Microblading VS Permanent Makeup
We get this question a lot. What exactly is the difference between microblading and permanent makeup? It’s an understandable and expected question for those interested in microblading to ask. After all, microblading is a fairly new form of semi-permanent makeup that really started to take off in not only the Las Vegas and Henderson area, but across the nation in 2015. Both permanent makeup and microblading can benefit those from all walks of life regardless of age and sex. They are especially beneficial to those who are affected by alopecia, cancer (chemotherapy), genetic anomalies, vitiligo, and scars. Anyone that cannot produce eyebrow hair or lack full eyebrow hairs is a perfect example. Though microblading and permanent makeup seem like the same thing, they are actually worlds apart. Let’s cover both of them and get you informed!
Permanent Makeup
Permanent makeup is a form of cosmetic tattooing also known as micro-pigmentation, derma-pigmentation, and permanent cosmetics. Permanent makeup artists use tattooing techniques to apply designed that would resemble makeup. Eyelining, color enhancement of skin on the face, eyelids, lips, and eyebrows are all areas that permanent makeup is traditionally applied to. It results in enhanced facial features that would typically be done with temporary makeup. Permanent makeup is the virtually the same thing as getting a typical tattoo. A permanent makeup artist will use tattoo machines to implant ink into the dermis, just getting shy of how deep a regular tattoo will penetrate. Complications with permanent makeup include allergies to pigments, scars, skin cracking/peeling, infection, blistering, granulomas, and keloids. Many permanent makeup artists use regular tattoo ink which can change color over time and have dangerous minerals like cobalt and mercury in them. A well informed and experienced permanent makeup artist will always use safe inks and techniques. With permanent makeup that involves the brows, usually a powder fill like technique is used to make the brows look denser and fuller. The issue with permanent makeup for brows is its inability to create the natural and full look that microblading successfully achieves. In the worst case scenario, unknowing clients will go to a traditional tattoo artist that will outline brows and fill them with color, making a solid eyebrow look that is very unnatural and usually regrettable. These tattoos are usually much more permanent lasting decades.
Microblading
Microblading is a manual method of implanting pigment in hair-like strokes in the epidermis to create the look of fuller brows. This form of tattooing is the newest trend in Semi-Permanent Makeup. The natural-looking results are achieved with a sharp, hand-held manual blade made up of 7+ micro needles. Instead of outlining and completely filling in the outline of your brows with color, microblading actually allows for the placement of hair like strokes into the skin. Whereas traditional tattooing uses needles on a rotary/coil machine to push ink 7 layers deep into the skin, microblading uses a manual blade and only targets 3 layers of skin. Because the pigment sits so superficially in the skin the strokes are sharp, crisp, and they mimic the look of real hair! Your new brows will last anywhere between 1-3 years predicated on the environmental exposure it receives. Microblading pigments are all organic and will not change color as they lose saturation over time. Thanks to the 1-3 year expected life of the semi-permanent makeup, the client can change the way their brows look as trends change.
For more information on Microblading at Ivy Laser Salon, please feel free to contact us at 702-685-1849 or click on the make an appointment button on this screen to schedule your appointment.
Ani Nina, aka Neenajaybrows, is one of the pioneers and very first instructors of microblading in the Las Vegas and Henderson area. She is also the head Microblading artist at Ivy Laser Salon. With over 8 years experience in brow shaping and rehab, she is sought after for her treatments and instruction all across the nation.
You can see all her work in instagram @neenajaybrows.