Permanent cosmetic makeup is cosmetic tattooing. The specialized techniques used for permanent cosmetics are often referred to as “micropigmentation”, “micropigment implantation”, or “dermagraphics”. The cosmetic implantation technique deposits colored pigment into the upper reticular layer of the dermis.

Permanent cosmetic procedures are performed using various devices including the traditional tattoo coil machines, the pen or rotary machine, and the non-machine or hand device. The process includes a consultation, the application of pigment, and at least one or more follow-up visits for evaluating the healed design work and color of the pigment.

People who meet minimum age requirements (at least 18) with a valid state ID, and have the ability to heal properly from minor wounds can benefit from the liberating benefits of permanent cosmetics.

Interest in this service spans the young to the more mature; those who desire a soft, natural enhancement to their appearance. It is especially valuable to people who can’t wear traditional cosmetics due to allergies and/or skin sensitivities; active people who want to look their best for sports activities such as swimming, hiking, biking, tennis, aerobics; and those who don’t want to worry about “sweating off” or reapplying cosmetics. 

Permanent cosmetics also benefit the vision challenged who have difficulty applying their cosmetics and others with dexterity-related conditions such as arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke survivors, and busy people who don’t have time to spend applying and refreshing makeup throughout the day.

Primped 365 offers services that can be very subtle or dramatic depending on what you are looking for. Options include: 

-Eyebrows

-Eyeliner (top and bottom)

-Lipliner, lip color, and/or blend

-Scar revision/camouflage, beauty marks, lash enhancement, and areola re-pigmentation

NOTE: Some of these procedures use more advanced techniques (para-medical techniques) and thus require an experienced technician with advanced training. At Primped 365 we have that training and make continued education a priority.

Permanent cosmetic procedures are considered permanent because pigment is tattooed into the upper reticular part of the dermal layer of the skin and cannot be washed off. However, as with any tattoo or colorant (pigment) in general, fading can and often does occur, requiring periodic maintenance referred to as color re-enhancement or color refreshing. 

The scientific structure of pigments and the requirement for periodic refreshing is identical to that of tinted hair color; faded material on furniture that may be located near a window and subject to sun exposure; pigment implanted in the skin may fade with time. This colorant periodic maintenance requirement is a good opportunity to re-evaluate one’s color and design preferences. 

While the concept of permanent, without any change, may seem like a perfectly good idea, think about how your tastes have changed over the years. From time to time you likely have made subtle or dramatic changes in your clothing preferences, your hair color and style, and if you wear topical makeup, those colors have changed as well. The fact that most people will require periodic color refreshing of their permanent cosmetics is the opportune time to work with your technician to re-evaluate your overall appearance profile and determine if any changes are appropriate. Longevity varies from person to person depending on their lifestyle (i.e. sun exposure), the color(s) used for the permanent cosmetic procedure, and are also thought to be affected by topical products applied to the skin.

The average cost per procedure varies but averages between $385-600. Primped 365 requires a $100 deposit for all appointments.*Advanced work may be charged at $150-250 per hour. Many of these procedures are commonly referred to as para-medical procedures. The cost of the procedure should not be the most important issue with consulting a permanent cosmetic professional. Most important is the training and skill of the person performing the procedure and the confidence of the client in that skill.

*All deposits are non-refundable and only able to be transferred to a new appointment time once, and only with a minimum of 24 hours notice. If you cancel or reschedule within 24 hours of your scheduled appointment, you forfeit your deposit. All deposits are put toward the total, which is due at the initial procedure.

The initial procedure will generally take two to three hours. There are records to establish, photographs to take, desired design and color to discuss, the procedure to perform, and the aftercare requirements to discuss. Follow-up color refresher procedures usually do not require the same amount of time.

Most people experience very little discomfort. This will vary according to each individual’s pain threshold. There are different methods available, however, to help with discomfort management, including various topical anesthetics that are specifically developed for our industry. 

We will discuss these methods with you to determine which one is appropriate. As a rule, traditional tattoo professionals do not use any anesthetics for their tattoo procedures. Anesthetics for permanent cosmetics are more of a tattoo service luxury because of the nature of the tattoo location and the fact that permanent cosmetics fall into the beauty treatment category.

Yes. We follow proper sterilization and disinfection guidelines making permanent cosmetics completely safe. We routinely attend Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) classes to become well-versed on safety protocols. These guidelines include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• All needles are new, sterile, and disposable for each client. Primped 365 uses disposable, sterilized, one-time-use needles. 
• Personal protection equipment such as disposable, one-time-use gloves are new for each client and changed during the procedure when needed. 
• We keep a clean and neat environment. 
• The procedure area is sanitized between each client.

Although the procedure is considered permanent, these procedures do have flexibility in changing color and shape to some extent. Colors will appear darker immediately following the procedure but will soften and lighten during the healing process. The healing time is different for each individual and procedure.

