PMU Tips(37)--How the long stroke and the short stroke affect skin and pigment implantation

1. How does a long stroke affect skin and pigment implantation?

A 4 mm stroke is very long and usually used for large body tattoos, where the skin is thicker.
This kind of machine is very powerful, implants pigment fast, dense and saturated.

Used on lips, it can speed up the procedure, but it’s more painful.
If the artist lacks experience or the client’s skin is thin or aged, it can even damage the skin.

2. How does a short stroke affect skin and pigment implantation?

A 2 mm stroke means a soft hit, implanting pigment slowly and gently for a velvety, soft-powder effect.

It’s less painful, ideal for:

• Older clients

• Sensitive skin

• Swelling-prone areas like eyeliner and lips

Downside: it takes more time.

Sharp needles like 1RL or 3RL work best with soft hits to avoid skin damage.

But soft hits struggle on thick skin and are generally slower.