Microblading Vs Eyebrow Tattoo: Whats The Difference
Originally published on February 23, 2018. Updated February 23, 2021 with additional information and comments from professional makeup artists
The eyebrows play a significant role in the aesthetics of the face. The shape, fullness, and symmetry of the brows all work together to highlight the eyes and frame the upper face. If you have thin or patchy eyebrows there is a non-invasive treatment that can instantly improve the eyebrow area: microblading.
Microblading is a popular eyebrow enhancement technique that improves the shape, definition, and thickness of the brows. The microblading technique uses a specialized hand-held tool with a unique blade to deposit dye into the second dermal layer of the skin, creating very fine strokes that mimic the appearance of natural eyebrow hair.
People often think microblading is a type of tattoo. While the techniques may sound similar, microblading and eyebrow tattooing are very different. This post will compare the major differences between microblading and eyebrow tattoos.
Microblading Results Are More Natural Than Tattoos
In microblading, each individual hair stroke is drawn by hand. It is impossible to tell the difference between a client’s natural hair and these individual hair strokes when viewed with the naked eye. Microblading creates the appearance of natural eyebrow hair, in contrast to eyebrow tattoos, which can look more like a filled-in brow or a solid line . Microblading is such a great alternative for individuals who do not have eyebrow hair because of this reason. You can go through this gallery of people who have chosen to receive microblading despite having conditions such as alopecia or cancer.
Taking Care Of Newly Microbladed Brows
Now that you have the answer to Is microblading a tattoo, remember that when you get the final eyebrows from microblading, you will get the need to show them off. However, you need to be careful enough not to use any makeup or skincare products. They can cause scratching, peeling, or picking of the surface area.
Also, you should not expose the area to direct sunlight at least for 10 days.
- Only use wipes to touch them
- Avoid brow area while you wash your face
- Sleep on your back if possible
- Put small bandaids on the ends if you are a side sleeper
- Keep them as dry as possible
- Do not get them wet
- Dont touch your brows for 24 hours
- Do not sweat or workout
- Dont put ointment, sunscreens, lotions, or makeup on them
- Do not stay in direct sunlight
- Dont go tanning
- Do not pick, itch, or rub your brows
- Dont use retinoids or benzoyl peroxide
- Do not go to a sauna
- Dont take any blood thinners
- Do not take any anti-inflammatory medicines like Advil, Aleve, Motrin, aspirin, or Excedrin
- Dont take any oil supplements like fish oil, vitamin e oil, or primrose oil.
- Do not take any magnesium.
- Dont consume any alcohol, caffeine, or nicotine as it will interrupt the healing process.
- Do not take any over the counter herbs without consulting with your microblading artist.
- Do not use any acidic lotions or topicals. They are found in most makeup and skincare products. Any topical products that contain mineral oils, retinol, AHA, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid should be avoided.
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How To Get The Best Microblading Treatment
It is imperative to find a microblading artist with a great deal of experience. The reason for this is because an inexperienced artist has not home the skill of providing the right pressure. Too much pressure and too much density can cause the micro bladed out eyebrows to look just like a tattoo. Many artists place districts to close together and the strokes can merge in healing. It is going to create a very tattoo, like the outcome. Is microblading a tattoo
Most people choose microblading to avoid this very fact. So having some knowledge of the difference between microblading and tattooing is important so you can recognize how to choose the correct artist for your microblading in treatment.
People want fully understanding the magnitude of bad Microblading Artist. Assisted it to be cheap and two quick likely inexperienced. Inexperience could create an outcome that is similar to a tattoo because of the pressure and consistency of strokes. Is microblading a tattoo?
Can Microblading Ruin Your Eyebrows
Generally speaking, no,microblading wont ruin your eyebrows, as long as your artist uses proper techniquesi.e., not tattooing too deep into your skin and creating accidental scar tissue, which can damage the hair follicle, says Capparelli, and in rare cases, prevent new hair growth. Dr. Evans also notes that, although very uncommon, its also possible to have an allergic reaction to the dye that could cause a rash or an infection, whichif severe enough and left untreatedcould affect your hair growth in the future.
So, unless you have a reaction, you shouldnt worry too much about your eyebrows being negatively affected by microblading. In fact, microblading may even helpyour hair growth, because the little micro-trauma to the brows brings fresh blood to the area and stimulates lymphatic fluid, which can encourage the hair follicle to potentially help support some hair growth, says Caparelli.
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Eyebrow Tattoo Vs Microblading: What Are The Differences
Both eyebrow tattooing and microblading are cosmetic procedures for getting your eyebrows done in the way you like them. But both of these processes are very different and specific to the needs of the user. The differences among these processes make them unique and favorable to a large pool of clients.
Lets look at the differences between these two processes:
Eyebrow Tattoo Vs Microblading Which One Is More Painful
With both microblading vs tattoo, the thin skin on the face is broken over and over again, so there is bound to be some discomfort.
Some clients compare the sensation of microblading to slight pinching, some describe it as pressure, but hardly anyone reports they felt pain per se.
