For long-lasting but removeable 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, particulary 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.

Results

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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 cosmetic purposes 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 but becomes natural (as natural as makeup can be) after a few weeks. Picture below shows an example:

Permanent makeup is very useful for women who cannot apply makeup easily because they have allergic reactions to makeup materials, or have vision deficits or 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 is also used to camouflage facial scarring.

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

Removal

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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 may be even more painful and laborious than the tattooing itself.

Adverse effects and complications

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As it happens with tattoos, skin micropigmentation used in 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, FDA has reported more than 50 adverse effects associated to a specific brand of ink ^*, in some cases causing serious disfigurement, resulting in difficulty in eating and talking.

Rarely, some people with permanent makeup have experienced temporary 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.

External links

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• Tattoos and permanent makeup Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Permanent makeup Emory Health
• Permanent Makeup About.com
• American Academy of Micropigmentation
• Permanent Cosmetics Net
• The Society of Permanent Cosmetics Professionals

Dermatology | Cosmetics | Tattoos | Plastic surgery | Human appearance