Thoughts on Permanent Makeup

One of the hottest topics in the beauty industry these days is permanent makeup.  Also referred to as dermapigmentation and micropigmentation, perhaps the most accurate term to be used is cosmetic tattooing, as the makeup is actually applied via the art of tattoo.  The inks used for this type of cosmetic procedure and the pigments used to create them are regulated by the FDA in the United States and similar organizations in other countries.

So are permanent cosmetics just for women who are too lazy to put on makeup every morning?  Not at all!  Many people take advantage of this procedure to correct problems such as missing eyebrows due to age, chemotherapy, or genetic issues.  Cosmetic tattooing can also help color-correct scars and other pale spots on the skin.  It is often also used after breast surgery to restore or correct the appearance of the areola.

These days, there are actually permanent makeup schools to help teach students who are interested in learning this fantastic procedure.  Although cosmetic tattooing actually dates back to the start of the 20th century, it wasn’t regulated until more recently.  In fact it was sometimes performed on women without their knowledge of what they were getting into — the details of the procedure were glossed over.  With the current regulations and the standards set in instruction by permanent cosmetics schools, it is much more a mainstream, trusted industry.  In fact, for many, it is a supplement or replacement for medical dermatological treatments.

While the results are overall very good, there can be complications to a cosmetic tattoo procedure.  Like other types of tattoos, permanent makeup can be very difficult to remove.  Some people might have allergic reactions to the pigments in the ink or develop scarring.  There are even reports of burning or swelling during an MRI procedure, but this is a very rare problem.