One of the many advantages of the microblading treatment is that it’s cutomizable.
That means that a good microblading artist will carefully assess the client’s skin before the treatment, and choose the proper blade i.e. needles and pigments to suit their skin type and achieve the desired results.
Since the thickness and the features of the skin are not the same for everybody, it’s logical that the artist will use different blades for different clients. But how to choose the best blade? And which microblading blades are even available?
Here is what you should know about microblading blades’ shapes, lengths, and other features.
What Kind of Microblading Blades Are There?
The basic division of microblading blades is according to rigidity. There is a difference between flexi blades and hard blades.
Flexi Blades
Characteristics of flexible or flexi blades (also called soft blades):
- consist of 7-21 needles that are bound together using plastic which gives them flexibility.
- perfect for beginners as well as advanced microblading artists.
- the base absorbs some of the pressure, which prevents the blade from going too deep
- suitable for any skin type; more suitable for thin, sensitive, or mature skin than hard blades.
Hard Blades
Characteristics of hard blades:
- 7-21 needles
the base is usually made of stainless steel. - recommended for advanced microblading artists, who already have the sense of the right pressure and know how to find the sweet spot, the perfect microblading depth.
- hair strokes have more definition than those made with a flexible blade
- tend to go deeper into the skin with less pressure.
- not a good choice for sensitive and thin skin.
- suitable for regular, thick, and hard skin.
Image source: Freepik
Microblading Blades Length
Now that we’ve explained the difference between flexi and hard microblading blades, let’s focus on one of the most important features – the microblading blades’ length.
Their length is determined by the number of pins. The more pins a blade has, the bigger (longer) it is.
- 7-9 pins – these are the smallest microblading blades, used for creating fine, short strokes, best for drawing short and in-between strokes, and perfect for adding more strokes at the touch up appointment.
- 10-13 pins – for medium stroke lengths, suitable for most clients. The most commonly used is a 12-pin blade.
- 14-17 pins – suitable for longer hair strokes and the outline.
- 18-21 pins – for the longest hair strokes, should be used with caution, and only by experienced artists.
Microblading Blades Shapes
Microblading blades also come in different shapes.
- Angled or slanted blades (S blades) – perfect for beginners, easier to control the depth.
- Curved blades (C blades) – for creating curved strokes, to achieve the most natural results.
- U blades – in the shape of the letter U, consist of 12-21 needles. These are very sharp so they’re recommended for more experienced artists, for creating curved strokes. They can be either flex or hard blades.
NOTE
Slanted blades with a sharp angle, without curve, are not really used anymore. All slanted blades are more or less curved.
So, don’t be surprised if you come across brands or artists using the names curved (C) and slanted (S), or even flat (F) intechangably. It’s all the same shape.
Microblading Needle Diameter
The thickness of the needles is also important to understand.
- 0.20 – 0.25 mm needles are used for thicker skin and thicker hair strokes.
- 0.18 – 0.20 mm needles are used for the skin of average thickness, and they are most commonly used.
- 0.15 – 0.18mm needles are nanoneedles, used for very crisp, thin hair strokes.
The Most Commonly Used Blades
Every artist is looking for the perfect blade to get the best, crisp results for their clients. Since microblading is a customizable treatment, artists may combine the blades of different needle configuration.
The needles should be thin to create crispy strokes that will not blur once they are healed.
The most popular is the 18 U-shaped blade. Since there are 18 needles in this blade, they need to be very thin, so they go from 0.15 to 0.18mm in thickness.
Image source: Freepik
Microblading Blades Are Disposable
All microblading blades are disposable. Never reuse the same blade, even for the same client.
If you’re using the integrated, disposable tool, you must dispose of it properly immediately after the treatment.
If you’re using a holder with changeable blades, the holder for the blade needs to be sterilized properly.
How to Choose the Right Microblading Blades
Finding the perfect blade requires a lot of practice and experience, plus trial and error.
Microblading artists usually start with a slanted blade and then switch to the U blade when they feel more confident. Practice and test microblading blades of different lengths, shapes, and needle thicknesses until you find what works for you.
Want to learn more about microblading? Check out this guide.
Cover image source: Freepik
