The Truth About Microblading Pain (From 3,500+ Clients)

Let’s Talk About The Question You’re Really Asking

“Does microblading hurt?”

It’s the question I get asked more than any other. And I appreciate it, because what you’re really asking is:

“Am I going to regret this halfway through?” “Will I be able to handle it?” “Is this going to be traumatic?” “Will I cry in front of a stranger?”

So let me give you the most honest answer I can, based on over 3,500 clients and 7+ years of experience:

Yes, microblading can be uncomfortable. But for most people, it’s way more manageable than they expected.

Now let’s break down exactly what that means.

The Pain Scale: Real Data from Real Clients

After every appointment, I ask clients to rate their pain on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being “absolute agony” and 1 being “didn’t feel a thing”).

Here’s what 3,500+ clients reported:

Rating: 0-1 (No pain at all)

8% of clients
“I almost fell asleep”
“I didn’t feel anything”
“The numbing cream worked perfectly”

Rating: 2-3 (Barely noticeable)

31% of clients
“I felt something but it wasn’t painful”
“More weird than painful”
“Like someone scratching my skin gently”

Rating: 4-5 (Mildly uncomfortable)

42% of clients ← MOST COMMON RESPONSE
“Definitely felt it, but totally bearable”
“Like plucking eyebrows but continuous”
“Uncomfortable in spots, fine in others”

Rating: 6-7 (Moderately painful)

15% of clients
“There were moments I had to breathe through it”
“More painful than I expected, but I made it through”
“Some areas hurt more than others”

Rating: 8-10 (Very painful)

4% of clients
“This was rough for me”
“I have a low pain tolerance and struggled”
“The numbing didn’t work well on me”

The bottom line: 81% of clients rated it a 5 or below. Most people find it uncomfortable but manageable.

What Does It Actually Feel Like?

The most accurate descriptions I’ve heard from clients:

The Most Common Comparison (40% of Clients)

“Like eyebrow plucking, but in reverse”

You know that feeling when you pluck a brow hair? That quick pinch/pull sensation? Microblading feels similar, but instead of pulling hair out, we’re making tiny cuts to put pigment in.

It’s a scratchy, scratching sensation.

Other Accurate Comparisons

“Like a cat scratch” (23% of clients) Not a deep scratch - more like when a cat lightly drags their claws across your skin. Annoying, but not unbearable.

“Paper cuts, but controlled” (18% of clients) That thin, sharp sensation of a paper cut, but you know it’s coming and it’s in a pattern.

“Threading your eyebrows” (15% of clients) If you’ve had your brows threaded, you know that prickly, plucking feeling. Similar sensation, but continuous instead of individual hairs.

“Scratching a sunburn” (4% of clients) That sensitive, tender feeling when you scratch already-irritated skin.

The Uncomfortable Truth About Numbing Cream

Here’s what nobody tells you: numbing cream works differently for everyone.

Why Numbing Is Inconsistent

Factors that affect numbing:

Skin thickness (thicker skin = harder to numb)
Individual pain tolerance
Hormones (yes, really - pain sensitivity changes with your cycle)
Anxiety levels (stressed = more sensitive to pain)
Caffeine consumption (can reduce numbing effectiveness)
Previous use of retinoids (thins skin = more sensitivity)
Scar tissue in the area (harder to numb)

What We Use to Minimize Pain

Primary numbing cream (before we start):

Applied 20-30 minutes before procedure
Contains lidocaine
Penetrates skin to reduce initial discomfort
For most people, this makes the first pass very comfortable

Secondary numbing (during procedure):

Applied after first pass while we’re working
Stays on area as we work
Helps maintain numbness throughout
Most clients say this is when they feel the most relief

The Reality Check

Even with numbing:

You’ll likely still feel something (it reduces pain, doesn’t eliminate it)
Some areas of the brow are more sensitive than others
The numbing can wear off partially as we work
We can always add more numbing if needed

But here’s the good news: I’ve never had a client tap out halfway through. Ever. In over 3,500 procedures.

The “Pain Map” of Your Brows

Not all parts of your brow hurt equally. Here’s what clients report:

Most Sensitive Areas

1. The arch (peak of the brow)

Highest pain reports
Skin is thinner here
Closer to bone
Most clients rate this area 1-2 points higher than other areas

2. The inner/front of the brow (near nose)

Second most sensitive
Lots of nerve endings
Thinner skin
“Sharper” sensation reported here

Least Sensitive Areas

3. The tail (outer end)

Usually the most comfortable area
Thicker skin
Fewer nerve endings
Many clients say they barely feel this part

4. The body (middle section)

Moderate sensitivity
Most people handle this just fine
Where most of the work happens

Pro tip: We typically start with the least sensitive areas so you can get used to the sensation before we hit the more tender spots.

