Permanent Make-Up

Also known as Cosmetic Tattooing, the procedure of having make-up permanently applied is becoming more acceptable as a safe and effective solution to a variety of issues and conditions.

Time Saviors

At first glance, having make-up applied permanently is a great time-saver for people who lead very active lifestyles or are just tired of applying and re-applying make-up during the day. Athletes who would like to look their best no longer have to worry about "sweating off" their make-up, and swimmers have similar problems. Beyond merely being convenient, though, permanent cosmetic application does for many people what they cannot do for themselves. Permanent make-up is the answer for those people who:

are allergic to cosmetics

have problems with close vision and can't apply makeup.

have arthritis or other fine mobility problems

suffer from burns or scars that have destroyed natural features

have lost their eyebrows and/or eyelashes due to alopecia or chemotherapy

wish to camouflage a cleft lip or a hare-lip

Permanent make-up is applied by licensed technicians. As with any other optional procedure, one should shop around, get references, and view photos of the technician's previous work. The key is "permanent"... the pigments may fade over time but removal is very difficult and rarely 100% effective. Take the time to decide what you want (shape, placement and color) so that you can be fully satisfied with the result.

Some Pain, Some Gain

The procedure is invasive as the pigments are applied beneath the skin's surface. The tools and implements are similar to those used in traditional tattooing. It may be painful, depending on each person's pain threshold. Most technicians can reduce the pain and discomfort by using topical anesthetics. Depending on the procedure, treatments can last for several hours and it can take several successive treatments to complete the procedure.

Tattoo You

Permanent make-up and its cousin, traditional tattooing, have been lightly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration in the past but the agency is reviewing its procedures in light of their growing popularity. There are a number of health and safety issues that one should be aware of when choosing to undergo any type of tattooing:

Sterility - It's critical that the tools and needles used are fully sterilized to reduce the possibility of infection and the spread of infectious diseases.

Pigments - The inks and pigments used in tattooing are often uncertified by the FDA and may cause adverse or allergic reactions when applied under the skin.

Removal - There are many different types of procedures used to remove tattoos, but none are completely effective and some may create new problems such as causing allergic reactions and producing keloid scars.

Reaction to MRI - Undergoing the diagnostic procedure known as a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) can produce burning sensations and swelling in areas where pigments have been applied. While not harmful, these reactions can be disconcerting as well as temporarily uncomfortable. The metallic particles in the pigments can also interfere with the image acquired by the MRI scan.

Problems like these are uncommon, however. Dissatisfaction with the result of the tattoo or the permanent make-up application are much more common. This underlines how important it is to thoroughly investigate the procedure you're considering and to ask questions, no matter how frivolous they may seem at the time. You'll be living with the result for a very long time.

By Steve Levenstein

Permanent Make-Up

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