Microblading has quickly gained popularity as the 'must have' in cosmetic procedures. There's an increasing number of microblading technicians popping up, but I can't help but wonder how many of them are 'Professionals' in a true sense of the word? Meaning...are they certified by an accredited education facility? Are they licensed by the city? Are they approved by the local health authority (AHS, here in Calgary), and lastly, are they insured?

I recall my instructor stating that only one out of every ten students will actually complete their quotas and receive their certification. This number is stunningly low! The course itself is expensive, so why would you go through all that training to not be certified? It makes me wonder just how many 'technicians' out there are actually certified.

Now that I am a certified, inspected and approved by Alberta Health Services in microblading, I am going to share with you my own experience with microblading before 'I knew better.'

I came across the tech's profile on Instagram & Facebook and when it came time to book my appointment, I noticed she was providing the service out of her home. This made me super uneasy-- after all, you wouldn't get tattooed at someone's house, would you? Certainly not. Since microblading is a semi permanent eyebrow tattoo, the thought of having my face cut open at someone's house, where there's little environmental control, certainly did not help put my reservations at ease. However, I was south bound for a sunny vacation in less than two weeks and the artist I've been desperately trying to see was booked up for the next two months!

This should have been the first clue-- the technician that I entrusted my brows to could fit me in the same week. Yet, because I was SO excited about getting my brows bladed before my vacation, I didn't question why she was able to accommodate me so quickly.

The scary thought of having my face cut open in some random person's hbasement had crossed my mind, but my concerns were put to ease when I pulled up to the house. The treatment room was lovelier than a lot of spas I've been to. I will mention that there was a dog in the house, which again, should have raised a red flag, but I decided not to let it bother me. I was just SO excited to have hassle free eyebrows, I didn't even think to question her qualifications. The fact that this technician was working out of her own home certainly raised many concerns about sterilization, etc., and while I was quite thorough in questioning her sterilizing procedures, I neglected to question the technician about her credentials.

The technician begins by numbing the area, then she draws an outline using a pre-made stencil that she purchase at Sephora. She draws on the eyebrows and the arches are not peaking where they should. It seemed weird that she was using a stencil and not drawing per my face proportions, but whatever. I'll just go with it. After many minutes adjusting the placement of the arch and thickness of the brows, I finally green-light the outline and the procedure begins.

Mid procedure, she wiped the treated area with rubbing alcohol which induced a burning sensation over my eyebrows. I wince and react, to which she responds by saying, 'well, better than getting an infection!'

At the time, I didn't know what to look for, so I was ecstatic with the results when she unveiled my new eyebrows.

I return for my touch up appointment about six weeks later. I express my concerns that the hair strokes she placed are not quite falling with the natural grain of my hair growth. In fact, they look as if my eyebrows had been brushed straight up. The technician responded that it would look 'unnatural' to have the hair strokes placed horizontally in some spots, which again, should have raised a flag.

She touches up the brows, and again, I am overjoyed. In fact, I am so thrilled with this service that I decide to learn the technique myself.

Let me tell you all the interesting tidbits I discovered once I became a certified microblading technician.

Your technician should be taking time to draw an outline of your brows according to the proportions of your face while taking into consideration your face shape. Did my technician do this? Absolutely not. She used a pre made stencil that she purchased at Sephora. These stencils are pre cut and don't take everyone's unique face shape and proportion into consideration.

Also, there was a drawing of correct and incorrect hair strokes. The incorrect version had the hair strokes in an unnatural upward direction. Later in the bathroom, I take a good look at my eyebrows and discover that my left eyebrow hairstrokes appear to be the exact illustration of what NOT to do-- the resemblance is uncanny.

Oh yeah-- remember when she wiped my brows with rubbing alcohol? Apparently this is a No-No, for obvious reasons!! It hurts like a M%#F*&!!

Lastly, she did not properly disclose that she was NOT certified and was in fact a student in the process of completing her quota.

If I can impart some wisdom to anyone out there considering microblading...

1. Check your technician's credentials-- are they certified? Where did they receive their certification? Have they been inspected & approved by their local health authority?

2. Don't just ask for examples of their recent work. Ask for healed photos as well!

3. Is your artist charging a reasonable rate? Great deal on a pair of brows may not always be the best thing when it comes to your face. Remember-- your face is an investment! Do you really want to take a chance? Providing a quality service using the best tools requires a minimum cost. Not only that, providing the service in a licensed & inspected establishment comes at a cost. On average, the going rate in Calgary for first treatment & touch up appears to be $600-$700 in total. If you are paying only half that, you really have to question whether all the safety requirements are being met, and whether your face is receiving the very best care.

4. Consider where your technician is providing their service. Technicians who provide their service at a licensed business are subject to periodic & random inspections by Alberta Health. If the technician is providing services from their home, have they been inspected & approved by the local health authority?

If you have any questions or comments regarding this post, we'd love to hear from you!