When it comes to Microblading, it’s important to make sure that you select a qualified and experienced tattoo artist. You wouldn’t let just anyone tattoo your face, right?

Here are 7 things to consider when selecting the right Microblading Artist for you:

• CERTIFICATION  Where did the artist learn Microblading? From whom? When I was deciding on an artist to train with, I chose Rebecca Chung of PrincessBrows Academy in Hong Kong for several reasons. Microblading originated in Asia and has been around in Hong Kong for several years, so I wanted to learn from the source. Not only is Rebecca one of the top instructors in the world but she is also a judge at international Microblading competitions.

• TATTOO LICENSE  Make sure the artist is licensed to tattoo in the city or county where the establishment is located. It also helps if the artist has additional licenses, like cosmetology or esthetics licenses. You want to make sure that the artist has been properly educated in both tattooing and sanitation. Being Bloodborne Pathogens Certified is also a must!

WARNING: In the city of Atlanta, a person does NOT need to have taken any tattoo or Microblading or even infection control courses in order to receive a tattoo license. Atlanta only requires applicants to provide a few personal letters of reference and proof of employment and to pay a fee. Essentially, this means that a person can be a tattoo artist without learning how to tattoo or use or dispose of tattoo needles properly!

In addition to my Atlanta tattoo license, I have two tattoo licenses in New York, which has more stringent regulations. The Health Department in NY requires that tattoo artist applicants not only have tattoo education but they must also pass a Universal Precautions Exam before being licensed. This ensures that all licensed tattoo artists are knowledgeable about how to dispose of sharps and other potentially infectious materials safely and how to properly sanitize their workspaces.
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• TATTOO PERMIT  An establishment must have a tattoo permit in order to offer tattooing as a service. For example, some nail salons offer permanent or semi-permanent makeup but may not have a tattoo permit since their focus is primarily nails.

• EXPERIENCE  How long has the artist been Microblading? Does he/she specialize in Microblading or just do it “on the side”? This procedure is relatively new in the United States and many artists are just starting to learn it. An artist should make you aware if he/she has less than a year of experience. When I learned Microblading over two years ago, there weren’t many people performing or teaching this service. Now there are plenty of people who are starting to offer this service due to its popularity. If you are okay with a less experienced artist in exchange for a cheaper price, be sure to ask how many clients they’ve had and to look at their work.

• BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES  Check the artist’s before and after pictures to make sure that you like the work. Each artist has his/her own style of Microblading, so it’s important to find one that appeals to your particular tastes. I update my Instagram frequently with before and after pictures so potential clients get plenty of examples of my work.

• HEALED WORK  Since most “after” pictures are taken immediately after the procedure, it’s important to take a look at the artist’s healed work as well. Look for pictures that indicate that the tattoo has already healed. A freshly done tattoo and healed results can vary greatly, depending on the artist’s experience.

• REVIEWS  Whenever possible, try to read an artist’s customer reviews before booking an appointment. Many of my clients have shared their experiences with me on Yelp and Facebook, both of which are good places to start. Reading reviews is like getting a personal referral from other clients who are sharing their experiences with you.

Because Atlanta is so far behind in terms of regulating who can become a tattoo artist, it is up to you to do your research. Taking the time to verify that your artist is properly educated, licensed, and experienced will help ensure that you get the best brow results possible!

EDIT: Also, make sure that your microblading artist uses numbing cream!