How to choose pigment for microblading?

The effectiveness of micropigmentation permanent makeup is closely linked to the pigment used. Choosing the right pigment is both a science and a question many beginners ask. With a wide variety of pigments on the market and varying prices, consumers often struggle to discern quality based solely on hype and affordability. We recommend reviewing the following pigment selection guide before choosing a tattoo pigment.

Safety: Is microblading pigment safe?

As we all know, safety is the top priority of all beauty projects. Tattoo pigments will penetrate into the dermis of the skin along with the PMU cartridge needle and stay in the dermis for at least 2-3 years, so their safety is very important. Currently, there are many factories producing pigment tattoo ink, but not all factories have the conditions to produce cosmetic-grade safe and non-toxic tattoo pigments. In order to pursue product profits, many factories use inferior industrial color powder for blending and directly produce industrial pigments into makeup tattoo pigment. Some consumers do not understand cosmetic tattoo pigments and only focus on the low price or publicity effect. They mistakenly apply industrial pigments to tattoo treatments. Once industrial pigments enter the human body, they may cause the following risks:

1. Severe skin allergies and inflammation

Industrial pigments contain numerous impurities, heavy metals, chemical solvents, preservatives, and other ingredients, making them highly irritating to the skin. Last year, the FDA reported cases of allergic reaction to microblading pigment.

2. Increased risk of infection

The production environment, raw materials, and processes used in industrial pigments often fail to meet sterility requirements.

3. Heavy metal poisoning

To achieve vibrant, long-lasting results, industrial pigments (especially inexpensive, brightly colored pigments) require excessive levels of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and nickel. Long-term accumulation in the human body can lead to heavy metal poisoning.

4. Carcinogenic risk

Industrial pigments may contain carcinogens, such as certain aromatic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The risk is that cancer may not manifest until years after brow tattoo microblading, and tattoo artists often overlook this long-term risk.

Suggestion: How to choose safe pigment?

Due to information asymmetry in the market, consumers can generally only judge the quality and safety of pigments based on the tattoo ink manufacturer's publicity, but this will inevitably be influenced by the merchants' exaggerated publicity. Therefore, whether you are purchasing brow pigment microblading online or offline, we recommend that you follow the following principles to determine whether the eyebrow tattoo pigments meet safety standards:

1. Supplier Production Capacity

Check whether the tattoo brows pigment supplier has production capacity and whether it has been verified by an independent, reliable third-party organization, such as SGS.

2. Product Ingredients

Check whether the supplier can provide a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) before buying microblading pigment. In the MSDS, check whether the microblading pigment ingredients include a CI number. If not, the pigment may be made from non-cosmetic-grade industrial dyes. Additionally, check whether the reported toxicological testing indicates toxicity, including the presence of volatile solvents or strong corrosives.

3. Product Qualification

Check whether the pigment provided by the supplier meets regulatory compliance and safety requirements. For example, a CE certificate is required to ensure compliance with relevant EU directives for entry into the EU market. Furthermore, products that comply with REACH regulations can enhance consumer trust and demonstrate safety for the environment and human health.

Usage: What pigment is used in microblading?

Once we've addressed pigment safety, we need to further consider the product's suitability. In reality, eyebrow microblading pigment isn't simply ink; it comes in different forms, suitable for different scenarios, areas, and demographics. Generally speaking, tattoo pigments can be categorized as liquid, emulsion, or cream, with their fluidity and penetration rates decreasing in descending order.

1. Application

Microblading eyebrows tattoo machine: Liquid, Emulsion

Semi-permanent microblading pen: Cream

2. Suitable for people

Beginners (including tattoo artists with less than 3 years of experience): Emulsion, Cream

Professional tattoo artists: Liquid, Emulsion, Cream

3. Suitable Areas

Eyebrow semi-permanent makeup: Liquid, Emulsion, Cream

Eyeliner semi-permanent makeup: Liquid, Emulsion, Cream

Lip blush semi-permanent makeup: Liquid, Emulsion

Recommendation: What is the best ink to use for microblading?

What's the ideal pigment for brow tattoo makeup? For the best microblading ink, our recommendations are as follows, depending on the tool used:

1. For machine application: Emmeline PMU Pigment Ink

The water-based base and small molecule structure allow for efficient pigment penetration, resulting in over 95% color retention. With 17 exclusive brow colors, it can precisely match the deep brows of Europeans and Americans to the natural tones of Asians, making it the ideal choice for PMU machine microblading and powder brow tattoos.

2. For manual application: Emmeline PMU Pigment Cream

The oil-based base keeps the pigment cream moist during application, preventing drying and affecting the tattoo's appearance. It also offers a rich range of 15 colors, from a natural nude brown to a rich dark brown, as well as micropigmentation eyebrow color correction, to meet the color needs of various brow shapes and skin tones.

If you are interested in Emmeline PMU pigments, please contact us to view the colors chart and get more pigment selection tips!