AN ARTISTS GUIDE TO THE BEST PENS FOR MICROFINERS

As microblading grows in popularity (and we hope its customer base will too), the availability of pens / pens and hand tools on the market is also increasing. We think that a quick and practical guide on the options offered and the development of the health and safety guide would help you to be better informed when choosing the microblading tools you use for your boat.

BLADES

Single or double row blades | Hard or soft blades?

• The single row blades are flexible and easy to use to create finer strokes for fine brows and for detailed work.
• Double row blades are good for thicker and oily skin and can be used to create stronger strokes for larger brows.
• The hard blades are used for clients with oily skin. They sink with less pressure.
• The thinner and more flexible blades are used for thin skin, as they go more easily and deeply through the skin. Older skin is always thinner, so a thinner, more flexible needle is best for older clients.
• 
  

MICROBLADING HAND TOOLS

The hand tools are pre-installed with the blades and, as the name suggests, allow you to apply the pigment by hand. The size, style and shape vary depending on the blades used. The term “hand tool” includes ball point pens as well as flat blade applicators.

Flexi / Disposable

Less experienced artists often opt for a pre-installed, flexible, and disposable hand tool for easy, fast, and hygienic application. It still provides great results, of course, but it is forgiving and therefore allows a level of confidence that harder pens may not give beginning artists.

MICROBLADING FEATHERS (NEEDLE HOLDER)

All of our microblade tools are EO sterilized in the UK at a medical facility to international standards. The image below shows our security certificate. Eliminating cross contamination and risk of infection is a priority when micro-beveling. Our products are individually packed and sterilized here in the UK with traceable lot number and expiration date. Single-use items that are traceable and meet local authority H&S licensing requirements when used as a single-use tool. For reuse, the correct sterilization process must be followed.

Slim and Non-slip

For a smoother handling, a slim and light design , ergonomic design with a comfortable silicone grip is ideal for completing more detailed work. The non-slip handle provides the artist with maximum comfort and grip while doing the most detailed work.

‘Glamor’ Feathers

Adding a bit of glamor to a pen makes a microblade artist feel like they are creating. You can also create a more fun environment for clients, and add to the professionalism you are creating in your salon. Different styles are available to suit your needs. For example, try a glittery pen for a little extra sparkle.

Double End Feathers

For a quick change between different blades, a double-ended pen can be an ideal work companion. For some, the idea of ​​reducing the number of pens (and thus the clutter) is a real bonus. It may take some getting used to, but for some, the double ending is a must.

Light Aluminum

Many artists claim  this style of the pen is their bread and butter, their daily go to the microblade pen. A super slim, light and colorful design with a comfortable grip is best not only for main shots but for  shading detail too, they love pastel colors, who doesn’t love pastels ?!

Heavy Stainless Steel

To create darker shadows without feeling like you have to apply pressure, the stainless steel autoclavable pen offers a great solution. Its heavier hand feel means it does all the work for you. Simple and effortless application.

Up-to-date advice from MHRA: Controls in salons by local authorities.

You may have heard that local authorities have contacted various micro-shovel vendors, like us, to tell us that they are conducting ad hoc checks on equipment used in beauty salons. Some clients have approached us to ask us what they have told us, but the answer is that we have not had any direct contact with the municipalities. However, due to concerns raised by our customers, we have gone out and spoken with a number of local licensing authorities to get an idea of ​​the action they are taking.

While random checks by council officers are done for any regulated business, they tend to be done either in connection with any license application or as part of your regular inspection routine. Only if they receive allegations of problems with a particular salon are they likely to conduct further checks. The advice from the councils we have spoken with has been that their approach will be to follow the guidance given by the MHRA when it comes to inspecting the equipment and processes that are being used. Therefore, we think it would be useful to remind you.

MHRA

The European legislation for medical devices, the Medical Device Directive 93/42 / EEC, was superseded by a new regulation last year, the Medical Device Regulations 2017/745. This new regulation introduced Annex XVI, which includes a list of products that do not meet the definition of a medical device, but must carry the CE marking as medical devices to demonstrate that they meet the required safety and performance requirements. Examples of products included in Annex XVI are dermal fillers for cosmetic purposes only and non-motorized contact lenses.

Unfortunately, it is not clear whether microplate pens will be listed in Annex XVI and will therefore have to carry the CE marking as medical devices. There is currently a transition period until the Medical Device Regulations 2017/745 enter fully into force and discussions are ongoing at the European level. The regulation will be fully implemented in May 2020. We will be watching this unfold, informing you of any updates and of course we advise you to contact us closer to this time. Hopefully by then there is a definitive answer.

Reuse of Pens with Micro Blades and Sterilization in Autoclave

As in many areas of regulation by local authorities, there is often a difference in the interpretation of the law and therefore what local authorities will and will not allow. As this is the case, we have found that different authorities take a different approach as to whether microblade pens can be reused after being autoclaved.

While it is true that some local authorities do not allow reuse of pens and autoclaving processes, others allow it. We suggest that you check with your local licensing authority if you can still use the pens and autoclave them. As local authorities become more aware of this growth area, they may update or introduce new or modified regulations governing this area. Depending on any announcement around the new European regulations, this may also trigger a change in the Council regulation. While local authorities should notify you of any changes, it is always worth checking them from time to time in case, for some reason, you have not been notified. Pre-notice,

Single Use and Pre-Sterilization Tools

The health risks of using unsterilized or poorly sterilized tools are obvious.

Not all tools wrapped in heat shrink film are pre-sterilized and therefore can carry viruses and bacteria collected during the manufacturing and packaging processes. The use of these tools carries a much higher risk of infection of the client after the process without having undergone a complete and complete sterilization process.

The use of single-use pre-sterilized tools, sterilized in the UK, allows technicians to feel confident that the proper procedure has been followed to ensure that the tools can be used straight from the package. They are cheap to buy and require no additional work to prepare for use.

This is an issue that will undoubtedly be on the first line of the minds of local authority officials during inspections and as such the benefit of using pre-sterilized tools during inspections is clear.

Microblading Emporium supplies a range of products, including single-use pre-sterilized tools, for all your micronizing needs.

In summary

We hope this quick review of micro knife pens was helpful. As with all procedures, individuals will need to experiment to find the blades, pens, and / or hand tools that best suit their needs and those of their clients. Mastering the art requires patience and a touch of trial and error. However, you should at least now have a little information about the different equipment available to the microplate artist.