Microblading
The hand-tooled alternative. $500, lasts 12–18 months, best on normal-to-dry skin.
See microblading →
Permanent Makeup · West 3rd Street, LA
Nano Brows in Los Angeles
Nano brows at MUA Salon cost $750 and take about 2.5 hours, including the 6-week perfecting touch-up. Performed by trained PMU artists at our studio at 8336 West 3rd Street in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, nano brows use a digital machine and a single ultra-fine needle to stipple hair-fine pigment strokes that last 18 to 36 months — the precise, longer-lasting machine alternative to microblading.
Overview
What nano brows actually are
Nano brows — sometimes called "machine hairstrokes" — are a permanent makeup technique that uses a digital tattoo machine fitted with a single, ultra-fine needle. The needle stipples pigment into the upper skin layer in tight, hair-thin strokes, mapped to your natural brow growth pattern. The result reads like denser, more defined real hair — not painted-on brow.
At MUA Salon, every nano brow appointment includes a one-on-one consultation, a custom color match, hand-mapped shape design, the procedure itself, and a 6-week perfecting touch-up. We don't freehand without mapping, and we don't start pigment work until you've signed off on the pre-tattoo brow drawing in the mirror.
For category-wide context — pricing, process, and pre-care — start with our full Permanent Makeup page. For services beyond PMU, see the service menu.
Candidacy
Who nano brows are for
Nano is the most universally flattering brow technique we offer at MUA. It's the right call for anyone who wants longer-lasting, more predictable brows than microblading — and the only PMU brow option we recommend for clients with oily, combination, or mature skin.
Best skin type: all skin types, including oily and mature. Because the machine places pigment more precisely than a hand blade, strokes don't blur as the skin produces oil. Nano is also our preferred technique for covering or refreshing old microblading, and for working over small scars.
We do not perform nano brows on: clients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, on blood thinners, recovering from chemotherapy, with active skin conditions in the brow area, with diabetes that's not well controlled, or with a history of keloid scarring. A short health screening is part of every consultation.
Price & duration
- Price
- $750 — includes 6-week perfecting touch-up
- Duration
- ~2.5 hours, single session
- Touch-up
- 30–45 min, 6 weeks after initial
- Healing
- 5–10 days surface · 6 weeks full settle
- Lasts
- 18–36 months before color refresh
- Numbing
- Topical, before and during
- Deposit
- $250 non-refundable
- Best skin type
- All — including oily, combination, and mature
The process
What a nano brows appointment looks like
- Consultation & health screening (10–15 min). We discuss what you want, review the questionnaire, and confirm candidacy.
- Color match (10 min). We test 2–3 pigments against your brow hair and skin tone in natural light.
- Mapping & shape design (20–30 min). We measure facial symmetry and pre-draw the brow shape with a removable pencil. Nothing happens with pigment until you sign off in the mirror.
- Numbing (20 min). Primary topical numbing cream goes on; we let it set fully.
- First pigment pass (45–60 min). Hair strokes are stippled one at a time with the digital machine, following the mapped shape and your natural brow direction.
- Secondary numbing & second pass (30–40 min). Secondary numbing gel is applied; we refine, sharpen, and finish.
- Aftercare (10 min). We clean, photograph, send you home with the aftercare kit, and book the 6-week touch-up.
Plan for roughly 2.5 hours start to finish. Eat before you come, drink water, and skip alcohol and caffeine 24 hours beforehand — both thin the blood and can affect pigment retention.
Healing & aftercare
The 6-week nano brows healing timeline
Days 1–3: defined & sharp
Brows look 20–30% darker than the final result. Minimal weeping. Less initial drama than microblading.
Days 4–7: light flaking
Tiny flakes shed naturally. Don't pick. Skip the gym, sauna, steam, and pool.
Days 8–14: gentle ghost phase
Pigment may appear to lighten by 20–30% — less dramatic than microblading. Most flaking is done; resume makeup around (not on) the brow.
Weeks 2–4: color emerges
True healed color settles in. Begin daily SPF on the brow area. Avoid retinol, glycolic acid, and direct vitamin C in the brow zone.
Week 6: perfecting touch-up
The included touch-up sharpens any soft spots and adjusts color. After the touch-up, the result is "set."
10-day rules
- No water on the brow.
- Sleep on your back, clean pillowcase.
- Apply provided balm twice a day.
