A BEAUTIFUL GLOW BLOG

Upkeeping Integrity For Microblading

7/1/2018

Once upon a time microblading was not taught formally, it was a skill that was passed on from master to apprentice. It was an art form that could not be bought.

For years I studied the details of the finest artists I knew of— Amy Jean and Branko Babic — in hopes of one day imbibing their abilities.

The confidence they personally filled me with changed my perception of how I saw my myself as an artist. The opportunities they presented to me opened my world and I am forever grateful.

I wanted to take a moment today to express my gratitude to the people who sculpted such a beautiful foundation for this industry. Amy, Branko — thank you.

In the explosion of the microblading craze over the last few years, I have seen it all. We have a lot to figure out in this industry culture, that’s for sure— yet so much integrity has emerged from the cringe worthy practices that go on. My personal mission is to uphold the integrity that I originally was taught by the artists I admired most.

How can we upkeep integrity, exactly?

It’s a question I want to ask you all.

Like any growing culture, there is a bittersweet tone. As more people come in, more innovative solutions arise along with the inevitable bad apples who give the collective a soured name. We long for the days when this was a sacred art form passed on respectfully, but we have to be real. Those days are gone.

So while I do not have the answers, I do have some ideas I’d love to share— in hopes it inspires your own ideas around the idea of industry integrity.

Pushing for state regulation of permanent makeup as a trade would ensure that all artists are focusing on sanitization procedures more heavily than the art form itself.

It would ensure that all artists are being trained within the same guidelines and all have equal amount of training prior to actually cutting into someone’s skin with a blade— I mean let’s just be real about this.

Every email I receive from someone crying about getting bad brows from an underqualified person, I can predict to be a dangerous scenario for more reasons that just looking bad.

Cross contamination is an issue not largely talked about because it is often hard to pin point these root cause health issues when they arise in someone.

Educating our clients and the general public about the safety of these practices is imperative, especially if the state isn’t ready to acknowledge permanent makeup and tattooing as a trade, then we need to do that for ourselves.

That means creating more awareness around what this services should look like— and what it should not. A few common practices I have observed that should raise red flags on an artist are:

Not wearing a face mask.
Covering clients with blankets and giving them pillows.
Doing procedures in breakrooms, at home or anywhere there is people eating and socializing.
Opening drawers and pigment bottles while working.
Re-using brow pencils, surgical markers, and tools.
Not covering the work area (beds/tables) with a protective barrier.

These common malpractices are just the tip of the iceburg of when it comes to important precautions that are not taught in schools or an online microblading training course. They are typically not intentional and a result of a lack of awareness and experience.

Respect is everything when it comes to building relationships with colleagues. This may come across as old school— but as a new artist, it is integral to pay respects to the hard work that this industry was built on. Remember that the artists who you are learning from have gone through a lot to help build the career that they are helping you achieve today. The opportunities that experienced colleagues provide can opened doors in unexpected ways as there is truly years of learning with this skill, most of which can not be taught in school.

From experience I have witnessed how paying respect to the lineage and understanding the progression of the industry has kept me humble, hard working and honest about my expectations when I was a beginner artist.

These are just a few ways that together we can create something amazing, not only for ourselves but for eachother. We can create something by coming together and complimenting where we each are in our careers.

What do you think? If you are a microblading artist, new or an OG— let us know your thoughts below!

Microblading In The News: How To Avoid Botched Microblading

8/17/2017

As a response to the recent headlines of a mother who experienced a horrible microblading procedure, Microblading Artist & Owner Tina Davies spoke out against the backlash, shedding light as to why these horror stories are actually happening.

Article written by: Tina Davies
https://tinadavies.com/blogs/news/microblading-under-attack

"Microblading gone wrong is all over the media right now.

We’ve seen this trend getting worse, and with the increasing mainstream popularity of microblading, we’ve noticed horror stories are also becoming more and more frequent and even viral.

Last week was a particularly bad week for microblading. I think by now we’ve all heard the story…

A single mother goes to have a microblading procedure in the hopes of attaining fuller, perfected eyebrows, only to wake up the next day with horrifying results. Her skin actually became so irritated that it peeled right off her face, causing her both physical and emotional trauma that she is still reeling from. Her skin literally fell off her face.

This issue is so prominent, that the term “botched microblading” is the second suggested term on google when you type “botched m”

It’s going to get worse before it gets better.

