Brow lamination vs microblading
Brow lamination brushes up and sets your natural brow hair for about 4 to 6 weeks, with nothing tattooed. Microblading is a semi-permanent tattoo that draws hair-like strokes into the skin and lasts a year or more.
The short version
Brow lamination works with the brow hair you already have. It brushes the hairs up and sets them in place so your brows look fuller and more even. It wears off in about 4 to 6 weeks.
Microblading is a cosmetic tattoo. Fine strokes of pigment are placed into the skin to look like brow hairs. It lasts a year or more and needs touch-ups as it fades.
Side by side
| Brow lamination | Microblading | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Sets your own brow hair in place | Tattoos hair-like strokes into the skin |
| Lasts | About 4 to 6 weeks | A year or more, with touch-ups |
| Healing time | None, keep dry for 24 hours | Yes |
| Best for | Brows with hair to work with | Sparse areas with little hair |
| Commitment | Low, wears off on its own | Semi-permanent |
How each one works
Lamination uses a setting solution to make your brow hairs flexible, then they’re brushed into shape and set. A tint is usually added to darken and define them.
Microblading uses a small blade to make fine cuts in the skin and deposit pigment. It’s a semi-permanent cosmetic tattoo with a healing period.
Which is right for you
Lamination suits you if you have a reasonable amount of brow hair and want a fuller, brushed-up, polished look without a long-term commitment.
Microblading suits you if you have sparse areas with little or no hair and want them filled in for a long time.
Many people start with lamination. It’s quick, there’s no healing time, and it shows you what a fuller brow looks like on your face before you commit to anything permanent.
Questions
Is brow lamination good for sparse brows?
Lamination makes the hair you have look fuller by setting it in place. If you have large gaps with no hair, lamination can't fill them the way microblading can.
Is there healing time with brow lamination?
No. Keep your brows dry for the first day, and that's it. There is no scabbing or healing period.
Can I try lamination before committing to microblading?
Yes. Lamination wears off in a few weeks, so it is a low-commitment way to try a fuller, brushed-up brow shape.