Microblading vs Nano Hairstrokes: Which Is Right for You?

If you've been researching semi-permanent brows in London, you've almost certainly come across both microblading and nano hairstrokes — and wondered what the actual difference is, and which one you should choose.

The honest answer is: it depends on your skin, your lifestyle, and the look you want. Both can produce beautiful, natural-looking results. But they're not interchangeable, and the wrong choice for your skin type can mean a result that fades faster, heals less cleanly, or simply doesn't look as good long-term.

This guide covers everything you need to know — without the marketing fluff.

What Is Microblading?

Microblading is a semi-permanent eyebrow treatment where a fine, manual hand tool is used to create tiny hair-like strokes in the upper layers of the skin. Pigment is deposited into these strokes to mimic natural brow hairs and build a fuller, more defined shape.

The result, when done well, looks soft and natural — like your brows, but better. It's not a block tattoo. The strokes follow your natural hair growth pattern, and the shape is mapped to suit your bone structure before anything begins.

Microblading typically lasts 12–18 months before a colour boost is needed, though this varies significantly depending on skin type, lifestyle and aftercare.

What Are Nano Hairstrokes?

Nano hairstrokes — also called nano brows, nano blading or nanoblading — use a digital machine with an ultra-fine needle rather than a manual blade. The machine creates individual hair-like strokes with precise, controlled movements, depositing pigment in a way that can look extremely fine and realistic.

At Brow Master London, Anna's signature nano technique is called DeLuxBrow — a method that won 1st Place UK at the WULOP Championship 2025, and is designed specifically for a soft, hyperrealistic healed result that looks natural in person, not just in photos.

Nano hairstrokes typically last 18 months to 3 years, again depending on skin and lifestyle.

Microblading vs Nano Hairstrokes: The Key Differences

	Microblading	Nano Hairstrokes
Tool	Manual hand blade	Digital machine + fine needle
Stroke appearance	Fine, hair-like	Ultra-fine, very precise
Best skin type	Normal to slightly dry	Most skin types, including oily/mature
Longevity	12–18 months	18 months–3 years
Healing	Soft and natural	Soft and natural
Skin trauma	Slightly more	Generally less
Cost at Brow Master London	£450	£600

Which Works Better for Your Skin Type?

This is the most important factor — and the one most people don't think about before booking.

Normal to slightly dry skin

Both microblading and nano hairstrokes can work beautifully. Microblading tends to heal well and hold its definition on this skin type. Nano is also an excellent option if you want maximum precision or longer-lasting results.

Oily skin

Nano hairstrokes are almost always the stronger recommendation. Oily skin produces more sebum, which can cause microblading strokes to blur or fade more quickly over time. The machine needle used in nano penetrates the skin more consistently, resulting in better pigment retention and a crisper healed result.

Mature or thinning skin

Nano hairstrokes are generally gentler and cause less trauma to the skin. For clients with more delicate or mature skin, the machine method tends to produce a more predictable, stable result.

Thicker or combination skin

Again, nano tends to perform more reliably. The controlled pressure of a machine is often better suited to skin with larger pores or uneven texture.

Very sensitive skin

Both treatments require a patch test for sensitive skin. Nano can sometimes be preferable as it involves less mechanical pressure than the manual blade used in microblading.

Which Lasts Longer?

Nano hairstrokes generally last longer — typically 18 months to 3 years versus 12–18 months for microblading. This is because the machine needle deposits pigment more precisely and at a more consistent depth, which leads to more stable, longer-lasting results.

That said, longevity depends heavily on:

• Skin type — oily skin fades pigment faster regardless of technique

• Sun exposure — UV accelerates fading significantly

• Skincare routine — retinol, AHAs and exfoliating acids all speed up pigment fading

• Lifestyle — swimming, saunas and heavy sweating can affect longevity

• Aftercare — the first 2 weeks post-treatment are critical

Both treatments are a two-step process — the initial session plus a perfecting touch-up 6–8 weeks later. The touch-up is not optional; it's where the healed result is refined and any gaps are filled.

Do They Look Different?

In the right hands, both microblading and nano hairstrokes can produce results that look virtually identical — soft, hair-like strokes that blend with your natural brows.

The practical difference is that nano hairstrokes can be made even finer and more consistent than microblading strokes, because the machine allows more precise control than a manual blade. This makes nano particularly effective for clients who want a very delicate, undetectable result — or for men, whose skin often requires that extra precision to heal cleanly.

Poorly executed versions of both techniques can look heavy or "stamped on." The artist's skill, experience and approach to design matter far more than the technique itself.

Does One Hurt More Than the Other?

Neither treatment is particularly painful when performed correctly. A topical numbing cream is applied before both procedures, and most clients describe the sensation as mild discomfort rather than pain.

Nano hairstrokes are generally considered slightly more comfortable because the machine creates less mechanical pressure on the skin than the manual blade used in microblading. However, individual pain tolerance varies, and both treatments are very manageable for the vast majority of clients.

Which Is Better for Men?

For most men, nano hairstrokes are the recommended option. Men's skin tends to be thicker and oilier than women's — characteristics that suit the nano machine method better. Nano hairstrokes also tend to last longer on men's skin, which means fewer top-ups over time.

That said, microblading can still work well for men with suitable skin. At Brow Master London we assess each client individually and recommend whichever technique is more likely to heal well — regardless of gender.

Which Is Better for Correcting Old Brow Work?

This depends entirely on what the existing pigment looks like. For faded, warm-toned or light previous work, both techniques can sometimes be used to refresh and refine the result.

For darker, cooler or more saturated old pigment, we often recommend laser lightening first — and then nano hairstrokes to rebuild the shape, as the machine method offers more control when working over existing pigment.

For complex correction cases, a consultation is always the starting point. We'll look at your existing brows in natural light, assess your skin, and give you an honest view of what's achievable.

How Much Does Each Cost?

At Brow Master London:

• Microblading — £450 (includes initial session + perfecting touch-up)

• Nano Hairstrokes (DeLuxBrow) — £600 (includes initial session + perfecting touch-up)

Both prices include your perfecting touch-up appointment because we care about your healed result, not just the day-one photos. You're also investing in Anna's 10+ years of experience, competition-level technical skill, and a calm, one-to-one studio environment in Notting Hill.

Microblading and nano brow prices in London vary widely. Be cautious of significantly lower prices — with semi-permanent treatments, the cost of correction often far exceeds the saving on the original appointment.

So, Which Should You Choose?

Here's a simple guide:

Choose microblading if:

• You have normal to slightly dry skin with fine to medium pores

• You want a soft, natural result and are happy with 12–18 month longevity

• Budget is a consideration and your skin is well-suited to the technique

Choose nano hairstrokes if:

• Your skin is oily, combination, mature or thicker than average

• You want the longest-lasting result possible

• You want the finest, most precise and undetectable strokes

• You're a man (in most cases)

• You've had microblading before that didn't hold as well as expected

Book a consultation if:

• You're not sure — this is genuinely the best option. Anna will look at your skin in person, discuss your goals, and give you an honest recommendation with no pressure to commit on the day.

Ready to Book?

Brow Master London is a boutique, one-to-one studio based in Notting Hill, London. Anna is a multi-award-winning PhiBrows artist and 2025 UK WULOP Champion for nano brows, with over 10 years' experience and 5,000+ clients.

You can book directly online or start with a consultation if you'd like to discuss your options first.

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