Tattoo Brows vs Microblading
Microblading vs Tattoo Brows: What You Need To Know
These two techniques have been interchanged before but they are very different from each other. The goals are similar in that they both aim to enhance the brows but read on to find out the key differences between tattoo brow and microblading.
What’s inside (Click on the link to go to a specific step):
- What Is Microblading?
- What Is Eyebrow Tattoo?
- The Lifespan of the Treatments
- The Difference in Application Process
- The Difference Between Microblading and Tattoo Pigments
- Eyebrow Tattoo vs Microblading, Which One Is More Painful?
- Eyebrow Tattoo vs Microblading – Main Takeaways
What Is Microblading?
Microblading is a procedure that fits best for clients who may have over plucked or sparse brows. It enables the artist to use a manual blade to create strokes that can reshape the brows and give it a fuller look. Pigment is added to the incisions into the papillary dermis layer of the skin. The final look mimics natural hair strokes and an overall natural looking brow.
Although it is a form of tattooing, the cuts are shallow and the pigment used does not last forever. Numbing cream is applied to the treatment area to prepare the skin for the procedure.
What Is Eyebrow Tattoo?
Tattoo Brows procedure used to be the traditional PMU treatment for the brows, but is not as common anymore.
Like traditional tattoos, artists use a machine to deposit the ink into the skin through a tapping motion. Unlike microblading pigment, tattoo ink is highly concentrated and is not easily broken down by the body. The ink is permanent with practically no fading with a shading effect in the final look. The high saturation of the ink tends to make the brows look more solid than natural looking brows.
Side effects
After a while, the color changes to a green or blue hue which is influenced by sun exposure and body chemistry. Another issue with tattoo brows is how the ink may bleed which affects the shape of the brow.
The Lifespan of the Treatments
A key difference between brow tattoos and microblading is how long the treatments will last.
Microblading Lifespan
It takes 1 to 2 years for the pigments to fade but it depends on a person’s skin type and lifestyle. Touch ups are necessary to maintain the look of the procedure.
In case the client wants to get rid of the microblading look, the pigment will gradually fade but there are methods that can speed up fading and even removal.
Eyebrow Tattoo Lifespan
Brow tattoos do not fade no matter the time that passes since the procedure. Fading is uncommon but the brow ink changes in hue after a while. The look will also turn dull and less vivid as time passes.
The Difference in Application Process
There is a big difference in how both treatments are done.
Microblading is done by using a manual tool to create small incisions with a tiny blade. On the other hand, tattoo brows are done with a machine that inserts the ink through dots or pixels.
For both procedures, the color is deposited in the papillary dermis which is the second layer of the skin.
The Difference Between Microblading and Tattoo Pigments
The color used for microblading and brow tattoos are quite different. Tattoo ink is permanent and does not fade while microblading pigment is formulated in a way that the body can break it down after a few years.
The difference in longevity comes from the formulation of the ink and the pigment for the different techniques. For microblading, skin type and lifestyle can also affect longevity so touch up appointments are recommended once the brows start to fade.
Eyebrow Tattoo vs Microblading, Which One Is More Painful?
For both procedures, the surface of the skin is broken up to the second layer. It comes with some risks and discomfort. Numbing cream is applied to the treatment area to help with the pinching and pressure from the procedures.
Let your artist know if you have any concerns about pain during the procedures.
Main Takeaways
Given everything discussed, microblading has shined to the top. Brow tattoos are outdated with all the new permanent makeup brow techniques in the market at present.
Some of the new techniques are microblading, ombre powder brows and nano brows that each have their differences and advantages over each other and brow tattoos.