Understanding PMU Needle Sizes: Enhance Your Permanent Makeup Skills

1.  From Fine to Thick: The Advantages and Drawbacks of PMU Needle Options 2. Choosing the Right Needle Amount: Maximizing PMU Results 3. From Short to Long Taper: How Needle Shape Impacts PMU

 

In the PMU industry, artists who want to create attractive eyebrows need to meet a variety of factors, among which it is essential to master the function of different sizes of needles and use them freely. PMU needles are available in various needle types and sizes, each of which can meet various requirements. The needle size has three aspects: the thickness of the needle, the number of needles, and the needle taper. This article will explore the role and applicability of different PMU sizes through these three aspects.

 

From Fine to Thick: The Advantages and Drawbacks of PMU Needle Options

One of the needle sizes is the thickness. Next, let's see what the difference is based on the thickness of the needle. The thickness is determined by needle diameter, where the thickness of the needle is at its widest point. According to the diameter of the single needle (0.18mm-0.45mm), the needle can be divided into ultra-thin needles, thin needles, thick needles, etc. More than 0.38mm will produce very thick strokes. The thinner the diameter, the more controlled the ink flow. For example, a 0.25mm diameter (#8) delivers less ink at a slower rate than a 0.35mm diameter (#12).

The advantages of fine needles:

1. Using a needle with a smaller surface area allows for easier penetration of the skin, which in turn reduces the amount of force needed and minimizes trauma to the skin. This design can be beneficial for enhancing comfort during procedures.
2. Provides more precision capabilities for detailed work. A finer and more controlled stream of pigment flow.

The drawbacks of fine needles: 

The surface area to push through the skin is smaller and there is a higher chance to penetrate the skin deeper. Higher chance of pigment migration due to the fact that it is easier to penetrate the skin with a smaller needle configuration. 

The advantages of thick needles:

This approach minimizes the risk of deep skin penetration, effectively reducing the chances of pigment migration. 

The drawbacks of thick needles:

1. The larger surface area of the needle may require a bit more force to effectively penetrate the skin. It's important to apply controlled pressure, as excessive force could lead to increased trauma to the skin.
2. It's easier to create section shading if you don’t pay attention to your pressure.

In conclusion, for thin, sensitive, mature, or normal skin, it’s a good idea to go with a needle size of 0.18 mm to 0.20 mm. Using a smaller needle means you'll get a finer dot when you’re doing pigmentation, it’s more flexible, which makes the process a lot less harsh on the skin. This can lead to results that look more natural and make the whole experience easier on you.

For normal or mixed skin, it’s a good idea to go for needle sizes between 0.18 and 0.30mm without worries.

For oily, thicker, or more porous skin, aim for a needle size between 0.30 and 0.35mm. These larger needles work better for dealing with oily or thicker skin types.

 

But especially when using a thinner needle to stroke, there will be a different effect. To make the perfect eyebrow, you need to have a thick stroke. For the thick stroke, thinner needles (like 0.18-0.25mm) require you to go over the skin more times to get enough pigment, which can be pretty rough on sensitive skin. It’s usually better to stick with needles that are 0.3-0.35mm since they deposit pigment more quickly and need fewer passes. Some artists even recommend using sharper, thinner needles on thicker skin because they can cut through it better, helping to achieve more intense pigmentation. Ultimately, artists have their own opinions and techniques, and different skin types call for different needle choices. The key is to minimize any discomfort for clients while getting the work done right. The Clover cartridge is a very sharp needle, which is suitable for thick skin. Elevate your artistry and create stunning, lasting impressions with every stroke.

 

Choosing the Right Needle Amount: Maximizing PMU Results

Apart from how thick the needles are, having different amounts of them also can serve various functions.

Fine needles (like 1RL or 3RL) are great for doing detailed stuff, like drawing eyebrow hairs or eyeliner.

Medium needles (like 5RL or 7RL) are super versatile, perfect for both sharp lines and filling in bigger areas.

Magnum or large needles (like 9M1 or 11M1), which are awesome for shading and filling in wider spaces.

 

Why choose single-needle?

The single-needle technique is the cornerstone for permanent makeup, especially when it comes to getting that detailed and natural look. It works wonders for eyebrow tattoos, letting artists create fine strokes that really mimic the look of real eyebrows, making them look way more authentic.

What's great about single-needle technology is how precise it is. Artists have solid control over the depth and angle of the needle, which helps them nail each stroke. This control is super important for delicate spots like eyebrows, where having everything symmetrical and detailed is key to that natural look.

 

 

Why choose Multiple-needle:

• Getting Things Done Faster: Multiple needles let artists cover bigger areas quickly. This is especially helpful for treatments like lip blush and scalp micropigmentation (SMP). When using multiple-needle, the results are usually smoother compared to just one. Plus, it speeds up the pigment application, which cuts down on the overall time and makes for a better experience for clients.
• Shading Made Easier: Multi-needle setups are great for shading. Artists can use circular needles—groups of needles in a circular arrangement—to create soft gradients and really nice blending effects. This method helps achieve a more natural look since it allows for smooth transitions in color and shadow. Plus, by changing the pressure and angle of the needles, artists can fine-tune their shading for stunning results.
• More Options for Artists: With a multiple-needle setup, artists can mix needles to fit different styles and skin types. This opens up a world of creative possibilities.

Overall, using multiple needles has lots of benefits, like making things more efficient and improving shading techniques. Understanding how to use these setups can help artists up their game and deliver great results that keep clients happy.

It's worth noting that thinner needles, like the 1RL, can be tougher on the skin if the artist isn't trained or doesn’t have much experience using that type of needle. While all needles can potentially cause some skin trauma, the 1RL is particularly likely to do so because it hits the skin directly and penetrates quickly. On the other hand, cartridges with multiple needles tend to be easier on the skin since they spread out the pressure, letting the skin handle it better. If you’re looking for needles that cause less trauma, consider using 3RL, 5RL, or magnum needles. Or you can choose a soft 1RL needle  such as OMNI cartridge, which is not too sharp to cause excessive trauma and is equipped with a long tip for a clear view of the work and adjustment at any time.

 

From Short to Long Taper: How Needle Shape Impacts PMU

Needle taper refers to the length of the needle's tip where it begins to narrow. It tells you how long that tapered section is.

There are different types of needle tapers, from short to super long. Knowing how each one affects the skin is super important for getting your work just right.

- Short taper needles: Let more ink flow out, which means you get a bigger ink dot and a bit more trauma to the skin. They’re great for coloring in larger areas quickly with fewer layers, especially on thicker skin.

- Long taper needles: Give you more control over the ink flow, resulting in smaller ink dots and less trauma. They’re awesome for tricky spots where you need precision because you can build up color slowly with more layers without hurting the skin. They work better on thinner skin types.

 Also, the needle taper affects how much ink gets to the skin: If you set the needle longer, less ink makes its way from the cartridge to the skin. If you set it shorter, more ink gets through.

If you find you're putting too much pigment on the skin, just lengthen the needle to reduce how much ink gets delivered. And if ink starts pooling on the skin, it’s definitely a sign to lengthen the needle too.

In conclusion, choosing the right PMU cartridge needles is super important for getting great results in permanent makeup. Think about factors like needle configuration, size, quality, and compatibility, and don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations to help guide your decision. Everyone has their own favorite types of needles, so it’s all about experimenting to see what works best for your technique and style. With the right PMU cartridge needles, you can create beautiful, long-lasting makeup for your clients with confidence.