Permanent Makeup: What to Know Before Choosing an Artist

[CONFIRM WITH CLINIC: Does Skinholic currently offer permanent makeup, such as microblading, ombre or powder brows, lip blush or eyeliner? If yes, which techniques, who performs them, and at which clinic? Until this is confirmed, this article only presents removal of existing permanent makeup as a Skinholic treatment.]

How permanent makeup works

Permanent makeup, also called micropigmentation, uses fine needles to place pigment in the upper layers of the skin to define the brows, eyes or lips. It sits closer to the surface than a body tattoo and uses cosmetic pigments, so it usually softens over the years, though not always evenly: some pigment can remain or change tone. That is why most people need occasional touch-ups. That gradual fading also leaves room to adjust the look as your face or your taste changes.

Common techniques

• Microblading: fine, hair-like strokes for a natural-looking brow.
• Ombre or powder brows: a soft, shaded finish that is often suggested for oily or sensitive skin and tends to hold longer than microblading.
• Lip blush: a wash of colour that defines the lip line and evens out tone.
• Eyeliner: pigment placed along the lash line.

What to ask any provider

• What training and experience does the artist have with the technique you want?
• Are needles single-use, is barrier protection used, and how is the rest of the equipment sterilized?
• Can you see healed results, not only photos taken the same day?
• How is the pigment colour chosen for your skin tone, so the result does not drift grey or orange over time?
• What does aftercare involve, and is a touch-up appointment included?

Healing and aftercare

Freshly treated brows or lips look darker and sharper than the healed result, so do not judge the colour in the first few days. The area may feel tight or itchy and flake lightly as it heals. Let it shed on its own rather than picking, keep it clean, and follow your artist's instructions on whether to keep it dry or apply a thin balm. Most artists advise avoiding heavy sweating and makeup on the area for one to two weeks. Following your artist's written aftercare is one of the factors you control that most affects how well the pigment settles.

When older permanent makeup has faded or changed colour

This is where Skinholic can help today. We offer tattoo removal with two methods, picosecond laser and saline removal, and both can lighten existing permanent-makeup pigment over a series of sessions. Some cosmetic pigments, particularly lighter, flesh-toned, red and brown shades, can darken rather than lighten under laser light, which is one reason saline removal may be suggested for brows and lips, and why every plan starts with an in-person assessment at our Surrey clinic. You can read more about unwanted tattoos and permanent makeup on our skin concerns page.