Skin types play a huge role in the end result of cosmetic tattooing. Unlike traditional body tattooing, when working on the face we are competing with far more skin variables.  The skin on our face is thinner than elsewhere on the body, contains lots of nerves which are closer to the skins surface, and produces different amounts of natural oils depending on the skin types. Another difference is that traditional body tattoo artists are able to shave the area before applying the tattooing process, which removes most of the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis which functions to prevent unwanted materials from entering the skin.

As an eyebrow tattoo artist myself, I often encounter clients who request a service such as microblading who are not an ideal candidate. Perhaps they are over 60 years old and are wanting to freshen up some previous cosmetic tattooing. It’s my job to identify whether they are an ideal candidate for microblading. I already know that older skin types are more fragile and that cometic tattooing is a much softer alternative for applying hair strokes. The client doesn’t know this information so they’re basing their treatment choice purely on looking at instagram perfect – virgin brows.

It may be frustrating for clients to hear that they are not an ideal candidate for microblading or hair strokes, but it would be far more frustrating for the client if they sat through 3 hours of work , only to end up with poor pigment retention and loss of hair stroke definition. Not to mention the frustration that is caused for the cosmetic tattoo artist when their client is unhappy and asks for a refund or for countless touchups.

I created the below guide to help both cosmetic tattoo artists and clients to identify the brow styles that will give them the best outcome according to skin types. Feel free to save this guide and keep it handy for easy reference during your consultations. You can also use it to explain the style suggestions you make to your clients.

There are many other factors that cosmetic tattoo artists can also vary according to the skin type being treated. These include needle size and needle configuration, frequency of wiping/cleaning the area and the products used when doing so, quantity and type of topical anaesthetic used, and number of sessions to complete treatment. This is a main reason why some cosmetic tattoo artists do not have flat rate fees for their services and will quote a different price per client.

I hope the guide above helps you and your clients to make an informed choice when planning your next eyebrow tattoo treatment.

Want to learn more from me? You can enrol into one of our beginners or advanced eyebrow courses.

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