Since the skin in the brow area is thin and more sensitive than skin in other parts of the body, both tattoo and microblading artists use numbing creams to numb the area before the procedure. This is standard practice in permanent makeup salons and a fairly common one in tattoo parlors.
If youre particularly concerned about possible pain during eyebrow tattooing, make sure you and check if they use anesthetics.
Image source: Instagram @draclaudiamejia
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Microblading Vs Eyebrow Tattooing
When considering which is best for you, its helpful to understand the differences between these two eyebrow-enhancing techniques.
Permanent vs Impermanent
For most people, the most significant difference between microblading and eyebrow tattoos is the longevity of the results each provides.
Eyebrow tattoos are permanent. Once the ink is tattooed onto the skin it is there for life . Once you have an eyebrow tattoo, its forever unless removed via tattoo removal treatments.
This is very different from microblading, where the results typically last about 6 months to a year. Because the pigment doesnt go as deep, it fades as your skin cells naturally turn over. Simple touch up treatments can be done annually if the microblading patient wishes to maintain their enhanced brow. The semi-permanent nature of microblading allows patients the ability to change the appearance of their brow as trends and styles change.
Microblade Pigment vs Tattoo Ink
Microblading pigments come in organic or inorganic varieties, in a range of several colors. As microblading ink slowly fades it does get lighter, but the tone stays the same. Microblading pigment is specifically designed to fade into a lighter version of the color used so the patient retains a natural appearance. Thus, the result maintains a natural appearance until it fully fades away.
Blading vs Needling
Fine Lines vs Filled Brows
Natural-looking Outcome
Pain
Is Microblading A Tattoo: Definition
Any ink that will go under the skin is mostly called a tattoo. Microblading sits in the epidermis layers this is the reason why the hair strokes look so crisp and clear and hair-like. These epidermis layers are overtime going to shed.
It is why microblading overtime will fade off. The Microblading industry claims that all microblading will just fade off. There are certain drawbacks to the statements. Because artist pressure is going to navigate how deep that pigment will go. Is microblading a tattoo? Yes, but also, no.
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What Are Powdered Brows
Powdered brows have several names. This procedure is sometimes known as microshading, ombre brows, or the Powder Effect. Whatever term is used, they refer to the same thing a technique that uses pin-dot pigment application to create flawless, ready-to-go eyebrows.
Brow techs will use a machine or hand tool to create a soft, ombre look. The tails of the brows are dark and fade to a lighter color at the start of the eyebrow. This gives brows a subtle yet put-together look.
There will always be an initial consultation before a powder treatment. During this consultation, you can talk to your tech about your individual preferences. Do you want a subtle or bold look? If youre unsure, ask to see examples of different looks to find one that suits your liking.
An Eyebrow Tattoo And Microblading Are Two Different Procedures
In reality, microblading is a cosmetic procedure, not a tattoo. Fine Strokes Microblading added that microblading does not use regular ink like tattoo artists. Instead, a microblading artist will use a specially formulated pigment that will maintain its original color tone over time, the outlet said. Additionally, according to Fine Strokes Microblading, eyebrow tattoos will eventually turn red or blue due to the tattoo artist’s use of metallic inks.
Another difference between these two procedures is the pain. Since microblading does not go that deep underneath the skin, the procedure is generally less painful than a tattoo, per Dolly Eye Boutique. Of course, there’s still pain involved, but not as much as a tattoo. An eyebrow or any part of the face, really is a sensitive area for a tattoo, so expect a lot of pain, the outlet added. You might even bleed!
Lastly, the main difference between an eyebrow tattoo and microblading is the purpose. As mentioned, microblading gives you natural, fluffy brows. A tattoo, by comparison, will be more boxy, according to Dolly Eye Boutique. If your goal is to get nice, natural brows, then microblading is your answer.
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Microblading Vs Tattoo = Pigment Vs Ink
Another great difference between these two techniques is the type of color that is inserted in your skin. The tattooing technique, for example, uses ink which differs greatly from the pigment thats used for microblading. Tattoo ink fades over time, thus creating a blue or green colored tint, especially around the edges. This can eventually look very ugly, as if someone drew their eyebrows using a very bad pencil. On the other hand, microblading pigment is specifically designed to fade into the lighter version of the actual color, which means that they fade more naturally. If your artist uses good PhiBrows pigments, even better.
Image Source: Mom Trusted Choice
Microblading Pigments Hold Color
Unlike eyebrow tattoo, eyebrow microblading uses pigment, not ink. The pigment maintains color and doesnt change as a result of exposure to UV rays. Tattoo ink will turn green or brown or blue over time. The pigment used in microblading will get lighter and fade after about 18 months, but the actual color hue remains unchanged.
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What Is Eyebrow Tattoo
To start off, its important to note that, since hardly anyone does traditional tattooing on the brows anymore, permanent makeup for eyebrows is sometimes called an eyebrow tattoo.
And technically, microblading is a type of tattoo, but not the traditional kind.
