Frequently asked questions about Eyebrows and Eyebrow Shaping:
Every day I get bombarded with questions about eyebrows at Inga Bailey Brows. I figured it would be best to compile a few of my “Frequently Ask Questions” together along with some important tips to help you better understand your eyebrows. If there are any unanswered questions you may have, feel free to forward them to Inga@IngaBaileyBrows.com
-Inga B.
Q: How long should I grow out my eyebrows before scheduling my first eyebrow shaping appointment?
Q: What’s the best hair removal technique? Razor, threading, waxing or tweezing?
Q: What exactly is an eyebrow “shaping?”
A: An eyebrow shaping at Inga Bailey Brows is a 30 minute session that begins with a full consultation of your eyebrows. During the consultation, you will understand your eyebrows much better. You will know what areas will have grow (if any) in order to achieve the perfect brow shape for your face. Your brows will then be expertly shaped by safely removing all unwanted hairs from the brows. Once the brow shaping in complete, we will show you how to naturally fill in your eyebrows using brow powder, brow pencil, highlighter, and/or brow gel.
Q: I’ve had my brows “waxed” before. So what’s difference between a wax, and a “shaping?”
A: During an eyebrow shaping, your eyebrows are expertly measured based off the natural bone structure of your face. They are then filled in with powder to the shape that your brows should be in order to perfectly balance your face. This insures consistency in your eyebrow shapings 100% of the time, allowing me, as your brow expert, to never make a mistake during your eyebrow shaping. It also insures that only the hairs that MUST go are taken, which prevents over waxing/tweezing. Overall this process allows proper brow growth if growth is needed to perfect the shape of your eyebrows. End result? Your BEST brows!
Q: Is there a certain “measurement” that determines where my brows should be on my face?
A: INDEED! Based on the bone structure, the eyebrows should start on the inside corner of the nose, up the bridge of the nose to the eyebrow. The tail (or end) of the eyebrow should line up to the outer crease of the nose, to the crease of the eye, to the eyebrow. The highest point of the eyebrow should line up with the ball of the nose, cut across the pupil of the eye, to the top of the eyebrow. This measurement is true to every face shape.
Q: What are the different forms of hair removal for the eyebrows?
A: There are four major forms of hair removal for the eyebrow: waxing, tweezing, threading, and razor or shaving.
Waxing is usually performed by using warm body wax (typically made from honey), and applying it to the skin in the direction of the hair growth. A cloth strip is then placed over the application of wax, and removed in a quick, firm motion, removing all hairs under the wax. When performed correctly, this method of hair removal removes hair directly from the hair follicle.
Tweezing is performed by a hair removal tool called a “tweezer.” Tweezers are made to remove one or a few hairs at a time in the direction of the brow growth, extracting the hair from the follicle. Because this method is the gentlest, it can be used alone for those who are extremely sensitive to other forms of hair removal. However, it is commonly used in conjunction with waxing to achieve a more precise shape to the eyebrows and to remove hairs that are too short to wax.
Threading is a hair removal method that was originated in Middle East and South Asia. In threading, a thin (cotton or polyester) thread is doubled and then twisted. It is then rolled over areas of unwanted hair removing the hair at the follicle level. Unlike tweezing, where single hairs are pulled out one at a time, threading can remove short lines of hair at a time.
Razor/Shaving the brows is performed by using a straight razor, moving the blade against the skin in the opposite direction of the hair growth. This method only removes the hair at the surface of the skin.
Q: Why don’t you offer microblading as a service?
A: There are a few major reasons why we do not offer microblading as a service here at Inga Bailey Brows. To fully understand why we choose not to offer microblading as a service, I must mention a couple of important details about the Inga Bailey Brows Philosophy:
One, we do not perform random eyebrow trends to create temporary or quick “fixes” to the eyebrows. A majority of these trends, such as microblading, can lead to serious damage to the eyebrows - including, but not limited to, permanent scarring and infection, which can potentially damage the hair follicle, thus creating more issues for the eyebrows. We believe that a majority of people’s eyebrows have the ability to repair themselves by: creating a healthy environment for the hair follicles to produce hair and grow, corrective shaping, proper care and patience.
Two, we believe that the eyebrows should not be masked or overpowering. Instead, we make sure the eyebrows become as healthy as possible in order to look natural - softly complimenting and framing the face. The brows cannot healthily achieve that look with severe ink strokes laced within each hair.
*For anyone seriously considering microblading, we suggested that you weigh out all of your eyebrow repairing options. Feel free to schedule a complementary eyebrow consultation to discuss those options.
There are cases in which microblading can be appropriate. Those cases would be medical conditions that permanently prevents the hair from growing in the eyebrows, such as alopecia, burn victims or those who have permanent scarring throughout the eyebrows.
Q: What can I do if my brows are over tweezed?
A: It is very common that I meet women with over tweezed brows. Whether they over tweezed their eyebrows themselves to achieve a look from a trend years ago or if they just had a bad experience at a nail salon or spa. No matter what the cause of over wax/tweezed eyebrows, the best thing to do is to allow your brows to rest and GROW! You cannot achieve proper brow growth if:
1: You are constantly "cleaning up your brows" yourself.
2: You are continuously getting your eyebrows shaped incorrectly.
