Nano Brows vs. Microblading:
Which is right for you?
Image shows Nano Brows
Image shows Microblading
Nano Brows and Microblading both create beautifully natural hairstrokes —
the differences in technique, in skin suitability and in the artistic flexibility mean that one may be better suited to your brows than the other.
What’s the difference between Nano Brows and Microblading?
Nano Brows and Microblading both create individual hairstrokes that mimic natural eyebrow hair, but they use different techniques.
Microblading creates hairstrokes manually with a fine blade, while Nano Brows use an ultra-fine needle and digital PMU machine.
Nano Brows allow greater artistry in hairstroke patterns, flow and layering and can be suitable for a wider range of skin types, while traditional Microblading is often more linear in form and particularly suited to normal-to-dry skin.
An Artists perspective:When deciding between Nano Brows and Microblading,
I look at your skin, your natural brow density and what is actually missing from your brows in relation to your desired result.
If you already have a reasonable amount of natural brow hair and normal-to-dry skin, Microblading may be all that's needed to enhance what you already have, creating the appearance of naturally fuller, more defined brows. The Nano Brows approach gives me greater artistic freedom to create more intricate hairstrokes that complement and imitate the natural direction, flow and movement of your own brow hair.
And sometimes, the answer is neither…
If your brows would benefit more from definition and depth rather than only hairstrokes, Powder Brows (shading) or Combination Brows may create the more natural result.
Nano Brows vs. Microblading at a glance.
Nano Brows
Microblading
Best for
Classic natural hairstroke brows
Intricate realism and broader skin suitability
Treatment style
Machine hairstrokes
Manual hairstrokes
Technique
Manual handheld tool with fine microblade
PMU machine and ultra-fine nano needle
Hairstrokes
Ultra-fine, intertwining, multidirectional strokes
Fine, individually created strokes
Finish
Natural to hyperrealistic
Soft and natural
Skin suitability
Particularly suited to normal/dry skin
Wider range of skin types
Sensitive or mature skin
Can be a gentler option
Suitability assessed individually
Oily skin
Longer lasting retention for some oily skin types
Retention can be less predictable
What are Nano Brows?
Nano Brows ~ also known as Nanoblading or Nano Hairstroke Brows, are created using an ultra-fine needle and digital permanent makeup machine.
Rather than creating a uniform pattern, individual hairstrokes can be placed in different directions, layered, overlapping to imitate the natural movement and irregularity of real brow hair.
This makes Nano particularly interesting for clients seeking an exceptionally natural or hyperrealistic brow result.
Nano Brows can also be suitable for a wider range of skin types, including some clients with oily, mature or sensitive skin who may not be ideal candidates for traditional Microblading.
What is Microblading?
Microblading is a semi-permanent eyebrow technique in which individual hairstrokes are manually created using a fine handheld tool.
Pigment is deposited into these strokes to recreate the appearance of natural brow hair. Microblading hairstrokes are singular in form and do not overlap, join or crossover.
The technique can create beautifully subtle definition and remains an excellent option for clients who want to fill sparse areas, improve their brow shape or reduce their reliance on brow makeup while retaining a natural hairstroke finish.
Microblading is particularly well suited to normal-to-dry skin.
Are Nano Brows less invasive than Microblading?
Nano Brows are generally considered a gentler alternative to traditional Microblading because the hairstrokes are created using a fine machine needle rather than a manual blade.
This can make Nano Brows particularly worth considering for clients with sensitive or mature skin, although suitability should always be assessed individually.
No permanent makeup technique is completely without trauma to the skin, so the artist's technique, experience and appropriate treatment of the skin remain extremely important.
Nano Brows vs. Microblading for oily skin.
This is one of the areas where the distinction becomes particularly useful.
Traditional Microblading tends to perform best on normal-to-dry skin. On oilier skin, very fine Microblading strokes can sometimes heal less crisply or experience poorer retention.
Nano Brows can provide another hairstroke option for clients with oilier skin because the pigment is implanted using a machine rather than a manual blade.