If you are looking for a microblading procedure today the chances of getting a bad experience and being exposed to health risks are higher than finding a pro and getting a high quality treatment. The combination of artists accepting clients that are not good candidates and the extremely high volume of new artists entering the industry after getting only 2-3 day training courses with limited education is contributing to a dramatic upswing in microblading horror stories.

Now more than ever, clients should be hyper-vigilant when selecting a microblading artist.

If you are looking for a microblading procedure and you want to limit your exposure to health risks and increase the chances of a great outcome we’ve got you covered. The list below is a guide for how to find a high quality artist. This is not suggested best practices or nice to haves… this is the absolute bare minimum requirements. If anything is missing from the list (and you like your skin attached to your face) - DO NOT BOOK a procedure.

1. Book a consultation and site inspection

Instead of relying on Instagram or website reviews, take the time to pick up the phone and call the artist and book a consultation. This is particularly important if the artist is not a direct referral. The consultation will give the artist a chance to understand your needs, assess your skin condition and provide answers to your specific questions. Plus, you’ll be able to do a site inspection at the same time to view the working conditions. Look for an environment that is tidy, well-lit, pet-free, and sanitary. Most states and provinces also require a sink to be in each procedure room. An unsanitary environment is a huge red flag when someone is making incisions into your skin.

2. Tools and equipment inspection
It is essential that all microblade needles the artist uses are sterilized. This is usually a basic requirement of the local governing body. Sterilization markings should be indicated on the packaging. No sterilization markings being a big red flag.

Make sure the artist mentions sterilization or educates all clients on their process for ensuring sterilized blades, needles and handles. You should also see a sharps container and watch that used tools be deposited into the sharps container. The SPCP advises that one-time use disposable microblade tools are the safest for both the artist and client and reduces the risk of cross-contamination in the work area. You should also watch that the artists uses a new tool for every microblading procedure and that she/he opens a new package. Unfortunately, a lot of artists re-use their handles and in some cases even re-use microblade needles.

3. Copy of training certificates Before booking an appointment or sitting in an artist’s chair, make sure they display their training certifications and any other permanent makeup/microblading courses they've taken, either in person or online. If you're unsure and don’t see this information displayed anywhere, ask the artist if you can see their credentials. Due to the recent surge in popularity of microblading and the lack of regulation for training, there are so many new artists out there who have not been properly trained, which highly increase the chances of client complications with the procedure. In addition to looking at the training certificate, it is also a good idea to see who provided the training and gauge the reputation of the trainer as many trainers have only 6 months of experience or less.

4. Blood-borne pathogen completion course You may need to do some digging and research for this one, but when someone is going to perform any type of microblading procedure like this, it’s important to do your research and ensure that your artist is well-educated. If the artist has completed this necessary course, they shouldn't have a problem presenting it to you.

5. Seeing Previous HEALED Work At the end of the day, even microblading artists who are certified and use sterile needles may still be new to microblading. Make sure to always do your research on the artist’s previous work and read any and all reviews on the experience, healed results, and interaction with the artist.

Remember this rule of thumb: “immediately after” pictures show art, “healed” pictures show skill.

6. Gloves You may think this one is obvious. Ensuring that an artist is wearing gloves throughout your procedure is a given. But it’s critical that those gloves that are touching the open wounds on your face haven't been contaminated by touching reusable objects in the procedure room such as lights, mirrors, phones, or worse yet - by another client. Microblading artists that are educated in the transmission of blood-borne pathogens understand and are acutely aware of not touching non-disposable items with contaminated gloves. The tiny cuts that are made on your eyebrows during a microblading procedure are very susceptible to infection. If an artist is seen not taking proper precautions, think twice before booking your appointment with them.

7. Disposable Environment Does the artist live in a disposable universe? Do they dispose of all microblades, handles, needles, gloves, and everything else that may be contaminated immediately after they no longer need them? Well-educated and professional artists will dispose of all needles INCLUDING handles to reduce the risk of transmitting disease or infection. Beware of artists that re-uses handles in order to save a few bucks. This is a widespread issue. Companies that sell handles and needles typically sell 25 needles for every handle.

8. Aftercare and Follow-up Appointment During your consultation, it is good to take note of what the artist’s typical protocol is for microblading aftercare, and follow-ups. Does the artist give you an ointment and send you on your way? Or do they take the time to sit down and explain aftercare, and why it’s important.

