Microblading Vs. Permanent Makeup
It’s incredible how a beauty treatment, product, procedure, can go viral through social media. That’s what we saw happen this year with Microblading. So many people still don’t know what Microblading is but are asking for it and going to anyone including inexperienced “artists” that do this procedure. I want you to know what questions to ask, what to look for before you ever let someone touch your eyebrows or eyeliner.
What exactly is Microblading?
From the name itself people are misled to think that microblading is not a tattoo process. Any time color pigment is placed into the skin with any device, it is a tattoo process as defined by many well-informed regulators and the medical community. Microblading is just a different name for permanent makeup just like micro pigmentation, dermal implantation and micro-stroking are used to describe permanent makeup. Microblading is a permanent procedure when you see “semi-permanent” advertised it is not accurate and misleading. Once pigment is implanted into the skin it will be altered no matter how much fading happens. You need to understand no one can promise that the pigment implanted into your skin will be completely gone by a certain time.
Microblading is one of the oldest tattooing techniques around. Microblading or the hand tool method uses a device with a cluster of needles at the end of the blade. This blade then is used to dip into pigment and blade through the skin to deposit pigment. There are many different types of needle groupings as you can see by the picture below that are used to achieve different effects. Getting a tattoo which is what microblading is no matter what you read or someone tells you is a serious consideration. Microblading is an advanced technique which requires a lot of practice, education, experience and time to see fully healed results after a period of at least two years. There are a lot of artists attending a two-day course and then attempting to charge for this service without the proper experience.
Micoblading Hand Tool | photo credit: Tina Davies
Is Microblading Semi-Permanent? NO
Permanent makeup uses a coil, rotary or digital machine with different size needles to implant the pigment into the skin. The machine the artist uses is really based upon personal preference. Permanent makeup using a machine will produce longer lasting results than microblading. The pigment is deposited in the dermal layer of the skin about the depth of a dime. It’s a very important factor to know exactly where you are placing the pigment so you retain those crisp hair strokes. Too shallow and you lose pigment too deep and the color will heal very cool (blue/gray). Permanent makeup requires an artist to know extensive skin anatomy and color theory. I use a rotary machine with a #1 needle to create my fine natural looking hair strokes. Permanent makeup is a fantastic option to create the perfect full eyebrows that you have always wanted. It’s important to understand the requirements that your permanent makeup artist should have before you book your appointment.
Rotary Machine | photo credit: Valor
- Where did you study permanent makeup? Do you have advanced training?
- Are you a licensed Esthetician or certified makeup artist?
- How long have you been doing permanent makeup?
- Do you specialize in eyebrows?
- Are you a certified permanent makeup artist?
- Is your tattoo location licensed with the health department?
- Do you have your biohazard license?
- Where can I see pictures of your work?
- Do you use disposable implements on your clients?
- Are you a licensed tattoo artist with the health department?
I am very passionate about educating you so that you don’t end up with subpar results. When there is a lot of hype about a product or treatment, there will be plenty of people that will jump on the trend and offer a procedure that they are not trained to do. You as the client are responsible for doing your research. Know if the location is run by a doctor or nurse. I am shocked at how many women call or come into my studio telling me stories on how they let an unlicensed individual inject them with who knows what. Permanent makeup is not an extremely painful experience; everyone does have different levels of pain tolerance, but I make it a point to ensure my clients are not uncomfortable.
I studied in Los Angeles, California at the International Institute of Permanent Cosmetics in 2011. I went back to the IIPC six months later to do my advanced training in hair stroke simulation and eyeliner techniques. I have attended many continuing education workshops on new technologies and products all over the country. I am an active member of the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals and have lectured at two of the SPCP conferences in Philadelphia. You can see in the video below (procedure starts at 12:22) that I had Susan Church the owner of IIPC do my eyebrows with the hair stroke technique. It’s important to mention that I had this done without any numbing agent on my brows before the procedure. It’s a great video to see how this treatment is performed.
When you book an appointment for permanent makeup eyebrows or eyeliner at Fresh Beauty Studio, I book out two hours for each procedure. We first will sit down for a consultation and talk about shape, color, your eyebrow or eyeliner concerns. Once all your medical forms are filled out and pictures are taken, I will measure and create with a pencil a beautiful eyebrow according to your bone structure. After you approve the shape, you will be color matched with the pigment to be used for the procedure. I use a topical numbing agent for twenty to thirty minutes; once I start your treatment you will continuously get a cocktail of numbing throughout the entire procedure which includes lidocaine, tetracaine, and epinephrine. You will come back after your eyebrows are healed (six weeks) for your touch up appointment. Your permanent makeup procedure should last you up to two years before you need a color refresh. The pigment will fade more rapidly if you use certain skin care products with acids, do laser treatments, take certain medications, suntan, etc.
Below are some great examples of my recent work that shows you how I can take a sparse and uneven eyebrow and create a beautiful full natural looking eyebrow that shapes your face. I post my permanent makeup procedures weekly on Instagram, make sure you are following me to see up to date before and after pictures.
Permanent Makeup Hair Stroke Technique by Nikol Johnson
Permanent Makeup Hair Stroke Technique by Nikol Johnson
Permanent Makeup Hair Stroke Technique by Nikol Johnson
My permanent makeup consultations are complimentary and I take corrective work on a case by case basis. If you are looking to build your beauty confidence permanent makeup is a wonderful procedure to invest in for 2017. It’s time to take your eyebrows to the next level and feel beautiful from the second you wake up, no more filling in your eyebrows for hours. Contact the studio at 954-537-1772 to book your consultation. We hope this Microblading vs. Permanent Makeup detailed review is going to be helpful.
Contact the studio at 954-537-1772 to book your consultation.
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