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The importance of a thorough client consultation

A client consultation is a one-to-one talk with your client. During this time, you will find out very important and confidential information that will allow you to advise and provide the best treatment for the client.

It’s important to always introduce yourself to the client as this removes any barriers and relaxes them. Consultations should always be undertaken in a private room or area where you can’t be overheard by others.

A client should first fill out a client consultation form which helps identify any contraindications that may mean you have to alter the treatment or could mean you’re unable to treat them at all. If their form shows no reason why they can’t proceed with the treatment, then you can move onto verbal questioning.

Verbal questions allow you to establish why the client has visited the salon and what their expectations and outcome of the treatment may be. Asking what they want ensures you can provide customer satisfaction as the client should be pleased with the outcome of their treatment. It’s good practice to speak to the client in front of a mirror and explain the treatment to them and see if that meets their requirements.

Once you have established what the client is after, then a physical examination should be undertaken. This allows you to further check for any undeclared contraindications and get a better overview of any issues that you may face during the procedure.

Allow around 15 minutes for the client’s first clinic visit. Ideally, you should sit face to face or next to the client to create an open atmosphere. Avoid barriers such as a couch or table between you.

Use open questions to tactfully encourage the client to give you information that you may need rather than using interrogating questioning techniques. Use the consultation form to work from and record anything you may discuss.

You must carry out a thorough consultation with every client at least 24 hours before a procedure. You need to ensure the client is suitable for Microblading and clearly explain the process and outcomes. Listen to the client’s preferences and expectations and discuss any limitations. You should examine their skin type, skin texture and actual brow (hair and bone structure) as well as their medical history to determine if they’re the right fit or not for the procedure.

 

Following the consultation, it’s essential that the client understands the following:

  • A touch-up appointment is required 4 to 6 weeks after the initial procedure.
  • There will be slight swelling, redness, and possible pain following the procedure.
  • Pigment colours will initially appear dark or bright and will fade gradually in time.
  • Pigments will heal a different colour than they appear when first applied. 

During the consultation, you should discuss the following with your client:

The process

Microblading is a layering treatment, with colour implanted slowly over a period. Clients will require a follow-up appointment around five weeks after the initial procedure to reinforce the colour.

There is a post-procedure healing period of 5 to 10 days which must be taken into consideration when booking your clients’ appointments. During this time, the client may experience some dryness around the treated area and the colour will appear somewhat darker for a short period. This is because, when the colour is implanted to the basal membrane, it creates blood spotting. This blood, combined with the chosen pigment, is initially darker, just as it would be if the skin were grazed and bled. This will lighten once the skin has exfoliated and healed.

On week two and three after the treatment, the eyebrows may look like they’ve disappeared, and the client may panic. However, after week 4 and 5 the true colour comes through and settles.

You mustn’t carry out the follow-up procedure before four weeks to allow the skin to fully heal and to give the colour the opportunity to settle. If the follow up treatment is carried out too early, you may end up going darker than needed.

It’s important to reinforce to the client that they must trust in the process and that the different healing phases require patience.

The healing process of the Microblading treatment depends on several factors including:

  • age
  • skin type
  • medication
  • sun exposure
  • lifestyle
  • chosen colour

Younger clients typically heal faster, while medication or sun-damaged skin can result in a slower healing response.

Younger clients, and clients who have an active lifestyle and do a lot of sport and exercise may notice that their colour fades quicker. This is because the skin cell turnover is faster. This doesn’t mean they need to adjust their lifestyle. They may just need to come in more frequently for touch-up treatments.

You should recommend that clients use a daily SPF as sun exposure can increase the rate of fading.

Maintenance

Clients will require a retouch procedure every 12 to 18 months or a full treatment if there’s been significant fade for any reason.

If a client has had their brows Microbladed by another therapist and comes to you for maintenance or corrective work, you must tell them that you may not be able to fully determine the result as you won’t know the equipment or pigment used by the previous technician.

Should the client fall pregnant during your treatment course, it is important that they contact you and cancel their appointments immediately. This follows the Tattoo Act of 1969. You may recommence the treatment once the client has finished breastfeeding. However, it may mean that you achieve less than optimal results from the Microblading treatment.

Pigment colour

Before any Microblading treatment, you’ll need to discuss pigment colour with the client. In general, it’s good practice to start a touch lighter to stay on the side of caution. If the colour settles down a bit lighter, it will still form the base. You can always go darker on your follow-up treatment if necessary.

You should keep a log of the pigment colours used along with pre, during and post treatment photographs. All this information should be held securely on a confidential file.

Side effects

After each treatment, the treated area may seem swollen, red, and feel itchy. In some cases, there may even be some bruising. These are common side-effects and can last for up to 2 weeks.

If the client has an MRI or CAT scan for any reason, they should tell the radiologist where the Microblading treatment is located. Warn them that they may experience a slight tingling sensation in the treated area during the scan.

Clients with certain health conditions may find that Microblading can cause bruising or bleeding, and healing time may be prolonged.

Failure to follow the after-care advice could result in:

  • an infection
  • poor healing
  • bleeding

If the client tends to bleed more than average, it can push some of the pigment out of its placement. Any uneven appearance can be corrected at the follow-up appointment.

Sun exposure and future skin-altering procedures may alter the appearance of the Microblading treatment. These include:

  • Plastic surgery
  • Skin peels
  • Implants
  • Injectables

These may result in adverse changes to the treatment, which may not be correctable.