It can be confusing with so many different names. There are two techniques that give you the Hair Strokes look, Microblading and Nano Brows. Microblading is done with a hand tool that has a tiny blade and the hair strokes are accomplished by creating tiny kind of paper cuts on the skin, while implanting pigment. It is not suitable for every skin type. Same hair strokes look can be accomplished with Nano Brows, which uses a tattoo machine/gun with a tiny needle, instead of cutting the skin. Nano Brows is suitable for most skin types. The other techniques Microshading, Shading, Powder, Ombre, are performed with the tattoo machine and tiny needles, and they create more of a powder/makeup look. It can be customized from very natural to bold, depending on preference. Suitable for most skin types. Then Combo Brows is just a combination of hair strokes and shading.

Some artists do the first pass without numbing and it is tolerable. However, at Andrea Beauty ink, we prefer to numb before the procedure with a topical cream for 15-30 minutes. Then after each pass, numb again with a secondary numbing gel that works in seconds on open skin. The most you should feel is a light scratching on the skin. Many clients fall asleep!

Yes. Before and during the procedure.

We take our time with each client to understand exactly what they want and to draw the shape they will be happy with. That can take 30 min to an hour depending on the client. After that, numb for 15-30 minutes. The procedure itself can take 2-3 hrs.

You are a candidate if you are in general good health and have none of the following conditions or taking some of the following medications: Pregnant or nursing, cancer, chemo or radiation, immunocompromised, prone to keloids, on Acutane (have to wait a year after discontinuing this med), on blood thinner meds or supplements, diabetic (will need clearance from Dr.), severe acne on the brows area, currently using creams containing Retinol, RetinA, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, benzoyl peroxide or any kind of acids directly on your brows (need to stop at least 2 to 3 weeks before procedure), brow tints within 2 weeks, recent sunburn, lasers or peels within 30 days.

10-14 days for the flaking to subside and to be able to apply makeup and sunscreen on the tattooed area. Full healing takes 6-8 weeks after each session.

Even though it is called ‘permanent makeup’ is really semi-permanent. Pigments are meant to fade over time. Refresher/touch up sessions are needed every 1-2 years depending on skin type, oily or dry, whether you smoke or not, and how well you follow the aftercare.

We will choose the color together based on your natural hair color and the color you normally use if you fill in your brows. We can do a swab of different color pigments on your forehead to see which one best complements your skin and face.

If you normally fill in your brows, we encourage you to come in with the brows done the way you usually do. If you don’t fill in your brows, please bring photos of brows you like. We’ll discuss and after taking measurement of your face, we’ll draw the shape together. Nothing will be done until you make all the tweaks you want and you approve the final shape. We recommend to go conservative on the first session. You can always go thicker and/or darker on the touch up session.

The reason a client coming with cosmetic tattoo done by another artist is not considered a touch up, is that we don't know what pigments and techniques were used. Also, many times the old work requires shape correction, and or color correction, which takes even longer than a new service on virgin skin.