Microblading vs Microshading: Which is Better?

People with thin eyebrows know how frustrating it is to fill up their eyebrows every time they get ready for the day. Well, there is good news for you!

Microblading and Microshading are two cosmetic treatments that can give you the appearance of fuller, well-shaped eyebrows. These treatments seemingly share the same goal, i.e., filling the visible gaps within the eyebrows by depositing the pigment in the skin. However, they are somewhat different. In the lines ahead, we will discuss the difference between these methods and try to elaborate on which might be a better option. Let’s get started.

What is Microblading? 

Microblading, also called microstroking, is a cosmetic procedure in which pigments are inserted into the skin of the brow area. It is a semi-permanent tattooing technique. It uses a hand-held device with a blade to create hair-like strokes that are simultaneously filled with a pigment. This gives an impression of natural brow hairs.  

How Is It Performed?

Microblading is a manual process performed using a pen-shaped tool with a tiny blade pre-loaded as a head. During the procedure, a cosmetician drags the blade onto the brow’s skin, creating hair-like strokes. This blade has a row of barely visible needles that dispense tiny amounts of pigment when the blade pierces the skin, resulting in natural-looking brow hairs.

Pros and Cons

The microblading procedure has the following pros and cons.

What is Microshading? 

Microshading, also called powdered brows, is also a semi-permanent eyebrow tattooing technique like microblading. But unlike microblading, it does not create natural hair strokes. Instead, you get a powdered effect that adds fullness to your otherwise sparse eyebrows. As a result, they start looking fuller and thicker. 

How Is It Performed?

Microshading is also a manual process involving the use of a handheld device. However, instead of a blade, this device has a pointed tip on its head. This tip creates pigmented pixels in the brow area, which help create sharp edges of eyebrows and make them look thicker and denser.

Pros and Cons

Microshading has the following pros and cons.

What’s the Difference Between Microshading and Microblading?

While both these procedures aim to create fuller-looking, dense eyebrows, they are not the same. Microblading draws hair-like strokes to fill empty spots in the eyebrows, while microshading creates dots or pixels to make brows look dense.

Other differences between microblading and microshading are as follows:

• Microblading helps create the appearance of feathered eyebrows with the visibility of more strands.
• Microshading adds definition and depth to the eyebrow arcs.

Which is Better, Microshading or Microblading?

The choice between both these options comes down to the eyebrow look you want to achieve and your skin type. In general, microshading is more suitable for oily and sensitive skin, while microshading works well on dry skin.

Can Microblading and Microshading Be Combined?

Yes, your cosmetician may decide to combine both these methods to fill empty areas within your eyebrows and make them look denser and thicker. The particular term used for this combination treatment is “combo brows.”

How long does microblading last?

Microblading usually lasts 18-24 months, with more delicate strands fading faster.

How long does microshading last?

Microshading tends to last longer than microblading, with its dots fading after about two years. 

As a piece of advice, it is always better to select a qualified cosmetician, whether you are looking for microblading or microshading. Both these procedures can significantly add value to your facial aesthetics and boost self-esteem, provided they are performed meticulously. Therefore, choose your provider after thorough research.