Permanent Make-up

Permanent makeup (also referred to as permanent cosmetics) is a cosmetic technique which employs tattoos (permanent pigmentation of the dermis) as a means of producing designs that resemble makeup, such as eyelining 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 them as a consequence of old age and to disguise scars and white spots in the skin. It is also used to restore or enhance the breast's areola, such as after breast surgery.

Christine Kolenda applies permanent make-up here at Dormer Medical Spa. Christine has more than 20 years of experience with permanent make-up. The following are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding permanent make-up.

Does it hurt?
This question comes up the most often. First let me say that each person’s tolerance for pain is different. You probably already know how you react. I take great care to make sure my clients are comfortable during the procedure. I use the best topical products out there to numb the area before I start. I also reapply numbing agents as I work. I use several different types of products because each person’s reaction will be different. For instance, some people can take a baby aspirin when they get a headache, some will take a prescription drug. Also each area has its own sensitivity. The eyebrows are the most comfortable for most people. I have even had people fall asleep while I have been working. Lips will numb out quite quickly and I recommend that you exfoliate your lips for a few days prior to coming in. I never want to work over chapped lips. The eyes will also numb out very nicely but the feeling of having your eyeliner done is a little weird. As I stretch the skin and move your eyelashes the sensation and the vibration of the machine is very strange. All of my clients have come back for their touch up and no one has ever stopped me during the session so I guess I must be doing something right.

Should I eat before the procedure?
My recommendation is to make sure you eat something prior to your appointment and women should not book the procedure 1 week prior to your period as your body is much more sensitive to pain during that time. Drink water before and after your procedure. Please note: I am sometimes asked if I will give an injection for the pain. Only a licensed doctor, nurse practioner or dentist can inject you. If you are told that you will be given an injection for the pain please think twice before proceeding.

How long does it last?
Again this question is different from person to person. The older you are the longer your Permanent Makeup will last. If you have oily skin the pigment does not take as well as someone who has dry skin. The lighter the pigment color used the more apparent the fading may seem. If you use a lot of products that exfoliate the skin (skin peels) this can fade out the look of the makeup. If you are someone that is in the sun a lot, then expect some fading. Some people may need a touch up every year while I have seen procedures that are as old as 12 years looking just fine. You may want to touch up sooner rather than later if you like the depth of color and crispness of the new application. In general you should have 3- 6 years of wear. I recommend that you use a sun screen over your permanet makeup while outside and avoid exfoilating products on the area.

How long does it take?
So, I can only speak for myself. I usually book about 1 1/2 hours for brows and lips and about 1 hour for eyeliner. I rebook for your touchup appointment in about one month. Yes I have everyone come back for a touch up. If you have ever painted a wall then you know that once it’s painted it looks great. However after it’s dry you can see where you need to touch up. Same thing with permanent makeup. After the procedure is healed we can see how it took and where a touch up may be needed. I book the same amount of time for the touch up. Scars and vitiligo or reconstruction work I book by the hour. Sometimes you really cannot tell until you start working how long this will take. Consultations are always done with this type of work, so we can determine what type of results you are looking for and what can and cannot be done.

Can I drive afterward?
There should be no reason that you can not drive home after your procedure. If you are feeling light-headed or need assistance let someone know. Yes you can drive afterwards. As a matter of fact most people can go right back to work or out.

How long I should the healing process?
Again this question is a matter of individual healing time. The rule of thumb is that it usually takes one week or more for the skin to exfoliate the excess pigment. There may still be some healing underneath that has to take place. There may be some swelling especially with the eyes and lips for a few hours afterwards. Brows in general do not get swollen. They may get red which will dissipate very quickly. Eyes may be more swollen the next morning especially if you are someone who wakes up with puffy eyes. You may use ice and this should take a few hours to get back to normal. You should leave about 1 month to see the final results. Always follow the reccomendations of your practioner as to the after care.

Can I wear makeup afterwards?
The process is like creating little scrapes in the skin. Care should be taken to keep it clean and dry. No makeup should be used directly on the area right afterwards. I recommend that in the case of mascara you purchase a new mascara to use after the eyeliner procedure heals (any excuse to get a new mascara).

Is this a tattoo?
The procedure is a tattoo. The machine or method used to apply the pigment may be different than what you will find in a tattoo parlor but the principle is the same. There are differences in the pigments used on the face than on the body.

Is there a difference between the methods used for application?
Essentially there are two methods of application for permanent cosmetics. The hand method or Softtap and by use of a machine, and there are several types of machines. The hand method uses a device that looks similar to a small toothbrush. But instead of bristles there are needles - just a few compared to the bristles. It is dipped into the pigment and tapped into the skin. With the machine method, the machine does the work of the tapping. As long as your practitioner is comfortable with the method they use you can achieve beautiful results with either.