Microblading Technique for Tattooing of "Hairstrokes" That Simulate Natural Hair: Eyebrow Tattooing and Correction of Medical Conditions.

Microblading is a rapidly expanding technique in cosmetic and medical tattooing, used for eyebrow correction and conditions of hair loss. Tattooing is performed by hand using a special blade; tiny cuts in the outer skin are filled with dark pigment to simulate a natural hair. Indications, the technique, and the microblading procedure step-by-step are considered in what follows. Details on client selection and a range of pitfalls are discussed. The leading application of microblading is cosmetic tattooing of the eyebrows adding pigmented "hairstrokes" to the natural brow area. Tattooed "hairstrokes" fade in color over months and a repeated "touch up" procedure may be required. Pretreatment with laser removal of tattoos of the past may be indicated when a client requests a "touch up" with another brow in another style, shape, or extension. Microblading carries the risk of scarring. The combination with conventional machine-driven needle tattooing for background shading the skin of the brow is also discussed. Microblading is also used as a corrective intervention in a range of dermatological and medical conditions. Having grown exponentially for cosmetic purpose in the first phase of microblading parallel to acquired refinement, the method is now mature and ready to make further progress on medical indication in the coming second phase. The medical community should welcome this opportunity for supplementary correction with restoration of the normal brow anatomy added to other achievements in dermatological and medical therapy.