That doesn't mean Nano Brows are automatically suitable for every oily skin type. Very oily or textured skin may still be better suited to a shaded technique such as Powder Brows or Combination Brows.
Which looks more natural: Nano Brows or Microblading?
Both can look exceptionally natural when performed well.
Microblading creates fine individual hairstrokes that blend amongst existing brow hair.
Nano Brows allow more intricate changes in the direction and placement of individual strokes, making it possible to create greater movement and irregularity within the brow.
For clients seeking the most detailed hairstroke effect, Nano can therefore create an especially natural or hyperrealistic result.
But the technique alone doesn't determine whether a brow looks natural.
The design, colour, stroke placement and — most importantly — the artist's understanding of your individual face matter just as much.
Do Nano Brows last longer than Microblading?
There isn't one guaranteed lifespan for either treatment.
How long permanent makeup lasts depends on factors including your:
Skin type
Skincare routine
Sun exposure
Lifestyle
Pigment retention
Aftercare
Use of active skincare ingredients
Nano Brows can offer excellent healed retention, particularly for some skin types that may not retain traditional Microblading strokes as effectively.
However, I would be wary of choosing a brow treatment simply because somebody claims it “lasts longer.”
The better question is:
Which technique is most likely to heal beautifully on your skin?
Which hurts more: Nano Brows or Microblading?
Individual experiences vary, but many clients find machine hairstroke techniques surprisingly comfortable.
Nano Brows use an ultra-fine machine needle, while Microblading creates hairstrokes manually with a microblade.
Appropriate numbing is used during treatment to help minimise discomfort with either technique.
If sensitivity is one of your concerns, this can be discussed during your consultation.
Nano Brows or Microblading: which is better?
Neither is universally better.
The best treatment is the one suited to your skin, existing brow hair and the result you're trying to achieve.
Choose Nano Brows if you are particularly drawn to ultra-fine, intricate hairstrokes, want the potential for a more hyperrealistic result, or have a skin type for which traditional Microblading may not be ideal.
Choose Microblading if you have normal-to-dry skin and want a beautifully natural, classic hairstroke enhancement.
Consider Combination or Powder Brows if you need greater density, definition or shading than hairstrokes alone are likely to provide.
Still not sure which brow treatment is right for you?
That's completely normal.
You don't need to diagnose your own skin or arrive at Ella Fjord Studio knowing which needle or technique should be used.
That's my job.
During your consultation, I'll look at your skin, existing brow growth, facial structure and the result you're hoping to achieve before recommending the technique I believe will give you the most beautiful healed result.
FAQs
Are Nano Brows the same as Nanoblading?
The terminology can vary within the permanent makeup industry.
Nano Brows, Nanoblading and Nano Hairstroke Brows are commonly used to describe very fine hairstroke eyebrow treatments, although the exact technique used by an artist can differ.
At Ella Fjord Studio, Nano Brows are created using an ultra-fine needle with a digital PMU machine.
Can Nano Brows be combined with shading?
Yes.
Where appropriate, delicate shading can be combined with Nano hairstrokes to create additional depth and dimension while maintaining a highly natural appearance.
This can create a more hyperrealistic brow result, particularly where hairstrokes alone may not provide sufficient density.
Are Nano Brows suitable for mature skin?
Nano Brows can be an option for mature skin because the machine technique offers a gentler alternative to traditional Microblading for some clients.
Suitability depends on the individual skin, however, and should be assessed before treatment.
Can you get Nano Brows after Microblading?
Potentially, yes.
However, previous pigment needs to be assessed first.
If your old Microblading is particularly dark, saturated or incorrectly positioned, it may affect how successfully new hairstrokes can be incorporated.
A consultation is recommended before booking if you already have permanent makeup.
Written by Ella Fjord
VTCT Level 4 Permanent Makeup Artist
Ella specialises in natural permanent makeup and advanced brow techniques at her private studio in Southwark, London.