Permanent Makeup: What Is It, Why Get It, And How Long Does It Last?
Whether its Microblading, Lip Blush or Permanent Eyeliner, we’ve got you covered… so here’s everything you need to know about the world of Permanent Makeup – it’s actually pretty great!
Imagine waking up, rolling out of bed, not doing your makeup and STILL looking half decent?! Sounds too good to be true… but thankfully, it’s not! And all it takes is a little Permanent Makeup magic!
1. So, what actually is Permanent Makeup?
You’ll find different artists will use a few different terms to describe what they do, the most common being Semi Permanent Makeup, Micropigmentation, Microblading and Cosmetic Tattooing. But regardless of the various names, they all describe the same thing; the method of implanting pigment into the skin to recreate the look of makeup.
Permanent Makeup has grown hugely popular in the last few years, with Microblading being the most sought-after treatment of all – it’s basically mainstream now! It doesn’t stop there though; you can go the whole hog and get your full face done with Permanent Eyeliner and the most recent craze... Lip Blush!
Yes, getting a ‘tattoo’ on your face can sound scary, but it’s nothing to be afraid of. Even though we use the word Permanent, the pigments we use are designed to fade over time and this means that we can achieve super soft and natural results. The actual treatment itself is relatively pain free, in fact a lot of my brow clients fall asleep during their treatments.
Quick Facts:
Natural looking results
Low maintenance
Suitable for eyebrows, lips and eyes
Needs 6 week top up
Average price ca. £300
2. How is Permanent Makeup done?
Permanent Makeup is created using either a machine or a manual tool. I personally use a machine, this machine houses a single use, sterile needle. The machine powers the needle back and forth which, when applied to the skin, deposits pigment to create the desired eyebrow, eyeliner or lip enhancement. Manual tools, otherwise known as microblading, work slightly differently. The tool has a blade fixed to the end, this blade is composed of a number of needles which have been fused together. This blade then cuts into the skin, depositing pigment as it goes.
3. Benefits of Permanent Makeup
Permanent Makeup can be a great alternative to conventional makeup for lots of reasons. Perhaps your eyesight is poor or you have an unsteady hand so you struggle to apply eyeliner. Maybe you’re a busy mum and you simply don’t have the time (or energy) to waste on filling your brows in. Permanent Makeup saves time, is super low maintenance, is longer lasting and it’ll make your life a whole lot easier – who doesn’t want that?!
Permanent makeup can also be a fantastic option for people with conditions such as alopecia, trichotillomania or cleft lip. Visible differences can make us feel self-conscious and have a negative effect on our self-esteem, but Permanent Makeup can help build confidence and improve the way we feel about ourselves!
Beyond the cosmetic benefits, medical tattooing which is closely related to Permanent Makeup, can be used for scar camouflage, nipple & areola reconstruction, vitiligo camouflage and much more
4. Permanent Eyebrow Treatments
Permanent Brows are by far the most in-demand treatment right now, and the results that can be achieved are incredible. There’s a range of styles to choose from so there really is something for everyone.
The most natural style we offer is the Hairstroke Brow, aka Microblading, which consists of delicately tattooed individual hairs designed to mimic the look of your natural brow.
Next is the Combination Brow, a personal favourite of ours here at Skn Plus. This is essentially a combination of individual hairstrokes AND shading, the thing we love most about this style is its versatility! We can keep this style super natural or go for something more defined, it all comes down to you and the results you want to achieve.
Last up is the Ombre Brow, or Powder Brow. This brow is made up purely of shading and mimics the effect of brow pencil or powder – once healed it gives that ‘just tinted’ look.
Does Microblading Affect Hair Growth?
When done correctly permanent eyebrow treatments will have no effect on the growth of your brow hairs - it won’t cause the hairs to fall out, nor will it stimulate them to grow more.
5. Permanent Lip Treatments
Lip Blush is the next biggest thing in the Permanent Makeup industry. This treatment involves gently implanting pigment to give the lips a flush of colour, correct asymmetry and even give the appearance of fuller lips. All you’ll need is some clear gloss and you’re good to go! Lip blush is a good way to achieve better shaped lips, and lip neutralisation can be used on clients with darker, cool toned lips who want to achieve pinkier coloured lips.
Another option is the Permanent Lip Liner. Over time our lips can naturally lose definition and this treatment can help redefine your lips – this is only recommended if opting for a pigment that would match your natural lip colour, if you would prefer something brighter than Lip Blush would be a better option for you.
You can read more about this treatment in our Lip Blush Guide.
Note: If you have ever had a cold sore you will need to take antiviral tablets for a few days before and after your lip blush treatment. The trauma from the lip tattoo treatment can trigger an outbreak, however the antiviral tablets should prevent this from happening.
