Brow lamination is a great way to define and enhance the look of your brows, but there are things you should be aware of before getting the treatment done. For example, is brow lamination safe during pregnancy? Here’s what the experts say.
Main Takeaways
- It is recommended that you wait until the third trimester to have brow lamination done
- The skin is more sensitive during pregnancy, which can cause greater pain
- Topical lotions are used which could enter the bloodstream
- Not much research is available on the topic but brow lamination is considered relatively safe
What Is Brow Lamination?
Brow lamination is a cosmetic procedure that makes your eyebrows look fuller and more defined.
It is commonly referred to as a “perm” for your eyebrows. It involves brushing the hairs in an upward, vertical direction so that they are all moving the same way.
The eyebrow artist uses a solution to keep the hairs in place and it typically lasts four to eight weeks on average.
Is Brow Lamination Safe During Pregnancy?
It is not recommended to get a brow lamination while pregnant. Brow lamination uses a perm solution that contains harsh chemicals which could cause greater sensitivity.
According to the owners of Lady Lash, an award-winning brow boutique in Sydney, Australia, if you do want to go ahead with the treatment, it is best to wait until the third trimester as the skin can be very sensitive during pregnancy.
Luckily, more and more salons use gentle perming lotions such as cysteamine. This is a thio-free product that contains fewer chemicals. As such, it doesn’t do damage to your lashes and brows.
To be on the safe side, always make sure you do a patch test 48 hours before your treatment. Your lash artist should insist on this as well.
Why can’t you get your eyebrows laminated while pregnant?
Truth be told, there is not a lot of research behind pregnancy and cosmetic brow services like brow lamination.
This is due to the fact that these services are fairly new. Eyebrow artists are, therefore, required to put the client’s health first and not risk any complications.
The main thing to avoid during pregnancy and related to cosmetic procedures are harsh chemicals on your body. The chemicals can be absorbed into the bloodstream which could cause potential complications.
The perm solution they use in brow lamination is a very harsh chemical, as it interferes with your pH levels.
And since pregnancy hormones cause higher levels of sensitivity, there is a greater chance of getting an adverse reaction from the brow laminate solution.
There is also a greater chance of getting inconsistent results.
Be sure to disclose in your consultation if you are pregnant so that your eyebrow artist can make an informed decision. If they are willing to go ahead, they will likely want to perform a patch test beforehand.
Can you get brow lamination while breastfeeding?
Brow Lamination is not recommended if you are breastfeeding. This is due to the elevated sensitivity caused by hormones produced during breastfeeding. The sensitivity can trigger involuntary reactions that may produce inconsistent results.
During pregnancy, your body goes through hormonal changes that can actually change the way your hair grows and the way your skin responds to outside factors.
The increased sensitivity of the skin could lead to reactions that may cause inconsistent results, and it is, therefore, better to wait until you have stopped breastfeeding.
can brow lamination cause miscarriage?
There is no proof that brow lamination can cause a miscarriage and the chances are highly unlikely. However, experts recommend that you do not have your brows laminated while pregnant or breastfeeding as the chemicals used during the treatment can be absorbed into the skin.
Precautions To Take Before Brow Lamination
If you have been breastfeeding for at least twelve weeks, eyebrow artists may be able to perform a brow lamination service.
Beforehand, you should always get approval from your physician to make sure you’re suitable for the procedure.
For people breastfeeding for at least twelve weeks, getting a patch test beforehand is highly recommended.
Most eyebrow artists will require one for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, yet have the approval to get a cosmetic service done.
What Is A Brow Lamination Patch Test?
A patch test will determine whether or not you get an allergic reaction to the solution or if you have heightened irritation.
Since pregnancy hormones cause a higher level of sensitivity, a patch test is crucial to know how your body reacts to the solution.
A patch test must be done 48 hours before getting the service done. This makes sure to leave enough time to see how the body reacts.
Usually, a patch test involves one drop of the solution placed behind the ear. This solution should be left on the skin for at least 24 hours before rinsing it off.
Negative signs to look out for are excessive redness, swelling, itchiness, and irritation. If any of these symptoms come up, it is best to hold off on getting your brows laminated.
If you don’t get any symptoms and the solution is not irritating, you should be okay to go through with the brow lamination.
Who Should Not Get Brow Lamination?
Like all other cosmetic procedures, there are contraindications for brow lamination.
A contraindication is something that makes a treatment inadvisable and they are taken very seriously in all medical and cosmetic fields.
Pregnant or breastfeeding
As mentioned, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, brow lamination is not recommended.
The hormone levels caused by pregnancy create higher levels of sensitivity. In addition to increased irritation, pregnancy can also cause inconsistent results in laminated brows.
Skin conditions
Psoriasis and eczema are two main contraindications that will most likely cause irritation to the area.
Facial psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis are conditions that are especially turned away from brow lamination.
Recent brow treatment
If you have recent permanent makeup on your brows, you should not get your brows laminated until they are fully healed.
It usually takes about 6 weeks for microbladed brows to fully heal.
A lot of people choose to get brow lamination on top of microblading for an even more defined look.
Sunburnt skin
Another contraindication is if you are recently sunburnt. Sunburnt skin will definitely cause a lot of irritation.
Also, since the skin peels after a sunburn, the results of the brow lamination may not be the best.
Scars and open sores
Obviously, if you have any open sores, scar tissue, or any other irritation to the area, you should hold off on brow lamination until these conditions are fully healed.
If you aren’t sure if these conditions will affect brow lamination, always get approval from your physician beforehand.
Other medical conditions
Other contraindications include blood-thinning medications, recent eye surgery, and pink eye.
Potential Side Effects
Some potential side effects to look out for are redness and mild itchiness.
These symptoms are normal, but should only last a day or two.
If it persists or hurts, you should talk to your eyebrow artist and/or physician immediately.
How Long Does Brow Lamination Last?
A brow lamination will usually last between four to six weeks. If you take good care of your brows, the lamination may last up to eight weeks. It is recommended that you have the treatment re-done every six weeks to keep up the appearance of your brows.
How Long Does Brow Lamination Take?
Brow lamination is a fairly straightforward process and usually only takes around 15-20 minutes. If you choose to combine the lamination treatment with a tint or waxing, expect your appointment to take around 45 minutes.
If you are laminating your brows at home, follow the instructions on the box. Usually, you should not leave the perming solution on for longer than 5-10 minutes.
How Much Does Brow Lamination Cost?
The price for brow lamination will vary depending on your whereabouts in the country and what kind of brow artist you are using.
The average price will be somewhere between $50 and $100 dollars.
So, is brow lamination safe during pregnancy?
Brow lamination is not recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. High hormone levels present in pregnancy can create an elevated level of sensitivity which is likely to cause an adverse reaction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, microbladed eyebrows are not safe for pregnancy. Since the process is very invasive, involving needles and pigment, it should not be performed on people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The pigment is also likely to absorb into the bloodstream which is to be avoided for the baby and mother’s health.
Henna eyebrows are typically safe for pregnancy. Henna is a natural plant derived from the earth with no excess chemicals added. Since it is just a pigment placed on top of the skin, it does not have a high chance of absorbing into the bloodstream.