Permanent Cosmetics - Benefits and Risks

It really does seem like a dream, doesn’t it? The dream of waking up with your eyeliner, lipstick, and lip liner already in place is now a reality. This realized dream is achieved not simply from extra-long lasting, waterproof makeup, but rather through the use of permanent cosmetics. Permanent cosmetics promise to free women of the daily struggle required to perfectly line their eyes and lips but the decision to have this cosmetic procedure should be considered carefully. This article discusses permanent cosmetics and provides an overview of its benefits and risks.

 

 

In many ways, permanent cosmetics are similar to tattoos. The process of permanent cosmetics is called micropigmentation and, like the application of permanent tattoos, it introduces small particles of pigment underneath the skin through a series of needle injections. Also like tattoos, permanent cosmetics are indeed permanent. While the coloring may fade a bit with time, the micropigmentation cannot be easily undone given the locations on the face that receive permanent costmetic treatment. 

 

You may come across the term semi-permanent cosmetics in your research on permanent cosmetics. There are two distinct processes/products that fall under the term semi permanent cosmetics. The first is somewhat innocuous and refers to any normal cosmetic that is very long lasting. This type of semi permanent cosmetic makeup can be removed with makeup remover. The other type is the one of which you should be wary. Some so-called semi-permanent cosmetics are actually permanent cosmetic procedures that do not go according to plan. The Society of Permanent Cosmetics Professionals has released a statement regarding the latter type of “semi-permanent cosmetic.”

 

http://www.spcp.org/semi_permanent_makeup_position.htm

 

The most popular location for the application of permanent cosmetic makeup is at the eyelashes mimicking the look of eyeliner. The reasons for this popularity is that the application of eyeliner is among the most tedious and difficult parts of a woman’s daily makeup ritual. Also, a woman can easily commit to the permanence of eyeliner since the color—dark black—is unlikely to change throughout life. Another popular area for permanent cosmetic makeup is the eyebrow. Again, the color is rather similar throughout life and eyebrow shape is rather constant, too.

 

Permanent cosmetics have been applied to various places on the face in order to replace the need for the application of traditional cosmetics. Cosmetic tattooing of the lips and lip border (like lip liner) are fairly common. While this permanent cosmetic makeup on the lips means that you are never caught without lipstick, if you want to change the shade, you can simply put temporary lipstick over your lips as you normally would.

 

Mimicking eye shadow and blush is far less commonly requested and less commonly performed. Often tattoo artists will offer permanent cosmetics in these facial areas rather than plastic surgeons. Likewise, the results are often less than optimal and not how the client envisioned.

 

In general permanent cosmetics are quite safe. The primary risk to the client is that the result will not be as advertised or the color of the permanent cosmetic makeup will change or fade over time. The most serious risk is that of infection. Non-sterile equipment can transmit serious infections like HIV and Hepatitis C, of which there have been documented cases. Ensuring the sterility of equipment is essential to eliminating the risk of serious infection. Since a foreign object is being introduced under the skin, the immune system may react—or overact—to it, resulting in allergic reaction. In general the metallic pigments are less immunogenic than the natural animal or vegetable-based pigments; iron oxide is the safest pigment.

 

Practitioners of permanent cosmetics include dermatologists, plastic surgeons, cosmetologists, aestheticians, nurses, and tattooists, among others. Some states have absolutely no regulations about who can apply permanent cosmetics. Knowing the state requirements where you are considering having the procedure is an important part of the permanent cosmetics decision process.