9. Do You Qualify for the Procedure We recently wrote an article called “Am I A Good Candidate for Microblading”. We wrote this article because not everyone is a good candidate for a microblading procedure. Reasons for this can vary depending on your skin type or medical conditions you may have, including medications or supplements you may be taking. Either way, this is something both clients and artists have a responsibility to research prior to any procedure so that they both understand that results may not be optimal. For more information on qualifying yourself or clients for a microblading procedure, please see our blog post here.

10. Business License, Annual Health Inspection Report, Insurance

As a client looking to have a procedure like this done, it’s your responsibility to do your research on artists in your area. If you have determined that the microblading artist and their space meets the standards listed above, there is no reason that a microblading procedure can’t be an amazing experience that adds convenience and self-confidence to your life. If you are diligent enough to ensure that artists are well trained, and are following best-practices, the chances of your procedure going smoothly and successfully will increase, leaving you with awesome results that you love! Caveat Emptor!"

More: https://tinadavies.com/blogs/news/microblading-under-attack

Such a beautifully written article. It couldn't have been said better. Thank you, Tina!

Let’s Connect!
Microblading: @archartistry
Skincare: @beautifruitful
Lash+Brow: @onyxlashbrow

Is Microblading Safe?

8/4/2017

With microblading being such a hot trend, training courses are popping up all over the US and Canada. But, as most things in life, microblading is a Buyer Beware situation.

When microblading is done by an artist that has integrity, proper training, and experience, it is a very safe application with few potential side effects.

However, like any tattoo, it is a serious procedure and you want to have your bases covered.

Microblading can be done in a very safe way, with few potential side effects.

Buyer Beware.

Microblading is an art form that takes years of study through trial and error to perfect. Most trainings being offered right now are 1-3 days long. Practice models are not always offered, as these courses can even be taken online.

This leaves students to practice on their own terms without supervision in concern to blood borne pathogen awareness.

In the US there are very little FDA regulations on any type of tattooing. Anyone can attend these courses regardless of their background in the health or beauty industry.

Check Portfolios & Credentials.

It is a regular occurrence in the industry to see new artists stealing more established artist's photos to use on their website for marketing purposes. It's important to ask questions beyond what the eye can see. Questions such as:

How long have you been microblading?
How many clients have you worked on?
Do you have client references?
Have you ever made a mistake? How did you fix it?
Do you have access to someone who can help if there is a mistake you don't know how to fix?
Do you have Blood Borne Pathogen Training?
What is your clean-up procedure like?
Are your tools/pigments disposable?

The last thing any of us want is to feel intrusive, but again this procedure is a serious one. An artist that takes their work seriously will respect your concerns.

To be polite, be sure to ask questions like this before scheduling an appointment, not the day of.

Health Risks Involving Inks

Internationally, there is raised concern over heavy metal impact on the body from tattooing and permanent makeup. If you have an autoimmune condition or other health concerns, check out an article I recently published on the topic by clicking below:

Why It Matters What's In Your Tattoo Ink

My hopes are that this insight has been helpful for you while researching microblading. It is such a life enhancing service, when done correctly.

We are always wishing the best for you and your brows!

3 Longevity Tips for Microbladed Brows

7/16/2017

There's nothing like freshly done, microbladed brows.

You're feelin' them, you're feelin' you, now... to keep it that way for a while.

#1 Don't go too heavy handed on the makeup.

This isn't to say you shouldn't wear makeup on them. However, you're going to want to lighten up a bit on how hard you push with the pencils you use. Gentle is the key! Otherwise, it's kinda like getting a tan and then shaving your legs. The top layers of skin are delicate, so it's important to treat them that way.

Recommendation:

Arch Addicts | Archoholic Brow Pencil

Designed by eyebrow artists themselves, these pencils have a soft, graceful texture, allowing a much easier application than harsher pencils that drag in the skin.

Remember, you want your makeup to enhance the microblading, not cover it completely. In the wise words of Arch Addicts co-founder Diana Roth, "You should always see brow, before you see filler."

#2 Avoid face products that contain acids or peroxides.

Face washes, makeup, lotions, sunscreens, you name it-- someone's stuck an acid in it. Be especially aware of retinols and salicylic acid.

If the health of your skin relies on these acids, that's okay. Just be aware they can cause fading and try to minimize exposure by checking all of your facial product's active ingredients.

Recommendation:

Living Libations | Best Skin Ever

An all-in-one cleanser, exfoliate, and moisturizer.

#3 Protect your brows in the sun.

You don't need to be shy of the sunshine, just remember to protect your brows while your out there playing.

The less natural brow hair you have, the more conscientious you will want to be about your exposure.

