Brow Lamination vs. Microblading: A Guide For Professionals

People are always going to want to get their eyebrows professionally done, and as a salon owner or stylist, it’s always a smart investment to offer brow services.

But if you’re starting out, which brow treatment is better—brow lamination vs. microblading? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this debate. 

The Difference Between Brow Lamination and Microblading

Both treatments fulfill a similar purpose: To create fuller, more natural-looking eyebrows. How that happens is what makes brow lamination and microblading different:

Brow Lamination

Brow lamination is a perm for your eyebrows—except instead of having bouncing curls, eyebrow hair is semi-permanently straightened and put in place. It enhances the natural eyebrow hairs that your clients currently have.

Using a multistep process, the eyebrow’s hair follicle is softened enough to allow for realignment and styling. After the brows have been combed or styled into the desire position, a perming solution is added to hold the eyebrows' shape.

Brow lamination lasts up to two months with proper care. 

Microblading

Microblading gives the illusion of thicker eyebrows when someone has fine to no eyebrows. Using microneedles, pigment is injected into the skin (though not as deeply as tattoo ink) and creates fuller-looking eyebrows through drawn hair strokes. 

Microblading can last up to three years with proper care and regular touch-ups. 

There can be minor pain with this procedure, though most people describe it as simply uncomfortable. 

Brow Lamination vs. Microblading: Which Is Better?

There isn’t really a “better” brow technique; it’s all about the needs of your customers. 

Before both treatments, you should ask about allergies or bad reactions to the tools you use. Also, explain aftercare to ensure your customers’ brows look their best for the longest possible amount of time.

Brow Lamination

Brow lamination can work for all types of eyebrows, even those with gaps in their brows—which creates greater potential for a wide loyal customer base.

The treatment is non-invasive and takes around 30 minutes on average. There isn’t a long recovery or intense aftercare needed with brow lamination, making it a popular treatment for those who want low-maintenance but nice-looking brows.  

It tends to be the more affordable treatment, but doesn’t last as long compared to microblading. This can be frustrating for the customer, but profitable for you. You’ll create a following for your laminations by creating consistently good results. 

The treatment process is pretty straightforward once you know how to do it. Through practice, you’ll develop the right technique to create the full look customers want. 

Microblading

Microblading really shows its results for those with little to no eyebrows. Due to using a tattoo-styled technique, the treatment is slightly invasive. You may be uncomfortable with the process since bleeding can happen. 

So if you’re the type of person who faints at the sight of blood, this may not be the right technique for you.

Due to the invasiveness of microblading, it has a longer recovery period and a more detailed aftercare list. You’ll have to thoroughly explain to customers how the recovery process will work and how to upkeep their new brows. If you don’t, they may be shocked once scabbing comes after the treatment, get upset with you, and possibly leave bad reviews. 

Depending on the customer’s needs, this treatment can be anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours. Depending on your schedule, these may be harder to book between other appointments. 

To make a customer’s brows look realistic and keep them coming back for more, you’ll also need more training and practice compared to brow lamination. But customers with limited natural eyebrows will thank you! 

Learn How to Do Brow Lamination with LashLift Store!

Brow lamination is a trending brow treatment that will last. Amongst being painless, easy to upkeep, and creating low-maintenance mornings, people will always be asking for brow laminations. 

Learn more about our brow lamination training and our Brow Bomb product line at the LashLift store!