Permanent makeup procedures usually take two to three hours, depending on how many areas you’re having done. This is followed by a shorter follow-up visit, about a month later, to evaluate results, check the healing process, and apply touch-ups.
Most people experience some discomfort during the permanent makeup procedure. Many providers will offer to apply a topical anesthetic to help with the pain, and it’s normal for minor bleeding to occur.Â
The pigment application is performed with a specialty handheld device, a traditional tattoo coil machine, a pen or rotary machine, or a handheld device.
For permanent eyebrows: The most common technique used for creating full eyebrows is microblading. This treatment is actually semipermanent, unlike many other cosmetic tattoos, and you’ll need a follow-up shortly after your first visit.
During microblading, your provider will first sketch out your new brows. Then they’ll go over the lines with a small device that uses several tiny needles to inject pigment into the top layer of your skin. This results in fine lines of pigment that resemble individual hairs.
For permanent eyeliner: The area is numbed first, then a fine line is tattooed directly along the lash line. New tools, like the digital Nouveau Contour, make the treatment safer and more efficient, ensuring an even line.
As with microblading, you’ll need two appointments to ensure the best results.
For permanent lip liner: The permanent makeup artist will tattoo a line around the border of your lips in order to give them a more defined look. The lip liner works in tandem with shading done to the actual lips, to enhance the illusion of fullness. Some artists will shade down to the middle of the lips for a blended effect. The color you choose can be natural, or you can match a shade of lipstick you’ll be comfortable with permanently.
For permanent lip color: Lip blushing is another semipermanent technique, similar to microblading, that promises a lip tint lasting up to two years. Intended to give a more natural look, lip blushing involves shading, lining, and pixelating the lips to achieve the desired color.Â
First, a topical numbing cream is applied. Then, similar to how a tattoo artist uses shading, your provider will use a variety of needles to achieve the proper effect. Your lips will probably look darker than you intended, but you’ll lose a good deal of color after about a week. You’ll likely need at least one touch-up.
RealSelf Tip: You can get fuller lashes and eyebrows with serums formulated to help eyelashes grow, like Latisse.
