For those whose eyebrows lack symmetry due to conditions, habits or natural differences, microblading offers a semipermanent solution to uneven brows that can transform one’s entire face. When performed by a skilled professional, microblading involves mapping and depositing pigment to mimic the look of individual hairs where growth is sparse. This technique can be used to build up underdeveloped brows and fill in gaps, creating an even appearance and balanced frame for the eyes that reflects the shape and arch the client desires.
Causes of Uneven Brows
There are numerous reasons why someone’s eyebrows may exhibit uneven growth resulting in asymmetrical thickness, length or shape.
Genetics – In some cases, uneven brows are simply due to natural variations in hair follicle density between the left and right brow. Genetics can dictate that one brow develops slightly fuller or longer than the other.
Hormonal changes – Conditions causing hormonal imbalances can impact brow growth. During menopause or when having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), brow hairs on one side may thin more rapidly due to shifting hormone levels. Similarly, many women notice one brow thinning noticeably during pregnancy.
Trichotillomania – This hair-pulling disorder can result in overplucking or excessive grooming focused on one brow over the other. Over time, this creates an imbalance in length, density and shape between brows.
Overplucking – Whether due to trimming mistakes that got out of hand or a decade of overzealous grooming, uneven brows are a common outcome of removed too much hair from one brow and not the other.
Trauma – Eyebrow injuries from accidents, burns or surgery on one side can impact hair growth. Scarring or nerve damage may inhibit follicles from producing hair normally, resulting in sparser brows over time.
Alopecia areata – This autoimmune disorder causes hair loss in patches, often targeting one brow first. As hair follicles are destroyed, regrowth can be incomplete, leaving one brow noticeably thinner than the other.
Dermatillomania – This compulsive skin-picking disorder causes people to manipulate their own skin and pull out brow hairs. When focused on one brow more than the other, it creates asymmetry over time.
Treatment for the underlying cause will help resolve severely uneven brows in the long run. But if hair loss has occurred, microblading can even out the appearance in the meantime by building pigment into sparse areas on the thinner brow to match the density of the fuller one. Success depends on the degree of hair involvement and whether enough healthy follicles remain to promote natural regrowth over time.
For patients with nerve damage or trauma-related scarring that inhibit hair, microblading provides the best option for achieving symmetrical brows that frame the eyes in an aesthetically-pleasing and proportional manner.
The Microblading Process
The first step in any microblading procedure involves an in-depth consultation where the technician will evaluate your existing brow shape, symmetry and hair density. For patients with uneven brows, this allows the technician to understand why the asymmetry exists and determine the best strategy for balancing out the shape and thickness between both sides.
The technician will then make recommendations for the ideal brow shape based on your facial anatomy and features to create a customized map for the procedure. For uneven brows, this mapped shape will have a fuller appearance on the undersized brow to help balance out the look.
During the actual microblading session, the technician will begin by sanitizing and numbing the treatment area with topical anesthetic cream. They will then start creating fine hair-like strokes into the skin using a blade inserted tool loaded with cosmetic tattoo pigment.
For uneven brows, the technician will focus on depositing more strokes and pigment into the sparse areas on the undersized brow based on the predetermined map. The goal is to build up the appearance of hairs alongside the natural ones that do exist, creating symmetry in length, shape and thickness with the fuller brow.
The technician will work slowly and methodically, creating hair strokes in various directions that mimic the growth patterns of real brow hairs. They may build up the tail end more to match the length of the opposite brow or concentrate pigment under the arch where growth is minimal.
Depending on the severity of asymmetry, addressing uneven brows through microblading may require depositing pigment in multiple layers and shades during the initial session. This ensures the result provides a natural transition between the technician-created hair strokes and the patient’s existing brow hairs.
Follow-up touch-up appointments at 4-6 weeks and then 9-12 months will allow the technician to further refine and balance out the brows, transforming the uneven appearance into symmetrical shapes that frame the eyes proportionately. Over time, any naturally regrowing hairs on the undersized brow will blend in with the pigment, restoring fullness from the inside out.
For the best results, patients with uneven brows seek out technicians who have experience handling a range of asymmetry cases through microblading. Their artistry and skill play a significant role in achieving a symmetrical and natural-looking transformation.
Can Microblading Work for Uneven Eyebrows?
For those seeking to correct severely uneven brows, microblading offers a very viable solution when performed by a skilled and experienced technician. Several key factors determine the procedure’s potential to transform asymmetrical brows into a symmetrical and balanced pair:
The degree of hair loss – If unevenness stems only from overplucking on one brow, then regrowing those hairs naturally over time may correct the asymmetry. But if hair loss is due to conditions that impact growth, microblading pigment can often make up the fullness difference.
The amount of healthy hair remaining – The more follicles still intact and producing hair on the undersized brow, the easier it will be for a technician to blend pigment strokes seamlessly. This helps achieve a result that looks perfectly natural. But even without much growth, pigment alone can even out the brows to an adequate degree.
