Permanent Makeup (PMU) is a hugely popular beauty topic that almost everyone has heard about. The topic itself conjures up so many questions. Our aim with this blog is to answer those questions, share our knowledge and pass on our passion for everything Permanent Makeup!
What is Permanent Makeup?
Permanent Makeup (PMU) or Semi-Permanent Makeup (SPMU) also known as Micropigmentation, Cosmetic Tattooing or Derma Pigmentation is a form of temporary tattooing, as a means of producing designs that resemble makeup. Advanced pigments are implanted into the epidermis of the skin using exceptionally fine needles.
There are 2 methods to perform Permanent Makeup – by using a manual hand tool “Microblading” or by using a digital tattoo machine.
What is Microblading?
Microblading is one of the forms of Permanent Makeup using a manual hand tool for tattooing. This method has its roots in ancient China when there were no permanent makeup machines. At that time, tattoos and permanent makeup were done by hand with a needle. Today, PMU practitioners are using a handpiece with a bundle of super fine needles to implant pigment into skin.
There are 3 main types of Permanent Makeup Eyebrows using a digital tattoo machine:
- Hair Strokes (hair stroke simulation)
- Powder Brows (soft shading effect, gradient “Ombre”)
- Combo Brows (combination of powder with hair strokes)
1. Hair Strokes Eyebrows
One of the popular ways of achieving fuller eyebrows. Perfect for clients with thin or thinning eyebrows, for eyebrows with patches and for clients with alopecia.
- This technique is not recommended for oily skin since the metabolic processes in it occur faster and the hairs will simply blur very quickly (after few months), we would recommend choosing the Shadow technique instead for an oily skin.
- Suitable for clients with normal to dry skin.
2. Powdered Eyebrows
These give the illusion of a soft shape by creating a graduation of light to dark in the brow. Perfect for those looking for a fuller brow or who have lighter hair colour and wish to go lighter with the brows as well. They give a glamorous finish to the brows while enhancing the natural shape of the face. Most common and is widely trending.
- Suitable for all types of skin.
3. Combo Eyebrows.
The combination of hair strokes and powdering. Perfect solution for eyebrows that have patches of hair missing. The fine hair strokes will reconstruct the shape of the eyebrows while the shadow will give them natural fullness.
- Suitable for clients with normal to dry skin.
Pre and Post Care
Before the PMU procedure:
- The day of your procedure – do not drink coffee or black/green tea.
- 24 hrs – do not drink alcohol.
- 48 hrs – do not take Vitamin C, Aspirin, or other blood thinners.
- Do not take any stimulating or other substances.
- You must be off Accutane for 1 year. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Before the PMU procedure and for 4 weeks after:
- Avoid exposure to strong UV radiation (sun, tanning salon).
- AHA Peels and Microdermabrasion.
- No tinting brows, lashes.
After the PMU procedure:
- Leave your treated area alone and let it heal for 10-14 days.
- DO NOT RUB, SCRATCH OR PICK AT THE TREATED AREA!
- No heat, steam or sun!
- No sauna!
- No swimming!
- No sunbeds!
- No dirty or dusty work!
- No sweating in the gym!
- No UV Face Panels!
- No Alpha Hydroxy products!
- No Anti-Ageing creams on the treated area!
- No use of Neosporin or Vaseline!
Pre and post care must be followed to achieve optimum results. Failure to follow instruction may cause loss of pigment or infection and may require additional procedures for desired result.
Two weeks after the procedure you can resume your usual routine: wetting, sweating, makeup on the treated area, etc. but it does not mean that it is fully healed. It takes 4-6 weeks for the skin to heal properly, it is important to be patient
Thank you for reading, if you have any questions about permanent makeup feel free to sign a question form and our team of PMU experts will get back to you asap. Also, if there is anything you would like us to cover in future blog posts please let us know.
PMU Guide Team
It was interesting when you said that sing exceptionally fine needles, advanced pigments are implanted in the skin’s epidermis during a PMU session. This made me remember my 21-year-old niece who mentioned last Friday night that she wants to become a PMU artist within a year or so. She has been into makeup and anything that can make someone better looking since she was 16. I will ask her to consider enrolling herself in PMU training classes.