Factors That Make It More Painful

Some things can increase discomfort. If any of these apply to you, just know your experience might be toward the higher end of the pain scale:

You Can’t Control These

Naturally low pain tolerance
Thin or sensitive skin
Previous trauma or scarring in brow area
Certain medical conditions affecting pain perception

You CAN Control These

1. Caffeine

Avoid coffee, energy drinks, pre-workout on procedure day
Caffeine can reduce numbing effectiveness
Makes you more jittery and anxious = more pain sensitivity

2. Alcohol (Before the Procedure)

Thins blood (causes more bleeding = harder to see, longer procedure, less pigment retention)
Dehydrates you = more sensitivity
Reduces numbing effectiveness
Seriously, skip the “liquid courage” - it backfires

3. Your Menstrual Cycle

The week before and during your period = highest pain sensitivity
Hormones genuinely affect pain tolerance
If possible, schedule during the other 2-3 weeks of your cycle

4. Anxiety and Stress

The more anxious you are, the more you’ll feel
Tensing up makes everything worse
Breathing exercises genuinely help

5. Medications

Blood thinners increase bleeding and discomfort
Retinoids increase skin sensitivity
Some medications reduce numbing effectiveness
Discuss all meds during consultation

What Makes It LESS Painful

Things that help clients have an easier experience:

Before Your Appointment

Get good sleep (rested = higher pain tolerance)
Eat a real meal (low blood sugar = worse experience)
Stay hydrated (drink water the day before and morning of)
Avoid caffeine and alcohol (for 24 hours before)
Schedule mid-cycle (if you menstruate)
Take ibuprofen (if medically safe for you - ask first!)

During Your Appointment

Communicate (“that area hurts more” = we can add numbing)
Breathe deeply (sounds cliche, actually works)
Don’t tense up (relaxed muscles = less pain)
Use distraction (we can talk, you can listen to music, whatever helps)
Take breaks (we can pause anytime you need)

Our Techniques That Help

Start with less sensitive areas so you acclimate
Apply multiple rounds of numbing as needed
Work efficiently so it’s over faster
Adjust pressure based on your feedback
Keep you informed (“okay, moving to the arch now, might feel sharper”)

The Honesty About Different Pain Tolerances

I’ve had clients who:

Fell asleep during the procedure
Chatted happily the whole time
Brought a stress ball and squeezed through the uncomfortable parts
Needed multiple numbing applications and breaks
Cried (from anxiety more than pain, and that’s okay)
White-knuckled their way through but made it

All of these are normal. All of these clients were happy with their results afterward.

Your pain tolerance is your pain tolerance. No judgment.

Pain vs. Discomfort: An Important Distinction

Here’s something I want to clarify:

Most clients describe microblading as uncomfortable rather than painful.

Painful implies damage, suffering, something unbearable.

Uncomfortable means unpleasant, annoying, something you want to be over but can handle.

The majority of clients land in the “uncomfortable but bearable” category.

Think of it like:

Dental cleaning (uncomfortable but necessary)
Getting blood drawn (a pinch, then annoying pressure)
Waxing (sharp for a second, then done)

You wouldn’t describe any of those as “agonizing,” but you also wouldn’t call them “pleasant.”

That’s microblading.

Comparing to Other Beauty Procedures

How does microblading stack up against other common treatments?

Less Painful Than:

Eyebrow waxing (most clients say this by far)
Lip fillers or injections (definitely)
Tattoos on bony areas (ribs, feet, etc.)
Laser hair removal (especially first session)

About The Same As:

Eyebrow threading (similar scratchy feeling)
Tattoos on fleshier areas (arm, thigh)
Dermaplaning or microneedling

More Painful Than:

Brow tinting
Lash extensions
Facials
Makeup application (obviously)

Most common client quote: “I’ve had my brows waxed dozens of times and that hurts more than this did.”

The Truth About the Touch-Up

Your 6-8 week touch-up appointment is typically:

LESS PAINFUL than your first session because:

You know what to expect (less anxiety = less pain)
We’re filling in gaps, not creating entirely new strokes
Less work overall = shorter time in the chair
Your skin has already been “introduced” to the process

Most clients rate their touch-up 1-2 points lower on the pain scale than their initial session.

What Happens After: The Healing “Pain”

Let’s talk about post-procedure discomfort:

Immediately After (First Few Hours)

Tender, like a sunburn
Slight throbbing possible
Sensitive to touch
Tightness as numbing wears off

Pain level: 1-3/10 for most people

Days 1-3

Minimal pain (if any)
Mostly just tender
Feels tight and itchy as healing begins
Like a healing scratch or scrape

Pain level: 0-2/10

Days 4-7 (The Itchy Phase)

NOT painful, but ANNOYING
Itchy as it heals and starts to flake
Temptation to scratch (DON’T!)
Tightness continues

Pain level: 0-1/10 (but annoyance level: 7/10)

Days 7-14 (Final Healing)

No pain
Less itchy
Mostly just dry
Looks flaky (normal!)