Acyclovir or Zovirax are two common antivirals.These have to be prescribed - you can visit your GP, pharmacy or obtain a prescription from an online pharmacy.
6. Permanent Eyeliner Treatments
There are a few different eyeliner options to choose from. The most natural being our Invisible Liner – this is a super subtle enhancement that involves placing pigment along the lash line to give the appearance of thicker, darker lashes.
Next we have the Baby Liner. This is a slightly more obvious enhancement to give that extra bit of definition to the eye. This can be a soft, smokey liner or a more defined liquid liner look.
Finally, is the Winged Liner. Being the boldest of the liners we offer, this is only recommended for clients who would wear a winged liner in conventional makeup every day. Again, there is the option to go soft and smokey, or sharp and define – it all comes down to your personal style. We advise against a Winged Liner on those clients who have hooded lids.
7. Am I a suitable candidate for Permanent Makeup
Unfortunately, not everyone is a suitable candidate for Permanent Makeup. There are a few contraindications that would prevent you from getting the treatment at all, for example:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
If you are under the age of 18
If you are on any blood thinning medication
If you have epilepsy
If you are prone to keloid scarring
If you are undergoing chemotherapy
If you are currently taking acne medication
8. Is Permanent Makeup safe?
Permanent Makeup is generally a very safe procedure, provided you visit an artist who is fully trained and maintains the correct healthy and safety practices. But, as with any treatment there are risks. Due to the nature of the treatment which involves breaking the skin, permanent makeup therefore causes an open wound and if not cared for appropriately there is a risk of infection. You must follow strict aftercare advice to ensure the area heals well, most artists will provide you with after products to use during the healing process along with information on how to keep the area clean.
Another risk is the potential for an allergic reaction, however allergic reactions are rare. Before your treatment your artist should perform a patch test to ensure you are not sensitive to any of the products used during the treatment. It is also important that you advise your artist of any previous allergies or medical conditions which may have an impact on your suitability for the treatment in order to avoid unnecessary complications.
9. Is Permanent Makeup painful?
Whilst body tattoos are known for being particularly painful, Permanent Makeup is not a painful procedure. Most clients would rate the sensation a 3 out of 10, or compare it to having your brows tweezered. Topical numbing agents are used to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during your treatment. It will differ from person to person depending on your individual pain threshold, but many clients fall asleep while getting their brows done!
Note: you may be more sensitive during your menstrual cycle, so it’s a good idea to avoid that time of the month when scheduling your appointment
10. How long does Permanent Makeup last?
The results from your Permanent Makeup treatment usually last around 2 years, sometimes longer depending on the client! You can expect gradual fading of the pigment over time. Things like sun exposure, skin type and skin care routine can have an impact on the longevity of your results. Whilst the pigment will continue to fade and may at some point become invisible to the eye, some particles may remain in the skin indefinitely which is why we use the word Permanent when referring to this treatment.
Lip Blush results typically last longer in the skin compared to brows and eyeliner. When the colour begins to fade you can return for a top up appointment to maintain your results. We recommend a top up every 12-18 months to keep your eyebrows, lips and liner looking its best.
Tip: I advise wearing SPF to protect your permanent makeup and maintain your results for longer, as UV rays from the sun can accelerate fading.
11. Can Permanent Makeup be removed?
Due to the types of pigments used, Permanent Makeup is typically easier to remove than traditional body tattoos. There are a few options that can lighten or even totally remove unwanted pigment. The most common options are laser tattoo removal or saline microblading removal.
In some cases emergency saline removal can be performed 24-48 hours after the treatment to try and remove some of the pigment before it heals in the skin.
All types of removal require healing time in between sessions, and it is likely multiple sessions will be required. Laser is a great option for brows that are very dark or oversaturated with pigment, however it can struggle tackling certain colours which can sometimes result in yellow or red hues being left behind. Saline removal doesn’t ‘see’ colour so can target any type of brow, however there is slightly more down time and may require a few more sessions. Very often a combination of laser and saline is the best option to achieve the desired result.
12. How can I prepare for my appointment?
Before any treatment can go ahead at Skn Plus, we perform a patch test and carry out a thorough medical health check to certify your suitability and ensure you are in the safest hand possible during your treatment. There are also a few things we ask you to consider in preparation for your appointment – following this advice will help ensure a smoother treatment and better healed results. You can check out our pre care advice for all our tips on how to prepare for your appointment.
13. Permanent Makeup - The Main Takeaways
Permanent Makeup is a popular treatment that makes your daily makeup routine easier, and can build confidence so that you feel more comfortable without makeup. It’s a safe treatment that requires minimal maintenance but yields long lasting results. Permanent Makeup can be used to disguise imperfections and improve the appearance of your eyebrows, lips and eyes so you can look and feel your best at all times!
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