To prevent premature fading, it is essential to either wear a brimmed hat or use a quality SPF directly on your brows when you are out in the sun.

Recommendation:

Badger | Damascus Rose SPF 25

An all-natural, chemical-free sunscreen that isn't too oily and doesn't leave a white residue.

And, there you have it!

Easy breezy, right?

Although it is natural for microblading to fade over time, with the right care you can really get the most out of your applications.

Cheers to to those long-lasting brows!

How To Reverse Brow & Lash Hairloss: The Medical Medium Way

7/11/2017

As much as we all wish there was a magic pill that helped everyone re-grow their brows & lashes, there's not.

Hair, Skin, & Nail supplements and topical serums can be helpful in an instance you have simply overplucked or the area needs a circulation boost. But, if you are one of the hundreds of thousands of women across the world experiencing true hairloss of your brows, lash, and even head hair, there are action oriented solutions that go beyond what science and research currently understands.

The information provided here comes from my hours upon hours of researching information shared by Anthony William, a gifted medical intuitive, who I normally would be skeptical of if it wasn't for my own first hand experience working with him.

When I was 19, I began experiencing chronic acne that I desperately sought every possible avenue to heal. One day I called Anthony up (it's nearly impossible now to consult with him, so I feel very blessed to have stumbled upon him when I did) and within a minute of being on the phone he said to me, "your skin condition is stemming from a bacterial infection in your lymphatic system and we need to get focus on getting your lymphatic system moving."

I didn't understand how this man knew what he did, but I knew that I was going to take a leap of faith and try the advice he gave me to heal. My life was changed for the better. To this day I implement his advice and protocols for well-being, with life changing results.

I couldn't be more excited to put together an article that I know will help so many of my clients who struggle with brow, lash, and general hair loss. We all deserve to feel beautiful in our bodies.

So, here it goes!

How To Reverse Hair loss : the Medical Medium Way

To put this simply and to the point, hair loss related conditions are related to stress in the body. This doesn't mean mental-stress, where it's all in your mind and you need to take a yoga class.

The adrenals in the body support hundreds upon hundreds of different chemical processes, pumping out perfect concoctions of hormones to brush our teeth, take a shower, take that yoga class, and yup-- to grow hair.

When the adrenals become stressed, the hormone levels can go bonkers. You will often notice hairloss not during times of stress, but around 8-12 months later. When stress is chronic due to even further underlying conditions (which I am getting to...) there can be steady, chronic loss.

Your hair will be at its best when your adrenals are healthy. - Anthony William

Adrenaline from emotional events and life stressors can have a major impact on the health of your hair. When you experience a painful situation or serious hardship, adrenaline floods your system and not only impacts the health of your liver and skin, but can negatively affect your hair as well. If you experience the loss of a loved one, go through a divorce or breakup, or suffer a terrible betrayal, your hair may develop a straw-like texture and fall out. These symptoms can occur after the hardship takes place and may continue for a period of time unless you provide your body with the nourishment and support it needs. A protein-packed hair care product is not going to give your hair the restoration you hope for. One of the best actions you can take to restore your hair is to support your adrenals. Your hair will be at its best when your adrenals are healthy. - Anthony William

The information I am presenting here today is the most empowering & important information I have to share. With that being said, it is not a quick fix and depending on the damage, takes time to heal. An average time frame for restoring adrenal health is 3-24 months.

You can reverse hair loss by healing your adrenals!

Watch the video below for more creative combinations:

Get your graze on, girl!

Eating something every 60-90 minutes is the key to restoring this precious organ system. It is important a couple times a day to implement "Adrenal Healing Snacks" which are a specific balance of:

+ GLUCOSE ( ex. Bananas)

+ POTTASIUM (ex. Dates)

+ SODIUM (ex. Celery)

This specific combination of foods allow the adrenals to not over or under function. When our reserves of any of these 3 elements get low, our adrenals start surging adrenaline through the body to keep us functioning. The idea is: let them rest, do some ground work for them, and they will heal.

My personal favorite is celery and dates together, or I simply drink some celery or cucumber juice before I have a fruit smoothie.

Medical experts incorrectly believe alopecia is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles that generate hair growth. This misinformation puts the blame on the patient when the truth is, medical research and medical science don’t actually know what triggers alopecia. Eventually the truth that I’ve brought to light will be discovered— that alopecia is an adrenal issue.

