What Is Permanent Cosmetic Makeup?

• Permanent eye makeup, such as an eyeliner effect, is commonly used for cosmetic purposes
• The clogged pores that often come with daily applications of liquid and powder makeup can be avoided with permanent makeup
• Specialized technicians perform these micropigmentation procedures
• Essentially, permanent makeup is tattoo makeup and thus incurs the same risks as tattooing

Have you ever woken up in the morning and wished you didn’t have to spend so much time applying makeup? Did you ever have one of those days when your makeup looked awful and you wished you could afford to have a professional apply it for you every morning for the rest of your life? Millions of people have had these or similar thoughts and that explains why some are seeking out a procedure known as permanent makeup.

Permanent Makeup Explained

Basically, permanent makeup (also called micropigmentation) is a form of tattooing. However, instead of having a big heart or dragon on your arm, you’re having ink injected into parts of your face so it looks like traditional makeup. For example, you can have eyeliner, lipstick, or even beauty marks permanently etched into your dermis.

The ink remains in the skin forever but will fade over time so most people need periodic touch-ups to keep the make-up looking fresh and vibrant.

Why Choose Permanent Makeup

There are a number of reasons why people might choose this option. Some have a medical basis. For example, after breast reconstruction surgery, women sometimes have areola repigmentation done so their breasts have a more natural appearance. This procedure is a form of permanent makeup. The procedure can also be done to hide scars and to replace eyebrows lost through injury.

A growing number of people are seeking out permanent makeup for purely cosmetic and convenience purposes. They can look as if they are always wearing makeup but don’t have to deal with the hassles of application, clogged pores, or other problems.

Who Performs the Procedure?

Generally, you would not go to a tattooist for permanent makeup, although some are experienced in performing the technique. Instead, you want to look for a technician who specializes in permanent cosmetics. For some procedures, such as lipstick and lip liner, you’ll want to work with someone with a great deal of experience because these areas can be difficult to do.

Make sure you look at the technician’s portfolio of past work before making a choice. Remember this is a permanent decision and the ink is going to be on your face. If something goes wrong, there’s not a lot that can be done to correct the problem.

What are the Risks Involved?

The risks associated with permanent makeup are similar to those for other types of tattoos. At a purely aesthetic level is the risk that you won’t be happy with the results. Making a careful decision about what you want and choosing an experienced technician are keys to ensuring that will not happen.

One of the main risks, however, is of infection. The majority of cities do regulate facilities that perform any type of tattooing to ensure that safe, sterile practices are being used at all times but you have to be vigilant as well. Never use a technician or a facility that does not use fresh needles for each customer, that does not require technicians to wear plastic gloves, or that does not open fresh ink for each new project. When these procedures are not followed, you run the risk of contracting hepatitis or HIV/AIDS.

Normally, however, permanent makeup – like getting a tattoo – is safe.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.