Is Permanent Makeup Safe for Your Skin?
Putting makeup on and enhancing the persona every day before going out might be a tough call for those who are physically challenged or can’t make time for the job. For them, permanent makeup or cosmetic tattoos can be a great option.
But the big question remains, is permanent makeup safe for your skin? Well, PMU is obviously safe if done by skilled technicians with proper safety measures. It’s rare to find someone who faced fatal consequences because of temp tattoos.
This article will guide you deep into permanent cosmetics (makeup) and let you decide whether you need it.
Let’s begin.
What is Permanent Makeup (PMU)?
Permanent makeup is a process where micro-pigments are placed under the upper layer of your skin. It is to create an artificial structure, hairline, or color on your skin.
This method is used mostly to reshape or camouflage eyebrows, eyeliners, lips, scars, faded skin, etc.
PMU is almost like tattooing. The main difference is micropigmentation doesn’t create any artistic design on your skin. Instead, it covers up the flaws of your skin like traditional makeup.
Permanent Makeup Is Safe!
Yes, permanent makeup is safe. And there is no medical obligation for a fit person to perform cosmetic tattooing on their skin.
In some cases, permanent makeup can be safer than temporary touchups. Because traditional makeup items can contain substances that might cause irritation, allergy, or rashes on some types of skin.
We’ve seen people fear performing permanent touch-ups as the process is very similar. But honestly, it’s way less painful.
“Imagine, you’re having a cup of coffee on your balcony. Suddenly, you get a call from your buddy to attend a party right now! Yet, you’re quite relaxed. There’s no need for makeup. You just wear your party shirt, Moissanite Cartier watch, and a fancy pair of shoes, then walk out for the event immediately. Sounds great, right?”
Micropigmentation uses iron oxide. The material is the safest pigment to use on human skin. Therefore, you can safely have your skin glamoured with permanent makeup. But there are some ifs like sensitive skin, hiring inexperienced cosmetologists, unsterile instruments, etc. We’ll talk about them later in this article.
How is Permanent Makeup Done?
We’ve already mentioned the term, micropigmentation. Actually, it is the method of doing permanent makeup.
Before the process, an anesthesiologist gives a slight amount of anesthesia to give you relief from any sort of pain. Then, the technician will clean your skin and make it germ-free.
The process uses a handheld automated or manual tool. The gun contains thin needles. Those needles penetrate your skin and place micro pigments underneath your upper skin layer. As said before, the pigments contain iron oxide. Anything other than iron oxide might turn out to be harmful.
Key Safety Measures
- Make sure the practitioner uses single-use needles.
- All the tools need to be sterilized before use
- A patch test before application should be done
- See if the artist’s shop is clean and disinfected
Is Permanent Makeup Painful?
Actually, permanent makeup isn’t as painful as it seems. There’s no exact range of pain one can feel from micropigmentation. It depends on how sensitive or thin your skin is. Also, the amount of pain that you can be comfortable with.
In most cases, clients feel a slight sensation while injecting pigments. The effect of low anesthesia suppresses any raw pain or irritation. Some might even feel slightly dizzy during the whole process.
Who Needs Permanent Makeup?
You need to be over 18 to have permanent makeup on your skin. Because at the stage of growth, your skin and face cuts can change or develop. So, permanent makeup is a good option for adults to eliminate the hassle of regular grooming.
Here are some types of people who require permanent makeup or cosmetic tattoos.
- People who can’t use their hands properly due to illnesses like arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, etc.
- Vitiligo patients
- Patients with dull eyesight
- People suffer from allergies or infections from traditional makeup
- People don’t have time for makeup every day
- Athletes who sweat a lot
- Celebrities attending public gatherings often
- Anyone with scars or stitch marks on the face
- Recent patients of facial or breast surgery
How Long Does Permanent Makeup Last?
PMU treatments can last around 5 years if your health condition is in good shape. But if you consult a veteran micropigmentation artist, your makeup will last nearly a decade.
We’ve seen some cases where clients might return to the store for touchups after 1-2 years when the makeup gets dull. But if you’re aging too fast or your skin has some disease, the makeup won’t last for more than 2 years.
Benefits of Permanent Makeup
There are some obvious advantages of doing permanent makeup on your face. The biggest of them is you could retain your glamour for years with minimal effort.
The key benefits of doing permanent makeup are:
- Hassle-free outing
- Time saving
- Desired face cuts
- Attractive skin tone and hairline
- Zero possibility of rashes or allergies due to makeup kits
- A good prospect for people with disabilities
- Masking scars permanently
- No tension of looks getting spoilt in rain or sweat
Are There Any Drawbacks?
