Microblading vs Dermablading: Differences, better options

Taking a blade or needle to the face might seem like a terrible idea, but aestheticians say otherwise. Procedures like Microblading and Dermablading are all the rage. Keep reading to see what these are and Dermablading vs Microblading!

Dermablading, Microblading, or Microneedling, might all sound intimidating to someone trying these for the first time. However, the beauty of these treatments lies in their simplicity and the ability to do what they’re supposed to do in a painless and minimally invasive manner. 

That being said, one might easily mix up these procedures. In this article, we’ll go over the distinct differences between microblading and dermablading and other related treatments. 

What is the difference between Microblading and Dermablading?

Dermablading, also known as dermaplaning, is a treatment where a special sterile blade is gently pulled across the skin to remove vellus hair (peach fuzz) and dead skin cells. Dermablading can be performed professionally, under the guidance of an esthetician or skin care specialist, but you can also do it yourself, from the comfort of your own home.

Microblading, on the other hand, is a form of semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing. Used most commonly to create the appearance of fuller, darker eyebrows, microblading involves using a tool with tiny needles to deposit pigment under the skin and simulate fine hair strokes. This procedure must be done by a professional under sterile conditions to prevent infections.

Does hair grow back more after dermablading or microblading? 

 A lot of women are concerned about whether dermablading will just lead to increased/thicker hair growth. This is not true. 

Since dermablading is essentially a method of ‘shaving’ the face, it gets rid of hair on the face the same way shaving does – by cutting it off at a point at the surface of the skin. Because of this, the hair that grows back will have a blunt tip which will make it seem thicker when in reality, it is not thicker. Hair will grow back at the same rate and density as it did prior to dermablading. 

As for microblading – the procedure is usually done to simulate natural hair in the eyebrows through semi-permanent tattooing. Thus, microblading does not affect the rate or quality of hair growth. In fact, it has nothing at all to do with hair growth or removal. Microblading focuses on enhancing the appearance of the brows by using pigment to make them seem fuller. No hair is removed in this process. 

Why shouldn’t you dermaplane? 

Considering all the various methods out there for hair removal, dermablading/dermaplaning is a relatively painless, simple, and easy procedure. What needs to be understood about dermablading, however, is that it is mainly an exfoliation method that also happens to remove the vellus hair or peach fuzz found on the face (along with the dead cells). Thus, people with certain skin conditions should not be dermaplaning. 

  • People with acne or people that are prone to breakouts should generally avoid dermablading. This is because the blade can nick any active pimples, and this will not only cause bleeding but it will also cause the bacteria from the pimple to spread to other parts of the face and, in turn, cause more breakouts. Even if done carefully, dermablading can still spread acne bacteria all over the face. 
  • People with sensitive skin or people taking medications that can increase skin sensitivity or dryness (medications such as tretinoin and accutane) should also avoid dermaplaning.
  • Individuals with sunburnt skin.

Why shouldn’t you microblade? 

While microblading has its perks, it really isn’t suitable for all. 

Because it involves depositing pigment into the skin, there may be allergic reactions, infections, or other issues caused by the pigment. Additionally, since the skin is punctured with tiny needles, people with certain skin conditions cannot undergo this treatment as it may cause excessive bleeding or damage to the skin. 

People with:

  • Rosacea 
  • Thin skin
  • Botox/fillers near the brows
  • Excessive redness
  • Eczema 
  • Autoimmune/blood transmittable diseases 

– are not usually good candidates for microblading. People under the age of 18, and pregnant or breastfeeding women, also cannot undergo microblading. 

What is microdermabrasion? 

Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that uses a tool to exfoliate the skin thoroughly, leaving the skin looking younger and with an even tone. 

There are two types of microdermabrasion – crystal and diamond tip dermabrasion. In crystal microdermabrasion, tiny crystals are sent through a tube and are simultaneously vacuumed back up. Diamond tip microdermabrasion is a similar technique, except instead of crystal particles, a fine diamond tip is used to exfoliate, and the exfoliated particles are again suctioned back up. 

Both methods give the same results – deeply exfoliated and rejuvenated skin. 

Microdermabrasion is also known to –

  • Create even skin tone and texture 
  • Make mild or shallow acne scarring less obvious 
  • Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
  • Increase skin elasticity 
  • Shrink pores 
  • Smooth out stretch marks
  • Help with hyperpigmentation or melasma 

Dermablading vs microdermabrasion for hyperpigmentation 

Many individuals are often concerned with hyperpigmentation, which refers to any discoloration that causes some part of the skin to have a darker shade than the surrounding areas. 

