Microblading: What You Need to Know, Including the Only Person We Refer People to in Colorado

Microblading is the semi-permanent way to filling in your brows and perfecting their shape -- similar to tattooing but not as deep and definitely not as permanent.

The more we looked into this trend, the more we realized there was not a lot of medical guidance to help you make safe choices when selecting a practitioner to do the work for you.

Here’s what you need to know.

What you need to know in general:

• Microblading is a way to perfect your eyebrow architecture and is the secret to faking fuller brows sans the use of brow pencils on the daily
• It should be bespoke for you, your face shape, your age, your hair color -- not a simple stencil
• The process is very precise thanks to the tool that is used which is effectively like a pen with the nib being a sloped blade with 10-12 little needles at the end - needles that don’t penetrate the skin but just delicately scratch the surface, much like a paper cut.
• Microblading, unlike tattooing, is not in the deep layer of skin, but more on the surface. It’s not permanent, and the color fades within 12-18 months.
• The needle very finely implants featherweight strokes with a medical grade pigment on the epidermis layer for the skin, creating fine, realistic and natural hair strokes.
• It can cost $300-$800 and has to be repeated ~15 months
• Nanoblading used an even finer needle and a highly skilled hand and is apparently only available in Europe at the time this post was written.
• Someone can offer microblading (illegally) with only a weekend’s worth of certification (eek!)

What you must ask for before selecting a microblading artist:

1. Ask if they have the THREE (3) required certifications for the State of Colorado:
1. Base level certification: Esthetician or Cosmetologist License
2. Must also have a Permanent Makeup certification, which is 132 hours of training plus licensure, and may include microblading instruction
3. Additionally, they must register with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as tattoo artists
2. Ask to see before/after pictures that include clients who have healed fully after the main session and all touch-ups. Usually 2-3 months post.

The only person in Colorado that we recommend:

Lea Curry  (720) 252 3182 or email, leacurry@thebrowbarandco.com

(no affiliation, not a paid post -- we have seen her work and know her certifications; she’s outstanding)

Don’t want to get microbladed?

Other options for fuller brows:

• Tint and shape
• Tinted Brow mousse
• Brow pencil
• All of the above together!

Sources:

https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/a31566/microblading-eyebrows/

https://www.allure.com/story/eyebrow-microblading-before-and-after-photos

https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/beauty/make-up/microblading-eyebrows-8123

Fall is Synonymous with Resurfacing (at least in our world!)

In the world of aesthetics, Fall and Winter are the best times to do deeper work on your skin since people tend to stay out of the sun more and they have more down time to heal and reveal.

So this is the time we typically schedule out a series of resurfacing treatments customized to your needs. While resurfacing can sound major, there are multiple ways to smooth out wrinkles, address hyperpigmentation and scars, and refresh your skin.

Excerpted from: The American Society of Plastic Surgery

The following are some examples of skin rejuvenation and resurfacing treatment methods:

• Laser And Intense Pulse Light (IPL) Treatments – used to remove discoloration and/or tighten sagging skin
• Chemical Peels – various acid peels used in different combinations to remove damaged outer skin layers
• Ablative Laser Treatments (Fractional, CO2 Lasers) – remove outer layers of skin to smooth lines and wrinkles
• Mechanical Ablation (Dermabrasion, Dermaplaning) – surgical scraping methods to soften skin surface irregularities
• Non-Ablative Treatments (Microdermabrasion, Microneedling, Light Acid Peels) – minimally invasive sanding methods to treat light scarring and discolorations
• Dermal Fillers – injectable compounds to improve skin contouring
• Botulinum Toxin Type A Treatments – blocks nerve contraction to relax wrinkles
• Spider Vein Treatment (Sclerotherapy) – injections to collapse unsightly surface veins

Every patient is unique and will exhibit different combinations of genetic and environmental signs of aging that impact their skin. There are multiple ways to treat many of these issues, and those treatment methods should be planned and discussed with a licensed and experienced esthetician or a board-certified plastic surgeon based on your specific situation and desires.

The following are some of the conditions that different skin rejuvenation approaches can address:

• Static wrinkles: These wrinkles are visible at all times and do not change in appearance with facial movements
• Dynamic wrinkles: These are expression lines that may appear as folds when the skin is not moving, and deepen with facial movements or expressions
• Pigmentation: Freckles, sun spots, or other darkened patches of skin result mainly from sun exposure
• Scars: As the result of acne or injury to the skin, scars may be rolling (a wavy appearance to the skin), pitted, discolored, or have raised borders
• Vascular conditions: Blood vessels visible on the surface of the skin, vascular lesions that appear as tiny blood-filled blisters or even a constant flush of facial redness
• Loss of skin tone: Weakening of the supportive skin structures (collagen and elastin fibers) that result in a loss of skin firmness or the development of cellulite
• Dull skin: Skin that has lost the vibrant glow from a buildup of dead skin cells and clogged pores

We offer many of these treatments here at our Studio and can refer to you to trusted sources for the ones we don’t offer, such as sclerotherapy.

The Definitive Way to Moisturize Your Skin Properly for Maximum Results

Think of moisturizing your skin as architecting skin support and an environmental shield -- which is even more critical during travel or when visiting places that are typically more polluted than Colorado. 