- No makeup on the brow.
- No sweat, sauna, sun, or pool.
Longevity
How long nano brows last
Nano brows at MUA Salon last 18 to 36 months before a color refresh is recommended — meaningfully longer than microblading. Because the machine deposits pigment more uniformly and the technique is gentler on skin, results stay crisper for longer.
What slows fade: daily SPF on the brow, no retinol or exfoliating acids directly on the area, gentle cleanser, no chlorinated pools the first 30 days, and showing up for the 6-week perfecting touch-up.
What speeds fade: chronic sun exposure, smoking, sweat-heavy workouts, and active skincare like glycolic acid or strong retinoids applied directly to the brow zone. Oily skin fades faster than dry — but nano still outlasts microblading on every skin type we've seen.
Touch-ups
Touch-ups, refreshes, and what's included
Two follow-up appointments matter for nano brows: the perfecting touch-up at week 6 (included in the $750 price) and the bi-annual color refresh (booked separately as the original work fades).
The 6-week perfecting touch-up is part of the package. It's where we sharpen any strokes that healed soft, add density to areas that lifted more pigment than expected, and lock in the final color. Without the touch-up, the work is technically incomplete — please plan for it.
Color refresh is billed at a reduced rate. Most clients return between months 18 and 30. If you wait beyond 36 months, the refresh may be billed as a fresh nano brow session.
Compare
Nano brows vs. microblading vs. strong brows
Nano brows are one of three brow techniques offered at MUA Salon. Each finishes differently — and the right choice usually depends on skin type and the look you're after.
| Technique | Nano Brows | Microblading | Strong Brows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Digital machine, single needle | Hand tool, fine blade | Digital machine, soft shading |
| Finish | Hair-fine, ultra-natural | Crisp hair strokes | Soft-powder, makeup-look |
| Best skin type | All skin types | Normal to dry | All, especially oily |
| Lasts | 18–36 months | 12–18 months | 2–3 years |
| Price | $750 | $500 | $750 |
Curious about combining brows with lip blush in one session? See the lip blush page or the BLD Signature Trio on the PMU page.
FAQ
Nano brows, asked & answered
How much do nano brows cost at MUA Salon?
Nano brows are $750. The price includes the initial 2.5-hour session and the 6-week perfecting touch-up. A $250 non-refundable deposit secures the appointment.
How long do nano brows last?
18 to 36 months before a color refresh is recommended — longer than microblading. SPF, gentle skincare, and skipping retinol on the brow extend longevity.
What's the difference between nano brows and microblading?
Nano uses a single-needle digital machine to stipple ultra-fine pigment dots. Microblading is hand-tooled with a fine blade. Nano lasts longer, heals more predictably, and works on a wider range of skin types — including oily and mature.
Are nano brows good for oily skin?
Yes — nano is our preferred technique for oily, combination, and mature skin. The machine deposits pigment more precisely than a hand blade, so strokes don't blur as the skin produces oil.
Do nano brows hurt?
Most clients describe it as a 2–3 out of 10 — slightly more comfortable than microblading. Topical numbing is applied before and during. We pause anytime you want a break.
How long is the appointment?
About 2.5 hours, including consultation, mapping, color match, and the procedure itself. Plan for an additional 30–45 minutes for the included 6-week touch-up.
How does nano brows healing work?
Healing is gentler than microblading: less scabbing, less peeling, shorter ghost phase. Surface heal 5–10 days; full pigment settles by week 6. Avoid sweat, sun, makeup, and water on the area for 10 days.
Can nano brows cover up old microblading?
Often, yes. Nano is our preferred technique for refreshing or covering faded microblading and small scars. Send photos before booking — heavy-saturated old work may need saline lightening first.
Is the touch-up included?
Yes. The 6-week perfecting touch-up is included in the $750 price. Color-boost touch-ups beyond that are billed separately at a reduced rate.
How do I book?
Call (323) 775-3637 or email hello@muasalon.com. A $250 non-refundable deposit secures the appointment. See the general FAQ for booking and cancellation specifics.
Related
Pair nano brows with
Lip blush
Soft, kissed-from-within lip tint. $750, 2.5 hours, lasts 2–5 years.
See lip blush →Bridal styling
Brows healed by the wedding date. Time nano brows 8+ weeks before the day-of.
Bridal planning →Ready to map your shape?
Free 20-minute phone consultation before you book.