Permanent Makeup FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent Makeup 

What is Permanent Makeup?

Permanent makeup is cosmetic tattooing. The specialized techniques used for permanent cosmetics often get referred to as micro-pigmentation, micro-pigment implantation, or dermagraphics. These cosmetic implantation techniques deposit colored pigment into the upper reticular layer of the dermis. It simulates conventional cosmetics for the brow’s eyes and lips. It also is used to simulate missing hairs or visually reconstruct damaged or missing features, such as lip margins. It requires the skills of a fine artist, a makeup specialist, and a tattooist all in one individual to create the best results. 

Are permanent cosmetics really permanent?

Permanent cosmetic implantation techniques deposit color pigment into the upper reticular layer of the skin. Since you cannot wash it off, consider it permanent. Unlike traditional tattoos performed on the body, permanent cosmetics professionals do not use traditional tattoo ink (dye). Permanent cosmetics pigment is more delicate and designed to work with the skin’s undertones. Every person’s skin is different regarding pigment retention. Factors that affect the longevity of permanent cosmetics are color selection, age, the thickness of skin, scarring of the skin, use of skin care products, injectables, laser treatments, medication, and sun exposure. You will need periodic refreshing of color, depending on how light the shade of implanted pigment and the factors mentioned above.

How long does it take to heal?

The area will be slightly red after the procedure, and the color will appear dark. Rest assured, this is a normal part of the healing process. The area will continue to be dark in the following days, and you will notice slight scabbing. Do not pick at the scabs, as this may damage the skin and the outcome. The color will fade by up to 20-40% as it heals. There is no downtime associated with these procedures. It takes approximately 7-14 days for the area to heal over and about one month for the color to set in fully. After two weeks of healing, you’ll notice the color is very light, and your skin will have an opaque milky-looking quality to it. This milky look is known as milk skin and is common in tattooing. The skin appears milky because it heals from the inside out. Even though the surface looks healed, the tissue beneath the surface is still recovering. The true color will reveal itself once healed.

Is the touchup session necessary?

Yes! A touchup session (perfecting session) after 4-6 weeks is necessary because everyone heals differently, and the outcomes vary. Certain areas may not take color properly during the first session and will need refilling. Pigment color may need to be adjusted, as well as symmetry. Individuals with oily skin often require a deeper shade during the touchup session as the oils tend to lighten the pigment. Most importantly, your touchup session is when we refine your brows to ensure it looks perfect and retains the color for the whole year!

Is it painful?

The pain level for the procedure is considered mild to none. Before the procedure, we will apply a topical anesthetic to numb the area. We also reapply anesthetic during the treatment. While experiences vary, most people describe feeling light scratches or like they would from tweezing. Topical anesthetics used may contain lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, tetracaine, and epinephrine.

After the procedure, you’ll likely experience some redness and slight swelling, which is normal. Clients describe the area as feeling similar to a light sunburn. Clients can take Tylenol but not aspirin or ibuprofen.

What are the pre and post-care procedures?

Follow these pre and post-care instructions to get the best results from your permanent cosmetics procedure.

Before your procedure, please do the following:

• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and aspirin/ibuprofen, and any vitamins that may thin your blood for at least 24 hours.
• Avoid tanning so we can assess your natural skin tone.
• Avoid fish oil for two weeks
• Leave your brow hair alone (no tweezing, waxing, tinting) for one to two weeks prior
• No face scrubs or chemical peels at least two weeks prior.

After your procedure, clients MUST follow these instructions:

After your procedure, we will provide an aftercare package that will include instructions with our premium wash, tonic, and balm. For the best-healed results, please use only the products supplied. 

• Directly after the procedure, pat the area with a tissue to absorb any lymphatic liquid (clear yellowish liquid) or blood that may have built up. You will do this until the site is free from any oozing. 
• Do not submerge the area in water for 14 days. 
• Do not put makeup directly on the area for a minimum of 10 days. The site is an open wound. Using makeup may cause infections and affect the final color.
• Avoid alcohol and aspirin/ibuprofen and any vitamins that may thin your blood for 24 hours.
• The area will be slightly itchy as it heals and will start to scab over lightly. Do not peel, scratch, or pick at the scabs, as this can affect the outcome and pigmentation.
• Do not go swimming, tanning, or into saunas for at least 14 days.
• Do not use face scrubs or chemical peels at least two weeks after.
• Avoid working out for at least 7-10 days as sweat contains salt that will pull the pigment from the skin.

Do you offer any financing? What forms of payment?

Yes, Beauty Ink offers interest free financing that will break up your payments into 3 installments.

We also offer a pre-payment plan where you can make smaller payments before the procedure. Then, once you pay the total amount, we can schedule your appointment.

We accept credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, and cash.

Have more questions? 

Should you still have questions, please give us a call or text at 812-343-7010, email at beautyink.columbus@gmail.com, or message us through Facebook.