What Supplies Do I Need For Microblading?
One of the most asked questions amongst beginners in microblading is what supplies do I need? Having the right equipment is essential for kick-starting your permanent makeup career as well as delivering safe treatments to clients.
So, we have outlined what supplies you need for microblading by breaking it down into category, explaining each product and why it is an integral part of your microblading kit!
Essential Microblading Supplies For Setting Up Your Workstation
- Massage/treatment bed - You will need a treatment bed for clients to lie comfortably on while having the procedure. What you should be looking for is a bed that is stable and can easily be wiped clean when disinfecting the work area (still using bed covering of course). A bed with multiple adjustment features is beneficial to ensure optimum comfort for you and your client.
- Stool - This is for the artist to sit on whilst administering treatments. Finding a stool that is comfortable and has wheels will make it easier and quicker to manoeuvre around the bed when carrying out the treatment. When shopping online, it’s useful to remember that they are referred to as ‘Beauty Salon Stools’.
- Overhead light - Using an overhead light will help you see the treatment area more clearly and reduce strain on the eyes when working. They can also provide great lighting for taking images for your professional portfolio immediately after treatments.
- Service tray - Using a tray at your workstation is extremely useful for keeping your microblading supplies tidy, clean and organised. Whether you opt for a metal or plastic tray, it is paramount that it can be wiped clean when disinfecting / autoclavingfor infection control. Some artists may opt for disposable trays which can be thrown away after use – your choice will depend on personal preference.
Essential Microblading Supplies for Best Hygiene Practices
- Gloves - Gloves must be worn at all times when delivering treatments to protect yourself and the client from infection and cross-contamination. You may wish to opt for latex-free gloves to avoid any adverse reactions. They can be purchased in different sizes for a comfortable fit and can be disposed of accordingly after treatments.
- Face masks/PPE - Artists can choose between paper disposable masks or reusable masks which can be washed and the filter changed, depending on their preference. Disposable aprons are to be worn by the artist and changed for every client to prevent cross contamination and to protect clothing. PPE has always been a requirement in cosmetic tattooing long before the pandemic to maximise client and technician safety with every treatment.
- Sharps container - It is a legal requirement to dispose of all needles and blades that have been exposed to human blood in a sharp’s container. Available in different sizes depending on your preference, make sure to check that the sharps container you purchase complies with legislation in your country. Enquire through your local council or a waste disposal company to arrange regular collections of your sharps bins.
- Medical grade disinfectant / Disinfectant surface wipes - Medical grade disinfectant is a must have for any PMU artist, to ensure that the treatment area is kept clean, sterile and in accordance with government and insurance requirements.
- Ultrasonic Cleaner & Autoclave - Ultrasonic cleaning baths are designed to remove any dirt, bacteria, or other contaminants from small items re-used in microblading, which could lead to increased risk of infection or complications. Autoclaves are effective in both cleaning and fully sterilising reusable items, using high pressure, heat, and steam to eliminate 99.99% of germs, viruses and bacteria.
- Barrier film - Barrier film not only creates an infection barrier but also makes cleaning and disinfecting much easier. Used in conjunction with medical grade disinfectant, barrier film helps ensure that your treatment area and equipment are safe and sterile for every client. It can be used to cover and protect machines, trays, tables, treatment beds and much more. Some artists even use it during treatments to place over the brows and promote pigment retention.
- Bed covers - An alternative to cling film, bed covers provide the same protection against cross contamination but are usually elasticated and designed to be fitted easily over the treatment bed. A great choice for artists looking to save time, as they can be quickly changed and disposed of between clients.
- Alcohol swab wipes or Anti-bacterial wash - Alcohol swab wipes or anti-bacterial wash is a staple in any microblading artist’s kit to quickly disinfect and prep the skin for treatment. Swabs often come in individual sachets or our Killer Beauty anti-bacterial wash comes as a foam cleanser, to be easily pumped onto the skin with no diluting required.
Best Prepping Supplies To Set Up For Flawless PMU
- Eyebrow Razor - Some PMU artists choose to use an eyebrow razor prior to PMU application, to remove any stray hairs and tidy up the brow area in preparation for treatment.
