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What Is Brow Lamination? How Brow Lamination Works

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Jan 11, 2023 • 2 min read

Brow lamination is a noninvasive beauty treatment that makes uneven or thin brows into fuller-looking brows. Learn about how this brow trend works and special aftercare steps.

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What Is Brow Lamination?

Brow lamination, also known as a brow lift or brow sculpt, is a noninvasive eyebrow treatment that creates fuller, smooth brows. Brow lamination is an excellent treatment for those with thin or uneven brows. The brow lamination process involves softening the hair follicles using a chemical solution, then shaping and setting the brow hairs into position. Brow lamination is a popular alternative to microblading, a semipermanent tattooing technique, and tinting, which applies pigment to the eyebrows. Unlike these techniques, brow lamination uses natural brow hairs.

How Does Brow Lamination Work?

Eyebrow lamination is similar to a perm for your eyebrows. A brow specialist lifts the brow hairs and then uses a chemical solution to break the bond of the hairs. Next, the brow artist applies a neutralizer and setting lotion to place the hairs into a desired shape and direction. A brow specialist can use a spoolie or eyebrow brush to position the hairs to fill in sparse sections and make the brows appear fuller, fluffier, and more even. The technician might also tweeze or thread stray hairs to further shape the eyebrows. The treatment ends with applying a nourishing keratin conditioner to help the new brows maintain hydration.

How Long Does Brow Lamination Last?

Depending on the rate of brow hair growth, a brow lamination treatment can last up to eight weeks. Like a perm, you should wait at least weeks between treatments to prevent dryness and damage to your eyebrow hair.

Brow Lamination Aftercare

After you get a brow lamination, there are essential aftercare steps. You should:

  1. 1. Avoid water. Moisture can cause the lamination to break down and come undone. Like a perm, after you get brow lamination, you should avoid getting your brows wet for twenty-four hours. Avoid showering and working out during this period.
  2. 2. Pause the use of retinoids. Exfoliants, AHA and BHA, and retinol skincare products can dry out your brow hairs. Do not apply these products to your brows for twenty-four hours after a brow lamination treatment. (If you have dry skin, you might discontinue the use of these products the week leading up to the treatment.)
  3. 3. Treat your brows with oil. After the twenty-four-hour period, apply face oil or castor oil to the brows to hydrate them.

You should not get another brow lamination treatment for at least six weeks to prevent dryness and damage to your eyebrows.

Is Brow Lamination Safe?

If you want a brow lamination treatment, opt for a brow expert at a professional salon. If you have sensitive skin, the brow lamination chemicals can lead to side effects like redness and inflammation. Usually, a technician will do a patch test on your skin to ensure you do not have an allergic reaction to the chemicals. Though brow lamination is entirely safe, you can risk damaging your brows if you get it done too frequently or try to do it yourself at home.

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