What is really the difference when it comes to microblading vs tattoo? How is one better than the other? How do you choose between these two eyebrow enhancement techniques? Let us find out the answers to all these questions as we move along!
Your eyebrows are one of the most important features of your face. They are everything when it comes to your overall look. Not only do they accentuate your eyes and define your face shape, they also play an important role in correcting your flaws.
However, basically, eyebrows are hair. They grow and easily become unkempt. For this reason, they need to be shaped and treated constantly. There is a need to maintain your eyebrows not because you are vain and conceited; but because looking good makes you feel good about yourself. It is definitely a self-esteem booster.
There are many ways to enhance your eyebrows. You can have them threaded and/or trimmed, but that requires frequent appointments. This is why more long-lasting solutions have emerged, such as microblading and eyebrow tattooing.
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What Is Microblading?
Microblading improves the overall look of your eyebrows. It defines, shapes, and thickens them in a way that perfectly suits your face. It employs a pen with a sloped blade nib that has tiny needles at the tip, depositing a specialized, medical-grade pigment into the second layer of your skin.
The tool does not penetrate your skin too deeply. It is just like scratching the surface. Each fine stroke results to what seems like a natural eyebrow hair.
This eyebrow enhancement technique tailors the approach and appearance for every client. It provides a fine and natural result that every woman desires.
Microblading Vs Tattoo: The Significant Differences
Microblading and eyebrow tattooing are often mistaken as being the same. What many people do not know is that there is a huge difference between the two techniques.
The following factors will help you decide when it comes to microblading vs tattoo:
1. Artist
To become equipped as a microblading and eyebrow tattooing artist, one needs a specific training. These techniques are completely different forms of art, which means that the required trainings are completely different as well. Simply speaking, a microblading artist does not necessarily know how to perform eyebrow tattooing; and an eyebrow tattooing artist is not necessarily skilled to perform microblading.
2. Instrument
Microblading uses a specialized, medical-grade pigment while eyebrow tattooing uses tattoo ink. The pigment fades into a lighter version but it never loses its hue over time. This means that even as it fades, your eyebrows will still look natural.
The tattoo ink fades over time as well. However, blue-green tint forms around the edges of the eyebrow tattoos as it fades. This is something you would want to avoid. Given the fact that tattoo ink is permanent on your skin, it would be hard to solve the problem once the fading starts.
With microblading, you do not need to worry about discoloration because all you need is a touch-up procedure. If you want to opt for a different brow design once the pigment fades, you have the liberty to do so, too— the pigment can be removed easily.
3. Longevity
One of the most obvious difference when it comes to microblading vs tattoo is that the former is semi-permanent while the latter is permanent.
The result of microblading lasts for six to 18 months, depending on your skin. In some cases, it even lasts up to three years without touch-up procedures! However, it may not last as long if you have oily skin because the pigment tends to fade faster than it normally would.
It fades over time because there is not that much pigment deposited under your skin, at least if you would compare it with a tattooed eyebrow. You can go for touch-up treatments regularly to maintain your eyebrows.
In fact, you can have it removed whenever you want. For example, there is a new eyebrow trend that you want to try. You can easily make an appointment, have it removed, and try a different style. The pigment does not leave awful marks or scars. It also leaves no discoloration of any kind. A salt/saline solution is effective in removing the pigment.
Meanwhile, the result of eyebrow tattooing remains consistent. More often than not, it even expands over time. Needless to say, it is indeed a permanent solution but at the same time, it gets relatively ugly.
4. Method
With microblading, a trained artist draws each stroke carefully. This explains the very fine lines that lead to beautiful eyebrows. More importantly, these lines do not bleed out over time.
It is almost completely opposite in the case of eyebrow tattooing. Primarily, it is performed by a machine. Not only does this mean possible injury, but it also does not guarantee flawless results. Then, the lines are not as fine as that of microblading. They also bleed out over time.
5. Outcome
When it comes to microblading vs tattoo, the former results to more natural-looking eyebrows than the latter. The fine, individual, hair-like strokes are hand drawn, bleeding perfectly with your natural hair. Delicately made, they will look like natural hair growing on your eyebrows. Done excellently, your eyebrows could even look like a denser version of natural eyebrow hair.
