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Is Permanent Makeup Really Permanent?

IMG 20220816 201833 894Permanent makeup is a very popular treatment today and is nothing like it was in previous years. Today’s results look really natural, enhance natural beauty, and don’t last forever.

Or do they?

It is often confusing as a client hearing the term 'permanent' when it may not last forever.

 

Is Permanent Makeup Really Permanent?

Permanent makeup is meant to fade over time. Depending on the treatment, whether it’s eyebrows, eyeliner, or a lip tattoo, the average permanent makeup lasts approximately 1-3 years.

For some people it lasts much less, particularly those with an oily skintype and those that tend to sunbathe.  For some it can be persistent and last for many years, mainly those with a a drier skintype.

The term permanent comes from the fact that it’s done quite similar to a traditional body tattoo. That means that the pigments are inserted at the same depth under the skin. Traditional tattoos as well as permanent makeup are implanted in the dermis.

Another reason why the term permanent is used is that the pigment, being inserted into the dermis, some of it will stay in the body forever, although it may not be visible forever.

 

Why Does Permanent Makeup Fade?

The older generation of permament makeup was mainly done by tattoo artists. They used tattoo guns and traditional body ink and the results were permanent.

Perament makeup today uses tools made specifically for the delicate skin of the face.  For example, microblading uses a hand tool that consists of fine needles. These needles create soft hair strokes which are filled with pigment. 

It is very importatnt to know that The pigment for permanent makeup is also formulated to be broken down by the body with time. So, it’s different from traditional body ink.  

Permanent makeup is mostly done on a person’s face. It’s known that even traditional tattoos which are done on the face fade faster than those done on other parts of the body. The reason for this is that the face is much more often exposed to sun, water, makeup and cosmetic products.  The skin on your face has a higher oil content as well.

Permanent makeup, being usually done on the face, will naturally fade faster and the fact that it’s done with pigments, not ink, means that it will fade much faster than a traditional tattoo.

 

Isn’t It Called Semi-Permanent Makeup?

The term semi-permanent makeup was used at the beginning of the permanent makeup expansion. It was used to show that the results of the treatment will fade after some time.

People were more willing to commit to something that will not stay on their faces forever.

Nowadays, when most people know much more about permanent makeup, the term semi permament is not used as often as it used to be.

So we can say that it was a form of a marketing trick that helped people get to know permanent makeup, but there’s no need to use it anymore.

Permanent makeup artists admitted that their treatments are kind of permanent and that they are a form of a tattoo.

It’s more correct to say that semi-permanent make-up treatments are those that last only a couple of weeks and don’t include tattooing, such as henna brows, lamination and HD Brows.

 

Conclusion

So, the answer to the question of is permanent makeup really permanent is that in some way it is, meaning that it is a form of a tattoo and the pigments stay in the body, and the results can be visible for a long time. However, if done properly and depending on your skin, the results are supposed to fade within 3 years tops.

Microblading: Everything you need to know before you book

As you may be aware Microblading gives a realistic and distinctive hairstroke look.  But you also need to know some other things which will help you go through the treatment with as little stress as possible and get the best possible results, here is what you need to now before booking your Microblading treatment.

Combination Brows 7875933

Microblading Will Fade

Microblading is a form of eyebrow tattoo. It is in essence a cosmetic tattoo, which uses permanent makeup pigments instead of traditional tattoo ink. This is why it will eventually fade.  The average time for natrural fading is between 9-18months, this depends on various factors including age, skintype, lifestyle and how you look after them,

The Healing Period

You can’t expect your eyebrows to look perfect immediately after the treatment. Since microblading is a tattoo, it means that the skin has been opened to allow pigment to sit under the top layer and therefore this means there will be some healing time. The superficial part of the healing process usually lasts up to 2 weeks and it can be slightly uncomfortable for some people, while it will be a breeze for others. It really is individual.  The skin underneath takes up to 4 weeks to heal and that’s when we can say that the healing process is complete.

There’s Aftercare

During the healing process (first 2 weeks) you will need to pay attention to your freshly microbladed eyebrows. Detailed instructions will be emailed to you which you MUST follow to a T.  This is SUPER important.

