By now you’ve definitely heard of eyebrow lamination where an esthetician applies a semi-permanent solution to your brows to straighten them and give them more texture. It’s become so popular that DIY lamination videos top Tiktok and Instagram as some of the most watched tutorials. The result is fuller, fluffier and longer looking brows, and on most people the results lasts a few months. As trendy as permed brows are, let’s figure this out first: Is this the right treatment for you and your precious brow hairs? As we get older, we obviously want to hang on to our brow hairs as much as possible (especially since big brows have stayed IN for so long). Can too much lamination damage your brows or lead to hair loss? I'm going to answer all these questions based on what I've learned about eyebrow lamination from brow sculpting experts and of course, the internet.
I recently had my eyebrows laminated because I was reporting on the Hottest Beauty Trends Happening on TikTok and Instagram for a TV segment, and I thought 'the only way to truly be able to speak to this trend is to experience it myself'. So I did! I went to Hibba NYC on West Broadway in Soho, NY, where I go for all my beauty needs involving facial and body hair. Hibba (the owner) laminated my brows but made it very clear that I'm not really the best candidate for it. When I asked her why, she said it's because I already have thick brows with lots of volume. We proceeded with the treatment and the results were just as you see them on Tiktok. The direction of my brow hairs were completely changed and pointing upwards. My brows are naturally kind of wavy so they bend easily, but with this non-invasive treatment the bend was GONE and now they were basically outstreched reaching up to my forehead. It was exactly as I had seen on social media, and I was surprised it took so little time to achieve.
My honest thoughts: It's A LOOK! I really like this look on other people. On me, I found the look to be a little too much, but I rocked it for a good month and a half, which is how long it lasted. I made sure to brush the hairs upwards to maximize their height. In a way, it looked like I had caterpillars for eyebrows. Let me just say, I didn't hate it but I also didn't love it. And since I knew I probably wouldn't be repeating the treatment, I didn't worry about how it could damage my brows. But after giving it some thought and deciding to blog about it, I really wanted to share important information about this treatment for anyone researching it before trying it.
Here are good facts and info to consider:
- Eyebrow Lamination is a semi-permanent and non-invasive treatment that has no side effects or down-time.
- The treatment can be completed in 30-45 minutes and results are immediately visible.
- The cost of this treatment ranges from $50 - $150 but can more cost effectively be done oneself at home by purchasing a lamination kit.
- While this treatment does not cause any superficial pain or injury, it however does use a chemical solution to relax and texturize brow hairs called thioglycolic acid or ammonium thioglycolate. Over time, after many treatments, this can cause damage to individual brow hairs and lead to hair loss. Most likely what one might experience is dryness of the hair follicles.
- To avoid damaging your brows, it's recommended to wait 8 weeks between lamination treatments.
With the information I just shared now out of the way, let's get back to that question about whether this treatment is for you. Overall, eyebrow lamination provides the most satisfying results to people with brows that are lacking in shape, thinning and unruly (super tight curls or hairs that do not cooperate by vibing in the same direction). If they're difficult to brush, keep in place and non-stop frustrate you, you just might be a good candidate! The lamination treatment helps all types of brows look fuller, thicker, smoother and shinier. But ultimately if you're looking for a lift and the appearance of more volume, then eyebrow lamination is something you should try!
As mentioned, I didn't hate the laminated effect on me. It was kind of fun to style since they were definitely the main character of my face. But I truly like my brows just the way they are since they're naturally pretty thick and shapely. So I wouldn't be spending my money on any more treatments. Also, I'm 42. I literally hold moments of silence for every eyelash and brow hair I lose, and can't bare to part with any more. If you're in your 20's and love to rock the latest trends, it's a different story. At the end of the day, I'm the girl who will always try something once.
Did this blog post help you make a decision about eyebrow lamination?
I hope so! Please feel free to leave your questions and thoughts in the comments. Thank you!