1. What do you really want to accomplish and focus on? Dryness, Wrinkles, Rosacea? If you need help, this is one of our favorite topics -- schedule a consult with us.
2. Cleansers can be the culprit of quite a few skin concerns -- mild is better, and use enough of it, meaning at least a dime size, and if you wear foundation and waterproof eye makeup, you probably need to double cleanse.
3. Apply your skincare and sunscreen from light to dense formulation and let it soak in at least five minutes before applying any makeup. Do your teeth, toss the dishes in the dishwasher, but give it time to soak in and set.
4. Do not neglect your neck and chest areas when applying moisturizers and facial oils. Is there extra product left on your hands? Apply to tops of ears and cuticles, backs of hands.
5. Wash your hands frequently and be aware of how often you touch your face.

That’s it. I know people who line their products up in order or use a sharpie to number them, so it’s super simple every AM/PM. Once you get into a routine, it’s effortless to stick with a healthy regimen that addresses your needs, and the results are always there after a few months -- just stick with it! 

Also, consider a consultation with your facialist seasonally, (in person or via email) because shifts in weather can mean you might need to swap to either a lighter or heavier moisturizer.

At-Home Masking in 1.2.3. The Best Way to Brighten Up, and Clean Up Skin in Between Studio Facials

1. Yes, mask at home in between appointments. To get started, clean up your skin, get all your makeup off, and get your masks out.
   
   
2. Read the ingredients, not the claims, to make sure it fits your lifestyle and ecological expectations. Listen to your skin, not their marketing budget. Honey, Aloe Vera, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, probiotics, and kaolin are all great ingredients to look for. Also, we prefer ones that are non-comedogenic, non-irritating, non-sensitizing, dermatologist tested, and cruelty-free.
   
   
3. Use two different masks to address your needs. A lot of people like deep cleaning or pore reducing in the t-zone and moisturizing or redness reduction on the cheeks and neck. The one thing to remember about clay masks? Once it’s dry, buh bye. Rinse it off and re-hydrate your skin. Leaving it on past the drypoint leads to leaching good moisture out of your skin; its work is done. Bonus: add a 3rd mask, the GM Collin Instant Radiance Eye Patches (available here at our Studio!), especially if you’re masking and prepping for an event where you will be photographed. Mwah! So amazing.

Our favorite at-home masks: Odacité Synergie Immediate Perfecting Mask; Farmacy Bright On Vitamin C; Herbivore Blue Tansy.

Ingredients to avoid in your masks:

Mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, urea, DEA, TEA or phthalates, Sulfates SLS and SLES, formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, coal tar, hydroquinone, Triclosan, Triclocarban.

Want to shortcut all of this? Grab a sheet mask (love Tatcha), apply, and spin up Netflix.

Should You Try Collagen Supplements?

Walk or click into any grocery store these days, and you can’t miss seeing bone broth, Collagen Peptide powder, and collagen-infused coconut bites.

Fad or something you should try?

It’s the ingredient of the year for the wellness world. People are injecting it, drinking it, and applying it topically. But why?

Collagen is a structural protein found in connective tissues -- skin, hair, muscles, bones, blood vessels, about 30% of your body. It’s also the building block of proteins so of course, we’re all talking about it along with the keto and Whole30 trends. By our mid 20’s our bodies aren’t repairing themselves as fast as they used to and our collagen stores naturally decrease by about 1% per year after that. It’s because collagen makes up 75% of our skin keeping it supple, plump, fresh, and wrinkle-free that has us all curious if we can help restore some of that with supplements.

Three Points of Caution:

1. Vegetarians beware, it’s made from animal proteins.
2. Be sure you’re buying the powder or supplements from a credible source that is NSF certified to be sure it’s been checked for contaminants. 
3. It’s expensive, and many dieticians recommend eating a balanced diet rich in collagen (salmon, steak, chicken) and cutting back on smoking, alcohol, and sun exposure -- all of which affects your body’s natural collagen production -- and all of these are cheaper than supplements.

You could spend all day reading about it, the science is shaky but there are boundless stories of people feeling like their hair is shinier, nails stronger, and skin more luminous while there are not identifiable downsides to trying it for a month to see if it works for you.

Overall, it seems there are more questions than answers in this arena for now.

Here's What We Recommend:

We recommend collagen-rich treatments that have been scientifically tested, and topicals that we know stimulate collagen and are based on years of independent scientific research. Vitamin C and retinoids are the gold standards for this purpose. Consider investing in treatments that also stimulate collagen production such as micro-needling, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.

Resouce References: GoodHousekeeping, Women's Health, Cleveland Clinic, George Washington University Sciences Center.

Whaaaat are those red bumps on the back of my arms? Can you get rid of them? Yes. Here's How.

Ah, those! Medically, this is called keratosis pilaris, and some people mistakenly call them arm acne. First of all, they’re common and benign so while they may be cosmetically unappealing, they are medically harmless. Second of all, keratosis pilaris is not contagious. They appear on the upper arms and sometimes thighs. While the cause is mostly unknown outside of an overproduction of keratin and dry skin, we’re sure you still want them to go away; here’s how to help that.

Here’s how to battle those bumps:

• Use mild, non-drying soaps when bathing
• Avoid really hot water; this dries skin and can make bumps worse
• In the shower or tub gently exfoliate with a loofa or other at home exfoliating product
• Be sure your skin is well hydrated; this condition thrives on dry skin, so apply lotion immediately after showering and look for one containing urea and lactic acid
• Consider using an exfoliating lotion on your skin like PCA SKIN Body Therapy which has both the ingredients mentioned above.
• Professional treatments include applying exfoliating acids such as glycolic, salicylic or lactic acids
• Results are not immediate so be patient. You should see improvement in 4 to 6 weeks.