Over the last few years, microblading has become an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure for those looking to enhance their eyebrows.
In this article, we will discuss a range of factors which affect the cost of microblading, ranging from the complexity of the procedure to how qualified the technician is.
We will also list some of the pros and cons of microblading so that you can weigh them up and make the right decision for yourself.
The article will conclude with some final thoughts on microblading in general, and will aim to provide a balanced overview of the procedure, taking into account a range of factors as well as the advantages and disadvantages.
What is microblading?
Microblading is defined as a semi-permanent technique to enhance the appearance of your eyebrows. Pigment is scratched into the skin, in short fine strokes which resemble eyebrow hair. This is done with the aid of a hand tool with a blade consisting of tiny needles.
The end result is typically eyebrows which look natural, well-groomed and tidy.
How much does microblading cost?
As with many cosmetic procedures, the cost of microblading can vary thanks to a number of factors. However, for a general ballpark figure, the cost can be anywhere from $100 to $800. We will outline the factors which affect the cost below.
Factors that affect the cost of microblading
There are a number of factors which affect the cost of the procedure – we have outlined all of the major ones below.
- The Location
Depending on where you go for your microblading can affect the cost of it, as urban areas with a higher cost of living will be more expensive than rural areas.
For example, microblading in San Francisco and New York City will cost more than it would in a rural South Dakota or Kansas town.
- Experience and reputation of the technician
Both the experience and the qualifications of the technician performing the microblading will also play a part in its final cost. Often those technicians whose price range is from $100 to $200 are likely to be less experienced, and/or have less specialised equipment.
This is not always the case though, as they may just be in a rural area and thus the cost is lower for them. However, it is worth doing your research before committing to it.
Another factor which plays a role in the overall cost of microblading is the reputation of the technician. For instance, a technician who has performed microblading on high-profile or famous clients will undoubtedly charge more than a small-town technician who does a few procedures a week.
- Any complications
The complexity of the procedure is another factor which can both increase or decrease the cost of microblading.
For example, a factor which may increase the complexity of the procedure is if you have very thin eyebrows. This is because there is less hair to work with, so the technician will need to create more strokes with the tools in order to have the desired effect.
Unfortunately, this means the cost is likely to be higher.
- Personalization of the service
Depending on how personally tailored the microblading service is can also affect its overall cost. For example, as discussed above, the texture, shape and volume of your eyebrows can affect the cost, but so can the pigment itself. For some people, the pigment shade may need to be modified.
This can be for a number of reasons. Firstly, the shade may look unnatural due to your hair colour, skin complexion or simply just down to your personal preferences. Remember, this treatment is about you, and it can cost a lot of money: so make sure that your technician knows exactly what you want.
Of course, the more time and effort that goes into changing the pigment shade, or if you have unconventional eyebrows for a technician to deal with, the higher the cost of microblading is likely to be.
- Additional services
Any extras that your technician may offer can also incur extra costs.
For example, you may require a follow-up appointment, or perhaps a consultation. There may also be aftercare products which you are required to use to help with the healing process.
All of these factors can contribute to the overall cost of microblading.
The pros and cons of microblading
In order to help you make a decision – including the cost of the procedure being a factor – we have outlined some factors below which are both advantages and disadvantages of microblading.
We will start with the advantages.
- Saving time
Perhaps the first advantage that comes to mind when discussing microblading is the amount of time it can save you. For example, you no longer need to spend time every week, or even day, sorting out your eyebrows for work, for going out to dinner or any special occasion.
The effects of microblading normally last for up to two years, so only visiting a brow technician once every two years rather than once a month or so will not only save you time, but save you money in the long run.
- Natural looking brows
Microblading can also give you natural looking eyebrows. If you have struggled in the past with light eyebrows, bushy eyebrows or anything in between, microblading might be the perfect solution for you.
You no longer need to spend time filling your eyebrows with makeup, or spending half an hour in the bathroom mirror with a pair of tweezers every other day. A skilled microblading technician can work around your natural brow shape and customize the shade for natural looking brows every time.