Hyperpigmentation is normal, especially for people with darker skin tones. It can happen on any part of the body, but it may be a matter of more significant concern to some when it is on the face. This can manifest as age spots, sun spots, or melasma. Hyperpigmentation may be due to hormones, UV exposure, or even genetics. 

Can dermablading or microdermabrasion help with hyperpigmentation? 

Both dermablading and microdermabrasion remove a superficial layer of the skin, promoting regrowth and collagen production. This removal of an upper layer of the skin will cause the newer epidermal cells to take their place. These newer cells will be healthier and less pigmented, thus giving the skin a fresher look and also getting rid of any marks that were present on the top layer of skin. 

Although dermaplaning and microdermabrasion essentially do the same thing, microdermabrasion is more commonly used to treat hyperpigmentation and might be slightly more effective. But depending on skin conditions, some dermatologists might recommend dermaplaning for the same. So ultimately, the effectiveness of these treatments depends on the patient’s skin type and severity of hyperpigmentation. 

Note that there is no conclusive evidence for both these treatment methods to show that hyperpigmentation can be entirely erased in one sitting; its appearance can be reduced at most. 

Dermablading vs. microdermabrasion for acne scars 

People that have suffered from acne are often left with scarring as a not-so-pleasant reminder of when their skin was less than ideal. The most common type of acne scars are atrophic scars, which appear as indentations in the skin. Atrophic scars can be: 

  • Ice pick scars (narrow and deep) 
  • Boxcar (wide, with defined borders, can be deep or shallow) 
  • Rolling scars (these are gently sloping and often give the skin a wavy or undulating appearance) 

It is important to know the type of acne scarring because microdermabrasion and dermablading will only work on surface-level scars. Icepick scars, for instance, go beyond just the top epidermal layer and are too deep to be treated with just microdermabrasion or dermablading. 

For the shallower scars, such as boxcar or rolling, either dermablading or microdermabrasion could work well. Dermablading will exfoliate the skin, which will promote healthy regeneration and can help with really shallow scars or discoloration caused by the same. Microdermabrasion has been clinically shown to improve scarring. [1] It will promote collagen production, and this can help ‘fill in’ atrophic scars or any other surface imperfections. 

Again, which treatment an individual should undergo depends on their skin evaluation by a professional. A lot of factors have to be considered – underlying skin conditions, skin sensitivity, whether acne persists, etc. Many acne scars might require deeper ablation, [2] so either a combination of treatments or multiple sittings might be needed to eradicate acne scars. 

Microdermabrasion vs. Microneedling vs. Dermablading

A process that gives results similar to microdermabrasion and dermablading is microneedling. This procedure involves using a tool with tiny needles to make very small punctures or holes in the skin. The idea is to trigger the natural healing process to generate new collagen and tissue. This, in turn, improves skin elasticity and rejuvenates it. 

Post-care for micro-needling doesn’t involve much, as this process is usually well-tolerated. Antibiotic creams and protection from light might be recommended. [3]

Microneedling provides much of the same benefits as microdermabrasion or dermablading. All three of these treatments are great for fighting signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged and visible pores, uneven skin tone, blemishes, discoloration, etc. However, as similar as they may seem, these treatments are also slightly different.

Below we compare and contrast the three skin treatments:

Microdermabrasion  Microneedling Dermablading 
  • Technique 
Uses a tool with crystals or a diamond tip to roughly exfoliate the skin  Uses a dermaroller with microneedles to pierce the skin so that the healing process is stimulated  Uses a scalpel that is gently dragged across the skin to get rid of peach fuzz, dirt, and dead cells
  • Cost 

(costs will vary from place to place and depending on experience)

Can average anywhere from $100 – $200 a session, can also go upto $800 depending on geographic location and skill level

INR  – single session can be 2k to 5k 

Single treatment can range anywhere between $200 to upwards of $600, but packages of multiple treatments can cost about $1500 or more

INR  –  10k – 25k

Usually the least expensive of three – 

Average cost: 

$75 – $150, can be more expensive depending on location and clinic

INR 1k to 3k

  • Recovery time 
Not very long;

Might be redness which will fade throughout the course of the day;

Any pain or irritation should go away within 3-5 days or lesser

Not too long;

Depending on extent of treatment, can take anywhere between 24 hours to a few days

Virtually no recovery time;

Less than 24 hours 

  • Invasiveness 
Non-invasive  Minimally invasive  Non-invasive 
  • Can treat 
Uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, acne scars, dull complexion, blemishes, sun spots, age spots, fine lines, wrinkles, etc.

