Permanenet Cosmetics

Permanent cosmetics is cosmetic tattooing, but often called permanent makeup or micropigmentation. 

Other terms used for permanent cosmetics is intradermal cosmetics or micropigment implantation. 

The process the process of applying color into the skin is an artform that takes years to perfect. It is only through experience that a technician "develops their hand and eye.”  The real artform comes in understanding facial morphology and color theory.  Many factors must be considered when implanting color into the skin, such as individual undertones, the skins luminosity, moisture content, lifestyle, medications and skin care products.

Beautiful, soft, natural-looking permanent makeup will not last forever and will tend to lighten or fade more quickly than harder, darker colors. Additionally, to obtain the most "real" looking enhancement, all the skin is not saturated with color—some areas are left without color allowing the skin to play a role in the overall enhancement.  Only a skilled technician has the eye and the experience to select a color or shade that will not only compliment, but enhance facial features.

Permanent Cosmetics Pre Care

Before you schedule, there are a few things you should know:

• If you are on blood thinning medication or are taking insulin you will need a written medical release before having permanent cosmetics. 
• Please do not schedule your appointment if you have a social event within a 7 day period.  All procedures need time to heal. 
• All procedures appear darker and more sharply defined for a period of 5-7 days after they are completed.  Colors soften as skin heals. 
• We recommend that you stop using retin-A or any retinoids 3-5 days prior to procedures.
• Clients must be off accutane for 1 year prior to cosmetic tattooing.

Long-Term Care

Long Term Care for All Permanent Cosmetic Procedures:

• Use a good sunscreen daily.
• Avoid applying products containing retinoids or gylcloic acid directly on top of permanent cosmetic procedures as they may hasten the fading process.
• If you are planning a chemical peel, MRI or other medical procedure, please tell them that you have iron-oxide cosmetic tattooing.
• It is a Red Cross policy that you must wait one year after any tattooing procedure to donate blood.
• If you are planning to have laser hair removal or other skin resurfacing, you must disclose the fact that you have permanent color so this area can be avoided with laser.  Ablative and non-ablative lasers may cause pigment color changes.

There may be other area-specific Pre Care and/or After Care advice that is described below.  Additionally, pre care recommendations are discussed prior to your procedure and written, after care instructions are given to you and discussed with you after your procedure.

Permanent Cosmetics FAQ

Q: Who is a good candidate for permanent cosmetics?

A: Anyone is a great candidate for permanent cosmetics.  However, those who would especially appreciate permanent cosmetic enhancements are those that want to look their best all the time. Anyone who suffers from allergies to traditional makeup, hairloss due to chemotherapy, those who are visually impaired,  or those who suffer from diseases such as parkinsons and arthritis, will enjoy the personal freedom that permanent cosmetics can bring.  Activities such as exercising, dancing, swimming, golfing and boating that were impaired by the concern of keeping makeup on, can be enjoyed once again.

Q: Is it a tattoo?
A: Yes, permanent makeup is a cosmetic tattoo. The pigments used are iron oxide and glycerin.

Q: Does it hurt?
A: The sensation can be loosely compared to tweezing the eyebrows. For your comfort, a very effective topical anesthetic is used. Most clients experience mild discomfort; but since everyone experiences pain differently, clients experience more discomfort due to individual tolerance levels.

Q: What if I change my hair color?
A: Since all color choices are selected to harmonize with your skin tone and natural coloring, changing your hair color will not affect the look of properly applied permanent makeup.

Q: What is the recovery time for permanent makeup?
A: The hand method of micropigmentation results in less trauma to the skin and no bruising of the eye and eyebrow area. It is common for a person to return to work the same day. Lips, however, will have some residual swelling.

Q: Can I still wear traditional makeup over the tattooed area?
A: Yes! Permanent makeup is designed to be only an enhancement to your natural features. Wearing additional cosmetics is a personal choice.

Q: What if I decide to have cosmetic surgery?
A: Plastic surgery has no affect on properly placed permanent makeup.

Q: What is the difference between coil machine and the Softap® method?
A: It is the technician behind any given tool that makes a procedure successful. The biggest difference with SofTap® is the technician is the power source. The manual method is very quiet, controlled and very natural looking when healed. All tools come pre-sterlized and are tossed after every procedure in a sharps container. There is no assembly required. Also most clients find the lack of vibration and noise very comforting. There are very little touch ups with a well trained professional.

Q: How long does it last?
A: Permanent makeup never washes off or smears. It can soften through the years. The length of time will vary based on colors chosen, skin type, and compliance with after care instructions. Color refreshers will range from one to ten years and vary on an individual basis.

Q: How long does it take?
A: The hand applied method requires one or three applications. The first appointment is considered a "rough draft." The second appointment will need to be scheduled four weeks to perfect your makeup, if warranted. Any subsequent appointments will be set up as needed.  Although the length of theprocedure may vary with each individual, it generally takes about our experienced technician an average of one hour for each procedure.

Q: Do men get permanent cosmetics?  Why do it?
A: Both men and women with temporary or permanent hair loss, thinning or faded brows and lashes, facial burns, scar discoloration, and vitiligo come to us for image-enhancing procedures. Women with visual or dexterity difficulties with makeup, or those who have allergies or contact lens sensitivity to makeup, and of course women with busy schedules who just want the luxury of waking up each morning perfectly made up. Women recovering from mastectomy surgery benefit from areola complex tattooing. This magnificent procedure can transform a breast mound into the most beautiful and natural appearing breast.

Q: What are the benefits?
A:  The objective of these procedures is to raise self-esteem, self-confidence, and allow for more activity and personal freedom.  This has been the experience of more than a decade of elated clients at The Beau Institute. Activities such as exercising, dancing, swimming, golfing, and boating that were impaired by the concern of keeping makeup or color on, are enjoyed once again.  In many cases, having permanent makeup means having more confidence in a personal way and makes a significant difference in people’s lives. Both men and women experience positive results and true personal freedom.

Q: May I choose the color and shape?
A: Absolutely.  In fact, nothing is done without your approval.  First, our professional will work with you to design the most attractive style and shape based on your facial features and personal preference.  Then, individualized color is mixed according to your skin tone.  We have a large variety of colors from which all different shades of colors can be custom blended.