Microblading vs. Eyebrow Tattooing
At Forever cosmetics NJ, we hear people sometimes refer to microblading as eyebrow tattooing, which is technically true but not 100% accurate.
Technically, microblading is eyebrow tattooing, but microblading is not like any eyebrow tattoo. Microblading is considered a “cosmetic tattoo."
Let’s talk about the key differences between eyebrow tattooing and microblading (cosmetic tattooing).
1. Microblading artists hand draw each line. Eyebrow tattooing uses a machine.
This makes a big difference. Microblading features very fine lines and when applied by a skilled artist, those lines do not “bleed out” over time. Not true of traditional eyebrow tattooing. Eyebrow tattooing is usually done by a machine, with much greater injury to the skin. The lines created are not as fine and over time begin to bleed out. If you’ve ever seen someone tattoo handwriting on their skin, only to see the writing get thicker over the years, then you know the effect.
2. Microblading has different retention.
The fine lines of microblading often fade over time. For many, they fade over 1 to 3 years. With microblading, there is physically less ink deposited under the skin. In the dermis, where the ink is placed, this ink can move around over time, giving a slighter appearance. When there is a lot of ink, like in traditional tattooing, the tattoo remains very consistent, often expanding. With microblading, the ink will fade or disappear, depending on the skin type and how much ink was inserted.
3. Microblading inks maintain their color.
Microblading does not use traditional tattoo ink. We use a different kind of ink that maintains its original hue over time. Many tattooing clients report that their tattoos turn blue or brown over time. With microblading, however, colors tend to get lighter, rather than changing hue.
4. Microblading is less painful. (And many consider it painless.)
Our artists use a topical anesthetic, which numbs clients of most of the pain. In fact, many microblading clients report little or no pain. Some people fear traditional tattoos on certain parts of their body because of the pain, but this is typically not a inhibiting factor for microblading clients.
5. Results from microblading are more natural than traditional eyebrow tattoos.
Each hairstroke is hand drawn in microblading. To the naked eye, these individual hairstrokes blend right in with a clients' real hair. While eyebrow tattoos may look more like a filled-in brow or a solid line (“sharpie look”), microblading looks more like natural eyebrow hair.
6. Microblading artists are not necessarily tattoo artists and vice versa!
Microblading and tattooing each take specific training and are not linked! Microblading artists do not learn how to tattoo during their training and likewise, tattoo artists do not necessarily learn the skills necessary to become a microblading artist. For the noted differences, tattooing and microblading are each separate artforms that take their own time and training to master. (That said, great tattoo artists, with proper training in the art of microblading, would make excellent microblading artists).
Here at Forever Cosmetics Cynthia is fully certified in Microblading as well as Cosmetic tattooing.
She is highly trained by some of the best instructors and in the world including: Phibrows academy Master Kler Rosenberg, Beau Institute of Permanent & Corrective Cosmetics Roses Marie Beauchemin, and Most recently 5Star Brows Kristina Melnicenco.
Technically, microblading is eyebrow tattooing, but microblading is not like any eyebrow tattoo. Microblading is considered a “cosmetic tattoo."
Let’s talk about the key differences between eyebrow tattooing and microblading (cosmetic tattooing).
1. Microblading artists hand draw each line. Eyebrow tattooing uses a machine.
This makes a big difference. Microblading features very fine lines and when applied by a skilled artist, those lines do not “bleed out” over time. Not true of traditional eyebrow tattooing. Eyebrow tattooing is usually done by a machine, with much greater injury to the skin. The lines created are not as fine and over time begin to bleed out. If you’ve ever seen someone tattoo handwriting on their skin, only to see the writing get thicker over the years, then you know the effect.
2. Microblading has different retention.
The fine lines of microblading often fade over time. For many, they fade over 1 to 3 years. With microblading, there is physically less ink deposited under the skin. In the dermis, where the ink is placed, this ink can move around over time, giving a slighter appearance. When there is a lot of ink, like in traditional tattooing, the tattoo remains very consistent, often expanding. With microblading, the ink will fade or disappear, depending on the skin type and how much ink was inserted.
3. Microblading inks maintain their color.
Microblading does not use traditional tattoo ink. We use a different kind of ink that maintains its original hue over time. Many tattooing clients report that their tattoos turn blue or brown over time. With microblading, however, colors tend to get lighter, rather than changing hue.
4. Microblading is less painful. (And many consider it painless.)
Our artists use a topical anesthetic, which numbs clients of most of the pain. In fact, many microblading clients report little or no pain. Some people fear traditional tattoos on certain parts of their body because of the pain, but this is typically not a inhibiting factor for microblading clients.
5. Results from microblading are more natural than traditional eyebrow tattoos.
Each hairstroke is hand drawn in microblading. To the naked eye, these individual hairstrokes blend right in with a clients' real hair. While eyebrow tattoos may look more like a filled-in brow or a solid line (“sharpie look”), microblading looks more like natural eyebrow hair.
6. Microblading artists are not necessarily tattoo artists and vice versa!
Microblading and tattooing each take specific training and are not linked! Microblading artists do not learn how to tattoo during their training and likewise, tattoo artists do not necessarily learn the skills necessary to become a microblading artist. For the noted differences, tattooing and microblading are each separate artforms that take their own time and training to master. (That said, great tattoo artists, with proper training in the art of microblading, would make excellent microblading artists).
