Needle types
The outcome and length of treatment is dependant on the tools used during the process. The needles come in various shapes and sizes.
Needles are defined by-
- Diameter/size#
- Taper
- Number of needles
- Configuration
Diameter
Diameter is the width of the needle at its thickest point
There are 4 common diameters:
- #6 (0.20mm)
- #8 (0.25mm)
- #10 (0.30mm)
- #12 (0.35mm)
#10 is the most common for lining and #12 is the most common general needle. These could be referred to as single point or round.
Taper
Taper refers to the length of the needle tip. It is important to ensure you have considered the taper length. The taper is the length of the point. It can range from 1.5mm to 7mm.
The number of needles
Needles can be made of many small needles that are configured in a certain way.
The count is the amount of needles joint together to make a cluster tip. This is any shape or style needle that has more than one tip.
Needle configuration
Needles can be configured to form round or flat styles
These are the most popular needle configuration:
| Needle configuration | Suitable use | |
| 1 Micro |  |
Eyeliner, Lip liner, Hair strokes |
| 1 Liner |  |
Eyeliner, Lip liner, Hair strokes |
| 3 Micro |  |
Eyeliner, Lip liner, Shading Lips/Brows |
| 3 Liner |  |
Eyeliner, Lip liner, Shading Lips/Brows |
| 3 Sloped |  |
Eyeliner, Lip liner, Hair strokes, Shading Lips/Brows |
| 4 Flat |  |
Eyeliner, Lip liner, Hair strokes, Shading Lips/Brows |
| 5 Shader |  |
Eyeliner, Lip liner, Shading Lips/Brows |
| 5 Sloped |  |
Eyeliner, Lip liner, Hair strokes, Shading Lips/Brows |
| 7 Round |  |
Shading, Block Colour – Lips & Brows |
| 9 Magnum |  |
Shading, Block Colour – Lips & Brows |
A 5FS would be a flat (F) Shading (S) needle which has 5 tips. Flat needles are used for blending and shading.
A magnum is similar to a flat but has two rows of needles for light shading and use between 7 and 11 needles. These are more commonly used for hairlines. Some magnum needles come curved also known as sloped.