Medical research and science is unaware that adrenaline is made up of a complicated group of hormones that have not yet been identified. If someone has alopecia, his or her adrenals are lacking one of the undocumented hormones that make up part of the 56 different blends of adrenaline that I detail in my book Medical Medium. Ashwagandha can be a beneficial supplement for helping to restore a trace of the missing hormone. I’ve worked with people who had alopecia, and once they addressed the issues connected to their adrenal health, their hair was able to grow back. -Anthony William

The thyroid world can be a confusing and messy one, which honestly requires an entire blog post of its own. So many clients that come to me for microblading have thyroid conditions which proliferated hair loss, and I can't wait to share more on this topic. In the mean time I recommend checking out the book "Medical Medium: Secrets Behind Mystery Illness & How To Finally Heal", to discover how thyroid conditions can be successfully reversed by implementing the correct nutritional and supplemental protocols.

You can also check out the Thyroid Healing podcast for free here:

http://www.medicalmedium.com/blog/thyroid-healing

Choosing a low fat, plant-based diet is optimal for reversing hair loss.

ASWAGANDHA (for stimulating specific hormones)
NETTLE (provides loads of silica)
THYME OIL (use topically, for boosting circulation)
ZINC SULFATE (protects the immune system)
B-12 (with methyl + adenosylcobalamine, to strengthen the nervous system)
HAWIIAN SPIRULINA (loaded with iron, plant-based proteins & minerals)
BARLEY GRASS JUICE POWDER (loaded with alkalizing minerals)

On top of supplement suggestions, adopting a low fat, plant-based diet will give the liver a rest and promote optimal functioning of the other organ systems. Let's be honest, if you are eating lots of junk, supplementing on top of that will likely not do you much good!

Eating a variety of fruits and veggies is optimal, although every little change does matter. Don't hold yourself back in pursuit of perfection! The little things do add up. The foods listed below are specific to help restore hair loss:

KALE
SPINACH
LENTIL
BLACK BEAN
HEMP SEED
WALNUT
FIGS
WILD BLUEBERRY
BANANAS
PAPAYAS
MANGOS

Be mindful of the amount of protein you incorporate in your diet and realize that too much protein can have negative effects on your liver and as a result, your skin, hair and nails. Try to move your focus from protein to the particular foods and supplements that can offer genuine support.

An interesting observation I have made time and again with clients is that they will re-grow a little bit of thier brow hair after a microblading session. Microblading stimulates the area because of increased blood flow.

Many clients heve concern that the process will destroy what hairs they do have. This is never the case. When done properly your natural brow is perfectly preserved.

Most clients that come to me are experiencing hairloss to some degree. It is my job to help boost thier confidence, even if it is just in the mean time while they are working to heal and get their own hair back. On the other hand, many clients of mine have great natural brows but they just like the perfected look of microblading versus their own natural brow. Either way, it's always an honor and pleasure to compliment someone's journey to feeling more comfortable in their skin.

When we feel good inside, it reflects on the outside!

The phenomenal thing about our bodies is that when we finally know the truth and the tools we need, we gain momentum to move forward and reverse an array of undesirable symptoms.

Whether you are struggling with hairloss that is symptomatic of a medical condition or simply have noticed hair loss with age, I do believe this information can help you greatly.

Cheers to a radiant you!

Upkeeping Integrity For Microblading

How can we upkeep integrity, exactly?

Microblading In The News: How To Avoid Botched Microblading

Is Microblading Safe?

Buyer Beware.

Check Portfolios & Credentials.

Health Risks Involving Inks

3 Longevity Tips for Microbladed Brows

#1 Don't go too heavy handed on the makeup.

#2 Avoid face products that contain acids or peroxides.

#3 Protect your brows in the sun.

How To Reverse Brow & Lash Hairloss: The Medical Medium Way

Archives

Categories

Upkeeping Integrity For Microblading

How can we upkeep integrity, exactly?​

Microblading In The News: How To Avoid Botched Microblading

Is Microblading Safe?

Buyer Beware.​

​Check Portfolios & Credentials.

Health Risks Involving Inks​

3 Longevity Tips for Microbladed Brows

#1 Don't go too heavy handed on the makeup.​

#2 Avoid face products that contain acids or peroxides.

#3 Protect your brows in the sun.​

How To Reverse Brow & Lash Hairloss: The Medical Medium Way

Archives

Categories

How can we upkeep integrity, exactly?

Buyer Beware.

Check Portfolios & Credentials.

Health Risks Involving Inks

#1 Don't go too heavy handed on the makeup.

#3 Protect your brows in the sun.