Questions to think about before deciding on permanent makeup

Questions to think about before deciding on permanent makeup

Permanent makeup is a growing trend, and for good reason. The thought of having perfect eyeliner, gorgeous lips and luscious eyebrows on waking up every day is a recipe for desire to most ladies out there. However, it’s important to remember that this is a serious treatment, and that you are opening yourself to something potentially dangerous and long lasting.

Having a good think about whether micropigmentation is right for you is crucial before you undergo any semi permanent make up treatment. Here’s what you need to think about before you take the plunge, to make sure a makeup tattoo is the right treatment for you.

Are your expectations reasonable?

Semi permanent make up is, as the name suggests, a makeup treatment that lasts longer than any of your cosmetic solutions could do. It is semi permanent and the effects remain in the skin indefinitely, gradually fading over the time. To keep it looking fresh you will need annual maintenance. In fact, you’re required to come in for a small touch up, around 4 – 6 weeks after initial treatment, and if you want it to last longer than the 3 – 5 years we expect it to last, you’ll need to come in again for more maintenance later on too.

You need to be aware that this is a makeup treatment. Whether you’re going for a lip tattoo, semi-permanent eyeliner or a permanent eyebrow refinement, please remember that this is not a plastic surgery appointment. You are not going to open your eyes to a full on makeover or cosmetic transformation, as maybe you would with plastic surgery. This is make up, but the sort that stays on when your normal makeup wouldn’t.

Do you know how the treatment works?

Many of our clients come to us with worries about a freehand tattoo being drawn on their eyebrows, or concerned that their lips won’t look natural after the procedure. This is not, and will never be, the case. We work hard to consult with our clients fully, and always draw on the suggested shape, colour and thickness so they can personally OK the design before we start any treatment.

Are you prepared for discomfort?

Permanent makeup is not exactly painful, although it does depend on your personal pain threshold. A good permanent makeup practitioner will use a medical grade topical anaesthetic to numb the treatment area before starting any work. They will also give it time to work, rather than rushing in a few minutes after it is applied.

It’s also worth asking what machine they will be using. Nouveau Contour, BioDermalogic and NPM make some excellent machines, which we find capable of implanting pigment accurately, painlessly and with a long lasting result. If your practitioner uses anything else, it’s worth Googling reviews prior to agreeing to treatment, as there are some pretty archaic machines out there.

Is your practitioner good enough?

This is a major question, and one that you can only answer by asking questions of them. Having an inexperienced practitioner tattooing your face is never an appealing prospect, so ask them about their qualifications and practical experience before agreeing to treatment. Think about asking:

  • When did you qualify, and what qualifications do you have?
  • Can I see your certificates?
  • Can I see some before and afters or testimonials from your clients?
  • How do you apply the micropigmentation?
  • What health and safety measures are in place to keep me safe?

You might feel that you’re being too nosey by asking these questions of a makeup artist, but actually you’re just protecting yourself. If any permanent makeup artist takes offense to answering these types of questions, just leave and find yourself an alternative technician for your treatment.

Can you cope with the aftercare?

Aftercare for permanent makeup is not really very taxing. We will send you home with an information sheet about how to care for the treated area in the coming weeks, and in some cases we will give you a soothing balm to apply if it starts to feel sore or itchy.

Aftercare really comes down to keeping it clean. We do ask that you don’t wear make up for at least aa week or two, and that you refrain from picking or fussing with the area until the initial scab has dropped off. We also ask that you don’t use sunbeds or deliberately go out sunbathing, at least until the initial healing has taken place, and we suggest that you shower rather than bathe for the first couple of weeks to avoid the area getting unnecessarily wet.

Are you suitable?

There are some people we won’t treat at all, and others who we have to make extra preparations to treat. You should be asked, either as part of your consultation or before you go in for it, if you suffer from:

  • Skin conditions: Eczema, psoriasis and other skin problems can make you more prone to infections
  • Circulation disorders: Heart problems can lead to serious complications if any infection gets into the blood. High or low blood pressure can make you lightheaded at an inopportune moment, and haemophilia can cause excessive bleeding when you are being treated
  • Allergies: Make sure you report any latex allergy, as latex gloves are commonly used in treatment. Also, any known allergies to metals could cause a problem with the pigments used in permanent makeup.
  • Chronic conditions: If you have epilepsy, diabetes or are receiving treatment for any ongoing problem, you should alert your practitioner as these could complicate recovery from your treatment.
  • Blood diseases: If you have HIV or hepatitis, or any other blood borne illness, you must let your practitioner know. It doesn’t necessarily mean you will not be treated, only that they will take additional precautions.

If you’ve answered yes to all these questions, then a permanent makeup treatment could be the answer to your prayers. Call us now or email your request, and we’ll get you in for a professional PMU consultation as soon as we possibly can. Permanent makeup, when done for the right reasons, can change your life, so talk to us today to see what we can do for you.