Traditional eyebrow tattooing is similar to any other type of tattooing. Here, tattoo artists use a machine that inserts tattoo ink into your skin in a tapping motion. The formula of the ink is highly concentrated, and the body doesnt break it down significantly.
This way, the ink stays permanently, theres no significant fading, and there is no going back .
The traditional tattooing technique only allows for a shading effect, not hair-like strokes, so the end results will be more obvious. If the ink saturation is high, the arches often end up looking like a block of color rather than natural volume.
Eyebrow Tattoos Vs Microblading
Many people are spending a lot of time these days making sure their eyebrows are on point.
And this is no surprise, as first impressions are more important than ever, and having great brows can not only be a confidence booster, but it can help you look more put-together.
Brushes, makeup, tints, and creams can all help to achieve a fuller, more structured brow look.
However some peopleare opting for a more permanent solution.
Toronto eyebrow microblading treatments or eyebrow tattoos are often used to help people who have difficulty applying makeup, or who want to enhance their look due to hair loss from health conditions or cancer treatments.
Or maybe just to help enhance lighter or thinner brows without having to spend time on it daily.
Today we are going to take a look at these two procedures and how they differ from each other.
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Eyebrow Tattoo: How Does It Work
The procedure for tattooing the brows is the same as for every other tattoo. Your tattooist will use ink-filled tattoo needles that are connected to a power source.
With a fast tapping stroke, the needle will repeatedly enter the skins layer to deposit the ink into the intended place. Because traditional methods of tattooing only provide a sort of shading effect, the finished effects will be very natural.
But if the ink has high saturation, the arches, and hairs of the brows can look like a blob of color instead of natural depth. Although the colors might fade and the lines might blur over time, tattoos are permanent. Its extremely difficult, and mostly impossible, to erase a brow tattoo after it has been applied.
The Difference Between Microblading Vs Eyebrow Tattoo
a. Microblading Is Semi-PermanentCompared to eyebrow tattoos, the color will fade dramatically after some time. It may fade away slowly or fast based on your skin type. Touch-ups for microblading are required regularly.
b. They Require Different ToolsThe other notable difference is that microblading is hand-drawn. In addition, the process has less impact on the skin and the ink doesnt go into the dermis.
This has a significant impact. Microblading uses tiny lines that bleed little when done by a professional artist.
Traditional eyebrow tattooing isnt like that. Eyebrow tattooing uses an electric machine, resulting in substantially more skin damage.
c. Microblading Is A Less Painful ProcedureTechnicians apply a topical anesthetic to the skin, which relieves pain and most of the discomfort. In fact, most microblading clients say they feel no pain at all.
The microblading eyebrow pen doesnt reach the dermis thus, the process is less painful as compared to tattooing.
On the other hand, traditional tattoos cause a lot of pain and this scares away some clients. However, this is usually not an issue for microblading customers.
d. The Results For Microblading Vs Eyebrow Tattoo Are DifferentIn microblading, each hair stroke blends seamlessly with the clients natural hair. Eyebrow tattoos, on the other hand, may resemble a filled-in brow.
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Microblading Vs Eyebrow Tattoos:
Artists that perform microblading do each line by hand. When tattooing brows, a machine is typically used. This has a significant bearing on the discussion. When performed by a trained artist, microblading creates fine lines that do not “bleed out” over time. This gives the appearance that the lines were always there. This is not the case with the classic eyebrow tattoo. In most cases, a machine is used to tattoo the eyebrows, which results in a significantly more severe harm to the skin. The lines that are produced are not as lovely, and they start to bleed together after some time has passed. You are familiar with the effect if you have ever witnessed someone getting a calligraphy tattoo on their skin and then saw the lettering develop stronger as the years went by.
In comparison to eyebrow tattooing, which leaves the brows seeming “drawn on” and unnaturally flat, the microblading technique yields a result that is more natural looking. This is because the microblading procedure makes individual strokes that look like hair and follow the same pattern of hair growth as the surrounding eyebrow hair. If you have a skilled professional perform your microblading procedure, the treated areas can be made to look like a denser version of the natural brow hair.
Eyebrow Tattoo Vs Microblading Main Takeaways
When discussing eyebrow tattoo vs microblading, most would agree that microblading is a clear winner.
Traditional tattooing is outdated and has been almost completely replaced with updated forms of brow tattooing permanent makeup.
Microblading, ombre powder brows, or nano brows are also called cosmetic tattoos and have many advantages over the traditional one.
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Does Microblading Ruin Your Natural Eyebrows
The Microblading technique is meant to enhance the natural brow hair, not to ruin the appearance of the brows. The microblading technician uses a manual tool to create natural-looking hair strokes that look like your natural brows.
Getting semi-permanent make-up done is the bomb because it saves you so much time. It also helps clumsy make-up wearers who struggle with getting their make-up to look even.
For instance, a permanent eyeliner tattoo can help make-up lovers who struggle with getting even-looking liners, and all of us know what a hassle that can be!
If youre one of those looking to get their brows worked on by a professional, I say with all our heart: go for it! You wont regret it.
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Eyebrow tattoo vs microblading: which do you prefer? Please share with us below!