A new solution for various medical conditions
Permanent makeup has become incredibly popular in the last five to ten years. Women all over the country are learning the benefits of having permanent eyeliner, eyebrow coloring, lip coloring or lip liner. What could be better than to wake up looking as good in the morning as you did in the evening? (Think of the time you save putting on your makeup!)
However, the uses for this procedure extend beyond eyebrows, eyeliner and lips. The medical use of pigment for camouflage can be traced back for more than 150 years. Plastic surgeons have successfully used permanent makeup to disguise birthmarks and various types of scars. Here are some of the many medically related reasons for having permanent makeup applied:
Areola Repigmentation is an option. Patients who have had mastectomy surgery and breast reconstruction have two choices when it comes to reconstructing the areola. One option would be a skin graft which requires further plastic surgery. The other option is to simulate the areola through permanent makeup. In this procedure color and shape are matched to the intact side, or a new color and shape are chosen for both breasts, blending with the shape of the new breast and the client›s skin tone. Permanent makeup thus offers a less costly option with a shorter healing time and fewer traumas to the body.
Alopecia is a medical condition which causes hair loss either in patches or it can affect the entire body. Head hair, brows, lashes and body hair can be lost, causing a great deal of psychological trauma for the patient. Permanent makeup can help bring back self-esteem and confidence to the alopecia patient. In the hands of a skilled technician, brows can be applied in a natural manner and eyelash enhancement or full eyeliner can be used, either alone or as an adjunct to false eyelashes, creating restored facial features. Patients who are undergoing chemotherapy can benefit in the same ways as the alopecia patient when hair loss of brows and lashes occurs from cancer treatment.
Scar Camouflage is an option in several cases. Plastic surgery, even by the best of surgeons, can leave some scarring along the perimeter of the surgery site.
Accidents or burns may cause scarring. The most successful type of scar to work with is flat, not raised, and a lighter color than the intact skin surrounding it. Scars that are located within the hairline, from facelifts or sparse areas after hair transplantation can be camouflaged. The same is true for stabilized male pattern baldness. The technician uses a subtle technique to fill in the sparse area, matching the color to the clients› existing hair.
Cleft Lip Correction is done surgically but the patient will normally be left with a lip that appears to be incomplete.
Permanent makeup is ideal for reconstructing the lip line, normally by applying full lip color either in a natural tone or cosmetic color, whichever is preferred by the client.
Vitiligo involves the progressive loss of pigmentation in the skin, sometimes affecting the entire body over many years. Loss of pigment can occur in patches, as well, with the disease eventually ceasing to progress. Since vitiligo is a progressive condition, careful consideration should be taken before undergoing repigmentation with permanent makeup. If the affected area has not changed in a long time, permanent makeup can be an option to blend the affected area with the original skin tone. However, if pigment loss continues after the permanent makeup has
been done, further blending would be difficult.
When choosing permanent makeup for any of these procedure, it is important to find a technician experienced in these procedures and prepare to spend a good deal of time on follow up treatments. Scar tissue is more difficult to penetrate than intact skin. Blending color to match surrounding tissue also requires several treatments. Progressive revisions are necessary to create the best result. The skin must heal completely in order to reveal the outcome of the color as it blends with the skin›s natural undertones. This healing time usually ranges between six to eight weeks.
Commonly Asked QuestionsQ. Is permanent makeup safe?A. Yes, as long as you go to a qualified technician. The same pigment used for permanent makeup has been used in tattooing for centuries.Q. What about communicable diseases?A. The technician should use only disposable needles that are sterilized and individually wrapped.Q. What if I am allergic to the pigment?A. If you have an allergy, especially to nylon or Dacron, ask your technician to do a pigment test before any procedure.Q. What if I change my hair color and want my eyebrows to match?A. By blending another color of pigment over the original color, you should be able to get the color you desire.Q. What if eyebrow styles change?A. Your new eyebrow shape should be based on your own preferences. A classic look ensures that you will never be out of style.Q. What does permanent lip liner look like?A. Permanent lip liner is usually applied following the natural contour of your lips, but can be altered to your personal preference. This replaces the need to apply lip liner and you will only need to fill in with lipstick.Q. How does the lip liner look when I am not wearing lipstick?A. The line is soft and natural in shades that blend with your own lip tissue, making your lips look fuller.Q. Is the procedure painful?A. The technician will numb the area first, but some people will still experience minor discomfort during the procedure. This is often described as a stinging or scratching sensation, which subsides as soon as the procedure is over.Q. How long does it take to heal?A. It depends on the person. Usually a light crust will form during the first couple of days, and then it will fall off during the next three to five days.
Merry is a very accomplished permanent makeup artist and has a degree in business, a B.S.; also studies art and oil painting. Esthetician for 25 years, with 23 years in permanent makeup working with plastic surgeons and salons, and found that this work gave her a great deal of gratification, as she witnessed the boost in self-esteem by women who used her artistry.
As an expert consultant she works with many women who utilize her talents and expertise to provide solutions to the effects of aging on facial features.
She can be reached at: Merry286@cs.com or 949-300-4371
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