What to Expect During Your Microblading Appointment: Complete Guide

What to Expect During Your Microblading Appointment

If you're reading this, you've probably already explored your brow options and you may be feeling hesitant about microblading – and that's completely normal! We may have even chatted already :) Many of my clients take months or years to jump in, and even then still feel nervous before their first appointment, wondering what exactly happens during those two hours in my studio.

By the end of this post, you'll know exactly what to expect from the moment you walk through my door until you leave with your beautiful new brows. No surprises, no stress.

Investment & What's Included

Your microblading service cost is $499, and this investment includes everything you need for perfect brows:

• Initial consultation and assessment

• Complete microblading session

• All aftercare products and detailed instructions

• Mandatory Perfecting Session scheduled 6-12 weeks later

• Ongoing support throughout your healing process
  

I accept cash, e-transfer, and credit card.

Timing Your Appointment Strategically

Before we dive into the appointment details, let's talk timing. The best seasons for microblading in Ottawa are spring, fall, and winter, when you're less likely to be sweating heavily or spending extended time in direct sunlight during the crucial healing period. I ask for my clients to commit to a solid week avoiding sun, sweat, and water, so it’s important to plan ahead.

If you're planning around a special event like a wedding or family photos, let me know so we can discuss best timeframe. Ideally we would like both the microblading and perfecting sessions completed before the big day, but it’s also possible to have only the initial session done as long as you are fully healed.

Before You Arrive - Preparation Recap

Following the preparation guidelines ensures the best possible results and healing experience:

72 Hours Before:

• Avoid blood thinners (Advil, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Vitamin E, Niacin) unless medically necessary

24 Hours Before:

• No caffeine or alcohol

Weeks prior:

• No Botox or injectable fillers (2 weeks prior)

• No tanning, spray tanning, or brow tinting (3 days)

• No plucking, waxing, sugaring, or any brow hair removal (5 days)

Day of Appointment:

• Wear comfortable clothing

• Bring headphones if you'd like a distraction during the procedure

• Contact lenses are fine if needed

• Come with realistic expectations about the healing timeline
  

Certain medical conditions, medications, skin treatments, and skin types may affect candidacy. Please ensure we have approved candidacy prior to scheduling an appointment.

Step 1: Consultation & Discussion

When you arrive at my home-based Barrhaven studio, we'll start with a thorough consultation. This isn't rushed – it's your opportunity to share your goals, preferences, and any concerns you might have.

We'll discuss:

• Your desired brow look and lifestyle needs

• Your natural hair colour, goal brow hair colour, and skin undertone

• Any questions about the process or aftercare
  

I'll also take before photos to document your natural brows and track our progress.

Step 2: Safety & Sterilization Protocols

Your safety is my absolute priority. Before we begin any work, you'll see my commitment to the highest safety standards:

• Every tool is single-use and completely sterile

• I'm fully licensed, insured, and inspected by Ottawa Public Health

• All protocols follow strict health and safety guidelines
  

This attention to safety is part of what sets my professional microblading studio apart. The City of Ottawa does not currently have strict regulations about this industry. I go above and beyond the requirements because your health, safety, and satisfaction are very important to me. 

Step 3: Brow Mapping & Design

This is where the artistry really begins. Using tools, apps, and measurements, I'll create a brow shape based on your unique face structure and your natural eyebrows. You may have already read about the measuring process in a previous blog post, but experiencing it in person shows you just how customized this service truly is.

I'll draw the proposed outline directly on your face, and here's the important part – you're completely involved in this decision-making process. We'll make adjustments until you're 100% satisfied with the shape. This step takes time because it's the foundation of your beautiful results.

Step 4: The Microblading Procedure

Now for the main event! Using a tiny, sterile handheld needle tool, I'll manually create individual hair strokes that mimic natural brow hairs. This meticulous process creates the incredibly natural appearance that makes microblading so popular. Many folks hear the word “tattoo” and assume that there will be a loud noise and lots of vibration, but that isn’t the case. The tools that are used are small and manual.

