Permanent Makeup

What is Permanent Makeup?

Permanent makeup is the art and application of custom colour blended pigments inserted into the dermal layer of skin to create a tri-dimensional eyebrow, soft subtle eyeliner or a sparking lip colour.

What is Paramedical Permanent Makeup?

Paramedical Permanent Makeup is a term that we use when we are performing procedures such as Areola Repigmentation for cancer survivors after surgery, Scar Relaxation for burn survivors to release the fibrous bands of scar tissue giving the client maneuverability to the affected area, Melanocyte Restoration which restores the melanin to hypo-pigmented tissue making the affected area blend with the natural skin tones, Skin Needling to plump up wrinkles, acne scars, any indented area and stretch marks, or Corrective Pigment Camouflage where custom blended skin tone pigments are inserted into scars to camouflage them. All of these procedures will produce a more aesthetically pleasing appearance for the client.

Is Permanent Makeup Safe?

Yes, it is totally safe if:

1. You have a technician that is licensed and well educated (certified)
2. The technician is licensed by the Health Department (if applicable)
3. The technician has a business license
4. The technician is current with their Blood Borne Pathogen (BBP) education which in most states is required to be taken yearly.
5. The technician follows all of OSHA and CDC guidelines for cross contamination
6. The technician uses only single, sterile, one time use needles and machine parts as well as all products and they are properly disposed of after your procedure.
7. The technician uses products that are made in the USA and have been used by professionals for years with no complications.

Does it look natural?

If the permanent makeup is applied by a licensed, well-educated technician who knows how to design your makeup and uses the correct pigment colours the results should appear very natural.

How long does Permanent Makeup last?

If the Permanent Makeup is applied correctly (inserted into the dermal layer of skin), the pigments used are of high quality and the client follows their aftercare exactly as prescribed by their technician, the procedure will last a long time. Mitigating circumstances however will dictate how long the procedure application will last. Influences such as your general health, chlorine, sun, tanning beds, medications, skin care products containing exfoliating agents, the use of a total sun block on the procedure area, and smoking can affect the longevity of the pigment colour.

What is involved in the process of Permanent Makeup?

Your technician will schedule an initial consultation with you. During this consultation, you will look at photos of healed eyeliners, eyebrows and lip colour procedures. You will discuss the procedure you are interested in, sign Consent and Release Forms, a Medical History Form, discuss your Pre and Post Care Instructions, fill out a personality test and discuss any contraindications to your having a permanent makeup procedure.

If you are having an eyebrow procedure you will also need to schedule an ‘Eyebrow Design’ appointment. During this appointment you and your technician will discuss shape, colour, if you would like individual eyebrow hair strokes or a powder brow and if needed, wax, tweeze or thread your brows into a beautiful shape. You will now be ready for your procedure application appointment.

On your procedure day, your technician along with your guidance will draw on your eyebrows or lip liner. You will both critique the procedure to double check for symmetry. The technician will follow the exact lines you both have drawn on so you will see exactly how the procedure will look when the application is completed. For an eyeliner procedure your technician will follow your lash line so you do not need to draw the lines on. Approximately 4-8 weeks later a colour refresher appointment will be scheduled. During this appointment the technician will fine tune the design shape and if necessary add more colour.

How long does the procedure take?

Plan to schedule at least 1 to 2 hours for your procedure. Procedures may take longer depending on the condition and hydration of your skin, your pain threshold, your anxiety level and if you are on any medication or homeopathics that would make you bleed. Anesthesia will be placed on the procedure area for approximately 15-20 minutes. The procedure area will be drawn on and the implantation of pigment should take approximately 30-45 minutes.

Your colour refresher appointment will be quicker as the technician only needs to work on the areas that need to be fine tuned.

Are the procedures painful?

Pain is relative. We use the most effective topical anesthesia’s available. We use a pre-anesthesia, a drop of liquid Numit in our pigment and once the skin is open, we use ‘Magic’ anesthesia. Using these 3 anesthesia’s together most people are very comfortable during the procedure application.

If you are anxious or tense when you are having any type of procedure you will feel more discomfort. In this instance we suggest contacting your health care provider for an anti-anxiety medication. If you take any medication you should not drive to or from the procedure. Have someone drive you. There are also several homeopathic remedies that will calm you.

We use essential oils as well to make the procedure more tolerable.

There are several things to consider prior to your procedure, no caffeine, no alcohol, do not schedule your appointment around your menstrual cycle as all of these make you more sensitive.

If you have had a traditional artistic tattoo or have piercings you will find that permanent makeup is easier to tolerate than these procedure.

Some say tweezing their eyebrows is more painful that have permanent makeup.

Are there any contraindications for Permanent Makeup?

Yes, if you are under a physician’s care we want you to obtain a release written on their prescription note pad stating that it is safe for you to have a procedure performed. Your health care provider will know if you will heal without any complications. if you are prone to infections or have a compromised immune system.

