I struggle to get up and get ready for work every day. Sometimes I even go to bed with makeup on (boo...), and if I'm feeling lazy, I'll re-touch in the morning, which happens somewhat semi-frequently. Today's new fad is permanent makeup, and in today's fast-paced world, it seems people will do anything to save some time. If you haven't heard from your hairstylist, permanent makeup is nothing new. Celebrities always get a head start on new fashions, and this is one of them. These celebrities get tattoos from Angelina Jolie to Marc Jacobs and Yvonne Liu to save time, even with their makeup artists! From ink on the eyebrows to eyeliner and lip liner, cosmetic tattoos have become a time saver and are as integral to the young woman's power set as Facebook is to you and me. Cosmetic tattoos are your regular tattoos, except for Kat Von D's handiwork, and you get subtle eyebrows that fit the shape of your face. Now you know that the "scoop" here is the real details of permanent makeup. So how does permanent makeup work? Permanent makeup is also known as micro-pigmentation, a procedure where pigment is micro-inserted into the skin's dermis. The older a person gets, the more their facial features lose their color. The most common applications are eyebrows, lips, and eyeliner. Rather than having the tattoo done at a tattoo parlor, the tattoo is done at a cosmetic surgery clinic or medical spa. This is important because these centers have the necessary experts to ensure your safety and satisfaction. They are licensed if the center has a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist, all the better! Before the procedure, you will have a consultation to describe all of your concerns, insecurities, and issues you wish to address with your cosmetic tattoo. Most practitioners will sketch their designs on the client's face before laying down the ink. Practitioners can also etch indelible eyebrow outlines so that your crayon has a simple guide to follow and reduces the chance of your eyebrows being partially removed by accident. Inking can take anywhere from 20 minutes for a simple eyeliner to an hour for brows or an entire lip. If you prefer to numb the area with cream or lidocaine gel, add another 60 minutes for numbing. Full recovery takes only three to seven days, although the lips and eyelids will likely be puffy for the first 24 to 48 hours, as with any tattoo. Your tattoo will also appear darker for up to six weeks until that layer comes off. The benefits and problems of permanent makeup? There is always a downside to every great thing. Permanent makeup can save you years without worrying about smudging or reapplying because it won't come off in the shower or while you're lying on the beach. People with disabilities or impaired motor skills, such as arthritis, can fully benefit from permanent makeup, especially if they can't do it themselves. After reconstructive surgery in the face or breasts, permanent makeup can help restore the skin to its normal appearance if the pigment is lost during the procedure or hides permanent scars. Women who have undergone a mastectomy and breast reconstruction have tattooed areolas similar in size and color to their original areolas. Although the procedure is simple and easy to perform, there are always drawbacks. The problems and concerns with permanent makeup are almost identical to those of tattooing. The FDA has approved various ink colors for cosmetic use, but they are not always safe to inject. The FDA has received more than 150 complaints and negative responses about some ink shades used in FDA-approved permanent cosmetics. Allergies are also a serious problem, and while they are rare, they are difficult to treat because once the ink is injected, it is difficult to remove the pigment from the skin. It is also possible to form keloids, scars that extend beyond their natural borders, or granulomas, which form nodules around the pigment. Hepatitis and staph infections can certainly be transmitted through needles; this is why cosmetic tattoos are only recommended in licensed centers (such as cosmetic surgery clinics or medical spas). Another important factor that occurs to a higher degree is the human factor. Most women have their own daily lives, they have different styles of makeup for work, casual or formal outings, and these looks are usually different. So when women want permanent makeup to make their lives easier, they don't realize that it's permanent, so the black eyeliner you choose will stay black. There has been an increase in techniques to remove tattoos through lasers, dermabrasion, and surgery, but removing the pigment is both difficult and time-consuming and often leaves scars. Most women have their own daily lives, and they have different styles of makeup for work, casual or formal outings, and those looks are usually different. So when women want permanent makeup to make their lives easier, they don't realize that it is permanent, so the black eyeliner you choose will stay black. There has been an increase in techniques to remove tattoos through lasers, dermabrasion, and surgery, but removing the pigment is both difficult and time-consuming and often leaves scars. Most women have their own daily lives, and they have different styles of makeup for work, casual or formal outings, and those looks are usually different. So when women want permanent makeup to make their lives easier, they don't realize that it is permanent, so the black eyeliner you choose will stay black. There has been an increase in techniques to remove tattoos through lasers, dermabrasion, and surgery, but removing the pigment is both difficult and time-consuming and often leaves scars. To tattoo or not to tattoo? Before pursuing permanent makeup, you need to ask yourself a few questions. Are you allergic to any of the ingredients in the ink color? Similar to body tattoos, will you regret or get tired of permanent makeup? It would help if you were really that tattoos would never be perfect; they sometimes fade or even discolor, but laser removal is available for those who regret tattoos. Inking costs can range from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on how much ink you use. The best place to start is to weigh these factors and ask yourself a few questions. Once you've worked that out, you can contact a licensed esthetician or dermatologist to get you started.