The aftercare is  not very complicated and may include cleaning and applying ointment to the treated area.  Sometimes I may advise a dry heal, which simply means nothing is used on them, they are just left to dry out.

Also, during the aftercare, some things are forbidden, such as getting your brows  wet, visiting saunas and steam rooms, sweaty exercise, wearing makeup on the treated area and using products over the treated area during the healing 7days-14days.

You’ll Need a Topup

One of the most important microblading facts you should know is that this is a TWO TREATMENT PROCESS. Once your brows are completely healed, which will be 6-8 weeks after the initial treatment, you will also need to book your topup, which is included in the cost of the treatment.

During the healing period, your eyebrows may become patchy and uneven and that’s why the microblading artist needs to add more pigment and make other necessary corrections.

You Should Prepare for the Treatment

The preparation for microblading treatment is nothing special but you should avoid some things, such as coffee, alcohol, Ibuprofen, Paracetomol and blood thinners for at least 24 hours. 

It really doesn't Hurt

Microblading can be uncomfortable but it is mostly pain free with many of my clients falling asleep.

Nowadays, microblading artists tend to skip the pre-numb, to get better pigment retention. That means they only apply the numbing solution once the skin is already open and before the second pass.

Most clients don’t complain about the pain but if you have sensitive skin and you cannot tolerate pain very well, you can ask your microblading artist to use prenumb.

It Doesn’t Always Work

If you are a good candidate for microblading, which means that you don’t have oily skin or any medical contraindications, and if you follow the aftercare routine you can expect good results.

But sometimes microblading just doesn’t work out.

The retention is poor, or it goes away immediately after the healing period is over. These cases are not common, but in a very small percentage of situations, it can happen.

You Might Experience Brow Shock

If the eyebrows are different from the natural ones, especially if the person doesn’t have too much brow hair, you may experince what we call in the industry as 'Brow shock'.

If this happens to you, don’t panic, you just need some time to get used to your new Look.

As a skilled and experienced microblading artist, I will choose the best shape and colour for your eyebrows to compliment your face features.

If the brows appear too dark there’s also no need to worry because they will fade between 30-70% by the end of the healing period.

The Ghosting Phase Can Be Scary

This microblading fact is connected to the previous one.

A ghosting sometimes happens after the scabbing period is over.

While the eyebrows heal, they scab and the scabs fall off with some pigment in them. After that, the microblading can appear too light and some people may feel as if the whole process was completely unsuccessful.

But don’t worry, the ghosting phase is so common that it’s even got a name. The pigment is supposed to reappear by the end of the healing period.

Removal Is Possible

If, for some reason, you are not happy then removal is possible.  I offer Saline removal and thgankfully have not had to do it on any of my clients, but I do get a lot of really badly microblading work in from elsewhere that I have had to remove.

If, after some time, you want to get rid of your old microblading and get a new brow tattoo done, you can choose between saline and laser removal.

Summary

Microblading has numerous benefits and it’s totally worth it. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be such a popular treatment. So, make sure you prepare well and follow the aftercare to get the perfect brows you’ve always dreamt of.

Microblading & Eyebrow Tattoo Peeling: What Is Normal & What Is Not?

When you hear the term Microblading or Eyebrow Tattoo, you may think of the old, tattooed look super dark block eyebrows, but it’s actually a much more sophisticated treatment today, with visible hair strokes done with microblading, or a soft powdery effect achieved with powder brows.

img 8531 origMicroblading, powder brows, nano brows, combination brows etc and any other version are still brow tattoos, when you get a tattoo, there is a healing period, which includes scabbing and peeling.

Here is all you need to know about eyebrow tattoo peeling – how intense it is, and also how to care for your brows, what’s normal and what’s not.

How Long After the Treatment Does Eyebrow Tattoo Peeling Start?

The Microblading or eyebrow tattoo peeling starts somewhere between 4-7 days. It is all individual, how intense the peeling will be and when it will end, it varies for everyone, timescale is just a ballpark figure.