- Long lasting results
Another advantage of microblading is that the results are semi-permanent. It is unlike other cosmetic procedures in the sense that your eyebrows do not need frequent touch-ups: the results of microblading can last for up to two years before being needed to be redone.
The advantage here is that you can enjoy the benefits of the procedure for an extended period of time without the need for extra maintenance. It also means that in between having microblading done and the next time you might have it done two years down the line, you could put money aside every week or month in order to save up for it.
- Self-confidence boost
Maybe the most important advantage of microblading is that it can increase your self-confidence. If you have struggled with feeling body-confident due to your eyebrows, microblading might be the perfect cosmetic procedure for you.
Microblading can also help with people who have suffered from hair loss or lost their eyebrows due to illness or medication. They can feel back to their old selves and more confident with a new set of eyebrows.
- Customizable
Your eyebrows are all yours to do what you want with them, so you can customize them however you feel. Your technician can mix pigments, and essentially create your eyebrows from scratch, with the desired shade, texture and thickness that you want.
This is an advantage because it means that regardless of your skin color, tecture, hair color and more, you can have your eyebrows look as natural as you want them to look thanks to microblading.
Disadvantages of microblading
Of course, there are some cons to microblading that you may not have thought about. They are listed below.
- Pain and discomfort
One of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to microblading is “does it hurt?”
This does depend on your personal pain threshold, but as a general rule, the procedure is not wholly painless. Most people describe the sensation as small cuts on the skin. However, numbing creams and anaesthetics are available, but it is important to bear in mind that these will add to the overall cost of the procedure.
- Infection and allergic reactions
In some extreme cases, you may end up having an allergic reaction to the process, or even developing an infection from it.
Because microblading involves making tiny incisions into the skin, there is a risk of a viral or bacterial infection if the equipment is not sterilized properly. The chance of this happening is minimal, but it is more likely to happen with a cheap, untrained technician than a professional.
Additionally, you may end up having an allergic reaction to the pigment used which can cause redness, swelling or itching. It is important to ask your technician about any materials which may cause you to have an allergic reaction so that you can take any necessary medication or precautions beforehand.
- Fading and discoloration
Another risk associated with microblading is that the pigment may fade over time. Although touch-ups every couple of years is not necessarily inconvenient, the pigment used may fade quicker than that, resulting in an uneven color for your eyebrows.
In some cases, the pigment can change color over time, leaving you with a mismatched and unnatural appearance.
- Unsatisfactory results
Despite the cost of microblading, you may still end up being dissatisfied with the final results. This could be down to an array of factors, from the color of the pigment used, to the shape and texture of your eyebrows following the procedure
The main disadvantage of this is that even regardless of how skilled your technician is, or the amount of aftercare products that you use, there is always the risk that your brows may never look satisfactory to you.
- Long-term health risks
Because microblading has not been a procedure for hundreds of years, medical scientists are still researching long-term risks.
Therefore, you could end up developing health risks years after the procedure. However, what is known is that there is the risk of the pigment migrating into other areas of the body such as lymph nodes.
In addition, the constant cutting of the skin on your brow can lead to scarring over time, leaving an unnatural and unsightly scar if the procedure is carried out numerous times over a long number of years.
Conclusions
Despite the health risks that come with microblading, it is important to bear in mind that there are numerous risks associated with almost every cosmetic procedure available. This does not mean that you should not go ahead with microblading if you have thought about it for a long time.
In addition, despite the initial high costs, microblading comes with a number of advantages, including feeling more self-confident, natural looking brows, saving you time in having to sort your eyebrows out for formal occasions and arguably even saving you money in the long run as the results are semi-permanent.
Overall, the cost of microblading can initially be expensive – although this depends on the experience, expertise and reputation of the technician, the geographic location of the technician, and any other factors such as personalisation and aftercare. However, it is important to remember that the cost of microblading does vary across the country, and is noticeably cheaper in rural areas in comparison to more urban areas.
