How to Decide Between Brow Lamination vs. Microblading

Looking for a low-maintenance way to get fuller-looking brows—a.k.a. no gel or brow product needed? There are now multiple ways to make that happen, all with minimal effort, even if you're less than blessed in the brow literature. Enter brow lamination and microblading: two popular brow services that can give your arches a serious makeover. If you're trying to decide between the two, it can be hard to discern the key differences. Still, brow experts Joey Healy and Kristyn Smith say that they're worth taking note of.

your brow lamination may last closer to a month, thicker brows, they involve completely different procedures and techniques—which is why it's key to understand the nuances between them. After all, brows have the power to define and shape the face, so a bad brow job is best avoided. With that in mind, we asked Healy and Smith to share everything you need to know about brow lamination vs. microblading.

Keep reading to for our complete guide to the popular brow treatments and discover which one is best for you.

Brow Lamination

What Is Brow Lamination?

Brow lamination is a chemical treatment that straightens brow hairs; the goal is to get hair to lie very flat and straight by removing any curls, kinks, or other texture that your natural brow may have. The treatment can deliver fuller-looking brows that visually open up the eye area.

Benefits

If you have full, unruly brows that don't stay in place with eyebrow gel, a brow lamination is a great option. Think of it as a straight perm for your eyebrows. It will and make them easier to manage I Tested a Dozen Eyebrow Pencils—These 8 Are the Best at Filling in and Defining Your Arches.

How Brow Lamination Works

Lamination is a two-step application process: A solution is first applied to break down hair bonds, followed by a neutralizing agent to keep them straight and flat. Healy explains, "With lamination, a perming solution that contains, in most cases, an active ingredient called ammonium thioglycolate, which is applied to the brow hairs to temporarily relax and straighten them. Next, a neutralizing solution is applied to fix the brow hairs into an upright position, making them appear fuller and darker."

Aftercare

Following a brow lamination treatment, you can't get your eyebrows wet for at least 24 hours. Doing so will counteract the solution that is used to shape them. Once that time has passed, you can get your brows wet and wash your face as usual. Keep in mind that it's best to be gentle. Avoid oil-based products as they can break down the solution used to shape your brows. You'll also need a spoolie to brush through your brows occasionally.

Side Effects of Brow Lamination

Brow lamination should not hurt—and if you feel any burning or pain, you may have sensitivity to the chemicals used. To avoid this, Healy recommends asking your brow artist to do a patch test before moving forward with the treatment to rule out an allergic reaction or even an infection.

Also, brow lamination can damage hair if you get it too often. "It's very drying—and causes brows to have that chemical-treated feeling," says Healy. So you may only want to spring for this once in a while to avoid stripping your brows and making them brittle.

Another downside to the treatment is that you can't undo it. In other words: If you don't like how one-dimensional brow lamination can look, "you’re going to have to just wait until it softens up on its own," Healy says.

How Long It Lasts

Brow lamination lasts for about four to eight weeks. How fast your hair grows, along with your skin type and skincare routine, can affect the duration. If you have oily skin or if you use products with active ingredients like AHAs or retinol, your brow lamination may last closer to a month.

Cost

According to Healy, you can expect to spend anywhere between $100 and $200 for a brow lamination, although exact costs will depend on who you see and where you live.

Microblading

What Is Microblading?

Microblading is, at its core, a semi-permanent brow tattoo. Using a tiny blade filled with pigment, an artist makes small hairline strokes in spare areas in the brow area. These ultimately "imitate the length, color, thickness, and shape of the actual hairs," says Smith. "Special pigments in the color of the natural hairs are then deposited into the skin."

Benefits

According to Smith, microblading is semi-permanent and waterproof. It's also customizable to suit your face shape and your needs. With microblading, you'll only need a yearly touch-up, making it low maintenance.

So if you have thin, sparse brows and you're sick of filling them in every morning with three different brow products, microblading can be the solution for you. It not only makes your brows look fuller, but it can also be used to perfect their shape.

How Microblading Works

"Microblading is essentially a tattoo," says Smith. "It creates a full look where there isn't any, or a perfect shape if brows are lacking in hair growth." A trained technician will use a special blade filled with pigment to create tiny cuts in stroke-like motions to fake the appearance of new hair. Because it's similar to getting a tattoo, the treatment can be painful, especially if your pain tolerance is low.

Aftercare

Since microblading is similar to the process of getting a tattoo, the aftercare is much more robust compared to brow lamination. It will take about three to four weeks for skin to completely heal, too, says Healy, so expect some downtime. Post-microblading, your eyebrows will scab and flake. The initial color of your brows right after the treatment will also fade during the healing process.

In the first 24 hours post-treatment, you are not to get the area wet and you are to apply a healing balm recommended by your provider. In the next two weeks, you're to avoid makeup, exfoliating, sweating, sun exposure, and any itching or picking. Once that time has passed, avoid exfoliation is a celebrity esthetician and the founder of.

Side Effects Of Microblading

The most common Sales & Deals is the awkward fading that can occur, which can give the hairs a reddish or blue tint.

How Long It Lasts

Microblading is semi-permanent. You can go six to eight months before needing a touch-up, Healy says. Going in earlier or on a more constant basis may end up making your brows look too muddy. Those with oily skin don't hold pigment as long as other skin types, so they may experience fading sooner.

Cost

The perks of microblanding come at a cost. You can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to over $1000, depending on who you see and your location. (FYI: Since it's a more invasive procedure, too, this requires more vetting—ask for referrals and before-and-afters to make sure you get the results you want.) Be sure to factor in extra sessions into the price because one will likely not be enough to maintain them.

Brow Lamination vs. Microblading: is the awkward fading that can occur, which can give the hairs a reddish or blue tint

This is all dependent on your needs. Brow lamination would be a great option for someone who already has ample brow growth but is looking for more shape and definition, Smith says. And, if you have unruly hair that won't hold with brow gel or just looking to get that soap-brow effect, brow lamination is definitely the route you should go—keeping in mind that "you should have thick, strong brow hairs if you’re going to do lamination, because the process can potentially strip the hair and be damaging," Healy says. It's also low maintenance once your brows are shaped and tends to be relatively more affordable than microblading.

Microblading, on the other hand, is ideal for anyone who has thin brows and is looking to fake the appearance of full brows. Compared to brow lamination, microblading can last up to a year. This means that you can go much longer in between maintenance.

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Brow lamination and microblading are two popular options for elevating your brows, but the treatments vary. If you have thin brows, microblading will create the appearance of more brow hairs with the help of semi-permanent tattoos. If your brows are unruly and gel doesn't and make them easier to manage, brow lamination will. It acts sort of like a straight perm for your brows. It's important to note that both treatments are semi-permanent: Microblading needs to be touched up yearly, while brow lamination lasts four to eight weeks. Regardless of what you pick, find a qualified, experienced provider for the best results.