Most women actually do have healthy follicles, but fail to see growth because the hairs that actually promote a fuller brow are mistaken for “strays” and are being removed. When it comes to brow growth, EVERY HAIR COUNTS!
There are also home remedies that can aid in brow growth. One of the best home remedies is to use castor oil. Simply apply a dime size to clean brows every morning and night. Steer clear of using products such as Rogaine. These products can and will grow hair; however, products such as Rogaine make your follicle dependent. Which means - the moment you stop using the product, you will notice that those hairs will quickly diminish.
As your brows are growing, make sure you invest in the proper brow products/makeup to fill in your eye brows properly and naturally. If you’re not sure how to achieve a natural eyebrow fill in, book an appointment and we will show you how!
Q: Can my age and/or hormones cause my brows to appear thinner?
A: Unfortunately, yes. As we age, our hair follicles can become less active and even dormant. This can cause the brow hairs to grow in thinner, slower or not at all. Health conditions, such as hypothyroidism or even hyperthyroidism can cause the tails (or end) of your eyebrows to diminish. When hormones and particular health conditions affect our eyebrows, there honestly isn’t too much we can do. But it is extremely important that your brows are being shaped properly from this point on to prevent any over waxing/tweezing. Learning how to fill in your brows properly and maintaining a healthy diet will surely help as well.
Q: How often should I get my brows done?
A: Healthy eyebrows grow in a cycle that takes about 21-30 days to complete. At the end of this cycle, any hairs that have been removed from the hair follicle should begin to appear on the surface of the skin. Therefore, most women should get their brows done every 3-4 weeks.
Q: The last time I had an eyebrow wax, my skin turned very red and became extremely irritated. Am I allergic?
A: All possible allergic reactions should be checked out by your physician. However, in my experience, most irritation from waxing comes from improper waxing techniques – and that is not your fault! Here are a few things to keep in mind and pay attention to when getting waxed.
Most professionals who perform facial waxing typically use what is called “All Purpose Wax” or honey wax. This wax is not intended for the face. It was made to remove thick, coarse hairs on thicker skin from the neck down. When this wax is applied to the face it can be too harsh. Pearl or cream wax is the wax that should be used on the delicate skin of the face. Don’t be afraid to ask your brow artist what wax he/she will be using on your face.
Also, no form of wax should be applied directly on the skin; there needs to be some type of barrier. The most common form of barrier is a talc free powder. At Inga Bailey Brows, we use almond oil, which is the same oil used to remove the wax from the skin. This method prevents the wax from adhering to the skin. When the improper wax is applied to the face without a barrier, it is common to see major irritation to the skin, which includes, but is not limited to: severe redness, bumps, and blisters. These reactions appear because the wax has literally ripped off the top layer of skin. Sounds harsh, but it is a fact!
Wax should always be the consistency of honey, and it should never be hot to touch. Rule of thumb: if you ever see anyone blowing off the wax before applying it to your face… RUN! Wax should be warm, not hot! When the wax is too hot, it can cause blisters and burns.
Be mindful that irritation can also come from poor sanitation and disinfection. One major thing to pay attention to is double dipping in the wax. This is how cross contamination occurs. A wax applicator should only be used ONCE then tossed in the trash. A brand new applicator should be use each time it is dipped in the wax.
REMEMBER! Do not take any form of retinol or vitamin A at least 48 hours prior to your waxing service. This includes, but is not limited to: Retin-A, Differin, or Accutane. These medications are typically prescribed to people with acne or to those with more mature skin to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. They help with these two issues because they are formulated to increase cell turnover by thinning out the skin. Waxing while taking any forms of these medications can cause irritation and/or skin burns. If you are unsure if your skin medication contains retinol, consult with your dermatologist.
Finally, don’t be nervous if your skin is slightly pink after your brow shaping. Think about it: your hairs have just been snatched out from the follicle. That is a traumatizing experience for a hair follicle. Our bodies’ natural and healthy response to trauma is blood rushing to the surface. So that’s just your body doing what it’s supposed to do. You can apply a cooling gel, such as aloe, to cool the skin and help the redness go away faster. But if you choose not to, the redness should dissipate in 30 minutes or less.
Q: I’m preparing to start chemotherapy treatments. What do I do if I lose my eyebrows?
A: Unfortunately there is no science, formula or guarantee that can tell you whether you will or you won’t lose your hair during chemotherapy, therefore, it is always a good idea to be prepared if you do. If you have not started your treatment, book an appointment to see me NOW! The urgency is because you still have eyebrows and you can look in the mirror and see what they look like. I’ve had many clients who came in to see me AFTER they’ve lost all their brows, and the first thing they say is “I forgot what they used to look like!” One of the struggles in filling in the brows after chemotherapy is that there is not a shape to follow. Another issue is drawing on the brows without making them look “fake”.
At Inga Bailey Brows, clients are able to book a 30 minute “Chemo Brow Session”. During the session I analyze your brows to see where they are now, similar to a typical eyebrow consultation. Typically we do not “shape” the brows during this session. Instead, we give you a hands-on lesson on how to fill your brows in and/or how to “create” a brow if you do not have one to begin with. I then guide you on what products to use prior to chemo, during chemo and post chemo. If you feel you need a “refresher course” anytime during your chemotherapy process, it’s complimentary! Just book an appointment to schedule your visit.