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In the quest to achieve perfectly full, thick, and fluffy eyebrows, there's one brow-enhancing treatment that delivers time and time again: brow lamination. Chances are you've seen the results of the semi-permanent treatment on social media with brushed-up, super tidy, almost slicked-into-place-looking arches. If you're looking to transform your arches into literal works of art so you no longer have to rely on eyebrow makeup or brow gels and soaps, then there's plenty you'll want to know about laminated brows. Below, three brow experts share everything you need to know about laminated brows before you take the plunge.
Meet the expert
- Ramy Gafni is an eyebrow expert Hannah Zaborowski is a licensed advanced practice esthetician and Executive Trainer at FACE FOUNDRIÉ Tyronika White is an aesthetician at Absolut Beauti in Atlanta
What Are Laminated Brows?
Eyebrow lamination, also known as laminated brows, is a semi-permanent chemical treatment that straightens the brow hairs to help reshape them for four to six weeks. While laminated brows are akin to a chemical perm that “glues” the brow hairs upward to straighten them, Gafni says the treatment aims to help skimpier brows look fuller.
Zaborowski says to think of the effects of laminated brows as similar to using a brow gel. “The treatment will give you a similar full and fluffy look but will last longer. Laminated brows also help to hold the brows into place, so they look styled all the time.”
White has seen firsthand the transformative power of laminated brows, which can completely revamp the look of the eyebrows. “It helps keep the brow hairs in place, giving them a sleek, smooth, and fuller appearance that lasts for weeks.” She adds that laminated brows are versatile, and you can achieve various brow looks with the treatment. “Whether you want more of a natural look or a dramatic, glamorous one, brow lamination can help.”
The Benefits of Laminated Brows
There are several reasons to get your brows laminated, the most obvious being fuller-looking arches. By placing the eyebrow hairs in a more vertical upward direction, the brows appear thicker yet retain a natural look. Plus, there’s no need to fill in laminated brows or lock them into place with eyebrow gels, serums, and waxes, which will shave some time off your makeup routine.
Preparing for Laminated Brows
Before getting your eyebrows laminated, especially if it’s your first time, ask your brow specialist to do a quick patch test on your inner elbow. This will help you rule out any sensitives or allergies to the chemicals used to laminate the brows.
You’ll also want to avoid applying any exfoliating acids like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and retinoids to the brow area for about one week before the treatment so that the area does not become irritated, red, or raw. It’s also important to show up at your brow lamination appointment fresh-faced without any eye makeup since you’ll need to keep the eyebrows dry for the next 48 hours.
The Laminated Brow Treatment Process
No matter how thin or thick your brows are naturally, the steps involved in a laminated brow treatment are pretty much the same. However, Zaborowskii points out that every brow studio may do things slightly differently during the process.
First, the eyebrows are cleaned to remove any makeup and oils that may still be on the eyebrows. Next, White says the brows are sectioned off so one can be worked on at a time. "A brow map or stencil is also used to help guide the treatment," she adds.
A coating of a keratin-based solution is brushed onto the natural brows, from root to top, and left on for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on your hair type and the desired level of lamination. "This solution sets the hairs in place to give the brows that smooth, laminated appearance," White says. The eyebrows may also be covered with plastic, like Saran Wrap, to keep the chemical solution in place so it doesn’t drip or slip off the eyebrows.
Once the solution is removed, a neutralizer is applied to the eyebrows to stop the hairs from processing further. If you wish to enhance or darken the color of your eyebrows, a tint can be used to enhance the effects of the lamination. Finally, the newly laminated brows are brushed into place, and a light coat of a hydrating serum is applied to them.
Aftercare for Laminated Brows
Following the recommended aftercare steps to a T is essential to maintain your laminated brows so they last as long as possible and extend the results. Post-treatment, Gafni stresses the importance of keeping the eyebrows dry and sweat-free for at least 24 hours—if you can go 48 hours, even better. "So don't shower or wet your face," he adds. Swimming pools, steam rooms, and saunas are also off-limits. "Some brow technicians also recommend applying moisturizer to the just-laminated brows to counteract any dryness that the lamination chemicals can cause."
You'll also want to avoid applying oils and oil-based products to the brows for 48 hours. White says that oils can break down the lamination solution and cause the results to fade faster. "I also recommend avoiding heavy makeup or brow products for 24 hours and rubbing, picking, or scratching your brows. This can cause the solution to lift and your results to fade faster."
After a brow lamination, you can still use eyebrow products to add color, volume, or texture, but they are unlikely to be needed.
Laminated Brows Vs. Other Brow Treatments
Laminated brows aren’t the only popular treatment to coerce brow hairs to look fuller and more defined. There’s also microshading and microblading. While laminated brows provide instantly fuller, fluffier, and more upright-looking brows, White says that, unlike microblading or tattooing, laminated brows are non-invasive and do not cause permanent skin changes nor deposit semi-permanent pigments via needles into the skin. “I also like that it is a versatile, downtime-free treatment that works with your natural eyebrow hairs so you can change their style as you desire,” she adds.
Another reason many people choose the far less expensive laminated brow treatment over other brow treatments is that Zurbowski says it gives the look of brushed-up brows without needing extra products to make them look that way. "But I would not recommend this to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding because of the perming solution used. It's also not great for clients with very thin or sparse brows. "
How to Maintain Laminated Brows
The maintenance level is low and easy to preserve the fluffed-up look of laminated brows. Every night, you'll want to apply a lightweight nourishing or hydrating serum to the eyebrows to help keep them healthy and looking their best while preventing breakage. It's also important to use a spoolie brush to brush the eyebrows daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there any potential side effects to getting my brows laminated?
Some people find the chemical solutions used in laminated brow treatments irritating to their skin and even the eyes. Gafni says those with sensitive skin may experience a reaction to the chemicals used and even breakage to their eyebrow hair.
While the overall treatment for creating laminated brows is relatively safe, there is the potential (as with most treatments that use chemicals) for the skin to become red or slightly irritated. “If your skin is super sensitive and the eyebrow hairs are thinner, you may want to avoid this treatment,” Gafni advises.
How long do laminated brows last?
On average, you can expect the results of laminated brows to last from three to six weeks, if not longer, but Zubrowski says that varies from person to person. Once the effects of a brow lamination start to fade away, you'll need to repeat the treatment. However, Gafni recommends waiting about two to three months between treatments because of the chemicals used in the solution.
How much do laminated brows cost?
Expect to pay anywhere from $75 to $125 for a brow lamination. If you choose to add a brow grooming service or tint, the overall price of the treatment will be higher. Keep in mind that multiple factors, including your brow technician's location and experience level, factor into the overall cost of the treatment.
The Bottom Line
If your eyebrows are naturally thin and you want a boost in the fluff and fullness departments, laminated brows may be the proper brow-enhancing treatment. Suitable for most people who want to change how their brows look, brow lamination is a commitment-free way to do so. Zaborowski adds that the treatment allows the brows to lay nicely while taming any unruly brow hairs without using additional products—a major plus if you struggle with filling them in and getting them to stay in place all day long.