What does it feel like? Most clients describe it as a light scratching sensation. For the second half of the process I’m able to use a numbing cream which does its job so well that some clients actually fall asleep!

I exclusively use PhiBrows pigments, which have years of proven quality and safety. These pigments contain no heavy metals or iron oxide, ensuring both safety and beautiful, long-lasting color that fades naturally over time.

Because this process is achieved over 2 sessions, we err on the side of caution with the first round. Skin can be unpredictable, and we don’t know exactly how the brows will look once healed. At the touch-up (“Perfecting Session”) 6-12 weeks later, we can make the brows darker, thicker, more dense etc. It’s easy to add! 

Why Choose Just Browsing Microblading Studio

While we're talking about the process, let me share what makes your experience here special:

• Recognition: Nominated for Best Eyebrow Specialist several times including 2025 Ottawa Awards by Faces Magazine

• Certification: PhiBrows trained and certified

• Compliance: Fully licensed, insured, and Ottawa Public Health inspected

• Reputation: Built on 5-star reviews and referrals from satisfied clients

• Quality: Using the world's highest quality pigments with 25+ years of safety data

  
  

Step 5: Immediate Aftercare & Next Steps

After completing your microblading, I'll apply a protective ointment and provide you with your customized aftercare package. This includes detailed instructions and all the products you'll need for optimal healing. Plan to spend at least one week avoiding sun, sweat, and water.

Your brows will appear darker immediately after the procedure – this is completely normal and expected. 

What Happens When You Leave

Here's some great news: you can return to your regular activities immediately! There's no extreme redness, swelling, or bandages. You can drive home, go back to work, meet friends for brunch, or dive back into mom life without missing a beat.

Most of my clients continue with their day as if nothing happened – except they keep catching glimpses of their beautiful new brows in mirrors and loving what they see!

The Healing Journey Ahead

Understanding the healing process helps set proper expectations:

• Complete healing: About 4 weeks total

• Skin healing: About 1 week

• First week: Some mild redness and tenderness (very manageable)

• Healing process: Light flaking and itchiness is normal and expected, and brows may go through several stages as they heal.

  
  

Following your customized aftercare instructions is crucial for the best possible results. Every client receives detailed guidance specific to their skin type and healing needs.

Post-Appointment Support

My commitment to you doesn't end when you leave the studio. Throughout your healing process, you can reach out with any questions or concerns. 

This ongoing support is part of my dedication to ensuring you're completely satisfied with your microblading experience and results.

Why the Perfecting Session Matters

Your Perfecting Session, scheduled 6-12 weeks after your initial appointment, is critical for ensuring your desired results. This isn't optional – it's a mandatory part of the process.

During this session, we expect to touch up any areas that didn’t retain pigment perfectly, and we can also make any corrections or improvements to shape, colour, density, and thickness. This final step ensures the longevity and quality of your microblading, giving you the beautiful, natural-looking brows you've been dreaming of.

Maintenance

Microblading typically lasts well for 1-3 years. Many factors impact longevity including skin type, sun exposure, medication and health conditions, lifestyle, beauty treatments, and more. 

As long as you don’t let the pigment fade completely, we never have to restart the process. The “annual” maintenance is one session only, at a cost of $349 (not two appointments like the very first time). 

If at some point you choose not to continue with microblading, you can simply let the pigment fade. It does not negatively impact your skin or natural hair. 

You Know What To Expect at your Microblading Appointment - Ready for Beautiful Brows?

Now you know exactly what to expect during your microblading appointment – from the moment you arrive until you leave with gorgeous new brows. The process is thorough, professional, and designed with your comfort and safety as top priorities.

Trust the process, follow the aftercare, and get ready to wake up every morning with perfect brows!

Ready to book your free consultation? Contact me today to start your journey to effortless, beautiful eyebrows that fit your lifestyle perfectly.

Just Browsing Microblading Studio is fully licensed and insured, and is inspected by Ottawa Public Health. We have been in business since 2020 and have received consistent five star reviews. Trust your brows to experience, quality, and proven results.

And if you still have unanswered questions, get in touch. I'm happy to help! xo, Brit