Brow Lamination vs. Microblading: Which One Is Better?

Two popular brow treatments—brow lamination and microblading — can help your clients achieve flawless brows. While both brow lamination products and microblading treatments can boost the appearance of their eyebrows, the procedures are quite different and produce different results. 

Let us walk you through both techniques so you can better understand what they entail and discover how the treatments stack up against each other. Whether your clients desire perfectly groomed and lifted brows or a natural-looking, semi-permanent eyebrow boost, this guide should help you help them decide between the two! 

What Is Brow Lamination?

Brow lamination is a noninvasive procedure that reshapes and grooms eyebrows, resulting in a fuller and more defined appearance. It is a particularly beneficial treatment for clients with unruly or sparse eyebrows. People often refer to brow lamination as an "eyebrow lift" since it gives eyebrows a lifted and polished look.

How Brow Lamination Works

Apply a lifting cream or solution to your client's brows for brow lamination. This softens the hairs and makes them more pliable, allowing you to brush and lift the eyebrows into the desired position. Remove the lifting solution after the allotted time to avoid over-processing the hair.

Then, you apply a setting solution to lock the brows into their new shape, ensuring they stay lifted and groomed. After you remove the setting solution, you'll finish by applying a conditioning serum or lotion. This keeps the brows hydrated and healthy and encourages growth.

What Is Microblading?

Microblading is a popular semi-permanent eyebrow treatment that involves manually depositing pigment into your client's skin to create natural-looking, hair-like strokes. The technique originated in Asia and has become popular worldwide because it creates fuller and more defined eyebrows. Microblading is particularly beneficial for clients with specific aesthetic needs or those affected by hair loss conditions like alopecia.

How Microblading Works

To perform microblading, apply a numbing cream to your client's eyebrow area to minimize discomfort. Then, you carefully map out the shape and design of their eyebrows, considering their facial features and personal preferences.

Once the two of you have finalized the design together, you use a handheld tool outfitted with very fine needles to create precise incisions in the upper layers of your skin. You fill these incisions with pigment as they go, mimicking the appearance of eyebrow hairs. The goal is to create realistic-looking strokes that blend seamlessly with their existing brows. Although microblading is highly customizable and can produce incredibly realistic results, it's more intensive than brow lamination. It can be painful, requiring the use of numbing cream.

Brow Lamination vs. Microblading: How They Compare

Both brow lamination and microblading result in well-groomed brows, although the procedures differ entirely. While one emphasizes shape, the other emphasizes definition. Let's compare these two treatments in detail.

Who's the Treatment Right for?

If your client wants a temporary solution to groom and shape their existing brows, brow lamination may be the way to go. If they have unruly or thick brows, a brow lamination can result in a nicely lifted and polished look. Brow lamination is especially ideal for individuals with thick brow hair who desire more definition or shape.

Microblading is excellent for people who want semi-permanent results and have sparse or uneven brows since it creates a more defined and symmetrical appearance. Microblading is particularly suitable for those with thin brows seeking the appearance of fuller, more uniform eyebrows. However, microblading may not be for people with certain skin conditions, such as oily skin or active acne, as the pigment may not hold well in these cases.

How Long Does the Treatment Take?

Microblading is a more extended procedure than brow lamination in terms of duration. Microblading typically takes 2 to 3 hours, including the initial consultation, mapping, numbing, and procedure. Brow lamination, on the other hand, can take about 45 minutes to 1 hour, making it a quicker treatment option.

How Long Do the Results Last?

While microblading takes longer to perform, the results outlast those of brow lamination, making the more extended procedure worth it to many people. Microblading lasts anywhere from 1 to 3 years, depending on your client's skin type, lifestyle, and commitment to brow aftercare. By comparison, brow lamination can last 6 to 8 weeks, depending on how fast the hair grows and how well it cares for your eyebrows post-treatment. Brow lamination is an excellent option for those who prefer a less permanent change and want the flexibility to alter their brow style more frequently.

How Much Does the Treatment Cost?

Depending on the salon and location, brow lamination is generally more affordable than microblading, ranging from $50 to $150. Also, since brow lamination is a non-permanent treatment, it doesn't require any touch-up appointments, making it a more budget-friendly beauty service.

On the other hand, the cost of microblading can vary more widely, depending on the technician's experience, location, and the complexity of the procedure. But you can expect the bill to be between $300 and $800 on average. Remember that microblading often requires a touch-up appointment after a few weeks to perfect the results, which may come at an additional cost.

What's Aftercare Like?

Brow lamination and microblading involve similar aftercare, although in the case of microblading, your client also allows their skin time to heal from the tiny incisions. After either treatment, they want to avoid excessive sweating and water exposure for the first 48 hours. They should also avoid applying eye makeup, rubbing their eyes, or sleeping on their face. However, microblading necessitates more intensive aftercare due to its semi-invasive nature. It includes avoiding water and harsh products on the brows for several days. Brow lamination, by contrast, requires minimal aftercare, primarily within the first 24 hours.

Potential Side Effects & Risks

Both procedures carry some risks. Brow lamination, for instance, can cause allergic reactions or damage to brow hairs if done too frequently. On the other hand, microblading may result in pigment fading to reddish or blue tones, especially in those with oily skin, and it involves a longer healing process. It's crucial to consult with clients about these potential risks before proceeding with either treatment.

Both brow lamination and microblading offer unique benefits and results. Whether your client prefers the natural-looking hair-like strokes of microblading or the lifted and groomed appearance of brow lamination, they have a brow treatment. So, help them weigh the pros and cons and invite them to embrace their newly shaped and defined brows!

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