Brian Hurley runs Illumination MedSpa in Irmo, South Carolina. Here, he tells all about permanent makeup.
Permanent makeup is the art of implanting pigment beneath the skin in a precise and consistent manner, much like a tattoo. In many states, it has to be performed under the supervision of a physician. This provides a degree of protection for the public and reduces the risk of passing bloodborne diseases from patient to patient.
The ideal candidate is one who wishes to wake up with makeup every day. This includes people who have busy lifestyles and are usually in a hurry or those with physical disabilities who cannot apply their own makeup, but still want to look their best. Pretty much anyone is a good candidate, but people with failing eyesight, unsteady hands, and active lifestyles benefit from it the most.
Permanent makeup should only be applied with topical anesthesia, usually combined with a sedative/hypnotic medicine such as Valium, or with a sedative such as nitrous oxide. The best approach is to be conservative with the amount and color applied during one treatment. More can always be added later but it is difficult to remove once it’s there. However, you can change the color of permanent makeup by using your regular makeup.
The pigments used in permanent makeup should be free of iron oxide in order to be safe for an MRI or CT scan. However, no pigment is FDA-approved for facial tattooing. We use Premier Pigments, which has been manufacturing and selling pigments for many years and has invested a lot of money into researching the safest ways to tattoo the face.
Here at Illumination MedSpa, our makeup artist uses a coil machine (traditional tattoo machine) to apply permanent makeup. Each procedure takes about two hours. You need to avoid overexposure to the sun during the healing process and cannot wear regular makeup until the healing is complete.
Remember that permanent makeup is an art, not a science, and unforeseen things can and do occur. The color could fade or not take, the pigment could change color, or you could have an allergic reaction. We do a patch test to ensure that there is no allergic reaction. You may experience some localized swelling. Following all post-procedure instructions helps ensure a safe and fast recovery. We also include a touch-up application at no charge to ensure client satisfaction. In our five years of applying permanent makeup, none of our clients have had complications from it.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
