Who is, and is not, a good candidate for microblading

Microblading is a good fit if your brows are sparse, over-plucked, uneven, or pale, and you want them to look like hair instead of a solid block of powder. It is a poor fit if you want a different face every month, or if your skin and health make pigment unsafe.

Often a good candidate

People who are tired of drawing brows every morning. People whose tails disappeared. People who want a result that still looks like them at the grocery store, not a trend from a screenshot. Mature skin can be an excellent candidate when the strokes are placed with a lighter hand.

Often not a candidate, at least not right now

Pregnancy and nursing, recent or current Accutane, a tendency to keloid, active eczema or dermatitis on the brow, and uncontrolled medical conditions that affect healing. Blood thinners and some acne medications change both bleeding and how color heals. None of this is a moral test. It is how the skin behaves.

Very oily skin can blur strokes faster. Ellie may suggest a different permanent makeup approach, or a shorter time between refreshes, instead of pretending hair strokes will stay crisp for two years.

If you are unsure, text a photo of your bare brows and a one-line health note to (949) 339-7383. A no, when it is the honest answer, saves you a bad heal.