Permanent makeup is not permanent. The pigment is made out of iron oxide, it lasts between 1 to 10 years, depending on the color that you choose, lighter colors fade faster. Permanent makeup will fade with time. Sun and some acids that you use on your face such as Retin-A or AHA's will speed up that process. Permanent makeup is a tattoo. There are two methods that I use, either use a rotary pen machine, or a manual hand tool method. I do not use a traditional tattoo machine. Allergic reactions to permanent makeup and tattooing are very rare. Tattoos have been preformed for thousands of years and there are only a small number of reports of reactions in medical literature.
Permanent eyebrows:
Eyebrows are my most popular request. I did not realize how many women pencil in their brows every day. I have received many cards form my clients thanking me for giving them freedom. Whether you need a whole brow drawn on or just some "filling" in for empty spots, your face gets an instant lift with perfectly arched brows! The healing process is about a week. After your procedure you must keep your brows moist with Vaseline. At first your brows will be darker than your desired color. After a week the top layer of your brows will "peel" leaving the desired color. You can apply a little makeup during this healing time to lighten them up.
Permanent eyeliner:
Permanent eyeliner is a wonderful way to make your eyes stand out. It does not look heavy, it is a perfect outline done in your lash line making it look like a thicker lash base. Another name for this procedure is eyelash enhancement. Many colors are available: black, brown, charcoal, blue and green. The procedure takes about an hour and a half. The first thirty minutes will be numbing, I apply a topical anesthetic to make it comfortable. Most people describe it as irritating, not painful. I use a hand tool for this procedure, the vibration of the machine on the eye is too annoying, plus it gives me better control around the eye. There is some swelling after the procedure. It looks like you've cried, and typically goes away within 24 hours.
Permanent Makeup Facts:
Tattooing is an ancient art as most people are aware. Scientists have evidence proving the existence of tattoos as early as 3000 B.C. This evidence has shown the existence of tattoos in almost every civilization throughout history. Body art and cosmetic decoration of the face has been known to exist in cultures such as the Egyptians, Incas, Mayans, Aztecs, Greeks, Romans, and Asians. Micro-pigmentation (permanent makeup, permanent cosmetics) as we know it today is a form of tattooing.
The medical use of tattooing can be traced back to the early 1800s when physicians first began using it for camouflage of various skin deformities. Medical articles have been written on micro-pigmentation since the early 1900s. This information has aided in documenting the long term safety of pigment implanted in the skin.
Permanent Cosmetics, as we know it today, has been performed for approximately 20 years although it has gained more widespread popularity in this country over the past 10 years. It has evolved into a refined art and technical skill requiring in-depth knowledge and training. The most important factor in a successful permanent makeup procedure is the skill of the permanent makeup artist.
There are several methods (such as coil machine, rotary pen, digital pen, hand tool) and techniques (such as lining, shading, hair stroke, dotting) that are used to implant pigment into the skin for permanent makeup. The technique and method used are at the discretion of the practitioner. They are all forms of tattooing regardless of what is used. The most advanced technicians are skilled in all methods and techniques.
Advances in topical anesthetics have made the permanent makeup procedure virtually painless. Safety is a primary concern with strict adherence to Department of Health Rules and Regulations regarding sterilization and disposable needles.
The pigments used for micro-pigmentation are high quality inorganic and organic colorants. While they have a long safety record and allergic reactions are very rare (less than .001%) there is no reliable test that a practitioner can give to determine the occurrence of an allergic reaction. The history of tattooing has shown the great majority of tattoos and permanent makeup procedures to be safe and free of adverse events.
Because permanent makeup is a relatively new field in the United States, you must choose your Permanent Makeup practitioner carefully. Do not make your choice based on price. What is most important is the reputation, experience, skill, knowledge, credentials and training of the permanent makeup artist. Permanent Makeup is a specialized practice requiring an astute eye for detail, fine motor skill and manual dexterity, and the art of facial symmetry, balance and color.