Contraindications include but are not limited to: Blood thinners, heart medications, aspirin or products containing aspirin, medications for any disease like diabetes, lupus or any autoimmune disease. Also any vitamins or supplements that thin the blood would need to be stopped prior to your procedure but only with the consent of your health care provider.

Why do some people take a Benadryl or antihistamine prior to their procedure?

Any type of antihistamine will slow down the release of histamine in the procedure area. This serves a three-fold purpose:

1. 1. The antihistamine will dry up your tears making your eyeliner procedure easier for the technician.
2. 2 The antihistamine will lessen the swelling effect on the procedure area making the insertion of pigment easier for the technician.
3. 3. The antihistamine helps many people to relax and fall asleep during the procedure.

Always consult with your health care provider before taking any medication. If you take any medication do not drive to or from your procedure. Have someone drive you and pick you up.

What will I look like after my procedure?

Depending on how many times we had to go over an area to implant the pigment, your skin may show very little signs of trauma or may be swollen and red. If you have taken an antihistamine, your swelling will be less than if you have not taken any medication. You may notice swelling for 24-48 hours. You can ice the area for 10 minutes and then follow with heat for 10 minutes several times a day. This will bring the swelling down faster.

The area will appear darker at first because of the blood and lymph that has been brought to the surface during the permanent makeup application. The procedure area tissue will crust a bit and this tissue will slough off usually within 5-7 days leaving you with a softer colour. The healing process depends on how healthy you are and how hydrated your skin is. The younger you are the faster you will heal and if you are older your skin will take longer to regenerate. All of this is explained in your paperwork at your consultation. This will be repeated at your colour refresher appointment.

Do not have your permanent makeup applied prior to attending functions that you must look your best. Have your makeup applied at least 8 weeks prior to your function or wait until after your function is over.

What is the average fee for Permanent Makeup?

The average fee for a lip, eyebrow or eyeliner procedure can range from approximately $400.00 to $1500.00+.

The technician must study the clients face and determine how much work is involved in the requested procedure before the fees can be calculated.

Eyeliner and lipliner are usually the least expensive of the permanent makeup procedures. If the technician must create a complete eyebrow, taking into consideration the unevenness of the face and draw the eyebrows symmetrical this process may take up to 30 minutes to complete. The amount of work involved that the technician must perform on the client for the procedure will dictate the final fee.

Clients should be aware of the technician’s expertise and their credentials. Is the technician following all Bloodborne Pathogen Laws, their Health Department Regulations, using sterile single packaged needles, and products?

Laws dictate that the technician performing a procedure must wear an apron or disposable covering, wear a clean, new mask, gloves, arm coverings and eye protection for each client. Does the technician follow these guidelines? You should interview them just as you would a new physician or dentist.

Your eyebrow or lip procedure must be drawn on prior to application to measure for symmetry before starting the procedure. A single use pencil should be used and disposed of. If the procedure is drawn on is crooked your finished eyebrow or lipliner will be crooked. … just as in carpentry ‘Measure Twice Cut Once’ is a valuable saying and worth repeating to the clients to assure they will love their permanent makeup.

When a person is just concerned about the dollar amount to be spent, remember the old adage…’You Get What You Pay For’! Are these fees realistic? Yes. You must take into consideration that you look at more than the total fee for any procedure. This is YOUR face. What is it worth to you?

Do technicians ever reuse their needles?

Many unethical technicians reuse their needles and products left on the tray after the client’s procedure with little to no regard for cross contamination. The person that was just worked on could have a cold, a herpetic outbreak or infectious disease. If these products or needles are reused on the next client that person has now been exposed to those germs. This does happen so you need to research your technician carefully. Ask for references! Call your local health department to make sure the technician has not had any complaints lodged against them.

Needles should be used once and disposed of in a sharps container. The technician should open the needle being used for your procedure in front of you and disposed of at the end of the procedure while you are watching them.

How do I care for my procedure after?

You will also receive an ‘After Care ‘pack consisting of paperwork with explicit instructions on how to care for your procedure area for the next week, a packet of petroleum and several cotton swabs.

We prefer that you use only the petroleum as it is non-reactive on the skin. Using Neosporin, bacitracin or other products may cause an allergic reaction on open skin. If you experience any type of redness, irritation or pain stop using the product and phone your technician who will advise you what to do. If you have received an eyeliner procedure, do not rub or touch your eyes with your fingers as they are laden with bacteria. You will also create a corneal abrasion (scratches on the cornea) Use a cotton swab to apply your petroleum.

Follow your aftercare instructions exactly and you will have a beautiful procedure.

For a complete list of ‘Before and After Care’ instructions please visit us for a free 15 minute consultation. We will be happy to provide you with our guidelines prior to your procedure.

We do our 50% to give you a beautiful procedure….While you are responsible for the other 50% with your aftercare.

Together we can create a long lasting, beautiful, natural permanent makeup procedure.