Why don't you recommend microblading?

Microblading involves implanting fine, hair-like strokes into the skin using a manual tool. While it can look natural on dry to normal skin, it often heals poorly on oily or combination skin, causing the strokes to blur, spread, or fade unevenly. Because of this, we recommend powder brows for most clients, as they tend to hold their shape and colour for longer.

What does badly healed microblading look like?

Badly healed microblading often appears as blurred, smudged, or grey-toned strokes rather than crisp, hair-like lines. This is commonly known as 'blowout', where pigment spreads beneath the skin's surface. It can also fade unevenly, leaving patchy or asymmetrical brows within months of treatment.

Why does microblading fade or blur on oily skin?

Oily skin produces more sebum, which sits beneath the surface where microbladed strokes are implanted. This excess oil can cause the fine lines to spread under the skin over time, softening the crisp stroke effect into a blurred or smudged appearance much faster than on drier skin types.

Are powder brows a better alternative to microblading?

For most clients, particularly those with oily or combination skin, powder brows are a more reliable alternative. The machine-shaded technique creates a soft, filled-in look from the outset, so it isn't as visibly affected by oil beneath the skin, and results typically last longer than microblading.

How long do powder brows last compared to microblading?

Powder brows typically last between 18 and 36 months, while microblading generally lasts 12 to 18 months and can fade faster on oily skin. Individual results vary depending on skin type, aftercare, and sun exposure.

Can badly healed microblading be corrected?

In many cases, yes. A qualified PMU technician can assess badly healed microblading and often correct or soften it using colour correction techniques, laser removal, or by transitioning to a Ombre brow technique once the skin and existing pigment have been properly evaluated.

Why we don't recommend Microblading

Ella
Jul 10
3 min read

If you've been searching for an eyebrow tattoo near me, chances are you've already come across two terms that seem to dominate every conversation about permanent makeup: microblading and Ombre brows.

Both fall under the umbrella of PMU (permanent makeup), and both promise fuller, more defined eyebrows without a daily battle with pencils and gels. But they are not the same treatment, and choosing the wrong one for your skin type or lifestyle can affect how long your results last and how natural they look.

This guide breaks down the real differences between microblading, Portsmouth clients ask about most, and Ombre brows Portsmouth clinics are increasingly recommending — so you can walk into your consultation feeling informed, not overwhelmed.

What Is Microblading?

Microblading is a manual technique where a technician uses a handheld tool made up of tiny needles to create fine, hair-like strokes across the brow. The result mimics the look of natural eyebrow hairs, which is why it's often chosen by women who want a soft, feathered finish that blends seamlessly with their existing brow hairs.

Because the strokes are so fine and hair-like, microblading tends to suit people with dry to normal skin. On oilier skin types, the strokes can blur or "fade fuzzy" more quickly, which brings us to one of the most common questions we hear.

What Are Powder Brows?

Ombre brows (Powder brows) use a machine to deposit tiny dots of pigment into the skin, building up a soft, shaded effect similar to eyebrow powder or a filled-in brow pencil. Rather than mimicking individual hairs, powder brows create a gradient — often lighter at the front of the brow and gradually deepening toward the tail.

This technique tends to hold up better over time and across a wider range of skin types, which is a major reason it has grown in popularity across salons offering Ombre brows Hampshire residents can access without travelling into central London for specialist treatment.

The thing with all Cosmetic tattooing techniques is that they need to be performed by a properly trained technician to get good healed results.

At EJ Cosmetics we don't recommend Microblading to any skin type. Over the years as Permanent Make up has evolved and the industry is more educated, there are many new, modern techniques that maintain the integrity of the skin and as a professional we should be more concerned about skin health than money!

Lets take a look at some photos of poorly executed microblading

This client came to me after having microblading 5 years ago... looks great right?

But let's look at the healed results 5 years later....

The stokes have been placed to close together, meaning on healing and over time the pigment blurs together leaving a blurred mess with no crisp strokes and the client hasn't had this touched up!

Now here's the biggest thing... These can't be corrected or covered over, these only need laser removal. Meaning this client went to this artist with full trust to transform her brows but actually she's left feeling unhappy with more expenses 5 years later with laser removal and then needing them re done again to get the result she orginally wanted.

Now let's look at Ombre brows

Freshly done Ombre Brows

Healed 12 months later, This is the perfect amount of pigment in the skin and can continue to be touched up if the client requires, if not it'll fade away to the point of being almost gone or covered up again, no need for laser removal.

When searching for an eyebrow tattoo near me, don't just look at price — look at the technician's portfolio, particularly healed results (not just fresh, just-finished photos, which always look darker and more dramatic than the final outcome). Ask specifically how they handle oily skin if that applies to you, and don't be afraid to ask which technique they'd personally recommend for your skin and brow goals rather than which one they simply prefer doing.

If you want to book your free consultation at EJ Cosmetics - Permanent Make up Portsmouth click below!

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