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| NAVIGATOR: Home: Treatment FAQs: Non Surgical: Micropigmentation (Semi Permanent Make-Up) | 03 September 2010 | ||
Micropigmentation (Semi Permanent Make-Up)or simply scroll down.
The specialist techniques used to create a kind of semi-permanent make-up are often referred to as micropigmentation, dermagraphics, permanent cosmetics or permanent make-up and are a type of tattooing. The process involves hypoallergenic pigments being inserted into the dermal layer of the skin. This pigment will, after a healing process, stay in the skin for a number of years - breaking down and fading with time, dependent on age and skin type.
This treatment can be used to correct scarred or discoloured skin by means of reconstructive or medical micropigmentation for birth defects or to repair disfugurement from accident, illness or surgery, or merely as a cosmetic enhancement for your skin as it provides a convenient alternative to cosmetic pencils applied to the eyebrows, eyelids, lips and cheeks. This concept is not really new. We know that Queen Cleopatra in ancient Egypt and some women in India and Africa have sought permanent eye enhancement with various substances over the years. They used plant and nut pigments or ground coals (carbon) as eyeliners or eye-shadows and inserted the substances around their eyes with fine, sharp implements. However, semi-permanent make-up as we know it today is a relatively recent phenomenon, becoming more prevalent in the last fifteen years. If you are considering cosmetic micropigmentation, the following information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure. It can't answer all your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the practitioner. Please ask a practitioner about anything you don't understand.
We would like to thank Debra Robson-Lawrence for her expert help with compiling this information.
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:
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 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 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 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.
Recovery time No recovery time is necessary, however treated areas will appear a little dark for a few days and subsequently exfoliate and lighten to a more natural looking shade, the second visit will be necessary to perfect the shape and deepen the colour. In some instances, on delicate skin there may be swelling and or slight bruising, however you can return to work and normal activities immediately after a treatment. We would like to thank Debra Robson-Lawrence for her expert help with compiling this information.
Permanent cosmetic procedures are of a skin invasive nature (as they are a form of cosmetic tattoo) and therefore you may experience some discomfort. This may vary according to each individual's pain threshold and the skills of the technician performing the service. However, keep in mind that there are different methods available to help with pain management, including various topical anaesthetics. Your skin should return to normal relatively quickly as any side effects such as swelling or redness is generally mild. Allergic reactions to permanent cosmetics are quite rare. You may request a skin sensitivity test in an invisible area beforehand to see how your skin responds. Some technicians routinely recommend a sensitivity test as part of the treatment. Needles inserted too deeply in the skin can cause bleeding, spreading of pigments, and damage to hair follicles. Scarring is very rare, and usually because of an error by the practitioner performing the treatment. If proper hygiene and sterilisation guidelines are followed, micropigmentation should be very safe with few risks. It is advisable not to pick or rub the treated areas to minimise the risk of infection.
It is very important that you follow the advice of your practitioner carefully after micropigmentation to reduce the risk of complications. Post-treatment advice includes:
As long as you are generally healthy and don’t have any skin diseases or infections in the area treated, there are few medical reasons why patients should not undergo this treatment. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding are recommended to delay treatment. Insulin dependent diabetics and people with some heart conditions will also not be suitable for treatment. Please inform you practitioner of any medication you are taking, if in doubt seek medical advice.
If you are prone to keloid or hypertrophic scarring (red, angry, raised) you may develop scar tissue at the treatment site. Please think this over if you have experienced this in the past. We would like to thank Debra Robson-Lawrence for her expert help with compiling this information.
Before (left) and After (right), lash defining on a male.
Before (left) and After (right), full lip tint on a female.
Before (left) and After (right), the complete look on a female.
Photographs above courtesy of Natural Enhancement (UK) Ltd
Photographs above courtesy of Tracie Giles Permanent Make-up
Before (left) and After (right).
Having over plucked her brows this client was advised by Karen Betts to have her brows redesigned using the natural hair stroke technique. The overall effect has framed the client's face and eliminated the need for eyebrow pencil.
Before (left) and After (right).
This client has had her top and bottom lips redefined with contour and lip blush. The overall appearance is now more balanced.
Before (left) and After (right).
Top and bottom lash enhancement with intense eyeliner has accentuated the natural beauty of this client's eyes.
Photographs above courtesy of Karen Betts - Nouveau Contour.
(All before and after photographs are actual patients, your results may differ).
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.
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. Please go to our Find a Clinic section to find a clinic or practitioner specialising in this treatment. We would like to thank Debra Robson-Lawrence for her expert help with compiling this information.
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. We would like to thank Debra Robson-Lawrence for her expert help with compiling this information.
The cost of the procedure should not be the most important issue when consulting a potential technician. Most important is the training and skill of the technician and the confidence of the client in that skill; as well as their reasons for wanting the treatment.
An indication of prices are as follows, but can vary considerably:
We would like to thank Debra Robson-Lawrence for her expert help with compiling this information.
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