How Much Eyebrow Tattoo Peeling Can I Expect?

Some minor flaking is normal, but heavy scabs can be problematic.

Small, light flakes will take some pigment with them and that is completely normal. It’s important to let them fall off on their own, so avoid picking and scratching your eyebrows, they will feel itchy as the skin starts to dry out in this area.

Some people may notice heavy, chunky scabs. They can be normal for some skin types, but they can also be easily avoided. It’s extremely important to follow the aftercare instructions.

Keeping your eyebrows dry is super important; we want that scab to form. If your brows remain too moist or wet it will delay the healing process.

How Long Does It Take for Eyebrow Tattoo to Peel?

The peeling period lasts approximately until day 7-10, but again, it’s individual. It can last a bit longer or shorter than that for each person.

Also, some people will experience only minor peeling. They may be worried that something is odd, but that is completely normal, even if there’s no peeling at all. It’s rare, but those of you who got lucky to experience barely any peeling, can expect great pigment retention.

How to Care for Your Brows During Eyebrow Tattoo Peeling?

Your eyebrow tattoo artist will prescribe certain aftercare. You need to follow it for 2 weeks after the treatment.

When the eyebrows start peeling, the most important thing is to let the flakes fall off on their own. If you pick them, you risk pulling out too much pigment, and ruining your eyebrow tattoo.

A lot of clients who follow the aftercare routine are worried about whether they are allowed to remove a flake that is barely holding on. It’s okay to gently remove it but only if it has come away from the skin, but it will probably be gone when you wash your eyebrows anyway.

What Happens After the Eyebrow Tattoo Peeling?

After the eyebrow tattoo peeling stage, your eyebrows will probably look much lighter than immediately after the treatment. The eyebrows are supposed to lighten by up to 70% until the healing period is over.

After the eyebrows peel, the surface healing is over and you can stop with the aftercare routine. Pretty much everything goes back to normal while you are waiting for your touch up appointment. You can start wearing makeup and feel free to fill in your eyebrows if they are too patchy.

Just be careful with your skincare routine – some ingredients are exfoliants  and they shouldn’t be used around the tattooed area, for example glycolic or lactic acid. Remember that the brows are not completely healed yet – the entire healing period is 4-6 weeks long.

But My Eyebrows Disappeared After Eyebrow Tattoo Peeling!

It’s  possible that your brows are too light after they’ve peeled. They may look like there’s no pigment left at all.

It may just be the ghosting phase, which is of different intensity for different people. Some will notice their brows are just a bit lighter, others will notice they’ve completely gone! The ghosting phase is a normal part of the healing process.

The skin is recovering and the new skin covers the pigment. It takes time until the pigment reemerges again. That’s why we say the healing period is not over after 2 weeks, and the best time to assess the brows is between 4-6 weeks later.

But what if the color doesn’t come back? Well, this is also possible for different reasons.

something went wrong during the aftercare or it’s just your skin – some people’s skin retains pigment better than others’.  Remember it is a 2 treatment process and brows are not complete until 6 weeks healed after your topup (2nd appointment).  In some cases a 3rd topup will be required, but mostly 2 treatments is usually sufficient.

To Sum Up

Eyebrow tattoo peeling is the most annoying and unattractive stage of the healing process. If you are lucky, you will experience as little peeling as possible. Make sure you don’t touch the flakes and follow the aftercare routine, to ensure great healing results.

What is Combination Brows?

As the name suggests it is a combination of 2 semi permanent makeup methods. Also known as 'combo brows' or 'combre brows' ✨ Microblading can be used to create hairstrokes and shading can be added (powder/ombre brows) to create a little more body to the brow. This method will give you a little more definition than microblading alone ❤

Combination Brows 90805Who are Combo Brows for ?

Combo Brows are great for clients with normal to moderately oily skin. So if your skin is too oily for microblading alone, combination brows might be a viable alternative. For someone with very sparse brows, the shading can give the brow more body, while the hair-strokes keep it looking natural.

