Is Lamination Making Your Brows Worse? What No One Talks About

By Ira Bale

Founder, Ira Bale Brows – South Yarra & Toorak Village, Melbourne

Let’s get real: Not every brow should be laminated. And definitely not every month.

But social media doesn’t want to hear that — because #browlam is trending, and laminated brows are “in.”

We see it all the time at Ira Bale Brows. Clients come in thinking lamination is the miracle fix for sparse, unruly brows. And in some cases — it is. But when done wrong, brow lamination doesn’t just fall flat… it breaks hair, damages follicles, and causes long-term thinning.

Let’s pull back the curtain on this treatment — and talk about what no one else is saying.

Brow lamination perfection by Ira Bale Brows, South Yarra, showcasing a sleek and defined look.

What Is Brow Lamination Actually Doing?

Lamination works by softening the disulphide bonds in your brow hairs (the same bonds that hold their natural shape), then reforming them in a lifted, brushed-up position.

Think of it like a perm in reverse — straightening and fixing your hairs into place using chemical solutions.

Done right, the results are:

• Fluffy, groomed brows

• Improved symmetry

• A fuller-looking shape without makeup

Done wrong?You’re left with:

• Brittle, dry hairs

• Patchy regrowth

• Increased shedding

• And sometimes, brow hair that never returns the same

The Problem Isn’t the Treatment — It’s the Frequency and the Formula

Cheap lamination kits and poorly trained technicians are the root of most brow disasters.

Here’s what often goes wrong:

• Over-processing: Leaving solutions on for too long or using them too frequently

• No pH balancing: Failing to neutralise the hair’s pH, leaving it vulnerable

• Wrong brows, wrong treatment: Laminating already fragile, thin, or damaged brows

• No aftercare: Clients walk out without any education on hydration or recovery

At Ira Bale Brows, we’ve rescued countless brows from “lamination trauma” — brittle hairs that snapped off or regrew in the wrong direction due to overuse and poor technique.

Client Story: Ruby, 27

Ruby came into our Toorak Village salon with one laminated brow lifted like a feathered dream — and the other… half gone.

“I did a home kit,” she confessed. “Then got a top-up at a cheap place two weeks later. Now I’m scared to touch them.”

We did a full brow rescue plan:

• Hydration treatments

• Growth serum guidance

• Tinted fill-in to blend the gaps

• And a no-lamination rule for 12 weeks

Eventually, we introduced a gentle Brow High Definition (shape + dye) once the regrowth returned.She later came back for a full Brow Tattooing session to build density she’d lost.

Moral of the story? Not every trend is meant to be DIY-ed — or repeated monthly.

So, Who Should Get Lamination?

Lamination works beautifully for:

• Coarse or downward-growing brows that need redirecting

• Clients with brows that lack symmetry

• Brows with medium density that look flat or lifeless

• People who prefer a polished, minimal-makeup look

But it’s not for:

• Extremely fine, overplucked brows

• Brows with active hair loss or medical sensitivities

• Clients who’ve had chemical treatments (tints, lifts, lasers) recently

• People who want “laminated brows” every 3–4 weeks — that’s overkill

How Ira Bale Brows Does It Differently

We treat lamination like skincare — personalised and paced.

At our salons in South Yarra and Toorak Village:

• We never use cheap, high-alkaline formulas

• We space treatments at minimum 6–8 weeks apart

• We assess your hair texture, brow history, and skin condition before proceeding

• We pair lamination with a tint and shape — not just for the look, but to protect the hair

• We provide aftercare that actually supports hair health (yes, brows need conditioning too)

And if your brows aren’t suited for lamination?We tell you.And we offer alternatives like Brow Dye, Shape & Tint, or Cosmetic Tattooing if you need a more lasting solution.

When Lamination Is a Trap, Not a Treat

Lamination is a powerful tool — but it’s not magic. It doesn’t regrow brows. It doesn’t solve patchiness. And it won’t fix damage caused by years of over-plucking or tinting.

Worse?Overdoing it can actually take you backwards — making your brows thinner and more unruly long-term.

The right treatment for your brows is the one that:

• Enhances what you already have

• Respects the health of the hair

• And supports your beauty goals — not just today, but 6 months from now

Final Word

We love lamination — when it’s done with care. But like any powerful treatment, it needs skill, strategy, and restraint.

So before you book that $30 pop-up or reach for another DIY kit, ask yourself:

• Is this right for my brows?

• Or is it just the loudest trend in the room?

At Ira Bale Brows, we design treatments that don’t just look good — they last, they heal, and they respect your brows.

Book a Brow Lamination, High Definition Dye, or Brow Tattoo Consultation with Ira Bale Brows in South Yarra or Toorak Village. We’ll tell you what your brows actually need — and nothing more.