It’s important to realize that often the new procedure represents something somewhat different; at times color where there was no color at all or very little. It takes time to become acclimated to a new look (very often this applies to eyebrows that were sparse and unnoticeable before the permanent cosmetic procedure). Eyeliner color is more evident due to the contrast of the skin color. Lip color can take up to six weeks to reflect the final color. Be patient. After the procedure has healed and you are able to make an informed decision about the healed version of the procedure, the only reason you should not like your permanent cosmetics is if you chose not to communicate well with your artist on design and color. 

If you cannot communicate with your artist, it is possible that your desires will not be realized. Don’t request eyebrow color based on your tinted scalp hair color. That is subject to change and it may affect how you then feel about the color of your permanent cosmetic eyebrows. Eyebrow color should be selected based on your skin undertone and the color of your existing eyebrow hair (if any). Conversely, most well-trained artists will not perform a procedure if the design and/or color requested by the client is not reasonable. If your requests are turned down, re-think what you are asking for. 

Permanent cosmetics are not easily removed. Make good decisions up front. You can enjoy the liberation permanent cosmetics provide when you choose a qualified professional that you work well with.

Please eat and be well-rested before you arrive. 

Inform your artist of any previous permanent makeup procedures. 

Do not work out the day of your procedure (before or after)

If coffee or caffeine makes you anxious or jittery, please avoid it on the day of your procedure. 

For eye-related procedures, do not wear mascara for 24 hours prior to your appointment, stop all lash serums 14 days prior, remove any/all last extensions two weeks in advance, and do not wear contact lenses the day of or for the two days following.

Please avoid any type of blood-thinning medication for 72 hours before your appointment unless the doctor prescribed it. If the doctor prescribed it, you must get your doctor’s approval before stopping. If advised against doing so, you are not a good candidate for permanent makeup. Medications include but are not limited to ibuprofen, aspirin, niacin, fish oil supplements, and vitamin E.

Do not consume alcohol 24 hours prior to your procedure. 

Avoid intense sun and tanning bed exposure at least 15 days prior to and 30 days after your procedure. 

Often the tattooed color is not perfect after the initial procedure heals. Permanent cosmetic procedures are a process and at least one follow-up to the initial procedure should be scheduled. It is recommended that any required detail work to the original procedure be performed no sooner than four weeks after the original procedure; six weeks is even better. 

The minimum standard for follow-up detail work for lip procedures is six weeks. Lips have a different healing agenda than procedures performed on other parts of the face due to their delicate nature. The cited timeframes will vary depending on the health profile and age of the client, but these are good minimum standards for consideration. 

While eyebrows may show little after effect, eyeliner and lips may show slight to moderate swelling. This is very dependent upon the amount of work performed. As examples: an eyelash enhancement will show very little response to the tattooing procedure compared to a more moderate response when wide eyeliner is performed. The same philosophy applies to lip color procedures. A lip liner or blended lip liner will show fewer effects of the procedure than that of a full lip color. Also, some people swell more from minor skin infractions than others. This is client-specific. 

Many people take blood thinners on a daily basis so some slight bleeding would be expected. Others show little or no signs of bleeding. Bruising is rare but again, if a person is on blood thinners, bruising could occur. What is seen more often is that eyebrows rarely if ever produce any bruising. Minor bruising during eyeliner procedures is possible if the skin being tattooed is very thin and close to the vascular system. This also applies to lip procedures in the event the client is more mature. If bruising does occur, it is typically minor and subsides in a few days. 

There is usually some tenderness for a few days. The color is much darker than you may expect for the first six to ten days. 

Other, less-often reported side effects are difficult to determine due to the individuality of the client. This is why professional permanent cosmetic artists require a client history profile to be filled out to assess different factors that may contribute to your experience after the procedure has been completed.

People can develop an allergy to anything, anytime: however, pigment allergies are considered rare. Some doctors recommend that people with environmental allergies or allergies to conventional makeup have permanent cosmetic procedures because they can replace cosmetic products that people are allergic to or sensitive to. While allergic reactions to any type of tattooing pigments on the body or on the face through permanent cosmetics may occur at any point in time, they are extremely rare. 

The possibility that you would have any problems or reactions from these procedures is almost non-existent with today’s health standards. We are given continued opportunities for education in practicing precise methods of disinfection and sterilization. Post-procedural instructions, if followed carefully, will greatly reduce any risk. Problems associated with permanent cosmetics are often linked to poor attention to the required aftercare process on behalf of the client. Choose a time for procedures when you feel confident that you can follow the simple, but very important after-care instructions.

Yes. Numerous studies have shown that even for people who have large body tattoos there is little to no potential for irritation resulting from an MRI.