No one gets excited when they hear “blading” or “face tattoo,” but with the new trend of microblading, all of that is changing. You may have seen a friend or colleague suddenly have perfect brows. It’s possible they tweezed, threaded, or filled them in. But, chances are, they got their brows microbladed.

We know you have questions and we’re here to answer them with help from microblading expert Chyna of Chyna Thi Brow Art.

What is the process?

“Microblading takes 2 to 2.5 hours to complete and if someone is guaranteeing less, run! Why? Because this is not a rushed procedure.” Chyna explained. “The first hour includes preparation and designing of the brows. This takes the longest as we try to shape them just right for your face and of course getting them as symmetrical as possible. We will not move forward until we are both happy with the shape.”

Once you like what you see (because it’s all about that self-love, girl!), your esthetician will put numbing cream on your brows. “Numbing takes about 30 minutes. During this time, we will also select the color. I try to match the shade to the client’s natural hair and skin color profile as closely as possible. I often recommend starting out on the lighter end of the color spectrum because it’s easy to add a darker color at a later date, lightening is far more difficult.”

Finally, she’ll then turn to the specialized microblading pen. This hand-held tool, made up of several very tiny needles, is thinner than a standard tattoo gun and leaves precise marks in your brow. “The microblading procedure normally takes 45 minutes. No more than 45 minutes should be spent microblading as the skin will start to irritate and this may cause too much trauma to the skin. Microblading over swollen skin will also cause uneven hairstrokes.”

After your brows are (semi-permanently) on fleek, allow for at least 2 weeks to heal. Make sure that you don’t scratch or peel any scabs that form in the brows.

Does it hurt?

Everyone experiences pain differently. “A topical numbing anesthetic cream is used before and during your procedure.” Chyna shared, much to our relief. “Pain level will vary from person to person and every effort is made to ensure you remain comfortable for the entirety of the procedure. Having this service performed during your menstrual cycle may increase discomfort during your procedure. If you are a frequent smoker, the topical anesthetics used during the treatment will not last as long. If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, be aware that this may affect your sensitivity tolerance to the procedure.”

How long does it last?

This process tends to last from one to three years. After that, you can go back to your esthetician for a touch up as needed. The “as-needed” is typically once a year but it all depends on your skin type. Chyna explained that how often a touch-up is needed is dependent on a number of things: “the pigment color used (lighter colors fade faster), lifestyle (sun exposure), iron deficiency (your body absorbs iron-oxide as a supplement), and if any chemical peels come into contact with treated areas.” She also reminded us that daily sunblock is a must!

Does it look good?

Absolutely! Chyna shared that “the microblading method is the finest form of cosmetic tattooing to date. The results are subtle yet noticeable.”

Do celebrities do it?

Of course! “Recently, Bella Thorne shared her microblading experience on snapchat.”

Should I try it?

“If you want to wake up with perfect brows every morning then you should try it!”

Is there any reason I shouldn’t try it?

While everyone wants to wake up with perfect brows, there are a couple of things to consider before rushing off to get microbladed. “There are a few contraindications that may require a doctor’s note in order to perform the treatment. A couple examples where a doctor’s note would be needed are Cancer, Hemophilia, and Hepatitis. The procedure can not be performed if you are pregnant.”

Whether your brows just needed a little bit more oomph or you were working with a (literal) blank slate, the right esthetician can transform your face and give you the brows that you have always wanted.

Make sure to check out Chyna’s StyleSeat page for before and after images of her microblading.