Do you often feel bored to apply, touchup and remove your makeup every single day? If yes, then you have come to the right place because we have the perfect solution to this problem -- permanent makeup!
Permanent makeup is similar to tattooing makeup such as lipstick, eyeliner and eyebrows to make them look natural, yet perfectly well-groomed, thereby eliminating the need to apply makeup every single day. Isn’t that amazing? In order to help you understand this better, we spoke to leading cosmetologist and aesthetician, Shagun Gupta about what exactly permanent makeup is and everything you need to know before considering this form of makeup. Read on…
1. What exactly is permanent makeup?
Permanent makeup is a form of tattooing. The main difference between the two is that permanent makeup uses digital or rotary devices with very fine needle configuration to inject pigment into the top layer of the dermis. The technique can also be used to create the effect of very fine hair on the eyebrows or provide shading effects on the eyes and lips. This is also referred to as Micro-pigmentation, Semi-permanent makeup, Cosmetic Tattooing, and Intradermal Cosmetics. The point of this method is to save you from the effort of redoing your makeup or removing it after a long tiring day. Your eyebrows, eyeliner, lipstick, eyeshadow and blush are perennially present. It is also a great way to camouflage various skin imperfections like scars, vitiligo, stretch marks, and even freckles or age spots.
2. How safe is using permanent makeup in post-pandemic times?
It is absolutely safe to use this method, but the only thing you need to make sure of is that the person you are getting it done from knows what they are doing. Someone who is aware of the technicalities and someone who has the aesthetic sense to do it.
3. How long does permanent makeup last?
This depends on the kind of treatment you have undergone. For example, microblading lasts somewhere between one to two years, while lip shading lasts for six to eight months and eyeliner for two to three years. The depth of the pigment largely decides how long the permanent makeup will last on you.
4. What are the most common permanent makeup ideas?
As far as the face is concerned, one can go in for enhancing their eyebrows, eyeliner, kajal, lip colour as well as getting beauty spots corrected. Scalp micropigmentation is a highly advanced method of treating thinning hair or advancing baldness through a cosmetic procedure. Another famous method is scar camouflage, which is often used to hide any kind type of scarring such as stretch marks, surgical scars, burns and vitiligo.
5. Is it safe for all skin types?
Usually it is considered safe, but people with physical and medical limitations may want seek their doctor’s opinion before opting for this procedure. Even people who are slightly younger in age must give it proper thought before going in for it.
6. What should one keep in mind before opting for permanent makeup?
Go to a well-known specialist or technician, someone who has relevant experience and a proven record of having aesthetic sense. Use high quality products. This will make a lot of difference because if the quality is not good the pigment might start appearing red, blue or grey and if the needles are not good the finish would not look artistic. Go to a place which puts high emphasis on hygiene. It’s a procedure that demands the highest level of hygiene because it involves injecting into the skin through the use of needles.
7. Is the process of permanent makeup painful?
‘Painful’ is the wrong term to describe permanent makeup. It just gets a little uncomfortable but with the long-term benefits it provides, the discomfort is well worth it.
8. How much does it cost on an average?
The cost would vary from treatment to treatment but in comparison to other beauty treatments, the cost is very minimal. With the influx of good specialists of permanent makeup in the Indian market the cost has reduced significantly, making it affordable.
9. What are the pre and post care treatments after getting permanent makeup?
Some of the things one must keep in mind before going through the procedure of permanent makeup are:
- Consult a good specialist before deciding on anything. This would help you to understand what suits your skin and what does not. It would also give you a more professional understanding of what procedure you should undergo.
- Avoid being on prescriptions of blood-thinning medicines like aspirin, Motrin or fish oil, etc.
- Do not undergo waxing or tinting a week before the procedure.
- Stay away from alcohol or caffeine 24 hours before the treatment.
Some of the things one must keep in mind after going through the procedure of permanent makeup are:
- Avoid exercising for a week as the sweat might affect the area for which one has undergone the procedure, especially in case eyebrows.
- Avoid using daily skincare products until your specialist gives you a go-ahead.
- Avoid rubbing, picking, scratching, and as far as possible even touching the area.
- If you have undergone a procedure involving eyebrows, do not apply any makeup products directly on to it until your specialist gives you a go-ahead. This is usually 30 days.
Written by Urvi Dalal on Nov 19, 2020
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!