No one is getting microblading anymore. Here's what's replacing it.

Recently, we wrote an article about the death of microblading — where people shared their 'microblading regrets', including before and afters of faded ink and their costly maintenance and removal process. And goodness, the response was huge. 

In fact, the waning popularity of the procedure made its way into our very own You Beauty Facebook group, with Youbies sharing their less-than ideal results. However, while the procedure might not be for some people, there were also many people who shared how happy they were happy with their results.

Meaning? It's all in the research and finding an experienced tattooist (and trust us, there's lots of very talented ones out there!).

Watch: Speaking of brows, here's a handy how-to? Post continues below.

Why are we rehashing the microblading talk? Well, we were sleuthing through the You Beauty Facebook group recently, we came across another post on eyebrow tattooing — this time on something called 'nanoblading'.

Heard of it? Chances are you haven't — it's a relatively new brow treatment in the world of semi-permanent makeup.

Sharing a mock-up 'before and after' photo from her online brow consultation at AG Permanent Makeup, a Youbie by the name of Nicole wrote, "I'm investigating nano brows and was sent a pic of what I could look like if I had them done. Has anyone had nano brows and regretted it? I'm of the era when we plucked the bejesus out of them, so they're... sparse. Does this technique fade to a funny colour like I've heard microblading can? Does it look obviously drawn on? Any tips, suggestions or opinions welcome."

Image: AG Permanent Makeup 

And can confirm: the Youbies delivered.

"Make sure you get a good tech. I don't regret mine, they still look great," wrote one member.

Another wrote, "My tattooist will not do microblading. The cuts cause scars and these will inhibit hair growth over time, as they need to be redone every year or so. She only does brow tattooing like nano now, as it's less damaging to the skin. I have mine done and I love them, they look so natural once healed. Because you can see individual hair-like strikes, it looks very realistic. Just make sure you get the shape you want, through mapping, before you start."

One particular member warned the OP against microblading, sharing that she's since switched to nanoblading due to fading and scaring.

"Don't ever get microblading done is all I can say," she wrote. "It looks great but when it fades, you can only get it redone a couple of times. I now have had nano done over the top (after four sessions of the microblading removal). My nano tattoo looks awful close up because the skin has now scarred and the nano hasn't taken to the skin properly. The ink looks blotchy like a gluggy pen. Stick with nano to begin with."

Interesting.

So, you know what we thought we'd do? We thought we'd pull together a handy guide on everything you need to know about nanoblading before you waltz in for a treatment.

What is nanoblading?

Nanoblading is a semi-permanent eyebrow tattooing technique that uses a single nano needle — which are very fine, sharp needles — to deliver pigment into the skin and create very precise, detailed strokes to mimic the appearance of real eyebrow hair. It can also be used on the lips to apply semi-permanent lip liner of full lip colour.

Cosmetic tattooist Carlye Pymble from Artisan Cosmetic Tattoo and Training Academy shared, "Nano brows is a great solution to create balance and definition to uneven and sparse brows. It's also one of the hardest cosmetic tattoo applications to master (and to teach!). Not all artists excel in portrait painting as well as landscapes; not all cosmetic tattoo artists are proficient or excel in all permanent makeup applications."

Meaning? Do your research. 

Ensure you check out the professional's work and make sure this is an area of their expertise. Because there's truly nothing worse than spending a whole heap of money on sub-par semi-permanent tattooing. 

You can also ask for mock-up photos to visualise what your brows will look like (like Nicole's above!). 

Anastasia Gubareva from AG Permanent Makeup said, "I offer an online brow consultation service, allowing clients to visualise how nano brows will suit them before proceeding with the treatment. This online brow consultation is available to everyone free of charge, helping them plan their future nano brows with confidence."

How is it different to microblading? 

Unlike microneedling, the nanoblading technique promises a more controlled application as it uses ultra-fine needles, creating a more natural-looking result while causing less trauma to the skin. 

As Pymble shared in the You Beauty group, "Microblading is the use of a hand tool, which cuts the surface of the skin to implant, which causes more trauma to the skin, increasing the risk of scarring. But essentially, it’s creating tiny strokes, to mimic a hair growth pattern." 

"The quality of the pigments plays a huge role in how cosmetic tattoos heal, mature and fade down over time. There is a lot of substandard products out there. And it's these substandard products that a contributing factor to unsatisfactory colour changes over time."

It goes without saying, but whether you love microblading, nanoblading, brow makeup or you're totally happy with your brows as they are — it's an individual choice and how you look and feel should never be defined by trends. 

You should always go for whatever look makes you feel most confident and happy — so, like all other areas of beauty, you do you!

Have you tried nanoblading before? What are your thoughts? Share with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: AG Permanent Makeup/You Beauty Facebook group.