Pain level: 0/10

The bottom line: The healing process isn’t painful, just slightly annoying. Think healing sunburn or scraped knee.

The 4% Who Had High Pain

I mentioned 4% of clients rated pain as 8-10. Let’s talk about them:

Common factors among high-pain clients:

Very low pain tolerance in general (can’t handle blood draws, dental work, etc.)
High anxiety going into procedure (worried themselves into higher sensitivity)
Extremely thin or sensitive skin
Forgot to avoid caffeine/alcohol
Scheduled during their period
Had previous scarring or trauma in brow area
Numbing cream didn’t work well for their individual chemistry

Did they regret it? Surprisingly, no. When I followed up, most said:

“It was worth it despite the pain”
“I’d do it again knowing what I know now”
“The pain was temporary, the results are amazing”
“It wasn’t as bad as I built it up in my head”

Only ONE client out of 3,500+ said she wished she hadn’t done it due to pain. And even she admitted the results were beautiful - she just has extremely low pain tolerance for everything.

How to Know If You Can Handle It

Ask yourself these questions:

Can you handle:

If you answered yes to at least 2-3 of these, you can handle microblading.

Red flags that you might struggle:

You cannot tolerate any pain whatsoever
You have severe anxiety about needles/sharp objects
You’ve never made it through a wax or threading session
You have a diagnosed condition that increases pain sensitivity

If you have red flags: Be honest during your consultation. We can:

Spend extra time on numbing
Go slower
Take more breaks
Set realistic expectations
Or determine if this isn’t the right procedure for you

The Question That Matters Most

Here’s what I tell anxious clients:

“Yes, there will be some discomfort. But ask yourself: Is 1-2 hours of manageable discomfort worth 1-3 years of waking up with beautiful brows?”

For most people, the answer is yes.

Think about it:

How much time do you spend on your brows daily?
How much frustration do they cause?
How much confidence would perfect brows give you?
What would you do with the time you’d save?

Compare that to 1-2 hours of “this is uncomfortable but I can handle it.”

My Honest Recommendation

If your pain tolerance is average or above: You’ll be fine. Maybe a little uncomfortable, but fine. Don’t let fear of pain stop you.

If your pain tolerance is low but you really want this: Come to the consultation. We can discuss extra numbing options, techniques to manage anxiety, and set realistic expectations. Many low-pain-tolerance clients have made it through successfully.

If you absolutely cannot handle any discomfort: Be honest about that. There are alternatives (great brow makeup, tinting, lamination) that might be better fits for you.

What Clients Wish They’d Known

Post-procedure, I asked clients: “What do you wish you’d known about the pain beforehand?”

Top responses:

“I wish I’d known it wasn’t as bad as I built it up to be” (48%)

The anticipation and anxiety were worse than the actual procedure
“I lost sleep worrying and it was totally manageable”

“I wish I’d known some areas hurt more than others” (28%)

The arch hurts more, but it’s brief
“If someone had told me it would get sharper at the arch, I wouldn’t have been surprised”

“I wish I’d known I could ask for more numbing” (12%)

They suffered in silence not knowing we could help
“I didn’t want to be annoying, but I should’ve spoken up”

“I wish I’d avoided caffeine” (8%)

Made it more uncomfortable than necessary
“My hands were shaky and I was more sensitive”

“I wish I’d scheduled better with my cycle” (4%)

Got it done right before/during period = more painful
“I’ll definitely time my touch-up better”

The Bottom Line Truth

After 3,500+ clients and 7+ years, here’s what I know for certain:

The pain is temporary. The results are not.

Yes, there’s discomfort. Yes, some areas are more sensitive than others. Yes, individual experiences vary.

But I’ve seen clients with low pain tolerance make it through and love their results.

I’ve seen anxious clients who were terrified beforehand tell me afterward, “That wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected.”

I’ve seen strong, stoic clients tear up during the arch, then laugh about it five minutes later.

And I’ve never - not once - had a client say the pain wasn’t worth the results.

Your Next Step

If pain is the only thing stopping you from getting the brows you’ve always wanted, let’s talk about it.

During your free consultation, we’ll:

Discuss your specific pain tolerance and concerns
Explain exactly what numbing we use
Show you techniques for managing discomfort
Give you an honest assessment of what to expect
Answer every question you have
Help you decide if this is right for you

No pressure. No judgment. Just honest answers to your pain questions.

Because you deserve to make an informed decision based on facts, not fear.

Book Your Free Consultation

Come in, ask every question about pain that you have, and get the real answers from someone who’s helped thousands of clients through this exact process.

And if we determine you’d struggle too much with the discomfort, we’ll tell you that too - and suggest alternatives that might work better for you.

Your confidence matters more than making a sale.

Have specific pain concerns or questions? Contact us - we’re happy to discuss your individual situation.