Habiba MedSparse brows, a gap from a scar, hairs that have gone too light? The eyebrow tattoo for men is becoming more and more common. Getting a good result mostly depends on one thing: what you're looking for. Here's how to choose.
Key takeaways
- Men fall into two categories: those who want a defined brow, and those who just want a correction.
- Defined brow: powder brows (microshading).
- Simple correction: hair strokes (microblading), except on oily skin.
- Ask your artist for photos of men done in the style you want.
Can men get their eyebrows tattooed?
Yes, of course, and more and more men are doing it. The most common cases: sparse brows, a gap caused by a scar, hairs that have gone too light, hair loss, alopecia, brows that didn't grow back after an illness or a treatment.
Men fall into two categories
Before choosing a technique, you need to know which category you're in.
Category 1 the defined brow
- You already fill in your brows
- You want a nice, well-defined shape
- Technique: powder brows (microshading)
Category 2 the simple correction
- Alopecia, hair loss, a gap, a scar
- No perfect shape: just a correction
- Technique: hair strokes (microblading)
Category 1: the man who wears makeup
He already fills in his brows every day and wants a structured brow with a nice, well-defined shape, like women usually ask for. The recommended technique is powder brows: they fill in the brow, give a crisp shape and suit every skin type.
Category 2: the man who just wants a correction
He has alopecia, hair loss or a gap in the brow, or his brows didn't grow back after an illness or a treatment. He's not looking for a perfect shape: the goal is just to correct. The recommended technique is hair strokes, which imitate hairs without drawing a shape. The result is more natural and less feminine.
For a natural look (category 2)
- A straighter shape, with no strong arch.
- No crisp outline, no made-up look.
- A color close to your hairs, ideally a little lighter rather than too dark.
Filling in a scar, a gap or a hairless area
It's possible on an old, stable scar. With alopecia, alopecia areata or hair loss, a tattoo can give you a brow back, for restorative purposes. If the condition is still progressing, ask your doctor first.
The session
- Drawing the shape: your artist takes the time to find the one that matches what you want and your face.
- Pain: it shouldn't hurt. At most, a feeling of warmth or sunburn. Real pain or bleeding isn't normal.
- The perfecting touch-up: about 1 month after the session.
Healing and staying discreet at work
The first few days, the brows are darker than the final result: the color softens. Around days 7 to 10, when the scabs fall off, they look very light; the real result comes back 2 to 3 weeks later.
- For 10 days: no water, no cream, no sauna or steam room, no intense workouts (the problem is sweat).
- For 1 month: no sun.
All the details in eyebrow tattoo healing, day by day.
How long does it last?
It fades by 80% after 3 to 4 years on average, until it disappears completely, depending on the skin. Maintenance touch-up: about once a year for oily skin, more like every 2 to 2.5 years for dry skin.
Choosing the right artist
- Ask her for photos of men she has already done, in the style you're looking for: defined brow or simple correction.
- Choose an artist with experience.
All our tips in eyebrow tattoo cost and how to choose your artist.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, it's more and more common.
Yes, if you choose the right technique: hair strokes for a simple correction, powder brows for a defined brow.
It depends on the category: powder brows for the man who wears makeup and wants a nice shape, hair strokes for the man who just wants a correction (except on oily skin).
Yes, if the scar is old and stable.
A well-defined shape for the man who wears makeup, a straight, natural shape for the man who just wants a correction.
No, at most a feeling of warmth or sunburn.
3 to 4 years on average, with a maintenance touch-up every 1 to 2.5 years depending on the skin.
After 10 days, so sweat doesn't get on the scabs.
Written by
Habiba Med
Permanent makeup artist since 2019 and trainer, I share what I see every day in my studio to help you make the right choices.