What to expect

As with all treatments, the first step will be a consultation. We will discuss your current brow shape and what you are looking to achieve.  We may ask to see pictures of brows that you like to establish this is the right method for you.  Then with conventional cosmetics we will design your ideal shape by drawing a template onto your brows. Before the treatment begins, a bespoke pigment colour is mixed to match your natural brow hair perfectly.  We can refine the template also to ensure you are fully satisfied with the design and colour.

We recommend maintenance every 12-18 months with annual colour boost.

If you have any questions please email, text or call me I'll be happy to help 😃🙏 love Mel xx

Treatment Information:

💕 Style: Combination brows
⭐Cost: £290 (includes topup 6-12 weeks after your 1st treatment)
💊Pain level: Minimal
🕑Time: 2-3 hours
⏳ Healing: 1-2 weeks & will heal up to 70% lighter than straight after treatment
🏠Where: Corsham, Wiltshire.
💳Deposit: £50 payable upon booking and is deducted off the treatment cost
📅 Bookings: BOOK NOW button on pricing and bookings page.

Does Microblading Hurt?

Microblading 4563786If you have thin or light coloured Eyebrows or a medical condition that causes eyebrow hair loss, like alopecia, microblading may be the perfect solution for you.  Microblading is a semi-permanent cosmetic tattoo that fills in the brows to give them a fuller appearance. The procedure involves using a small blade to apply hairstroke lines of semi-permanent pigment under the skin.  Microblading is essentially having hundreds of tiny cuts made on your brows blending in with the hairs.  Just like a tattoo, these little cuts break the skin, which is then filled in with a pigment.  Microblading produces a natural looking brow and results can last for up to 2 years, and colour boosts are recommended annually or when you feel the colour has faded.

The Microblading procedure can take around 2 hours, most people only feeling minor pressure or discomfort and much less pain than a typical body tattoo. However this will depend on your own personal tolerance to pain. Pain is unique to each indidvidual.  Some level of pain or discomfort should be expected.  If you’re considering microblading, be sure to properly research the microblading technician.  Ask to see examples of their work, discuss your concerns about pain.

Most practitioners will use an anesthetic to numb the area during treatment.  Rather than actually feeling the pain from the cutting of the blade, you’ll most likely only feel pressure from the microblading tool on your brows or you might feel a scratching sensation.

During the process, you may also hear scratching sounds.   The scratching sound is the pins (that make up the microblade) hitting each other not your skin as most people tend to believe. 
 

While some minor discomfort and skin irritation should be expected, you may be able to lessen the tenderness and irritation experienced during microblading by following these steps before your appointment:

  • Avoid caffeine or alcohol on the day of the procedure.
  • Avoid tanning or sunbathing for a few days before the procedure.
  • Don’t pluck or wax your eyebrows for a few days before the procedure.
  • Avoid chemical peels, laser treatments, and other facial treatments for a few weeks before the procedure.
  • Stop using vitamin A (retinol) for a month beforehand.

 

Pain Following Microblading Treatment

It’s common for the area to feel slightly bruised or tender for about a day or 2 following a microblading procedure. Your skin shouldn’t appear bruised, but it may be a little red and possibly a little swollen. As the wounds heal, you may feel as if you have a sunburn for a few days.

It takes about 10 to 14 days to fully heal as the pigment settles. During this time, your skin will be sensitive.

To help prevent complications and to assist with the healing process and avoid infections, follow the aftercare instructions provided by your microblading technician. These may include the following:

  • Apply The treatment ointment to your eyebrows twice a day for several days.
  • Keep the area clean and dry.
  • Avoid touching, rubbing, picking, scratching or wetting the brow area for a week to 10 days.
  • Avoid using any harsh skin care products.
  • Don’t apply makeup to the area for a week.
  • Try to avoid sweating for several days
  • Stay out of direct sunlight, including tanning beds for several days.
 
Summary

A numbing cream is typically used during a microblading procedure. Some people will still feel pain during the procedure, and soreness or irritation is expected in the days following.  By properly researching the microblading technician and following all pre- and post-care instructions, you can ensure a relatively painless and safe appointment.

Have any questions, then be sure to message me.

Mel xx

 

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