Permanent make up: All faces of the current beauty trend

Although we call it permanent make-up, a much more precise name would be semi-permanent, considering the fact that it still fades after a while.

It is a technique by which, with thin needles, the desired color pigments are pressed into the surface layer of the skin, between the epidermis and the upper layer of the dermis. Precisely because it is the surface layer of the skin, the strength of the makeup gradually weakens over time.

Experts say that permanent make-up usually lasts from two to three years, depending on a person’s lifestyle, and is most often applied for health reasons, such as alopecia or vitiligo, or a trend or aesthetics, to conceal scars or highlight certain parts of the face. In this case, permanent make-up is most often applied to the eyebrows, eyelids (eyeliner), lips or skin.

Good preparation is half the job

Before making a decision, research in detail the salon you plan to go to – reviews, photos of clients before and after, and seek the advice of people who have already been on semi-permanent makeup. Look for proven and certified beauty salons and beauticians who have the necessary qualifications.

Hygiene and quality of the material are essential – conditions and gloves must be sterile, needles packaged for single use and verified by manufacturers, and pigments must be of high quality. Some use those of mineral origin that are not harmful to health. The shade that is chosen must be identical to your hair, eyebrows or lips, depending on what you decide to “draw”.

The application procedure can be painful, but thanks to local anesthetics (in the form of a cream, gel or spray), it is tolerable. If you are a hemophiliac, you are not the best candidate for semi-permanent makeup.

Semi-permanent makeup saves time and makes women more beautiful at all times and looks natural. Modern techniques, accessories and pigments have been drastically improved compared to the first semi-permanent makeup methods, so they do not provide an artificial but realistic and beautiful look. To look natural, don’t overdo the requirements and stick to minimal permanent makeup. If you will need more intense make-up on some occasions, you can apply it over the semi-permanent one.

Semi-permanent make up is ideal for:

– women who don’t have time for everyday makeup
– athletes
– elderly people which hands shake or are far-sighted
– people allergic to commercial makeup

What to look out for?

The most dangerous disadvantages are the risk of infection with HIV, hepatitis or staphylococci in case of not using gloves, sterilized utensils and needles. There is also a danger of developing granulomas, a cyst created by the body around a substance that it does not recognize as its own, such as pigment particles in semi-permanent make-up, so it fights them by coating them with fibrous tissue. In addition, it is possible to develop an allergic reaction to “tattooed” makeup.

Also count on the fact that the colored pigments will start to completely fade after a year and a half to two. This will require “fixing” to maintain the desired appearance. You should avoid cosmetic ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C and hydroquinone as they can speed up the fading of the color from the lips or eyebrows. Semi-permanent make-up is removed with a not very pleasant laser treatment.

So think carefully, aware of all the risks, whether you will be able to watch your decision every day for the next two years, with a smile in the mirror.