Does not remove any facial hair 

Uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, acne scars, dull complexion, blemishes, sun spots, age spots, fine lines, wrinkles, etc.

Does not remove any facial hair 

Uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, acne scars, dull complexion, blemishes, sun spots, age spots, fine lines, wrinkles, etc.

Also removes peach fuzz 

  • Not suitable for 
People with sensitive skin, active acne, sunburnt skin, skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, auto-immune disorders, etc. People with sensitive skin, active acne, sunburnt skin, skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, autoimmune disorders, etc. People with sensitive skin, active acne, sunburnt skin, skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, autoimmune disorders, etc.
  • Pain 
Can differ, usually not painful but is slightly harsh on skin Can be slightly painful  Usually not painful, very gentle 

At the end of the day, any of these treatments can be a good option for your skincare needs, depending on how you are evaluated by a professional. What works for one might be terrible for another, so make sure to heed your dermatologist’s advice!

FAQs

Will my hair grow back more after dermaplaning or microblading? 

No. Dermablading might give the appearance of thicker hair as it grows back, but this is not actually the case. Dermablading does not affect hair growth rate or thickness. Microblading also has nothing to do with hair growth or removal. It is, in fact, a cosmetic procedure that involves semi-permanent tattooing, where the eyebrows are essentially ‘tattooed in’ to make them look less sparse. 

Can I try microdermabrasion or dermablading to treat acne? 

No. In fact, microdermabrasion, micro-needling, or dermablading are treatments that are more preventative than anything else. They can be used to prevent acne, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, etc. They can also heal issues such as acne scars or marks, but only if no more active acne is present. They are not recommended to treat active skin conditions, such as rosacea, eczema, acne, etc. These treatments would be too harsh on active skin conditions and could potentially worsen them. 

Dermablading or microdermabrasion for hyperpigmentation?

It depends. If you have sensitive skin, microdermabrasion will not be ideal for you, and you might have to opt for the more gentle dermablading. 

Ultimately, it depends on the extent of an individual’s hyperpigmentation and their respective skin type. There is evidence showing that both treatments can help lessen the appearance of hyperpigmentation, but there is no concrete evidence to prove that one technique is better than the other for this purpose.

How often should I get dermablading, micro-needling, or microdermabrasion done? 

Dermablading, micro-needling, and microdermabrasion must be done periodically if you want the results to be maintained. The recommended time period is usually about once every 3-4 weeks for microdermabrasion and dermablading and about once every 4-6 weeks for micro-needling. However, results can last about 2-3 months, so depending on your skin, you might not have to get the treatments too often. 

Why shouldn’t I microblade or dermablade? 

If you have any skin conditions that cause pain or sensitivity, then it is best to stay away from dermablading and microblading. These treatments involve sharp objects touching the skin, so people with already sensitive skin are prone to causing themselves more irritation, infection, or injuries with such treatments. 

Any person under the age of 18, pregnant women, people with acne, rosacea, eczema, etc., should not be doing microblading. 

Although dermablading is safer, people with acne or sensitive skin should be wary of dermablading. 

Wrapping Up

Microblading and dermablading. Similar enough sounding that you could mistake one for the other. However, these are two distinctly different procedures with different end goals. While dermablading is a facial treatment that exfoliates and rejuvenates, microblading is a cosmetic procedure that essentially fills in sparse brows by semi-permanent tattooing. 

It’s also common to wonder about the difference between treatments such as micro-needling and microdermabrasion. At the root of it, micro-needling, microdermabrasion, and dermablading are all short, minimally invasive, and relatively cheap treatments that can not only treat contemporary skin woes but also treat them without usurping too much of your daily schedule, as there is very little recovery time associated with these treatments. 

As skincare and cosmetic enhancement increasingly come to the forefront of our daily lives, procedures like these are rapidly becoming more popular and accessible. The bottom line is that as similar as they might seem, they can act quite differently on different skin types, so talk to an expert about which one might be right for you. 

References 

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