Permanent makeup

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For long-lasting but removable makeup, see semi-permanent makeup.

Permanent makeup is a cosmetic technique which employs tattoos (permanent pigmentation of the dermis) as a means of producing designs that resemble makeup, such as eyelining (eye shadows and mascara) and other permanent enhancing colors to the skin of the face, lips and eyelids. It is also used to produce artificial eyebrows, particularly in people who have lost it as a consequence of old age, disease, such as alopecia, chemotherapy or a genetic disturbance, and to disguise scars and white spots in the skin such as in vitiligo. It is also used to restore or enhance the breast's areola, such as after breast surgery.

Other names used are dermapigmentation, micropigmentation, permanent cosmetics and cosmetic tattooing. These procedures are regulated in many countries and states, many of them requiring a registered professional, such as an esthetician, dermatologist or plastic surgeon to perform it. In the United States and other countries, the inks used in permanent makeup and the pigments in these inks are subject to FDA regulation as cosmetics and color additives.

1 Results
2 Removal
3 Adverse effects and complications
4 External links

[edit] Results

Results are usually good, if somewhat artificial-looking, such as in complete alopecia of the eyebrows. The skill and the experience of the tattoo artist are fundamental. Before committing to permanent makeup, particularly if for convenience only, patients should be aware of the potential problems of later removal and complications that may ensue. As with tattooing, permanent makeup may take long painful sessions.

Result looks "hard" just after application, but become somewhat more natural (as natural as makeup can be) after a few weeks.

Permanent makeup can be useful for women who wish to wear makeup, but cannot apply it easily because they have allergic reactions to makeup materials, have vision deficits, tremors or restrictions of precise movements of the fingers and hands (such as in arthritis, stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or other conditions). Permanent makeup may also be used to camouflage facial scarring.

The pigmentation of permanent makeup may fade over time, particularly under the effects of sunlight. It usually lasts for a decade or more before fading significantly. Touching up the makeup may restore the original color.

[edit] Removal

As with any tattoos, permanent makeup is difficult to remove. Common techniques used for this are laser resurfacing, dermabrasion (physical or chemical peeling), scarification and surgical removal. Another interesting technique is camouflaging, i.e., adding a new pigment which counteracts the tattoo color and emulates normal skin color. Removal is often even more painful and laborious than the tattooing itself.

[edit] Adverse effects and complications

As with tattoos, permanent makeup may have complications, such as allergies to the pigments, formation of scars, granulomas and keloids, skin cracking, peeling, blistering and local infection. The use of unsterilized tattooing instruments may infect the patient with serious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. Removal problems may also ensue, due to patient dissatisfaction or regret, and they may be particularly difficult to remove in places such as eyelids and lips without leaving permanent sequelae. Recently (2004), FDA has reported more than 50 adverse effects associated to a specific brand of ink [1], in some cases causing serious disfigurement, resulting in difficulty in eating and talking.

Some people with permanent makeup have reported swelling or burning in the affected areas when they underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The probable cause is magnetic interference with metallic components (iron oxide) of some pigments used in the tattoo.