Is Permanent Makeup Safe?

Lovely red lips, perfectly shaped eyebrows, and flattering eyeliner. Permanent Makeup holds the promise you'll work all day, go to the gym,  dance all night, and wake up in the morning with makeup in place. Nothing, it seems, will phase cosmetic tattoos!

In the hands of a skilled person, the procedures are generally very safe. But state regulatory agencies haven't kept pace with the growth of the permanent makeup industry, and there are lots of unqualified people wielding needles. Always check your state laws - as well as the credentials of your technician to ensure that they have accredited training as well as are working in a licensed Body Art Facility.

 Permanent makeup for eyeliner is the most popular cosmetic enhancement, followed by eyebrows and lip color. Some practitioners offer blush and eye shadow, but Zwerling, chairman of the American Academy of Micropigmentation (AAM) in Goldsboro, N.C., says he's totally opposed. "What I've seen has been very poorly done. You can't be sure what the color is going to do, and if you get an allergic reaction, you're dealing with a large surface area. You're talking about major reconstructive face surgery."

 Most procedures are done after applying an anesthetic to the skin. Zwerling says after the initial procedure, touch-up might be required but no sooner than one month and as much as three months later. Practitioners include dermatologists, cosmetologists, aestheticians, nurses, and tattooists. 
 
What are the adverse reactions to permanent makeup?
"The good thing", Zwerling says, "is that pigments like iron oxide, rarely cause allergic reactions. Iron oxide has been shown to be the safest pigment. Anything that is vegetable based, organic, or natural is the most risky. It's the natural products in vegetables and herbs that can cause horrible allergic reactions."

At AURA we always use iron oxide based pigments to minimize irritations that may be caused. If you concerned about a possible allergy to our pigments, we will always honor a test spot location on the back of your neck upon request. We urge you to always talk about your concerns with your technician!

Cheers to your health!

---