Permanent cosmetics are tattoos that have been
developed for the sensitive skin on a person’s face or breasts.
A small amount of colored pigment is injected under the surface
of the skin using a pen-like needle or a traditional tattoo gun (http://tattoos.lovetoknow.com/Tattoo_Guns).
The ink then becomes a permanent feature, enhancing or replacing
the patient’s original pigment. In some cases, additional
procedures may be needed to reach the desired look.
Currently, these procedures are being used to
enhance, replace, or create:
Eyeliner
Lipliner
Eyebrows
Beauty marks
All-over lip color
Restoring areolas
Scar cover-up
Enhancing Your Natural Features
The day-in and day-out repetition of applying
makeup can get dull and uninspiring, especially if you find
yourself always redoing the same problem areas, like adding dark
eyeliner to sparce lashes or using lipstick and liners to
conceal thin, colorless lips. Permanent cosmetics can be a huge
time saver for busy people who do not want the hassle of a daily
makeup routine or who are too busy for afternoon touch-ups. Both
men and women have been using these techniques as a way to
enhance the natural features they currently improve using
traditional cosmetics like lipstick and eyebrow pencils.
Restoring Skin After a Medical Condition
For many people, permanent cosmetics can
replace the loss of natural pigments or facial hair that may
occur during a medical condition such as alopecia or as a side
effect to treatments like chemotherapy. Permanent makeup can
also make wearing cosmetics easier for people with
motor-impairments like arthritis or Parkinson’s disease who may
lack the coordination to put on their own makeup.
Choosing a Professional
Once you’ve made the decision to have some
work done, it’s important to choose a professional with a solid
reputation and experience who can deliver the results you
expect. Not all states require licensing, so you may need to do
some homework to find a safe technician.
Before making an appointment for a procedure,
ask to have a consultation with your potential provider. During
your meeting, you should talk about your plans for permanent
cosmetics and find out more about the technician.
Throughout your interview, be sure to ask
about the provider’s:
Training.
Although you’ll need to decide for yourself how much training
you feel comfortable with, the provider should have some
formal education specifically in the procedure you want. Some
organizations, like the Society of Permanent Cosmetic
Professionals, offer membership only to qualified individuals
who pass a test and review of their work.
Experience.
Everyone needs to start somewhere, but you probably don’t want
to be the test subject for a first-timer. Find out how long,
and how often, the technician has been performing your
procedure.
References.
Before going under the needle, talk to other professionals or
clients of the technician.
Portfolio. The
best judge of the technician’s ability can probably be found
in the before and after photos of their portfolio. You should
look specifically at the photos from the same procedure you’re
going to have. Look for work that appears natural and
flawless.
Sterilization Policy.
As with any medical procedure, your provider needs to provide
a sterile environment. Talk to the technician about their
equipment and what type of sterilization process they use.
It’s important that they wear gloves during the procedure and
use new needles for each patient. The entire office area
should convey cleanliness and appear to be well-kept as an
indicator for the overall practice.
Safety Issues of Permanent
Cosmetics
All medical procedures carry at least a small
amount of risk, but with proper use of tools and safety
guidelines, permanent cosmetics are a relatively safe practice.
The most common problem associated with
permanent makeup is infection. This can often be avoided by
having your skin tested for an allergic reaction prior to having
the procedure.
Serious, but rare, side effects also include
blisters and cracking skin. In some cases, scars may form over
the area.
Financial Costs
Financial figures vary widely among
practitioners, but the average procedure costs about $500. The
initial consultation and touch-up work may cost extra, so make
sure you get a full estimate before committing to the process
