Permanent Makeup 101

Now ladies, wouldn’t you love if you never had to put on makeup? How about if you could just wake up, get dressed and be able to run out the door? What about never having to worry about your mascara smearing down your face and making you look like a clown at the swimming pool? What if you could look refreshed and accentuate the beautiful woman you are, 24/7/365. Well, you can with permanent makeup!

What is Permanent Makeup?

In a nutshell, permanent makeup is cosmetic tattooing of the face. By using pigments and dyes, the permanent makeup process puts the color into the upper reticular layer of the dermis. There are various techniques used to apply the product, and each has their own benefits. Devices range from using the traditional tattoo machines, a pen or rotary machine, and the non-machine or hand device.

How Long are Procedures and How Often Do I Need a Touch-Up?

Depending on the type of tattooing method and the area, permanent makeup procedures take around 2 to 2 ½ hours for the first procedure. During the initial procedure, you will fill out paperwork, take photographs, and discuss what you want done and how to care for your makeup afterwards. After the first procedure, your cosmetic tattoo will not look perfect and you will usually need a touch-up to be scheduled approximately six weeks out.

What are 3 Pros and 3 Cons of Permanent Makeup?

PRO: Well, it is permanent! You will no longer need to worry about putting on eyeliner, eyebrows, or lip liner. You will look beautiful at all hours of the day weather it is at 3 a.m. after you and your girls danced the night away, at the pool with perfect makeup while everyone else has raccoon eyes, or at home after the shower.

PRO: You do not have to add your eyeliner, lip liner, or eyebrows everyday! Your makeup will already be done, so that will cut your morning routine nearly in half.

PRO: Permanent makeup is extremely beneficial for people who have skin sensitivities to traditional makeup, have vision problems, or dexterity related problems.

CON: You cannot swim, hot tub, or put eyeliner on during the first six to eight weeks because your tattoo is healing. You will also need to protect your beautifully tattooed cosmetics with sunscreen to protect from fading.

CON: It is permanent. Think carefully about what you want done and how you want it done. While eyebrows and eyeliner will never be out of style, make sure to think down the road and be sure that you will still like what you chose.

CON: Permanent makeup can be uncomfortable during the procedure, you may be allergic to the product, and it can be costly. Depending on the person’s pain threshold, there may be discomfort during the procedure. There are steps the technician can take in order to ease some pain. Some people, who are allergic to metal, tend to have a reaction from receiving permanent makeup. There are different dyes that will not cause a reaction. Permanent makeup averages between $150-$600 depending on the location and amount of work. All of these factors have alternatives so that you can still get the procedure done! If your technician does not have alternatives then I would suggest going to a different professional.

If you are considering the idea of permanent makeup, consult an experienced professional. This is your face we are talking about; you do not want someone who is inexperienced performing these procedures. Ask around to others who have had the procedure done before and get their honest opinion. Be sure to speak up, fully understand the process, and do not feel bad going to someone else if you do not feel comfortable or in good hands during your consultation!

By Talia DiFulvio