Does Microblading Hurt? What You’ll Actually Feel During PMU (And Why My Clients Say It’s Easier Than They Expected)

Nervous about the pain of microblading or PMU? You’re not alone. Here’s why most of my clients say it barely hurt—and how gentle technique matters more than you think.

Let’s Talk About Pain (Because Everyone Asks)

If I had a pound for every time someone nervously asked, “Does it hurt?” before their microblading appointment… I’d have my studio in Santorini by now.

But here’s the truth:

🗣️ “I thought it was going to be awful. My friend had hers done elsewhere and said it was agony.”
🗣️ “I nearly cancelled because I was scared. But honestly? I barely felt it!”
🗣️ “I’ve had it done before and it was SO painful. Yours felt totally different.”

These are the kinds of things I hear all the time. And if you’re feeling nervous, just know—you’re not alone, and there’s a reason why the experience with me is so different.

Why My Clients Say It Barely Hurts

It’s not magic—it’s technique.

Most of the pain people associate with PMU comes from poor technique or going too deep into the skin. When the artist is heavy-handed, rushing, or using the wrong tools for your skin type, the treatment can feel scratchy, hot, and uncomfortable.

I’ve trained in advanced skin-safe methods that are designed to work with the skin—not against it. Here’s how:

My Gentle Approach (And Why It Matters)

No numbing straight away:
I begin without numbing so I can observe how your skin reacts naturally—whether it bleeds, bruises, or stays calm. This tells me exactly how deep I need to go.

1. Featherlight hand pressure:
   I’m not here to carve into your skin. My strokes are intentionally delicate, layered gradually for buildable, realistic results.

2. Tailored tools for your skin type:
   What works for dry skin won’t work for oily or sensitive skin. I adjust blade size, pigment, and technique to suit you.

3. Numbing once skin is open:
   After the first pass, I use a secondary numbing that activates within seconds. From that point, clients often say they “feel nothing at all.”

What You’ll Actually Feel

Here’s the most honest breakdown I can give:

• Before numbing:
  Slight scratching or tingling—like dragging a clean spoolie over dry skin. Most clients say it’s completely tolerable.

• After numbing:
  Some feel pressure or vibration, but no pain. Many even say they find the treatment relaxing.

• Aftercare soreness?
  Think of it like a light sunburn for a day or two. No throbbing, no deep stinging—just a bit of sensitivity.

What If You’ve Had a Bad Experience Elsewhere?

Sadly, I see this all too often. Clients who had:

• PMU done too deep (resulting in scar tissue)

• Numbing that wasn’t given enough time to work

• Inconsistent pressure that caused rawness or patchy healing

When these same clients come to me, they’re understandably nervous. But almost every one of them says:

💬 “I can’t believe how gentle that was—I wish I’d found you sooner.”

And that’s why I’m so passionate about re-educating the industry and showing people that permanent makeup doesn’t have to hurt to be effective.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back

You’re not being dramatic for worrying about pain—it’s a totally natural concern. But you can have a beautiful brow transformation without suffering through it.

Every part of my process is designed to be as calming, gentle, and skin-safe as possible. Whether you're nervous, had a bad experience, or just want to know you're in expert hands—I’ve got you.

💗 You deserve beautiful brows and a beautiful experience.