Frequently asked questions

In The States they call it Permanent Makeup, in The UK it used to be referred to as Semi-permanent Makeup, but in more recent years the industry has settled on Micropigmentation, which refers to machine method treatments and Microblading, which refers to the method where a hand tool is used to create individual hair strokes.

Regardless of which name you have heard before, it is all the same thing; the process of implanting cosmetic pigments into the dermis layer of the skin to improve one’s appearance and save time compared to traditional makeup.

The most common areas where permanent makeup is performed are on eyebrows, eye lines and lips

That all depends... on so many factors

It could depend on the needle depth during the treatment and the clients skin type and the aftercare that they give the treatment afterwards.

As long as the client has suitable skin and they follow the aftercare that you give them then (subject to a 6-8 week top up) the procedure could last up to 18 months. 

The art of tattooing has been around for centuries, if it wasn't safe then the trend would have died off years ago.

The pigments that are used (regardless of manufacturer) are sterilised and purified and approved for cosmetic use. In the US, the FDA overseas the regulation of the pigments used and in th EU, there is also a register that companies need to register their products with to ensure that they are safe for the use that was intended.

It is always advisable to avoid counterfeit products (obviously), as they do not undergo the same rigorous testing and often do not meet the necessary safety requirements.

It is the technicians responsibility to ensure proper sanitation to help prevent infection or cross contamination; all reputable technicians will have registered for a licence to practice from their local authority, who will have checked that they meet all of the requirements for their area.

Clients should advise technicians if they plan to undergo laser treatments, Botox, dermabrasion, peels etc as there may be issues with these treatments, but trained technicians will be able to outline all the hazards to you during the consultation procedure. Sometimes laser treatments turn pigment to a dark or black color. Collagen and pigments do not mix well either, so make sure clients ask a dermatologist or doctor to explain the possibility of reactions to Botox or collagen. The client may have to undergo those types of procedures before getting any permanent makeup done.

MRI's do not present a risk with Biotouch pigments 

As with any procedure where the skin is broken, there is the risk of infection. The technician should have received sufficient training and possess sufficient skill to ensure that the risks of infection are minimised as much as possible.

Client consultations should always be carried out by the technician and a patch test should always be completed; the consultation will include things like a medical history form which will outline any possible issues with the client receiving the treatment and the patch test is usually a series of small scratches with the products that will be used during the procedure - this will almost always highlight any allergic reactions prior to the treatment being carried out.

Other, non infection related risks include the outcome of the procedure; ensure that the technician is properly trained ask ask to see before and after pictures for their work. Ensure that the shape and style as well as the colour are agreed in advance; technicians will not mind discussing in detail these things with you. Be wary of a technician without any paperwork, or one who does not take the time to discuss in depth the procedure, colours, shapes etc.

The procedure itself breaks the skin to implant the pigment; by its very nature there is a risk that there may be a small amount of discomfort. The amount of discomfort is dictated in part by the clients skin sensitivity, but also by the anaesthetic products used by the technician and even their technique.

The simplest answer is that everyone is different and what may happen to one client during the healing process, may not happen to another.

The pigment should be implanted deep enough to stop it fading, although having a top up treatment will greatly help; most technicians offer the treatment as a two part procedure to ensure that as much colour is retained as possible.

The aftercare of the treatment area also plays a huge part in how it heals; well looked after brows for example will heal much niocer than those whos aftercare was not followed.

With regards to changing colour, this is not an exact science and the treatment area may change colour. This is primarily down to how the colours in the pigments fade, however if a cool pigment is used on a cool skin toned client then it may go blue or grey, or likewise a warm pigment on a warm skin tone may turn orange - there is no need to panic; these are easily fixable at your top up procedure.