The patient’s aesthetic goals – Aimining for complete symmetry may not look natural given the remnant asymmetry in hair texture and color between brows. But building up pigment to mitigate the unevenness as much as comfortably possible can still dramatically improve the frame for one’s eyes. Setting reasonable expectations matters.
The technician’s skill level – Handling complex cases of asymmetry through microblading requires an artistic eye, steady hand, and refined technique. But transforming severely uneven brows can be one of the most rewarding outcomes for skilled professionals. They should feel comfortable tackling a range of severity.
Addressing the issue gradually – The initial microblading session may only get the patient “80% of the way there” in evening out their brows. But subsequent touch-ups allow the technician to gradually build up pigment and hair strokes over time to find the ideal balance point between brows. Progress is made in stages.
Managing fade rates between brows – Since pigment will fade at different rates between the fuller versus sparser brow, touch-ups will likely need to focus more on the undersized side for several years. But this maintenance helps ensure the results remain well-matched.
In summary, if lack of hair growth underlies the unevenness, microblading’s pigment can achieve nearly any degree of balancing the brows a patient desires when performed skillfully. The results may not be “perfect” symmetry. But they can dramatically improve proportion, framing the eyes in a way that makes anyone’s face instantly appear more harmonious and balanced.
Things to Consider for Microblading Uneven Eyebrows
For those seeking to correct severely uneven brows through microblading, several factors must be considered:
Increased pain – Individuals with nerve damage or conditions causing asymmetric brows often report higher pain levels during the microblading procedure due to existing skin sensitivities. Medications can help manage any discomfort.
Frequent touch-ups – Since pigment will fade faster from the previously sparser brow, these touch-up appointments will need to be prioritized. Expecting to return every 6-9 months instead of annually is common.
Additional cost – Due to depositing more pigment and creating additional hair strokes on the undersized brow, the technician’s fees will likely be 10-20% higher for the initial microblading session. Additional touch-up costs should also be budgeted.
Avoiding overcompensation – There is a risk of overfilling the previously sparse brow to achieve total symmetry, which may look overly artificial. Technicians must build up the shape gradually to ensure a natural balance is found.
Patience – Transforming severely uneven brows takes time, often involving 3-5 microblading sessions spaced 4-12 weeks apart for the best results. Immediate perfection is unrealistic.
Post-procedure falling out – Many hairs will fall out naturally within 1-2 weeks of microblading, so any asymmetry often worsens slightly right after a session. But pigment typically remains.
Considering alternatives – If pain or cost is a major concern, alternatives like tinted brow gel may help slightly balance out the asymmetry in the short term.
In summary, while microblading offers unparalleled ability to correct severely uneven brows, there are tradeoffs to the technique. Thoroughly discussing these considerations with a skilled technician can ensure realistic expectations and proper planning for any potential challenges.
In conclusion, microblading is capable of transforming severely uneven brows through patient and skilled application of pigment to build up underdeveloped areas. While the results may not provide perfect symmetry, the aesthetic balance and framing this technique delivers for the eyes can improve one’s overall facial harmony. With proper planning and management of any challenges, microblading can truly be life-changing for those seeking to correct asymmetrical brows.
FAQs
Here are the answers to the FAQs:
1. How long do microbladed uneven brows usually last?
Microbladed brows generally last 1-3 years. Uneven brows may require more frequent touchups due to faster fading of pigment in the previously sparse area.
2. What causes one eyebrow to be thicker than the other?
Asymmetry can stem from conditions, overplucking, hormonal changes, nerve damage, trauma and genetic factors.
3. Does microblading hurt more for uneven brows?
Yes, individuals with nerve damage or skin sensitivities from conditions tend to experience higher pain levels during the procedure.
4. How soon after microblading can I get a touch up for asymmetry?
Touch ups are typically needed at 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and then every 6-12 months to refine and balance uneven brows.
5. What pigment colors work best for correcting uneven brows?
Technicians choose pigments that closely match the client’s natural hair color to seamlessly blend strokes into existing brow hairs.
6. Can microblading fix overplucked uneven eyebrows?
Yes! By depositing pigment to fill in gaps and build up the sparser brow, technicians can correct asymmetrical brows caused by overplucking.
7. How much does it cost to micoblading to fix uneven brows?
Initial microblading sessions cost $400-$1000 depending on skill level and location. Uneven brows may be 10-20% higher due to depositing more pigment.
8. Should I get anaesthetic ointment for microblading uneven brows?
Topical numbing cream is always recommended during the procedure, especially for those with nerve sensitivities causing unevenness.
9. What should I avoid while uneven brows are healing post-micoblading?
For 4 weeks, avoid retinoids, sun exposure, pools, harsh chemicals and facial treatments that could disrupt healing or pigment retention.
10. Does insurance cover correction of asymmetric eyebrows?
No, insurance does not typically cover microblading for uneven brows as it is considered an elective cosmetic procedure.