Everything You Need to Know About Brow Lamination, From Appointment to Aftercare

It's no secret that eyebrows can make or break your look. For some of us, they're the thing on our faces that we care about the most. We often find ourselves completely and utterly transfixed by everyone else's. If you can relate and take great pride in your brows, you've probably noticed the rising trend of full, feathery eyebrows. Yes, we know that skinny brows have been slowly trying to inch their way back into our lives, but the trend we see lasting through the years? Thick, natural-looking eyebrows.

You also may have noticed that while bold, fluffy brows can be achieved with products, the effects are only temporary. Any long-lasting results are typically the result of a treatment called brow lamination. However, this isn't something you can DIY — it requires the help of a professional as there are chemicals involved.

Ahead, we chatted with three brow experts to get us up to date on all things brow lamination — including baby brow lamination, the latest look taking over this year.

"Brow Lamination is a treatment designed to redirect your brow hairs so that you get the most fullness out of your natural growth," Jaimineey Patel, Blink Brow Bar's head trainer, tells POPSUGAR. Think Brooke Shields's iconic brows in the '80s.

Brow lamination is a very straightforward process and one that involves chemically treating and "restructuring brow hairs to keep them in their desired shape," says Natalie Piper, Blink Brow Bar's international training Manager. And though its purpose is to realign brows, it leaves hairs flexible so that you can still style them however you like.

The best part about brow lamination? It's super low-maintenance and lasts for up to eight weeks. Eventually, it fades away in line with your natural brow hair growth cycle.

Baby brow lamination is almost exactly like the regular brow lamination process, but the results are different. With baby brow lamination, only the beginning of your eyebrows are treated, rather than the entire brow. The process takes a shorter amount of time (roughly 30 minutes), and the results are less intense than a full brow lamination.

"Brow Lamination works for all brow types, including brows that have gaps," Piper says. "Brow Lamination doesn't just have to give the brushed-up brow look — in fact, brows can be brushed into any position you desire." That being said, Patel believes that people who have unruly or patchy brows will notice the biggest difference.

Though Yana Gushina, cofounder of BBM Brows, pointed out that brow lamination is a great alternative to more permanent options, Piper notes that anyone who has very sparse brows or little to no brows at all will likely find microblading more suitable. (We'd also suggest checking out powder brows or even eyebrow extensions.)

The price of brow lamination varies based on a number of factors, like where you're located and what service you require. In the US, the treatment will run you anywhere between $75 and $125.

To ensure that you fully understand the brow lamination process, a pretreatment consultation is necessary. It's a great opportunity to discuss the look you want to achieve with your technician and ask any questions — so come prepared and bring photos if possible.

"A patch test is [also] required if you would like to have an eyebrow tint as part of your treatment," Piper says. It must occur at least 48 hours before your treatment, and if you suffer from a reaction in the form of redness or irritation, unfortunately, you won't be able to get the brow tint.

Depending on the salon, brow lamination generally takes 45 minutes to an hour and follows a four- or five-step process.

The first step involves fixing the brows into your desired style and shape using brow adhesive. The second step is all about relaxing the hair cuticles using a styling lotion. According to Piper, this step is necessary as it makes the brows "softer and more malleable." Following this, a setting lotion is applied to restructure the brow hairs, setting them in their new place. Shortly after, a brow tint is applied for those who want it. Then, to finish, a hydrating keratin serum is applied to nourish and strengthen the hair.

Just like the treatment, upkeep for brow lamination is simple. For the first 24 hours, you'll need to avoid water, steam baths, and saunas. After this, all you need to do is brush your brows into your desired style using a spoolie brush or clean mascara wand every morning. "You will find they will easily sit in the right place without too much effort," Piper says.

Both Patel and Gushina also recommended using a daily nourishing oil to condition the brows as the hair may have weakened after the chemical treatment. "It helps them to stay hydrated," Gushina says, adding that "you can [also] use any other oil instead, such as castor or peach oil that you can get in any pharmacy."

While there are many pros to brow lamination, it's important to be aware that there are also some cons. According to Lorena Öberg, skin-repair expert at Lorena Öberg in London, you should always be extra cautious when trying beauty treatments that are trending, especially if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.

"For example, [brow lamination] might be less invasive than microblading, but the chemicals and bleach used in brow lamination may cause harm to your skin," Öberg says, listing hair loss, dryness, inflammation, and scarring as potential side effects. Her advice? Research, research, research. "There are too many inexperienced practitioners performing treatments, and time and time again, I see people who come through my clinic doors with horrific after results." That's why it's always important to do your research and find a reputable salon.