The complex world of eyebrow treatments can feel overwhelming and leave you questioning which direction to go. Maybe the familiar territory of waxing and threading? Or perhaps an (arguably) trendier semi-permanent option like microblading or eyebrow tinting? Another popular method garnering attention worldwide is eyebrow lamination, a process we’re here to demystify to see if it’s a good fit for you, with insight from experts.
But first, the basics: The effects of eyebrow lamination look similar to that of well-groomed brows. While the technique is customizable based on the client’s preferences, many request the feathered brow look. This style is popular because, with brow lamination, you get that same fluffy, brushed-up brow look, but it lasts for weeks. In other words, you don’t have to reapply brow gel daily—they stay in place on their own.
Ahead, we dive deeper into eyebrow lamination to answer all your pressing questions.
Featured Experts
- Hannah Zaborowski is an advanced practice aesthetician and executive trainer at Face Foundrié
- Joey Healy is a celebrity eyebrow expert and brand founder
- Karan Lal, MD is a dermatologist based in Scottsdale, AZ
What is eyebrow lamination?
“Brow lamination is a chemical treatment that is used to straighten and form the eyebrow hairs into a desired shape,” says Hannah Zaborowski, an advanced practice aesthetician and executive trainer at Face Foundrié. “Think of it as a reverse perm, or a straightening treatment, for your brows.”
According to celebrity eyebrow expert and brand founder Joey Healy, the biggest appeal of eyebrow lamination is taming unruly brows or those who find that clear brow gel alone isn’t enough to maintain their desired shape. As he puts it, brow lamination “whips them into submission,” changing their texture so they no longer have to struggle to keep them in place.
To dive deeper into the eyebrow lamination process, the first step of the treatment uses a special chemical to make your eyebrow hair soft and easy to shape. This prepares your eyebrows for the next step—the perming treatment—because it helps your eyebrows stay in the new shape they’ve been styled into.
How long does eyebrow lamination last?
Eyebrow lamination can last anywhere from two to six weeks, but that exact number ultimately depends on your lifestyle. One of the biggest factors impacting the treatment’s lifespan is water exposure, which is why Zaborowski warns against actively sweating or swimming. To put it in perspective, she compares eyebrow lamination to a temporary tattoo. “The more times you wash your hands or sweat, the more likely it is to fade,” she says. “This is the same for brow lamination as these moist activities cause the results to fade over time.”
While it may be tempting to make a fresh eyebrow lamination appointment as soon as the effects start to fade, Healy cautions against it. He says it’s better to opt for brow lamination “sparingly,” reserving the treatment for special events. “If you do it continuously, you can damage and break the brow hair,” Healy explains. Similar to how most experts would advise against bleaching your hair or getting a keratin treatment regularly, he says the same goes for brow lamination.
Between brow lamination appointments, Healy recommends Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Wax ($26), especially if you’re looking for extreme hold. This product not only helps you get that same slicked-up look achieved with brow lamination but also gives your eyebrows a break from harsh chemicals.
How much does eyebrow lamination cost?
How much eyebrow lamination costs depends on where you live, but like all beauty treatments, it tends to be more expensive for city dwellers. It also depends if anything else is included in the service. For example, Zaborowski notes that Face Foundrié charges $65 and that includes both a brow wax and lamination.
Remember: In the world of eyebrow lamination—and all beauty treatments, for that matter—cheaper doesn’t always equal better value, and a higher price doesn’t guarantee a higher-quality treatment. The pro said it best: “The price doesn’t always tell the full story.” For confidence, Zaborowski recommends scoping out the company or technician’s website, looking at their past work on social media, and investigating the salon’s sanitation to be 100-percent sure you’re in good hands.
How long does eyebrow lamination take to do?
How long eyebrow lamination takes to do depends on the specific solution your technician uses. “There are many brands that make brow lamination solutions and two of our favorites are Brow Code and Ellebana,” says Zaborowski. “Think of them as different car manufacturers like Chevy, Toyota and Jeep.”
Which treatment your technician uses comes down to personal preference, which Zaborowski notes could be influenced by factors such as cost or familiarity with the product from their training. But regardless of which brand they use, the eyebrow lamination generally takes 40 to 60 minutes to complete.
What are the risks of eyebrow lamination?
There aren’t many risks with eyebrow lamination, pending you go to a reputable technician or studio. If you go to someone who’s not well-trained, one of the risks is over-processing your eyebrow hairs, which is a result of leaving the solution on too long and consequently damaging the hair. As a result, the hair will look “frizzy, crinkled, dry and brittle,” says Zaborowski.
There are also potential risks for your skin, too. Scottsdale, AZ dermatologist Karan Lal, MD explains that the chemicals used in the brow lamination process could cause irritation, swelling and redness. In the worst case scenario, according to Dr. Lal, prolonged irritation could lead to permanent hair loss. To lessen these risks—especially if you have sensitive skin—Dr. Lal recommends requesting a patch test from your technician before treating the delicate eye area.
How should I care for my eyebrows after getting eyebrow lamination?
To care for your eyebrows after getting eyebrow lamination, the key is to keep them clean. This “allows the hair proper time to set and ensures that no other ingredients counteract the solution before it is fully processed,” explains Zaborowski.
What “clean” means? Reiterating our earlier point, Zaborowski also recommends keeping them dry (that includes no sweating!) and not applying any makeup in the eyebrow area for 24 hours post-treatment.
To be safe, you should proceed with caution around the eyebrow area for close to a full work week. “Avoid exfoliants and retinoids for three to five days to ensure that there is no interaction between chemicals that could damage your skin or hair,” she adds. Remember: You’re better safe than sorry.
Once you’ve waited the specific amount of time specified by your technician, Healy recommends using a hydrating eyebrow product like his Brow Renovation Serum ($125). It uses vitamins, botanicals, and conditioning agents to moisture, soothe, and strengthen your brow hair, which might feel “remarkably dry” post-treatment, likely different from your usual hair texture.