Of course, there are possible bad outcomes of cosmetic tattoos. A few people have skin not suitable for micropigmentation. Some others can experience poor permanent makeup because of visiting unprofessional artists.
So, before making up your mind, keep these rare possibilities in mind:
- Infections, Hepatitis, due to used or unsterile needles
- Imperfect pigmentation
- Ectropion, a disease of the eyelids
- Granulomas
- Lumps or unusual irritation
- Unclear MRI reports because of pigments
- Keloids on scarred areas
Temporary Vs Permanent Makeup
Temporary makeup is also known as traditional makeup. This grooming method uses various creams, serums, powders, etc. for beautification. These products can be removed using water, facewash, soap, and tissue.
A big disadvantage of traditional makeup is it takes lots of time. Even hours sometimes. If you don’t have sheer concentration and preciseness, you won’t be able to perform it well.
In contrast, permanent makeup is a one-time job that would last for several years. Although there are chances of not getting the desired touchup. It’s still a with-a-shot method by all means.
Those who aren’t skilled in beauty and makeup can also go out looking stunning. It saves you time and effort. You can sweat, get soaked in rain, or wear any fancy mask on permanent makeup.
Is Cosmetic Tattooing for You?
By now, you might’ve set your mind to go through PMU. But is it the best solution for you? As we’ve said there are chances some skin types might not be compatible with cosmetic tattoos. So, go through these facts to avoid health issues.
Consider These Things Before Micro Pigmentation
- If you had cancer and gone through chemotherapy, PMU isn’t your option
- Are you pregnant? Or do you nurse your baby? If so, permanent makeup can be a red flag for both you and your child
- When you’re under some serious medication, don’t even think of this makeup
- You need to consult a dermatologist before visiting PMU parlors. Explain to the doctor your medical history, you’re good to go if you get a clearance
- Also, tell the doctor what type of permanent makeup you wish for. Ask him to write some recommendations regarding the process
- When you already have an appointment in a makeup parlor, don’t start the process right away. Tell the artist to perform a patch test right behind your ear. If the small application of pigment doesn’t bother you, it means everything’s clear
- Make sure you’re choosing a modification that won’t look unattractive after a few years if the trends change
How do you find a good technician for PMU?
You don’t visit a professional cosmetic tattoo artist and you fail to gain the exact look you desired. The worst-case scenario is you won’t be able to remove the bad pigmentation properly.
That’s why finding a good practitioner is more important than picking the right type of makeup. You should ask these questions to a PMU artist before booking the service.
- Does your business have a valid license?
- Are you certified by a state or local government to understand my case history and eligibility?
- What type of pigments you use?
- Can you do as per my expectations? Or, are my expectations fine?
- Will you provide an after-makeup guide?
- Can I contact one of your past clients to crosscheck your expertise?
Permanent Makeup Aftercare
After cosmetic tattooing, the skin becomes vulnerable and sensitive. If your PMU artist is a professional one, you’ll get a guideline that you’ll need to follow.
Our experience says a cosmetologist might suggest these as an aftercare routine
- Use only specific types of soaps or facewash for the first seven days
- Don’t go under direct sunlight frequently within 48 hours of permanent makeup
- Never think of scratching or rubbing the skin that has been needled
- Wear a face mask or sunglasses when you got for the next few days
- Clean the area with cold and fresh water more often; keep the area moistured
- If you feel any intense sensation on your face, consult the technician immediately for medicines
Final Thoughts
Long story short, permanent makeup is safe for you when an expert approves. You have to make sure that you choose the right type of modification and a skilled PMU artist with proven records.
In fine, we hope our discussion has led you to the right decision to fix your skin properly.
FAQs
Does permanent makeup age well?
Permanent makeup can last around 5 years if done by someone well-experienced. There are some cases where clients had to visit the expert almost once every year for touchups to avoid the pigments fading.
Is 60 too old for permanent makeup?
The age limit for PMU is 18 to infinity. You can have permanent makeup anytime when you’re an adult.
What is the lifespan of permanent eyeliner?
Permanent eyeliners might last 2-4 years. There’s no exact lifespan. It depends on from whom you’ve got the makeup.
What to expect when you get permanent makeup?
After getting the permanent touchup, your skin might swell a little. If the skin is too thin, you can see slight bleeding too. However, you’ll recover from these issues within a week after the processf.
