Is Microblading Safe While Breastfeeding?

Our eyebrows are the most defining facial features that play an important role in everyday communication through different expressions. Super-thin eyebrows tweezed to smithereens are no longer in vogue in the world of women’s fashion. Instead of adding eyebrow pencils and gels to your beauty regime, a more convenient approach to achieve the coveted fuller brow in modern times is microblading. Although this popular trend helps women add a more permanent touch-up to their overall look, most nursing women wonder if they can microblade their eyebrows while breastfeeding. There are a lot of mixed responses for undertaking micro-blading while breastfeeding. Read on to find a suitable solution to this eyebrow tattoo breastfeeding problem faced by most pregnant or nursing moms worldwide.

What Is Microblading? 

Microblading is a specialized process that involves implanting pigment into your skin’s superficial layers to resemble eyebrow hair. This semi-permanent tattoo technique performed on eye-brows helps to make them appear like natural hair strokes. Fine hair-like strokes are drawn on the eyebrows by a professional brow technician using a portable blade of microneedles. This exciting minimally invasive treatment is administered by a hand-operated tool that inserts a minimal amount of pigment right into the top layers of skin on the basal layer of the epidermis. This brow treatment takes the hassle of filling in the brow every day and yields a fuller and thicker look.

Moreover, microblading does not require regular maintenance and application. The ingrained pigment appears like private hairs that last for a minimum of 1-3 years. Also known as “feather touch,” “micro-stroking,” or ‘hair stroke brows,’ the end goal for most people is enhanced texture and color that looks natural.

Can You Get Microblading While Nursing?

As microblading is a form of tattoo in which the ink penetrates deep into the bloodstream, it is not recommended for breastfeeding women. The micro-blading procedure wouldn’t itself cause an infection or negative side effects. Given the many unknown concerns and long-term side-effects of tattoo inks, the safest course of action would be to avoid all tattooing, including cosmetic ones, during breastfeeding. Under the circumstances, when a mother gets an infection from microblading, she may pass it on to her nursing child. It can also cause blood infections such as HIV and Hepatitis B, which could be easily transmitted through the mother’s milk and potentially harm the newborn. The anesthetic creams used for treatment can enter the mother’s bloodstream and negatively affect the baby. For those confused while choosing between microblading and breastfeeding, a nursing mother must be cautious and wait until they’re done nursing their child. If you’re still wondering can you breastfeed after microblading, preexisting tattoos don’t impact the breastfeeding process. So remember that Micro-blading is a two-step, sometimes three-step, process. The touch-ups are required every 6-18 months, depending on your skin type. It is best to avoid micro-blading as a form of cosmetic tattooing while breastfeeding, or plan it before or wait until you’re done breastfeeding altogether.

What Are the Risks of Microblading During Breastfeeding? 

While there are some amazing benefits to microblading as a form of cosmetic treatment, it is not without risks, especially during breastfeeding. Here are some potential risks that might be taken note of before venturing to get your eyebrows tattooed:

1. Chemicals Enter Into The Bloodstream 

The pigments used in microblading are made up of various types of chemical compounds like oxides, which can be pre-mixed or mixed by the cosmetic tattoo artist. Cobalt, carbon black, nickel, chromium, and titanium dioxide can be found in the lymphatic system or get into the liver via the bloodstream. Lack of knowledge about the ingredients present in the pigment could pose some risk for nursing mothers. We do not know what amount of pigment enters the mother’s bloodstream and thus to the baby through breastmilk.

2. Infection Transmission

Pigment deposits to the skin’s outer layer when a cosmetic tattoo uses tiny needles to microblade the skin. There is also a possibility that the needles used may not be completely sterilized. If a breastfed mother gets an infection such as HIV and Hepatitis B, she can transmit it to the baby through her milk, causing potential harm to the newborn. Medications like antibiotics may be needed to treat these conditions, which may require weeks or months of treatment. If left untreated, they can even lead to serious health issues for both the mother and baby.

3. Pain 

Microblading treatment can cause pain, discomfort, and irritation like residual stinging for some women. Although severe pain in the affected area can be ruled out, careful attention must be paid to the micro-bladed area to check if it becomes puffy or raised.

The use of numbing creams or additional medications as pain relievers during the procedure may also be harmful. They contain chemicals like epinephrine, which can cause cardiac problems for the mom and fetal tachycardia. 

