Permanent makeup is a cosmetic technique which employs tattoos as a means of producing designs that resemble makeup, such as eyelining and other permanent enhancing colors to the skin of the face, lips, and eyelids and to disguise scars and white spots in the skin such as in vitiligo.

Permanent makeup is also used to restore or enhance the breast's areola, such as after breast surgery.

Permanent makeup results in enhanced features of the face—definition is rendered to eyebrows, eyes and lips by the use of colors.

Results can imitate topically applied cosmetics or can be quite unnoticeable, depending upon the design, color value and amount of pigment used.

Permanent makeup, also known as micropigmentation or cosmetic tattooing, dates back to the early 1980s, when it was developed to address alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss (including eyebrows).

Since then, the field has expanded to include burn victims and cancer survivors, patients with arthritis and Parkinson’s disease who have difficulty putting on makeup and people who would simply rather limit the amount of time spent in front of a mirror.

Pre-procedure Instructions

When scheduling an appointment date for a permanent makeup procedure, keep in mind the healing time of the procedure.

You will need a few days afterward without social plans or strenuous activity.

You will not look your best (swelling, oozing, and looks like wet paint).

Plan a shopping trip ahead of time for items you will need: ointments, straws, napkins for blotting, Q-tips, OTC pain reliever or prescriptions.

Exclude chores that will get dirt/ bacteria on the healing area.

Do not have a permanent makeup procedure right before going on vacation because

1) you need healing time – you will not look like you had a makeover at the mall,

2) you may not be able to avoid sun, wind, or other items listed in post-care instructions,

3) if you had a question or permanent makeup problem it would be best to be near your permanent makeup artist and local physician.

Do not wear your good clothes for the procedure because pigment might splatter on them.

Pigment washes out of most clothes, but not your favorite ones.

Wear something comfortable.

Permanent eyebrow procedures do not need sedation.

The brow area numbs easily and the procedure doesn't take long.

Permanent eyeliner procedures benefit most from relaxation because some people cannot control the squeeze and flinch protective reflexes for the eyes and might cause an error or injury.

Permanent eyeliner and lip procedures take longer (if you want enough pigment in there to last) and the sedation also helps keep you comfortable lying still in one spot.

Most states do not restrict permanent makeup procedures to doctors offices, so may not have the benefit of prescription strength numbing meds and sedation.

Alternative herbal products being used include Valerian, Kava, Hops, Melatonin, St John’s Wort, Passion Flower Chamomile, Willow Bark, and Theanine.

Antihistamines like Benedryl taken before the permanent makeup procedure may reduce swelling and help you relax.

Benedryl also helps eyes not be so watery during eyeliner procedures.

Watery eyes can dilute the pigment that is being implanted.

Permanent eyebrow swelling is mild and barely noticeable.

Permanent eyeliner swelling is moderate.

Permanent lip color swelling is severe.

Arnica Montana and Bromelain may reduce swelling.

It is rare to have a healing problem with permanent makeup eyebrows or eyeliner.

If there is going to be a permanent makeup problem, it will be with the lips.

Two unpleasant lip complications are Candida infections and hyper-pigmentation.

Immediate results

At first, permanent makeup results may look darker.

This is due to color remaining in the outermost epidermal layers of skin at the start.

Color softens within a few days during the healing process as the upper layers of epidermis slough and are replaced by new epidermal cells.

Long term results

The best possible color results can perform for many years or may begin to fade over time.

How much time is individual per person.

While permanent makeup pigment remains in the dermis its beauty-span may be influenced by several possible factors.

These can be environmental, procedural and/or individual factors.

Sun exposure fades color.

The amount and color of pigment deposit at the dermal level can affect the length of time that permanent makeup looks its best.

Very natural looking applications of permanent makeup are likely to require a touch-up before more dramatic ones for this reason.

Individual influences include lifestyles that find an individual in the sun regularly such as with gardening or swimming.

Skin tones are a factor in color value changes over time.

For EYELINER

Do not wear contact lens during the procedure or for 24 hrs after.

Bring sunglasses to wear home. Eyes may be light sensitive.

Do not dye or perm lashes for 2 days prior.

Do not use eyelash curler the day of the procedure.

If you have had any type of eye surgery, consult with the physician about how long you should wait before having a permanent makeup eyeliner procedure.

Most physicians are giving a 2 month ok after cataract, lasik, and blepharoplasty.

For EYEBROWS

Do not tweeze, wax, or dye brows for 2 days prior permanent makeup procedure

Electrolysis should not be done for a week prior.

For LIPS

If you get cold sores you will need an antiviral prescription.

Physician usually instructs to begin taking it 3 days before procedure, for a 7-10 day course.

If you have had any type of lip surgery, consult with the physician about how long you should wait before having a permanent makeup procedure on the lips.

Most physicians are giving a 3 week ok after lip filler injections like collagen or Restylane.

Permanent makeup artists have noticed poor color retention in lips that have received collagen injections within the previous 6 months, longer for restylane.

There has even been a little pigment migration along lip edges with Restylane.

It may be best not to have lip filler injections and permanent lip color within the same year.

If the lip surgery involves an incision (like a lip implant), the incision needs to mature about 6 months before tattooing on top of it.

Oral prosthesis dentures/ partials/ braces and tongue piercing bars may increase risk of getting bacterial and/or fungal infection from the mouth to the lips.

Frequent or recent sinus infection puts lips at risk of infection.

Denture wearers generally carry a higher candida/ yeast count.

Cutaneous candidiasis/ candidosis is more common in older women (angular stomatitis - perlèche, angular cheilitis).

Recent antiobiotic therapy can be responsible for a high candida count.

Steroid medications and antacid drugs can allow candida to overpopulate.

Smokers tend to have a high count also.

Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

The bacteria-yeast balance in the mouth can get out of whack, and the oral saliva will get in the holes made by tattooing lips.

Lips can get infected easily.

Bacterial infections clear up more quickly than Candida Albicans infections.

It is possible to have a co-infection when both bacteria and fungus are involved.

It is possible to get a candida infection right after clearing up a bacterial infection.