Can You Get Microblading For Alopecia (A Complete Guide)
Hair loss can be a difficult situation, especially when it happens on the face, eyebrows, or eyelashes.
We often hear about how eyebrows frame the face and enhance its overall shape, particularly the eyes.
When brow hairs are lost, mainly due to health issues such as alopecia, it can be hard to say if the hairs will ever grow back again or if the hair loss will be permanent.
While there are some instances where the hair loss related to alopecia can only be temporary, most often it is permanent.
Alopecia and the hair loss related to the disorder can be triggered by many factors, such as stress or hormone changes, or it can also be hereditary.
Although hair loss can affect any area of the body where hair is present, advancements in beauty treatments can help alleviate the concern and assist in regaining the appearance of hair, depending on the affected area.
A common area where hair loss can be seen is the eyelashes and eyebrows, and the beauty space has been exploding with brow treatments for the past several years.
One of the most common beauty treatments for eyebrows in recent times has been microblading.
The treatment creates the appearance of full, thick brows that are unique to your face shape and has semi-permanent results.
However, can microblading be done if you are experiencing brow loss due to alopecia?
Yes, microblading is suitable for most skin types and can still be performed even if you have alopecia. The beauty treatment can work to enhance your brows by giving the appearance of a whole, shaped eyebrow, regardless of the existing hair present.
Below, we’ll discuss in detail a complete guide to microblading with alopecia, the benefits, the side effects, and the overall results.
What Is Microblading?
Microblading is a semi-permanent eyebrow treatment that creates the illusion of fuller, thicker, and more defined eyebrows.
The process utilizes a small, handheld needling tool to create a small incision in the skin, depositing color pigment to mimic the appearance of hair-like strokes throughout the brow.
Microblading can be used to add extra hair strokes to sparse areas, to enhance or define the shape, or to create an entire brow overall.
Although it seems similar, microblading is different from tattooing for several reasons.
Mainly, microblading is semi-permanent, with results lasting for several months up to one year with minimal touch-ups needed, while tattooing is a permanent process.
The pigment used for microblading is also different than the ink used for tattooing, and is less likely to fade into the blue/green tones as ink tattoos can often do.
Along with a different type of pigment, the needling tool used for microblading is also different than a tattoo needle.
The microblading tool is smaller and allows for more precise control when working in the specific area of the eyebrows.
While a tattooing needle can create fine lines, the microblading tool is for the specific purpose of adding the appearance of hairlike strokes to create an eyebrow.
The microblading procedure typically takes at least two hours per session and requires a minimum of two sessions to achieve the desired results.
Microblading is a beauty treatment that can be customized to suit your unique face and brow shape, meeting your specific needs.
Can You Get Microblading With Alopecia?
Microblading works for most skin types, tones, and hair colors, and it also works for those suffering from brow loss due to alopecia.
In fact, microblading is often the safer option for brow enhancement rather than permanent tattooing, as the microblading results last for several months and fade naturally.
Microblading can be done in a more specific way, with more natural and hair-like results.
Microblading can address various types of brow loss associated with alopecia.
Such as gap areas, partial loss, or full loss of brow hairs, to achieve natural-looking results.
If you’d like to hear some first-hand advice on getting microblading for alopecia, here’s a helpful video from Alopecia Queen, Samantha Katz, on YouTube.
What Is Alopecia?
Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hair loss, which often can be permanent.
The disorder most commonly affects the scalp but can also cause hair loss in other areas where there is hair on the body. It can also commonly affect the eyebrows and eyelashes.
The hair loss associated with alopecia can be experienced through gradually thinning areas of the hair or losing hair in clumps in a particular area.
While there is no cure for alopecia, the hair loss associated with the disorder is often permanent.
There are medical treatments for the condition, as well as methods to disguise or conceal hair loss in specific areas.
Side Effects Of Microblading With Alopecia
While there are side effects of having the microblading treatment done for those who have alopecia,
There does not seem to be a significant difference from the general side effects that can occur after a microblading treatment overall.
The general side effects associated with microblading are slight irritation after the treatment, such as redness, itchiness, or tenderness in and around the eyebrow area.
During the recovery time, the microblading begins to flake and scab as the skin is healing.
This can cause the color and appearance of the brows to change throughout the recovery. This is called the ghosting phase.
The general recovery period for microblading is between four and six weeks for the first session, and the second session is typically booked around the six-week post-treatment mark.
For those getting microblading for alopecia concerns, the recovery could take a few weeks longer to heal before your next treatment session.
It is best to discuss with your microblading specialist when to book your next session to ensure you have an adequate amount of time to recover properly.
As alopecia is an autoimmune disorder, those who are getting microblading done with the disorder can be more prone to any post-treatment infection.
As the process includes minor open cuts on the skin.
Although the microblading treatment yields results that can last at least one year, individuals with alopecia may experience the pigment fading quickly than the average timeframe.
Differences Between Microblading With Or Without Alopecia
There are a few differences when it comes to having a microblading treatment done for those with alopecia compared to those without.
Most commonly, the pigment may fade faster than usual for those with alopecia.
The results from microblading typically last at least one year, and for some, can last up to three years with minimal touch-ups.
However, for those with alopecia, touch-up appointments may be needed sooner.