Here at Forever Cosmetics Cynthia is fully certified in Microblading as well as Cosmetic tattooing.
She is highly trained by some of the best instructors and in the world including: Phibrows academy Master Kler Rosenberg, Beau Institute of Permanent & Corrective Cosmetics Roses Marie Beauchemin, and Most recently 5Star Brows Kristina Melnicenco.
Microblading Brows and Tattooed Brows: What Are the Differences Between the Two?
When clients come into our facility at Forever Cosmetics in New Jersey, they often don’t know there is a difference between microblading and eyebrow tattooing. While a client is technically having their brows tattooed on the skin, the microblading process is much different.
The Application of the Brows is Not the Same
There is a major difference between the way the new eyebrows are applied to the skin. During the microblading process, a professional will carefully draw each stroke of hair by hand, ensuring that these lines replicate the natural shape and size of real eyebrow hair. It’s an approach that is much gentler than eyebrow tattooing.
When a client has their eyebrows tattooed on, the professional will use a tattoo machine, which could cause a bit more damage to the skin. Those lines that are drawn on the skin to replicate the natural brow hairs won’t look nearly as precise. The ink from using a tattoo machine could end up expanding over time, causing the brows to look even thicker than they did before.
The Staying Power is Different
Because a trained microblading professional applies such soft and gentle strokes to the skin when filling in the eyebrows during the microblading process, not as much ink gets used. The inked brows will eventually start to fade within a year or so and will need to get touched up sometimes. However, the traditional tattooing method often leaves the ink looking much darker on the skin. The ink normally won’t fade over time, and then the client gets stuck with those brows unless he or she chooses to go through the tattoo removal process.
The Type of Ink Used is Different
Unlike those who tattoo the brows on, we use special ink designed specifically for the microblading process. The ink that we’re using isn’t going to turn into a darker and less aesthetically pleasing color over time. Instead, it’s going to maintain its natural color that blends perfectly with the rest of your brows. Unfortunately, when an individual chooses to go through with having their eyebrows tattooed on, the color may change to an undesirable shade at some point, causing a lot of frustration.
Microblading Won’t Cause Nearly as Much Discomfort
We’re always making sure our client’s comfort is a top priority. We don’t want clients to feel uncomfortable during the microblading process, so we apply a topical anesthetic on the skin to numb that section of the face before we get started. Most of our clients don’t feel anything at all throughout the duration of the microblading process.
Microblading Leaves Clients With Flawless, Natural Brows
Because we’re working carefully by hand to draw the extra brow hairs on the skin, the finished results will look much softer and far more natural than brows that are tattooed on with a machine. After you’ve gone through the microblading process, people will likely assume your eyebrows are naturally beautiful and will never suspect you’ve had something done to them whereas tattooed eyebrows are often quite noticeable and don’t always look as natural.
The Application of the Brows is Not the Same
There is a major difference between the way the new eyebrows are applied to the skin. During the microblading process, a professional will carefully draw each stroke of hair by hand, ensuring that these lines replicate the natural shape and size of real eyebrow hair. It’s an approach that is much gentler than eyebrow tattooing.
When a client has their eyebrows tattooed on, the professional will use a tattoo machine, which could cause a bit more damage to the skin. Those lines that are drawn on the skin to replicate the natural brow hairs won’t look nearly as precise. The ink from using a tattoo machine could end up expanding over time, causing the brows to look even thicker than they did before.
The Staying Power is Different
Because a trained microblading professional applies such soft and gentle strokes to the skin when filling in the eyebrows during the microblading process, not as much ink gets used. The inked brows will eventually start to fade within a year or so and will need to get touched up sometimes. However, the traditional tattooing method often leaves the ink looking much darker on the skin. The ink normally won’t fade over time, and then the client gets stuck with those brows unless he or she chooses to go through the tattoo removal process.
The Type of Ink Used is Different
Unlike those who tattoo the brows on, we use special ink designed specifically for the microblading process. The ink that we’re using isn’t going to turn into a darker and less aesthetically pleasing color over time. Instead, it’s going to maintain its natural color that blends perfectly with the rest of your brows. Unfortunately, when an individual chooses to go through with having their eyebrows tattooed on, the color may change to an undesirable shade at some point, causing a lot of frustration.
Microblading Won’t Cause Nearly as Much Discomfort
We’re always making sure our client’s comfort is a top priority. We don’t want clients to feel uncomfortable during the microblading process, so we apply a topical anesthetic on the skin to numb that section of the face before we get started. Most of our clients don’t feel anything at all throughout the duration of the microblading process.
Microblading Leaves Clients With Flawless, Natural Brows
Because we’re working carefully by hand to draw the extra brow hairs on the skin, the finished results will look much softer and far more natural than brows that are tattooed on with a machine. After you’ve gone through the microblading process, people will likely assume your eyebrows are naturally beautiful and will never suspect you’ve had something done to them whereas tattooed eyebrows are often quite noticeable and don’t always look as natural.