Nano Brows vs Microblading: What’s the Difference?

As you strive for full, balanced, and beautiful brows, you are now in search of which brow technique is the best for you. While the term “microblading” can sometimes unknowingly be used to refer to any permanent brow technique, it is actually just one technique amongst many. Perhaps you have started to hear buzz of another brow technique “nano brows” as well. So now you are left to wonder, what is the difference between nano brows vs microblading?

Both microblading and nano brows promise stunning results, but they differ significantly in technique, tools, cost, ideal candidates, style, and healing. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore these distinctions to help you make the most informed choice for you on your brow enhancement journey.

Defining Each Service

Microblading involves manually depositing pigment into the skin using a handheld tool with a “blade” comprised of fine needles. The artist creates hair-like strokes to mimic natural brow hairs, resulting in a fuller appearance.

Nano Brows utilizes a tattoo machine that holds a needle cartridge. The needle(s) move up and down, powered by the machine, and the artist etches hair-like strokes into the skin. This technique, like microblading, aims to mimic brow hairs and add fullness and structure to brows.

Microblading

Nano Machine

Key Differences: Nano Brows vs Microblading

• Technique
  • Both microblading and nano brows are permanent makeup services that create natural-looking hair-like strokes. So how do they differ in technique?
  • Microblading: Each stroke creates a shallow channel in the skin, akin to a papercut. These cuts should not intersect to avoid excessive trauma. The pigment settles in each channel, leading to uniform saturation. However, some strokes may heal darker or lighter due to varying depths in the skin.
  • Nano Brows: Each stroke resembles a minimal surface scratch. The needle cartridge creates a vacuum effect and pulls pigment into the skin each time the needle(s) exit the skin. When done correctly, this method will cause less trauma, which allows hair strokes to be layered and intersected. Saturation can vary, and different colors can be used to add texture and dimension, resulting in a more three-dimensional appearance.
• Tools
  • While much of the tray set up will remain the same, each service does employ different equipment to create the hair strokes:
  • Microblading: This manual process uses a light handheld tool. Typically, more needles are involved on a microblade versus a nano machine cartridge. There are different needle diameters and number of needles on microblades; what blade the artist chooses to use will have an impact on the final outcome. Artists must be attentive to the angle and depth at which the needles enter the skin.
  • Nano Brows: Using a machine introduces additional factors, including the stroke length of the machine, the speed at which it operates, how long the needle is out of the cartridge, the size and weight of the machine, and more. While both techniques create hair-like strokes, nano brows is arguably a more advanced technique due to these variables.
• Cost Comparison for the Client
  • Cost can vary significantly between the two techniques, often influenced by the artist's experience and location. There will be some instances when an artist offers both techniques and charges the same for clients regardless of what method they are performing.
  • Microblading: New client sessions typically range from $400 to $800, with a second session costing an additional $100 to $200.
  • Nano Brows: New client services generally range from $500 and can go up to $1,200 or more for an initial appointment, reflecting the advanced nature of the technique and the artist’s skillset and training.
• Cost Comparison for the Artist
  • Clients often wonder why one service may cost more than another. Here’s how each affects the artist:
  • Microblading: When purchasing microblading handles and blades (or all-in-one tools) on our website, the cost per service will range from $3.60 - $4.00. Other tray setup items are similar for both techniques.
  • Nano Brows: Cartridges on our website range from $1.75 - $2.50 each. In many instances, artists may use more than one cartridge within a service. A larger investment for the artist is their machine and power supply and/or wireless battery. Machines and their accessories will range from $150 - $1,500 or more. There are situations when an artist may require having multiple machines with different specifications and backup power supplies and batteries.

Microblading

Machine and Needle

• Ideal Candidates
  • Artists can perform either service on any client, but one method may be better suited for specific needs.
  • Microblading: Best for candidates with healthy, normal to dry skin types and a moderate amount of existing brow hair. It is not recommended for someone with oily skin, large pores, sun damage, thin/wrinkled skin, and/or very sparse brows.
  • Nano Brows: Suitable for all skin types, as long as there are no contraindications for permanent makeup (e.g., pregnant/breastfeeding, on Accutane, undergoing cancer treatment, etc.) This technique can achieve dimensional results even for clients with little to no brow hair. It’s also a great option for individuals with thin, sensitive, scarred, or sun-damaged skin.

Ideal Microblading

Ideal Nano Machine

• Appearance and Aesthetic
  • Both techniques can deliver natural-looking results, but the final appearance may differ slightly based on the artist’s abilities and style. Many clients may find it challenging to discern differences since both techniques mimic brow hairs.
  • Microblading: Strokes will heal fine and crisp in ideal skin types. In less-than-ideal skin types, strokes may heal thick and blurred. While the technique mimics natural hairs, it may not be as fine or precise as nano brows. Patterns and general aesthetic will likely be simpler in nature.
  • Nano Brows: There are boundless opportunities with this method since there are a wide array of cartridges and styles that can be applied. Artists can take a simplistic or complex approach, utilizing multiple pigment colors, varying saturation levels amongst strokes, layered and intersecting lines, and using various cartridge configurations. Depending on the needle(s) used, strokes can be very crisp, or they can be thicker and more pixelated.

Aftercare & Healing: What to Expect with Nano Brows vs Microblading

Aftercare may vary slightly based on the artist and client’s skin type, but common recommendations exist for both techniques. Since the skin barrier is broken in both cases, gentle cleansing with products like Candy Cleanse and moisturizing with Healing Balm or Healing Lotion for 1-2 weeks is crucial.

Healing stages will appear different amongst these two services.

Microblading: Immediately after the service, the brows may appear red and swollen, feeling tender like a sunburn. The first few days, excess pigment may oxidize, causing the strokes to look thicker and darker. Clients may experience flaking as healing progresses. After 10-14 days, brows will be lighter before regaining color in the following weeks.

Nano Brows: Post-service, pigment may look fresh and bolder, with minimal irritation. Tenderness usually subsides quickly. The healing timeframe and stages are similar to microblading but more mild in nature. Because the skin is not cut or separated, not as much excess pigment is oxidized on the surface, which will not appear as bold as microblading in the first few days. Clients will experience very little or no flaking, especially if following moisturized aftercare.

Choosing a Service

Choosing between nano brows vs microblading depends on your skin type, existing brow hair, and desired outcome.

Choose Microblading if:

• You have normal to dry skin
• You have a good amount of brow hair

Choose Nano Brows if:

• You want a dimensional, textured look
• You have patchy, thin, or no brow hair
• You have thin/wrinkled skin, oily skin, large pores, sun-damage, or sensitive skin
• You’ve removed old brow tattoos or permanent makeup via laser or saline
• You prefer the look of nano brows even if you qualify for microblading

Final Thoughts

Both microblading and nano brows are excellent options for enhancing your brows, catering to different preferences and needs. Understanding the differences in technique, cost, healing, and long-term results can help you make the best choice for your brow goals.

For more tips on permanent makeup services and products, check out our other blog posts!