BROW TRIMMING AFTER A BROW LAMINATION – SHOULD IT STAY OR SHOULD IT GO?

BROW TRIMMING AFTER A BROW LAMINATION – SHOULD IT STAY OR SHOULD IT GO?

When it comes to brow lamination, the topic of trimming post-treatment often sparks debate among beauty professionals and clients alike. Should you trim those brows after a lamination, or is it best to leave them untouched? Let’s dive into the science and break down the facts.

LET’S TALK SCIENCE

At Elleebana, we’re all about the science. When we have questions, we dig deep into research, study reports, and base our findings on solid scientific principles.

So, does trimming or cutting your brow hairs after lamination cause damage? The simple answer is NO. While chemical services can impact hair health, trimming the tip of a brow hair won’t cause damage.

Hair growth is regulated by vascular, endocrine, and neural stimuli, as well as age and nutritional habits. The health of your hair starts within the follicle. Trimming doesn’t change the genetic makeup of your brow hair because it all begins at the base, in the follicle.

However, trimming can cause hair to feel and appear blunter due to the angle of the cut. For clients with thick or coarse brow hair, trimming rather than “debulking” the brow can result in a blunt finish, which might be less appealing, especially if the cut is too short or the natural growth direction isn’t considered. But, from what we’ve seen, no studies suggest that trimming post-lamination causes any real damage to the hair itself.

It’s important to note that we’re talking about lightly trimming the tips to even out the brows, not cutting away large sections!

We love exploring and sharing studies on topics like this, so if you have peer-reviewed research with science-based facts, please share it with us—we’d LOVE to see it!

BROW HAIRS THAT SHRINK? 🔬

There’s a common misconception that washing your brows 24 hours after a lamination causes the hairs to shrink. Let’s clear that up with some science!

During a brow lamination, we’re reforming the disulphide bonds within each hair, elongating them for that smooth, sleek look. If the lamination steps are done correctly, these bonds are stable and won’t revert to their original state just because you’ve washed your brows.

So, what’s really happening if you or your clients notice a change after washing? It’s likely due to the removal of a finishing product that adds temporary volume and density. Once rinsed, you’re seeing the true, beautifully laminated brow hairs. While these hairs are more manageable thanks to the lamination, they still need a bit of styling to achieve that perfect out-of-salon look.

When using Elleeplex Profusion lotions during a brow lamination, we remove the lotions with water during the service and allow the hairs to dry naturally. This lets us see the hair’s true response to the lamination and assess whether any trimming is needed to refine the final look. Trimming can alter the hair’s shape, texture, and appearance, so it’s essential to make these decisions carefully.

PERCEPTION OF BROW HAIRS

Have you ever noticed your brow hairs feeling a bit wiry after a trim? Trimming brow hair doesn’t actually alter the follicle itself, but it can change the way the hair feels and appears. The hair follicle, located beneath the skin, is responsible for producing hair and dictates the hair’s characteristics, such as texture, thickness, and growth pattern. Trimming affects only the hair shaft—the part of the hair that is above the skin.

Here’s how trimming might change the perception of the hair:

1. Blunt Ends: Trimming cuts off the naturally tapered end of the hair, creating a blunt edge. This can make the hair feel stiffer or coarser because the tip is no longer fine and soft.
2. Hair Growth Patterns: Over time, frequently trimmed brows might appear different in texture or direction. This isn’t due to the follicle itself but how the hair interacts with surrounding hairs and skin.
3. Perception of Thickness: Trimmed hairs may feel thicker or more wiry simply because the cut end is more noticeable than the finer, natural tip. This can give the impression that the hair has changed in texture or thickness.
4. Increased Curling: Trimming can also alter how the hair sits on the brow, potentially causing it to curl or stick out more if it grows back in a slightly different direction.

The follicle remains the same unless significant changes occur due to factors like hormones, aging, or other physiological influences. The perceived changes in hair type after trimming are mainly due to the altered structure of the hair shaft above the skin.

OUTLAWING TRIMMING?!

💭 Should Trimming Be Outlawed After a Brow Lamination? Let’s Unpack!

In the beauty world, there’s rarely a one-size-fits-all answer, and the same goes for trimming post-lamination. Whether to trim depends on the client’s brow shape, hair texture, and length.

For some, trimming is essential to achieve a polished, balanced look. Thick, unruly brows might need a little taming to perfect the lamination result. But for others—especially those with thinner or sparse brows—trimming could do more harm than good, potentially diminishing the shape unless those brows are meticulously styled every day.

Trimming the tails of the brows? Usually not recommended. Sometimes, all those longer hairs need is a bit of styling to stay in place. And let’s not forget the client’s goals—if they’re in the middle of a brow rehab journey, every single hair counts, so trimming may be off the table.

Ultimately, it’s about understanding each client’s unique needs and working with them to achieve the best results.

What do you think? Should trimming stay or go? And what other controversial topics should we dive into next? Let us know!