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Permanent Makeup

No more touchups

There are many reasons women today consider permanent makeup - some are allergic to cosmetics, some like the time they save by not putting on makeup every morning, and others are physically active and enjoy not sweating off their makeup every time they swim, hike, or work out. Permanent makeup is also used to produce artificial eyebrows, particularly for people who have lost theirs due to chemotherapy, genetic disturbances or vitiligo. Some also use permanent makeup to cover unsightly scars.

Permanent eye makeup, lip color and beauty marks are becoming more and more popular within the cosmetics industry, and are often offered right at your local day spa. How does it work? After applying a topical anesthetic, a technician inserts specially formulated color pigments into the dermal layer of the skin (tattooing). A touch-up visit is usually scheduled for several weeks later to adjust color and shape.

Take a look at a few options in permanent makeup:

Permanent Eye Makeup

  • Many colors are available.
  • Great for swimming and working out.
  • Never smears.
  • You should not wear contact lenses during or immediately following the procedure.

Permanent Eyebrows

  • Frame your eyes and face to make you appear younger.
  • Create the illusion of eyebrows when there are none.
  • Fill in already existing eyebrows that are too thin.
  • Any tweezing or waxing should be done at least 5 days prior to the procedure.

Permanent Lip Color

  • Reshapes uneven lips.
  • Makes lips appear fuller.
  • Minimizes the appearance of wrinkles.

Before committing to permanent makeup, you should look at all the facts and make sure you don't have any questions about the procedures. Request a consultation with your technician before your appointment, so you can talk about color and shape and learn about the precautions you must take before the appointment. Refrain from using aspirin or alcohol before your procedure.

The technician should also inform you of several facts regarding your post-procedure care:

  • There may be some swelling of the area.
  • There might be light bruising of the area.
  • Lips tend to be very dry for the first few days.
  • Avoid the use of soaps or makeup removers on the area for at least a week.
  • Avoid applying make up to the area for at least a week.
  • Avoid tanning beds for a few days after the procedure.

The skill of your technician plays a big part in how happy you will be with your permanent makeup. Try to find someone with at least five years of experience, and make sure that he or she has had proper training. As with any tattoo, permanent makeup can be very difficult to remove. Surgical removal and laser resurfacing are often used in the removal of permanent makeup, but the procedure is painful and is often less than successful.

Another option to consider is semi permanent makeup, which is growing in popularity. In theory, it stays on until you decide to take it off. Semi permanent makeup usually comes in the form of lip color / liner.

If you are a technician interesting in learning the art of permanent makeup, there are many training options for you, even at your local beauty school. Once you are trained, permanent makeup supplies can be found at a variety of places, including online or at your local beauty supply shop.

By Jennifer Brister

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A good reason for permanent make up is to hide where your skin has lost it's pigmentation, as my daughter did in a few spots on her chest. After going to a cosmetic surgeon he suggested it. As he also informed us there was nothing he could do surgically. It's worked out beautifully.
Posted on 1/27/2009 3:41:00 AM by Anonymous
Now why would anyone seriously want to get permanent make up?? It may be ok for some people depending on what you want to get done. As you get older you get wrinkles and your face seems to drop, eye brows and all. Just think hard and if its really something you truely would like to do.. Good luck with that : ) Id rather people put their energy into something more important then make up.
Posted on 6/23/2008 12:28:00 AM by Anonymous