As the pigment can fade more quickly, your technician may suggest starting with a darker pigment initially to extend its longevity.
While you may go with a darker pigment and it could last longer, there is also the chance that the microblading hair-like lines can become blurred over time.
This may also be an instance where more frequent touch-ups are necessary to maintain defined and natural-looking brows.
Process Of Microblading With Alopecia
It is always essential to research your microblading salon and specialist before booking your appointment.
However, if you are looking to have the treatment done for alopecia-related hair loss, it is crucial to know and feel confident in your technician.
Because there are different levels of brow loss that one can experience with alopecia, having a well-experienced technician will enable them to create naturally shaped and defined brows.
And will assist in determining the best course of action for microblading the brows and selecting the most suitable treatment.
After meeting with your microblading specialist,
You will collaborate on the best shape and style for your brows that will work with your face shape, as well as any existing brow hairs that may be present.
When it comes time to start the procedure, a numbing cream is applied to the sections that will be worked on, and the brow shape will be mapped out.
A small, handheld needling tool is used to create small incisions on the skin that will deliver the brow-colored pigment.
During the collaboration discussion, discuss the goals you have for your eyebrows.
It could be helpful to show your specialist photos of your eyebrows before the loss.
It can give an idea of what style and shape you are familiar with and how your brows naturally appear.
It can also help to bring guide photos of brow styles you like in general, and your specialist can guide you on what would work best for you.
The numbing cream is applied to the brow area to eliminate any discomfort or pain throughout the process.
Although a numbing cream is used, depending on how the cream responds to the individual, there might be some slight discomfort during the session.
While the process overall should be minimally uncomfortable, if you experience any pain, please alert your technician, as a different numbing cream may be available.
The overall appointment typically takes at least two hours, and the recovery period lasts several weeks.
Depending on how the pigment takes to the skin and brow area, the number of touch-up appointments needed or recommended will be determined.
How To Prepare For Microblading With Alopecia And Aftercare
Ensuring you are prepped and ready for your microblading treatment is the first step on your brow journey, which will help make your session pain-free and easy.
Having the proper aftercare in place will also help ensure a seamless recovery.
Before your microblading appointment, it is recommended to avoid taking any aspirin or ibuprofen, or fish oil supplements for at least 24 hours before your appointment.
As those are blood thinners, they can cause the brow area to bleed more than usual during the session.
However, if you are on medication for alopecia-related concerns, discuss the microblading procedure first with your doctor.
Also, it is recommended to avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment, as alcohol is also a blood thinner that can affect your microblading session.
You may also want to avoid drinking caffeine.
It is also best to avoid any extra sun exposure to prevent potential sunburn, which can cause more unnecessary discomfort during the microblading sessions.
Avoiding intense exfoliating treatments or retinols may also be beneficial for reducing discomfort during the session.
Extra sun exposure should be avoided during the recovery period as well.
As previously mentioned, those with alopecia can be prone to infection, so keeping an eye on how the brows are healing during the recovery process is essential.
In general, it is required not to wet your brows for at least 48 hours after your session, which also includes sweating from an intense workout routine.
Specific skincare is recommended to be avoided in the brow area, both post-treatment and during the recovery period overall.
Oil-based products specifically should be avoided near the eyebrow and microblading area to prevent obstructing the microblading pigment.
After the numbing cream from the appointment starts to wear off, you may begin to experience some soreness or tenderness throughout the brow area.
Most likely, your brow specialist will provide you with a healing balm for your post-treatment care.
Your specialist will advise you on how soon after your treatment to apply the balm, but in general, it will help with the recovery process and lessen any lingering soreness.
During the recovery process, you will see your brows begin to scab or flake, as well as adjust in color.
It is essential to let the brows scab off and flake naturally, so as not to disrupt the healing process.
With alopecia in particular, the recovery process may take slightly longer than average.
Any subsequent follow-up appointments will be scheduled accordingly to your needs.
However, the same pre- and post-treatment recommendations will remain the same.
Conclusion
Although it can be challenging to experience brow loss due to conditions such as alopecia,
It is comforting to know that there are beauty treatments, such as microblading, available to regain the appearance of full and natural eyebrows once again.
Microblading is a solution that can work for all eyebrows and skin types who want to capture shapely and defined eyebrows.
In a way that is customized and suitable for each unique face and eye shape.
If the permanence of a tattoo is too daunting, microblading is a semi-permanent alternative that can work better for specific eyebrow-related concerns.
The microblading tool is designed to create natural, hair-like strokes for the brow more effectively than the average tattoo needle.
And the pigment that is used during the appointment is meant to mimic natural hair colors.
Rather than tattoo ink that can fade or oxidize over time to an unnatural blue or green undertone, the microblading pigment more closely resembles hair color.
It will fade naturally and subtly.
Especially for those with alopecia, doing extensive research on the salon and microblading specialist will allow you to feel even more confident in your choice and in the procedure overall.
The hair loss from alopecia can range from sparse gap areas to losing hair in only one brow to losing both brows completely.
Working with an advanced specialist who is well-trained and experienced in recreating or mimicking your natural brows will result in eyebrows that you can feel confident in again.
Although it is meant to be a relatively pain-free experience, there may be some slight discomfort that is felt.
However, working with a trusted professional will help lessen any nervousness and put you on track to having the brows of your dreams once again.
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