On the other hand, eyebrow tattooing usually ends up with solid brow lines. Eventually, your eyebrows will look like they have been drawn on using a Sharpie marker.
It is for this reason that microblading is the perfect solution for women with less or completely without eyebrow hair. Men who get their eyebrows enhanced opt for it as well instead of getting a permanent tattoo.
6. Pain
Microblading is relatively less painful. It is almost as if you are just tweezing. Some women do not even feel it at all. It is all because of a topical anesthetic, usually lidocaine, applied prior to the actual microblading process.
On the other hand, getting a tattoo is painful! The same goes for eyebrow tattooing since the same technique is employed. It is even more painful in sensitive areas such as the face.
Preparing Yourself For Microblading
When you have an appointment for microblading, there are certain do’s and don’ts you need to observe. This is to ensure that you get the best result.
Photo credit: microbladingla.com
4 Weeks Prior: A month before your scheduled microblading treatment, make sure that you do not take any vitamin A supplement.
3 Weeks Prior: Do not get any botox treatment three weeks before your microblading procedure.
2 Weeks Prior: Avoid having direct sunlight exposure at least two weeks before your appointment. Also, do not have any type of peeling and facial within this period.
1 Week Prior: One week prior the scheduled microblading, do not touch your eyebrows. This means that you cannot tweeze and wax them. You cannot also have electrolysis during this seven-day period. At the same time, do not take vitamin E supplements.
3 Days Prior: Do not tint your eyebrows three days before microblading.
2 Days Prior: During this time, do not take alcoholic beverages.
1 Day Prior: Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen one day before the eyebrow enhancement process.
2 Hours Prior: Do not take any caffeinated product two hours before your appointment.
Microblading vs Tattoo – Post-Treatment
If there are things you need to do before undergoing the microblading procedure, there are also things you need to do after. Observing these things will help heal and maintain your enhanced eyebrows.
During the first week post-treatment, wash your eyebrows gently with antibacterial soap and water. Rinse them carefully then pat them dry using tissue. Gentleness is the key, so as to avoid removing the pigment. Do this every morning you wake up and every night before going to bed.
Keep in mind, you cannot use facial cleansers with acids and exfoliants during this crucial week.
At the same time, you would also want to apply a small amount of coconut oil to your eyebrows twice a day. Ideally, of course, you apply it after washing your eyebrows.
Always use a clean pillowcase, especially during this week. Avoid exercise and exposing yourself in direct sunlight as well.
For 10 days, you would want to avoid swimming and taking long showers. More importantly, you cannot have any peeling, facial, and/or botox treatment within the first month.
Never wear makeup or apply skincare products— other than the ones I have mentioned earlier— on your eyebrows until they are totally healed.
Photo credit: www.nyib.edu
Microblading Vs Tattoo: The Verdict
I think it is pretty obvious by now that microblading is the right choice. When you or your peers are confused when it comes to microblading vs tattoo, be reminded of the difference between the two; and what makes the former better than the latter.
First, microblading uses a better instrument. With a specialized, medical-grade pigment, it would not lose its original hue even if it fades. The same cannot be said about tattoo ink, which fades over time and produces greenish blue discoloration.
Then, there is the longevity of the result. Sure, tattooed eyebrows last forever but its quality decline over time. Microblading pigments last for a couple of months or years, but with touch-up procedures, it is rest-assured that you can maintain your eyebrows on fleek.
You can also expect far better results with microblading than with eyebrow tattooing. With the former technique, each hair-like stroke is hand-drawn delicately. The latter just uses a machine, which could even cause injury.
Microblading also involves a numbing topical, rendering the whole process painless. As we all know, since it uses a machine, eyebrow tattooing is extremely painful and it really penetrates your skin deeply.
Have you undergone microblading before? How about eyebrow tattooing? Which technique do you prefer? Let us know! Also, do not forget to share this to your friends!
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Source:
https://www.westlakedermatology.com/blog/microblading-vs-eyebrow-tattoo/
https://microbladingla.com/microblading-vs-eyebrow-tattooing
https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/a31566/microblading-eyebrows/
https://www.nyib.edu/importance-eyebrows/
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