- Mapping tool – stencil, caliper, mapping thread, ruler etc. - Before beginning a procedure, brow mapping is essential to create a symmetrical brow shape that enhances the client’s natural features. The semi-permanent makeup artist then has a template to begin depositing pigment and creating brows to suit their client. Which mapping tool you use depends on both training and preference! Options include mapping thread, rulers, mapping caliper and many more.
- Pencils/Skin Markers - To be used alongside a mapping tool, a brow pencil allows the artist to sketch out a template to work on and fill in any gaps or sparse areas before beginning the procedure. Once the template is created, the client can assess in a mirror and advise of any changes they would like to make before beginning treatment. Pre-draw can also be created using a skin marker, which are available in colours such as white or purple which stand out more prominently on the skin. The pencil or skin marker can be wiped away with cleanser or an alcohol swab but a marker may require additional pressure and cleansing to remove.
- Petroleum jelly - The use of petroleum jelly in permanent makeup is another area of debate and may depend on an artist’s preference of wet or dry healing! If you choose to use petroleum jelly, it can be used to soften and prepare the skin pre-treatment or to protect and moisturise the area during the healing and aftercare process.
PMU Must-Haves For During Treatments
- Microblades - You may have guessed this one already – microblades are what are used in a procedure to deposit pigment into the skin and build up hair strokes to create stunning brows. The size and shape of the microblade you use will depend on your training, preference, the client’s skin, and the desired look you are creating. It is paramount to use high-quality blades that will allow for consistency and precision, that are rigorously tested to ensure that you deliver safe results in every treatment.
- Microblading pen/Hand tool - The Microblading pen is the hand tool that the microblades are attached to. Depending on the brand, some microblades come attached to a pen/handle whereas others are sold separately. A soft, non-slip handle is essential for precision and comfort when administering treatments and you may need to try multiple brands or styles before you find the pen best suited to you.
- Pigment – Microblading pigments are the inks that are specially designed and created for permanent makeup. During procedure, the pigment is deposited into the skin using a microblade to create the brow hair strokes. There is a huge variety of brands and shades to choose from, you may initially feel spoilt for choice! When choosing pigments, it is important to use products that are stable, easy to apply, fully tested and which heal true to colour. Colour theory also plays a huge part in selecting pigments.
- Pigment ring / Pigment cups - Pigment rings or cups (also referred to as cups) are where you place your chosen pigment, ready to pick up with the microblade and deposit into the skin. They are designed to allow artists to work quickly and efficiently and using a cup or a ring depends on your comfort and preference. If you are mixing pigments to achieve the perfect shade, you will mix them within the pigment ring or cup.
- Spoolies - You have probably come across these before – spoolies are small disposable mascara-style wands which are popular in makeup and beauty treatments. Many artists use these to brush through the brows before, during and after treatment to tidy up the area. They are also a great tool for taking photos and videos to showcase your work and each spoolie can be disposed of after treatment to avoid cross contamination.
At Killer Beauty, we stock a range of microblading pigments from trusted brands, including Perma Blend LUXE, Li Pigments, and Evenflo! Perma Blend LUXE have a Microblading Pro Set that contains six versatile shades designed specifically for microblading treatments. The pigments in this set have been created for better needle retention and long-lasting results! This set even comes with free access to the Perma U Online Microblading Pro course – worth $99.
We also have our own range of high quality microblades as well as those from global brands such as, Tina Davies Professional and Jenna Boyd. Shop today to stock up your microblading kit!
Post-Treatment Essentials
- Anti-bacterial foaming cleanser - As well as being used to clean and prep the skin, the foaming cleanser can be used throughout treatment to wipe away excess pigment. It is also perfect to use at the end of the procedure to clean the treated area and remove any bacteria. This product is gentle, helps calm the skin and reduce redness – it is a staple in any artists kit.
- Aftercare ointment - Depending on your preference for wet or dry healing, aftercare ointment can be given to the client to take home after their appointment. Clients can apply the ointment multiple times a day using a clean cotton bud each time to promote healthy healing and colour retention.
At Killer Beauty, we stock a range of aftercare products specifically designed to promote healthy healing and protect the skin, from brands such as BIOTAT and Hustle Butter. With these aftercare products in your microblading kit, you’ll be prepared to give your clients an all-round great treatment!
There you have it – a breakdown of all the microblading supplies you need in your kit to kick start your career and deliver safe treatments to clients. If you are just starting out in microblading we hope you have found this useful and wish you the best of luck in growing your PMU business!