Having beautiful, well-shaped brows can mean a world of difference to how you look. The most essential function of the eyebrows is to protect the eyes by redirecting sweat and other liquids away from them. However, it is their aesthetic appeal that draws much attention. They accentuate the eyes, convey nonverbal cues, shape the face, and are powerful enough to help define how other people see you. Softer, thicker brows tend to give you a youthful look, while an intensely arched brow can make you look sterner than you really are.
If they’re that important, then you need to give them the much-needed TLC they deserve. This you can do through eyebrow treatments. But because there are so many kinds of brow treatments out there, it can be difficult to tell which one best matches your needs. Some treatments may also be too harsh and can even damage skin. To make it easier for you to start caring for your brows, we’ve come up with a list of basic eyebrow treatments that you can consider. Read on to find out which one is right for you.
Basic Eyebrow Treatment Options
Microblading
If you have sparse patches on your eyebrows, microblading may just be the treatment you need. This semi-permanent process makes use of a brow tool with very fine needles. With these really tiny needles, delicate hair strokes are drawn by hand while natural coloring is applied under the skin. A microblading expert can work their needles and pigments in such a way that your brows look multidimensional and natural.Â
While microbladed brows can last for up to three years, the oilier your skin type, the more often you’ll need touch-ups. To keep any infections at bay, use antibacterial ointments within the first 24 hours. Avoid facial lotions and other creams that may cause allergic reactions or cause the microblading to fade away fast.
Brow Lamination
If you already have full brows but want them to look instantly fluffy and bushier, perhaps you are looking for a treatment that can produce a feathering effect. Brow lamination can achieve this for you. Sometimes called the “eyebrow perm,” this semi-permanent treatment involves brushing up your brow hairs with a gel-like solution or cream. Then the hairs are kept in place with a neutralizer. Lastly, nourishing oil is used to calm the skin from the chemicals used. This prevents skin irritation and dryness. You may also want to use a brow gel after your brow lamination to maintain a naturally fluffy finish.Â
What’s great about brow lamination is that, unlike microblading, the process is virtually painless and non-invasive. However, because of the chemicals used, this eyebrow treatment is not advised for those with sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea, or any such delicate skin condition. The chemicals may also drip and pose a risk to your eyes.
ThreadingÂ
If your basic issue with your eyebrows is their shape, threading can help you revamp your brows with precision. In threading, a thin piece of cotton thread is twisted until it forms the shape of an 8. Then it is rolled over the unwanted hairs to pluck them from their hair follicles. Threading can pull out a single strand of hair or rows of hair. If your hair is already plucked out thin, obviously, threading can only make them thinner. This treatment is therefore not advisable for those with sparse eyebrows.Â
Depending on your natural hair growth cycle, threaded eyebrows can last from 2 to 4 weeks. The hairs that will grow after threading should be finer since these will be completely new hairs from fresh hair follicles. You must be careful though when choosing who will perform the service. An inexperienced eyebrow threader can tug at your hairs incorrectly, causing ingrown hairs and skin irritation.
Brow Henna
In a way, applying henna to your eyebrows is similar to brow tinting. Both change the color of your brows and make them look fuller. However, regular brow tinting only tints the hair and typically doesn’t last long. Brow henna can make your eyebrows look fuller through the use of pigments applied to the skin beneath the brows.
The brows should first be prepped using tweezers or wax treatment. Then you get to choose which color of henna to use. This is then mixed with water to form a paste, which is then applied to the brow area.
Because henna is plant-based, it offers a more natural alternative to other brow tints. The caveat is that henna application takes longer than your average brow tint, but the effects can last for up to ten days on the skin and about 6 weeks on the brows. Although It is generally safe, your skin can be allergic to it. Ensure your brow beautification does not result in skin irritations and infections; always do a skin patch before the treatment. Also, don’t be alarmed when you wake up one morning and discover that your brows are orange. This is a normal phase of the henna process and isn’t permanent.
Finishing Touches
There are many variations to each eyebrow treatment, depending on the level of expertise of the salon or spa. Regardless of which salon you choose or which eyebrow treatment meets your purpose and needs, it’s best to trust the brow experts. Experienced and professionally trained brow estheticians can better ensure you get the results you desire and protect your skin from any potential damage.
Katie Pierce is a teacher-slash-writer who loves telling stories to an audience, whether it’s bored adults in front of a computer screen or a bunch of hyperactive 4-year-olds. Writing keeps her sane (most of the time) and allows her to enjoy some quiet time in the evening before she walks into a room of screaming kids (all of whom she loves dearly) the next morning.
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