make-up
Semipermanent make-up
Who has micropigmentation and how is it used?
Micropigmentation or permanent make-up (PMU) is the revolutionary method of depositing hypoallergenic mineral pigments into the dermal layer of the skin. With an ultra-thin needle and pigment, the shape of the eyebrows, eyes or lips is enhanced. Micropigmentation is also known as permanent make-up or cosmetic tattooing. It is sometimes wrongly confused with cosmetic tattoos (e.g. eyebrow tattoos or eyeliner tattoos). However, the pigments used for permanent make-up are introduced less deeply into the skin layer and have a different composition from tattoo inks. Micropigmentation devices are also more refined than tattoo machines, and the techniques that are used are diffent.
Micropigmentation by
Permanent make-up allows you to subtly give features shape and definition to enhance natural beauty in both men and women. Besides boosting self-confidence, micropigmentation can also lead to a more active lifestyle, personal freedom and save quite a bit of time on make-up application. In addition, micropigmentation procedures have a stunning smudge-free effect that will last for several years. PMU is also very suitable for people with allergies to regular make-up, contact lens wearers with sensitive eyes, people with glasses or people who are active in sports. The possibilities are endless!
In short, permanent-make-up ensures you always look your best.
Cosmetic micropigmentation has a wide range of applications:
Who has micropigmentation and how is it used?
On the day of treatment you would normally be asked to sign a consent form which means that you have understood the future benefits and possible risks associated with the procedure.
Photographs of the area to be treated may also be taken by the practitioner for a “before and after” comparison later.
Depending on the area being treated, and your tolerance of pain, an anaesthetic cream may be first applied to help minimise discomfort.
Once this has worked cosmetic pencil is applied to create a template for the procedure, you should make sure you are satisfied with the final shape before proceeding with treatment.
The selected pigments are blended and applied into the skin with a very fine needle via a small hand held electrical device.
The initial appointment should take from ½ - 2 hours depending on the areas being treated and the skill/speed of the technician. There the areas being treated and the skill/speed of the technician. There should always be one or in some cases two follow-up appointments, which should be included in the overall cost of the treatment. The follow-up appointments will take less time.
Repeat procedures
The most up-to-date form of treatment should mimic softly applied natural looking make-up and will therefore not last as long as the old style heavily applied permanent make-up.
It is not possible to determine the length of time the pigment will remain visible in the skin as each person varies, however it is
recommended that treatments are re-applied when necessary to freshen the appearance; this may be anything from 6 - 18 months depending on individual preference and the initial colour chosen.
Who can perform Micropigmentation?
People who undertake micropigmentation can do so for many different reasons, ranging from those who simply want to look their best at all times, to those who require some form of corrective skin enhancement for medical reasons.
Some people who might choose to have cosmetic micropigmentation are listed below:
- those with allergies to conventional make-up;
- those with no time to apply make-up daily;
- those with thin, pale or poorly defined lips;
- those who seek correction of asymmetrical (“lop-sided”) facial features;
- those with excessively oily skin which causes make-up to smear;
- those with physical difficulties which make the application of conventional make-up impossible.
What happens during a Micropigmentation (Semi Permanent Make-Up) treatment?
Your first appointment with a practitioner should be a consultation to discuss your requirements and expectations from micropigmentation. Your practitioner should explain the treatment process and take notes on your medical history to make sure that there are no reasons why you shouldn’t undergo micropigmentation.
If necessary, cosmetic pencils can be applied to simulate the results of the treatment and you should be shown a portfolio of their work.
You will also discuss your skin tone, in order to ascertain the correct choice of pigment.
Make sure that you obtain as much information as necessary to
- Make sure that you obtain as much information as necessary to enable you to make a fully informed decision about this procedure and whether it can achieve the results you’d like.
- The procedure
- On the day of treatment, you would normally be asked to sign a consent form which means that you have understood the future benefits and possible risks associated with the procedure.
- Photographs of the area to be treated may also be taken by the practitioner for a “before and after” comparison later.
- Depending on the area being treated, and your tolerance of pain, an anaesthetic cream may be first applied to help minimise discomfort.
Once this has worked cosmetic pencil is applied to create a template for the procedure, you should make sure you are satisfied with the final shape before proceeding with treatment.
- The selected pigments are blended and applied into the skin with a very fine needle via a small handheld electrical device.
The initial appointment should take from ½ - 2 hours depending on the areas being treated and the skill/speed of the technician. There the areas being treated and the skill/speed of the technician. There should always be one or in some cases two follow-up appointments, which should be included in the overall cost of the treatment. The follow-up appointments will take less time.
- Repeat procedures
- The most up-to-date form of treatment should mimic softly applied natural-looking make-up and will therefore not last as long as the old-style heavily applied permanent make-up.
It is not possible to determine the length of time the pigment will remain visible in the skin as each person varies, however it is recommended that treatments are re-applied when necessary to freshen the appearance;
this may be anything from 6 - 18 months depending on individual preference and the initial colour chosen.
Who can perform Micropigmentation?
This is not officially recognised as a medical procedure, so someone can perform it without a medical background. However, these days insurance companies are becoming more strict and many are refusing to insure those without a medical or beauty qualification.
NOTE: some of these procedures are more advanced than others. Conditions such as scar camouflage and areola re-pigmentation are more complicated and thus require an experienced technician with advanced
training to carry them out.
You should therefore choose a technician carefully by considering their training, experience and their portfolio. Do they have experience in performing the type of treatment which you are considering? Below are some questions, which you should ask as you “shop around” before undergoing treatment.
- How long have they been practising?
- How many treatments have they performed?
- Are they providing the latest most up-to-date treatments?
- Do they provide advanced procedures?
- Do they only specialise in micropigmentation?
- Do they update their knowledge frequently by attending seminars, conventions and refresher courses?
- Did they come recommended?
- Does their clinic meet with health and safety requirements?
- Does it look clean and hygienic?
- Does their equipment meet with local Health Authority regulations (the most up-to-date equipment uses safe disposable cartridge style needles)?
Ask to see “before” and “after” photos of their previous work.
You will obtain your desired look after a combination of consultations and discussions, the first treatment and then the follow-up procedures. A good relationship between you and your technician is of the utmost importance to guarantee success.
Summary of advice for Micropigmentation
(Semi Permanent Make-Up)
Micropigmentation treatments can range from the very subtle to the dramatic, depending on what the client is looking for. A general rule is the more dramatic, the longer it will last. The most frequently requested procedures are explained below.
Eyebrows
Eyebrows are the frames of the face. When sets of brows are designed correctly they can lift the eyes and give a more youthful appearance to
the face. Clients with sparse eyebrows can have them corrected, and they can be totally reconstructed for those will total hair loss such as Alopecia.
Advanced techniques for eyebrow reconstruction include the art and skill of replicating real hair.
Lipliner
Lips can be defined to emphasise or correct an irregular lip shape, or to add colour to lips that have lost definition.
Advanced techniques for lips include colour blending and full lip tint.
Eyeliner
Eyeliner or Eyelash Enhancement is used to add depth and definition to the eyes. Colour and thickness is individual.
Advanced techniques for eyes include shaded eyeliner.
Please take into account that although the pigment does fade over time, it may never completely disappear. If you are really unhappy with the results, laser treatment may be required to remove the pigment permanently.