Intro to Permanent Makeup by Danielle Burke

Nearly every woman knows the importance of great eyebrows. We've seen all of the trends over the decades- thick, thin, arched, curved, over-plucked. I think we can all agree on one thing, great brows will never go out of style. 

Chances are you've heard about permanent makeup and cosmetic tattooing. It's gone mainstream but brows are just the beginning! Cosmetic tattoo artists have mastered the techniques of lips, eyes, brows, and more. 

But first, what is permanent makeup? 

Permanent makeup is a process that deposits pigment into the upper layer of skin (tattoo) to enhance the color, shape, and size of the facial features. Permanent makeup can be done on more than just the eyes, brows, and lips. There is also scalp micropigmentation, for hair loss, alopecia, aging, or medical issues. Scar camouflage, a tattoo of the skin using flesh-colored pigment to mask the scar, stretch marks, or acne scars. Areola tattooing is done after a mastectomy to restore the nipples. 

If filling in your brows, lining your lashes, or adding color to your lips is a crucial part of your routine, you may want to consider permanent makeup. The most popular reason for permanent makeup is how natural it can be. It can also be time-saving for those who lead a busy life, even eliminating applying makeup in their daily routine. Many women choose to have permanent makeup if they have unsteady hands, poor eyesight, have sensitivity, or difficulty applying their makeup. 

The permanent makeup industry is growing fast. Now more than ever it is important to find the artist that is right for you. When choosing an artist there are many things to consider. You should pay attention to the overall studio cleanliness, as well as the artist's training and experience.  

So how long does it last? 

The duration is influenced by the individual and many other factors. The pigments are designed to fade over time. Skin types and skin tones are a factor in how the pigment fades. The sun, skin serums, skin treatments, and other outside influences cause fading. Exactly when to have your permanent makeup touched up is a personal preference. On average, you can expect to return to your artist after 18 months to three years. 

Follow Danielle @danielle_burke_pmu and see work by MEI-CHA artists @meicha_official!