7. Hand movement
Importance of hand movement
The Role of Hand Movement Consistency in Pixel Roundness Achieving the perfect roundness of a pixel involves mastering the relationship between the consistency of your hand movement and the speed of the machine. The key is understanding how fast or slow you can move your hand with a steady, light grip. Once you figure that out, you can select the appropriate machine speed to match your hand movement. For instance, if your ideal hand movement is fast, you should adjust the machine speed and the voltage from the power unit to match that pace. Conversely, if your hand movement is slower and more deliberate, the machine's speed and voltage should be adjusted downward to align with that tempo.
Amplitude in Hand Movement
When discussing hand movement, amplitude is another crucial factor influencing pigment implantation and pixel shape. The amplitude refers to the distance your hand moves back and forth during each stroke, whether using the Whip or Pendulum movement techniques.
The proper amplitude is essential for achieving optimal distance between pixels and ensuring that the pixels are as round as possible. If your amplitude is small and your hand movement distance is short, there's a higher risk of the pixels merging into a line or forming oval shapes. On the other hand, a more extensive amplitude results in a greater distance between pixels.
However, achieving the "roundness" of perfect pixels also depends on the correct machine speed. If the machine moves too slowly, the result may be imperfect shapes, such as "comma-shaped" or "oval" pixels. Therefore, it's crucial to align the amplitude of your hand movement with the correct speed of the machine for optimal results.
Hand Movement Direction
When discussing hand movement direction, it's imperative for artists to maintain visibility of the needle making contact with the skin. This visibility ensures precision and safety during the pigmentation process. The specific hand positioning over the client's head may differ based on whether the artist is left or right-handed. However, the skin must be stretched taut in three directions, and the most secure movements are those executed toward the artist using a whip-like motion. It is crucial to understand that longer and faster hand movements require a higher degree of skill to create an impeccably pixelated area.
Movement Direction vs. Sections of the Brow
Experienced artists typically commence filling in the brows from the tail section using shorter whip movements to saturate the area thoroughly. This section is often intended to be the darkest and does not usually require pixelation. Movements progress toward the front of the brow, with the lower half of the brow typically worked on with motions directed toward the brow head. As the artist approaches the upper arch, the direction shifts to a more diagonal upward tilt. While individual artists may vary in hand movement length, many prefer pendulum motions for efficiency. However, if the goal is to achieve perfect pixels, such movements may be suboptimal.
Pixelating upper part of the brow
When working on the upper half of the brow, mainly when aiming for a soft pixelated look, it's necessary to employ movements from various angles to achieve a natural gradient. Any bleeding or weeping of lymph mixed with proteins should prompt immediate area cleansing. If bleeding persists, it is advisable to move on to another section and return only once the skin has settled and the bleeding has ceased. Ideally, there should be minimal to no bleeding during the pixelation process, ensuring a clean workspace and allowing for the precise placement of pigment.