A Botched Beauty Treatment Left This Woman With 4 Eyebrows
Missouri woman Jami Ledbetter, 42, was devastated after her botched microblading procedure left her with four eyebrows.
Ledbetter says the experience killed her confidence and took months to fix with the help of a licensed tattoo artist.
Learn about how microblading works, as well as the cost and risks.
To achieve thicker eyebrows, people are turning to microblading, a semi-permanent tattoo treatment that results in hair-like strokes for a fuller look. Go to the right artist (aka a certified professional), and you’ll likely obsess over the results. But when you go to the wrong person? You might end up like one Missouri woman who ended up with four eyebrows after her microblading procedure last November, reports ABC7 Eyewitness News.
Jami Ledbetter, 42, went to a woman who claimed to be certified in microblading, but left with a botched job that left her looking “really surprised,” killing her confidence in the process. “I was devastated. I was even dating a guy and he stopped dating me at that point,” Ledbetter told ABC7.
Luckily, Ledbetter was able to remove her botched brows with the help of a licensed tattoo artist who specialized in tattoo removal for years. The removal took “months” and cost her more than $1,000 (FYI: Your first microblading treatment can also run as high as $1,000).
“If I would have known it would’ve turned out like this, I probably would have never done it at all,” Ledbetter said.
Microblading is similar to a tattoo, but the pigment doesn’t run as deep. The brow artist uses a tool that contains micro-needles to deposit the color into the skin to create a thicker, but realistic shape. The procedure shouldn’t hurt (a numbing agent is applied beforehand) and your initial appointment may last up to two hours. You may need to go in again for touch-ups as needed.
Still, microbladed eyebrows may take up to a month to fully heal, and the aftercare process may result in a bit of discomfort, peeling, and redness. Beyond unnatural-looking brows, you’ll also want to watch for signs of infection after the procedure, such as significant pain, swelling, or oozing pus.
Microblading procedures “are not regulated for safety, the inks aren’t tested, and I’ve seen a lot of complications, like infection, allergy, permanent scarring, and poor aesthetic outcomes,” board-certified dermatologist Jennifer MacGregor, MD, recently told Prevention.
To prevent your own disaster, use a microblading professional at the recommendation of your dermatologist or make sure to read reviews of both the technician and the facility in advance.
Stay updated on the latest science-backed health, fitness, and nutrition news by signing up for the Prevention.com newsletter here.
('You Might Also Like',)
