Sue Leslie was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. She is now cancer-free, but her hair and eyebrows never grew back completely.
She said the pain and fatigue she endured during treatment was hard enough, but having no hair or eyebrows made her feel blank and featureless.
“I was prepared for it, but …I think I’m one of the few where it did not grow back.”
A friend recommended eyebrow tattooing and shortly after, Leslie met Kaelee Nelson. Nelson performs a technique called microblading.
“A friend of mine got it done and I just looked at her and I said, ‘Oh God I would love to have it done,'” she added.
READ MORE: Hormone replacement therapy strongly linked to breast cancer – study
Microblading is a manual method of implanting pigment in hair-like strokes to create the look of fuller brows. The form of tattooing is the newest trend in semi-permanent makeup.
“They heal fairly quick. You are only taking care of them for a week after the tattoo,” said Nelson, the owner of Electric Skin Clinic in Lethbridge.
Nelson says her job is rewarding, especially when she sees clients like Leslie leaving with confidence.
“It’s just so empowering to do this for somebody and to see them walk with that instant gratification and confidence. It’s one less thing when they look in the mirror; it’s one less thing that they are not reminded of what they are going through.”
Microblading isn’t actually permanent; it lasts about a year. But it’s something Leslie says she will continue to do annually.
Comments