Is Brow Lamination as good as Microblading?

It is a question we’re often asked – we’d say it is probably better! And we’ll explain why…

Brow lamination works in harmony with your existing natural brows pulling unruly brow hairs into line for perfectly uniform, thicker looking brows.
Brow lamination is non-invasive with no ‘healing’ time unlike microblading. Any mild redness (erythema) you may see from shaping using wax which is commonly offered as part of a brow lamination service, usually subsides within 2-4 hours.
Brow lamination results last 2-8 weeks depending on a few factors, this means you get the benefit of fuller looking brows but with the flexibility as results drop to be able to change your brow look as fashion (and personal taste) dictates. Microblading results are semi-permanent lasting 1-3 years, with fade out results varying hugely.
Brow lamination is suitable for all hair and skin types – unlike microblading which isn’t best suited to those with oily skin (results fade quicker) or dry / sensitive skin conditions (healing can be slower and give uneven results).

What is Brow Lamination?

Brow lamination uses a 3 step chemical process using similar products to lash perming. Firstly brows are cleansed and set into desired place, some use a brow ‘glue’ to hold the shape while products are applied. A perming solution is then applied to temporarily relax and straighten the brow hairs. Next a setting solution is used which fixes the brows into an upright position making them appear longer, darker and fuller. At this stage the brows can be tinted as desired to further darken brow hairs and even the skin to ‘fill’ any gaps in growth. Brows can now be shaped using wax, threading, trimming and/or tweezers to create the perfect shape and definition. Lastly a nourishing serum is used to condition the brow hairs and give glossy brow results. You must keep brows dry for 24 hours following treatment to avoid reversing the lift result.

Treatment typically takes no longer than 30 minutes and gives results which can last 2-8 weeks depending on the client. There is no ‘healing’ time, beyond any mild redness that may result from shaping the brows with wax, which usually subsides in 2-4 hours. The treatment is completely pain free, some clients may have mild tingling due to greater skin sensitivity to the lift products but this isn’t common. A patch test is carried out 24-48 hours prior to treatment to minimise the risk of allergic reaction to products too.

What is Microblading?

Microblading is essentially a semi-permanent tattoo, using a handheld blade tool filled which ink which makes a small scratch with each stroke on the skin and applies the ink into the skin. This creates hair like strokes that can be built up to create greater definition to the existing brow shape or to fill in areas of lacking hair growth.

The treatment can be painful, especially if you have a low pain threshold. It can take 3-4 weeks for complete skin healing with some scabbing or peeling usually showing around 7-14 days post-treatment. You need to keep the area dry for up to 10 days for optimal healing.

Over time and skin renewal, the results will fade. Touch up is typically required every 1-3 years (varies significantly depending on your skin type, age, colour chosen and many other factors like sun exposure). As the pigment fades out, the hair strokes can become blurred or give a ‘blocky’ look to the brows. Some people experience greater red or blue tones as the results fade too which is undesirable. Those with sensitive or dry skin conditions like eczema can have uneven healing results that require correction. Those with oily skin will typically see fading more quickly and require more frequent touch ups.

Even once the result has fully faded after 3-5 years, pigment can still be present which can make it difficult to radically change your brow shape or can become evident as the brows naturally thin with age leading to correction being required and long term commitment to always having microbladed brows. It is therefore vital to ensure you want to commit to this and find a reputable technician whose results you can see before booking, to ensure you get the results you desire long term.

Considerations for a Therapist

You may be deciding between what brow training to complete – should you go for microblading training or simply brow lamination? Some considerations you may like to consider:

For microblading you will usually need to register with your local council environmental health for proper ‘sharps’ disposal arrangements.
Many insurers will not cover microblading due to the more invasive nature of the treatment and risks of bloodborne disease. This is worth considering, despite the use of PPE being available – there is always a small risk from providing these treatments. All leading insurers will cover brow lamination treatments.
You will need to complete specialist training to offer microblading which can be expensive and will require a degree of natural flare to achieve high quality results. You will also usually need several willing models to achieve your certificate, plus lengthy periods of practice which can be hard to source. For brow lamination this can be learnt in just 1 day – after which you can get insured to start offering and earning from your treatments.
Microblading treatments can take 1-4 hours to deliver limiting your earning potential. You usually have to also factor in check ups and retouching appointments, which many technicians provide for free, as part of the initial treatment fee. Microblading is a big investment for most clients and repeat treatment is not usually needed for 1-3 years. For brow lamination this takes typically only 30 minutes with repeat treatment every 2-6 weeks providing you a quick, regular income stream.