The difference between stroke length and needle depth in PMU machines

So what exactly is the difference? When it comes to permanent makeup machines, what exactly is the difference between the stroke length and needle depth?

The specialists at Microbeau, the makers of the Vertix Pico and Vertix Nano needle modules, explain:

Stroke lengths are used for various PMU techniques. Depending on the type of machine, the stroke can vary. The stroke is often confused with needle depth; read below to learn the difference between stroke and needle depth in PMU machines.

Personal preference

First and foremost, the ideal stroke length for you depends on your personal style. Before you can determine which machine and stroke are best for you, we recommend assessing the types of treatments you want to perform and what feels comfortable to you.

Key characteristics of the stroke

Determines the maximum needle depth
Determines how hard the machine impacts the skin during a treatment
Determines how fast the needle moves

Needle Depth vs. Stroke

The needle depth of a machine determines the distance between the needle and the tip of the needle module. The stroke determines how the needle retracts and collects ink. Both the needle depth and the stroke must match in size.

Using

stroke

lengths

Short stroke

When using ashort stroke, you can expect the needle to move more slowly and penetrate the skin more gently than with a longer stroke. This stroke is ideal for blending or soft shading PMU treatments. A stroke of 2.5 mm or less can be considered short. In the PMU industry, this is the most commonly used stroke length.

Medium stroke

The medium stroke length (2.7mm to 3.5mm) is recommended for beginning specialists, as these are the most versatile, safe, and inclusive strokes to use for a variety of treatments and techniques. If you want to perform shading or packing techniques, this is the stroke for you! This stroke length is not recommended for precise, fine-line techniques. With a short stroke, the final result can be slightly neater and tighter than with a medium stroke. However, this does depend on the specialist. Experienced specialists can quickly achieve all desired results using multiple stroke lengths.

Long stroke

A long stroke length (greater than 3.0 mm / 3.5 mm) is often used by more experienced specialists for intense, single-pass lines. These strokes are also highly suitable for gray shading and color packing. Longer strokes feel like a heavy impact on the skin and allow a lot of ink to pass through. Machines with a longer stroke require practice and experience because you use them for "single passes," and if used incorrectly, they can traumatize the skin.