Is brow lamination safe for your eyebrows and does it hurt? Here's everything you need to know

From microblading to nanoblading, our brows have seen it all since we decided to pluck them into oblivion back in the 00's.  The new kid on the block, however, is most definitely brow lamination.

Promising to give you feathery, brushed up brows - à la Cara Delevingne - the procedure is gaining traction around salons across the globe - but is it safe for your brows? And can you DIY the treatment at home?

Brow lamination is akin to other treatments like microbalding (Credit: Blink Brow Bar)

What is brow lamination?

To get some insight on all things brow lamination, Four Nine called upon Leigh Blackwell, the founder of The London Brow Company, and Vanita Parti MBE, the CEO and founder at Blink Brow Bar.

"Brow lamination involves straightening and lifting the hairs using a chemical solution that effectively breaks down the bond in each hair. This allows the hairs to have more flexibility so they can be moved into your desired shape," Leigh explained. "Think of brow lamination as a perm for your brows."

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"Brow Lamination works to redirect and set your brow hairs to your desired shape so that you get the most fullness out of your natural growth," Vanita adds. "Depending on your brow concerns, the process, which is similar to when you perm hair, can give dramatic results in a non-invasive way. Unruly, coarse brows can be straightened and smoothed. Thinning brows can be lifted to appear thicker. And gaps can be hidden. The results mean a new brow shape can be completely manipulated. And yes, even the illustrious big fluffy brow is a possibility."

While it's similar to microblading, there's one key difference. No pigment is applied to your eyebrows. Though, most practitioners do offer this as an add-on service.

Brow lamination has seen a surge in popularity (Credit: Unsplash)

Is brow lamination safe?

Leigh and Vanita also stress that the procedure is perfectly safe. That is, if you ensure to see a "properly qualified therapist who is well trained in brow perm".

"Brow Lamination is suitable for everyone unless you have any conditions that can prevent the treatment from taking place. A skin sensitivity patch test will also be required to check there are no allergic reactions to the products," Vanita continues.

Does brow lamination hurt? 

Luckily, the procedure is unlikely to be painful, making it the perfect treatment for those of us with low pain thresholds.

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"Unlike microblading, which can be painful since it applies to the skin and not the hair, lamination doesn't cause any pain," Leigh tells us.

Vanita agrees that while lamination is not painful, "you may feel a slight tingling sensation while the products work their magic."

You must use the correct after care after receiving any cosmetic treatment (Credit: Pexels)

Is it bad for your brows? 

Like most cosmetic procedures, there is some risk. Leigh says that as with other chemical treatments, hair lamination can be bad for your eyebrows if you do not use the correct aftercare products. She recommends using brow masks and serums after receiving any lamination procedures. In particular, The London Brow Company DR BROW (£29.99), will help keep brows nourished after brow lamination.

"Perming dries out hair and we need to keep the hair nourished and moisturised to keep it safe," Leigh adds. "Making sure you attend a properly qualified therapist who is well trained in brow perm is also very important! Over-processing and hair breakage is a big risk so your therapist will need to be careful, use quality products and be correctly trained.

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"You can maintain the look by getting your brows laminated every 6-8 weeks," Vanita corroborates. "As the hairs are growing out, the lamination effect will too. Your brow hairs are safe, as long as you keep within this time frame."

Ensure you go to a qualified professional when undergoing cosmetic treatments (Credit: Pexels)

Is it safe to DIY brow lamination?

While you may think it's safe to practice brow lamination at home, it's not recommended by the experts. As Leigh explains: "There aren't any products that are created for home laminations. So we do not recommend home laminations."

"This should be left to the experts where you can be tested safely for allergies," Vanita agrees.

How long does it take?

Strapped for time? The procedure is perfect for those on the go as it takes around an hour. This, of course, fits nicely into a lunch break!

If you opt to combine the treatment with a brow tint, expect to add on a few extra minutes. And according to Leigh, "the finished result of brow lamination can last up to up to 12 weeks."