4. New Treatment 

Microblading is a relatively new treatment, with very little to no research performed to support the potential effects of some of the materials used in its process. This might have a negative impact on your unborn or breastfeeding child.

5. Allergic Reaction 

Microblading can cause an itchy rash that could signify an allergic reaction. Skin infection due to irritation or allergic reaction from the pigment is a possible complication of this procedure. It mostly happens with the color red when mixed with black dye to make a shade that matches your natural brows. Some people notice a little flaking and scabbing after the process. The micro-bladed area can become puffy or raised after the treatment. It is advisable to perform a patch or scratch test to check whether someone is allergic before the microblading treatment.

6. Granulomas 

As microblading injects a foreign substance into your skin, inflammatory knots might be formed around the area as a protective measure. Granulomas sometimes happen months or years after the procedure that may take steroids or antibiotics to get better.

7. Excessive Bleeding 

Pregnancy hormones affect blood circulation, making you more likely to bleed. Excessive bleeding may lead to subpar micro-blading since it could fade the pigment as in such a case, less amount of ink gets absorbed into the skin.

8. Wrong Pigment Color 

Sometimes, some women’s skin around the mouth, cheeks, and forehead darkens during pregnancy. This condition is known as hyperpigmentation (melasma). This might prompt the microblading technician to choose the wrong pigment color. Once the melasma disappears after pregnancy, there might be a certain degree of mismatch between your micro-bladed eyebrows and your natural skin color.

9. Effect Of Bloating 

Bloating is a common phenomenon for most pregnant women. However, once the bloating subsides after pregnancy, their micro-bladed brows may look completely different, and they might have contended with their overall appearance.

Possible Infection of Microblading When Breastfeeding

Dirty water or equipment used by the technician doing microblading, can spread bacteria like staphylococcus (staph) or viruses like HIV, hepatitis, or herpes in our body. A packed and sealed ink packet does not guarantee its safety. Sometimes the ink may be contaminated with bacteria or mold. A yellow-tinged discharge or excessive redness around the eyebrow area could indicate the possibility of infection after Micro-blading, which can even lead to serious risks of abscess or skin inflammation. 

Other Side Effects of Microblading on Breastfeeding Mothers 

Since no beauty treatment is completely free of side effects, Micro-blading too has some negative consequences on Breastfeeding Mothers. Allergic reactions from the ink, like skin irritation, itching, redness, or pus on or around your eyebrows, are some of the other side effects of microblading. If the eyebrow area continues to scab even after two weeks, it might start leaking out pus. Moreover, an infection in the eyebrow area is especially concerning if it reaches your bloodstream, as the area is near the eyes and brain. Complications following microblading can require treatments that may not be compatible with breastfeeding.

Precautions to Take 

Nursing mothers need to evaluate the possible risks of microblading on a developing baby or breastfed infant. Here are some precautions to take for women who’re interested in this treatment.

1. Hygienic Environment 

Consider a licensed, well-reputed, and responsible microblading facility for your treatment. Unsterilized tattoo equipment may transmit blood infections like HIV, hepatitis C, tetanus, or MRSA.

2. Skin Type 

Being aware of your specific skin type ensures safety. Women with dry skin will experience more satisfactory results than those with oily skin.

3. Doctor Consultation 

Talk to your doctor if you have certain health conditions like blood clotting, heart, and autoimmune conditions before microblading. Microblading should be avoided altogether if you’re pregnant, prone to keloids, have undergone an organ transplant, have a compromised liver, or have a viral condition, such as hepatitis. Prolonged swelling, redness, crusting, or oozing after the process is a sign that you should see your doctor immediately.

4. Skin Care Products 

Some skincare products may impact the results of the microblading procedure. You may want to discontinue using Retinol, acids, fragrance, mechanical exfoliation, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion from your skincare routine.

5. Pain-relieving Medicines 

Use safe pain-relieving medicines like Acetaminophen, generally considered safe while breastfeeding.

Most women have difficulty coping with pregnancy or experience postpartum baby blues. Their eyebrows may get fainter due to overplucking or hair loss after pregnancy. Hence, microblading can be an easy way to refresh your look and practice self-care. Since this technique includes some unknown chemicals that might cause some harm during breastfeeding, it is best to consult your doctor before doing this cosmetic procedure. If there are any complications with the process, one should go for immediate treatment with the administration of antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals.

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