Permanent Makeup- Tools, Types, Methods and Psychology
What is Permanent Makeup?
Permanent makeup is the beauty technique or a semi-permanent cosmetic procedure in which natural safe (biocompatible) pigments are implanted just under your skin’s upper dermal layer to enhance your facial features.
The permanent makeup procedure depends upon your lifestyle, skin type and reactivity to sun and skincare products. To give a long lasting and natural finish, the procedure is usually done with the help of micro-needles or digitally operated machines.
What are the different tools and products used in permanent markup?
The various tools and products involved in permanent markup include
Permanent makeup Digital Machine– Used for permanent markup applications like
Micro-shading and microblading for transforming uneven brows, lip blushing for enhancing lip color, eyelash extensions for fuller lashes, BB Glow treatments for radiant skin The main components of the machine are
- Control Unit- For setting speed and needle type
- Pen- The unit that carries the cartridge of the needle
- Needle Cartridge- A disposable unit containing sterile needles used for lining or shading. It manages the depth of pigment implantation in the skin.
Also Read- Eyelash Extension Course
Pigments- They are the colors used in implantation in permanent makeup. The colors need to be safe for implantation. They can be either inorganic pigments based on iron oxides, carbon based organic pigment or a hybrid of inorganic and organic pigments
Microblading pen- It is a hand-held pen used to create incisions in the upper epidermal layer where the pigment is implanted.
Topical Anesthesia- Certain permanent makeup procedures may be pain inducing. To numb the area of treatment topical anesthesia like 5% lidocaine is used.
Mapping Tools- These tools are used to map your face pre and during the permanent makeup. It includes eyebrow mapping string, golden ratio caliper, brow ruler, brow pencil, surgical marker pen, White concealer stick and more….
After the detailed examination of each client’s skin type and aesthetic choice during the consultation, the permanent makeup techniques are the main focus. This stage centered on blending technical know-how with artistic ability and realizing the client’s unique vision of beauty. It combines many intricate steps, like carefully implanting pigment and creating an uncontaminated environment. It shows the salon’s commitment to offering each client exceptional aesthetic results.
What are the Different Types of Permanent Makeup?
Permanent makeup covers the range of techniques for eyeliners, eyebrows, jawline correction, lips, scalp and skin corrections and a lot more
1. Eyebrows
Eyebrows are the most sought permanent makeup service as they frame the entire face.
Microblading
It is a tattooing technique for eyebrow enhancement. In this microblade are used to implant pigment in the upper epidermal surface resulting in fine hair strokes that accurately resembles eyebrow hair, colour, direction and density.
Also Read- Hydra Facial Course
Powder Brows
They are also called ombre brows and involve depositing pigments on your eyebrows in a manner that gradient look with lighter front and darker tail occurs. Powder brows are suitable for all skin types, even oily ones while microblading works best for normal/dry skin. Powder brows implanting is slightly deeper than microblading. This have a life of up to 24 months while microblading lasts for 18 months.
Combination Brows
It combines powder brows and microblading to provide fullness along with natural strokes.
2. Eyeliner
Lash Line Enhancement – It is also called invisible eyeliner. Here the pigment is implanted between natural lashes. It creates the appearance of a darker lash base. The enhancement focuses on providing a darker lash base. The lashes appear fuller and the eyes brighten up.
Winged Eyeliner (Advanced)
In this semi-permanent makeup technique, the pigment is implanted on the lash line and is lifted as the end to produce a small flick. It provides a stable cat eye effect.
3. Lips
Lip PMU balances color, uneven tones, and provides vibrancy.
Lip Blush – In this the pigment is implanted in the lips using a PMU machine. It basically washes the lip with natural color making it look healthy and slightly tinted.
Full Lip Color- It deposits pigment evenly across the lips to provide a rich lipstick like finish across the entire lip surface.
Lip Neutralization (Color Correction)- It is known as color correction, which is a semi-permanent makeup. It includes techniques that use warm-natural colors after neutral pigments, which remove the outer lip’s dark tone.
What are the Costs Involved in Permanent Makeup?
Though the cost depends on PMU treatment, the expertise of the makeup professional and quality of makeup materials used, the average cost in India is mentioned below..
| PMU Service | Average Cost (INR) |
| Microblading | ₹20,000 – ₹25,000 |
| Lip Colour / Blush | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 |
The Longevity of Permanent Makeup
Eyebrows
- Microblading: Up to 24 months
- Ombre Brows: Up to 3 years
- Combination Brows: Approximately 2 years
Eyeliner
- Lash Enhancement: Up to 3 years
- Winged Eyeliner: Up to 5 years
Lips
- Lip Blush: Up to 3 years
- Lip Color: Up to 5 years
- Lip Neutralization: After correction approximately 2 years
Reducing Factors for Permanent Makeup Longevity
- Oil on skin
- Too much exposure to sun
- Sedentary lifestyle habits
- Smoking
- Poor Aftercare post PMU
- Exposure to dust and dirt
Psychological Perspective Behind Permanent Makeup
- Self-Perception Theory (Bem, 1972)
“We understand ourselves by observing our own behavior.”
PMU customers often choose the kind of implants or look they want on their brows, lips or eyeliner. The self-concept of the clients is reinforced by the external image they chose.
The customers see themselves as closer to their ideal self, more polished in their approach which re-enforces their self-worth, and matches with their desired identity.
- As per Body Image Control Theory, the power to change or enhance one’s external appearance at their will gives clients a sense of ownership over how they feel presented in the society
