color mixing is another important skill to learn. The wrong shade could leave your brows looking too red or looking gray.

Unfortunately, if you do get the color or shape wrong, you are stuck with it for up to 2 years. Removal procedures are available but they can be painful.

Do it yourself microblading

Severe Pain

The numbing cream helps with the pain, but inexperienced artists tend to go deeper into the skin which can cause severe pain. The needle is only supposed to go 0.15mm into the skin.

Hidden Costs of DIY Microblading

Getting quality supplies cost a lot of money but can still cost less than getting a microblading procedure at a salon. But you can end up regretting the final results and could end up going to a professional to fix the mess you made. Removal and color correction can be done by a professional artist.

Additionally, it takes great effort to fix a botched microblading treatment and may cost you even more. If there is no more way to fix the brows, there are some professional methods that can be done synch as laser, saline or glycolic acid removal.

Money can be saved by doing a DIY Microblading treatment, but if it doesn’t end up well, you could spend even more money trying to fix the damage you have done. In the end, you could shell out even more money than an average professional microblading procedure.

Main Takeaways

DIY Microblading is not recommended. Even if there are some financial benefits, there are numerous risks such as scarring, pain, unattractive results and the like.

It might be more beneficial to look for artists who are just starting out but who have received training, certification and licensing to conduct microblading procedures but at lower cost.

Explore more about Microblading: