Is Permanent Makeup Really Permanent?

Permanent makeup is one of the most popular trends of this decade so far, with the name itself being a huge attraction to many people. Not having to worry about doing your brows or eyeliner every day is a welcome joy, but it does leave many questioning: how permanent is permanent makeup? Will it last you for the rest of your life, or does it mean for a period of time? We are here to provide some clarity on these questions so that when you book that first treatment, you know what to expect from it.

It's Permanent For 3-5 Years

As per the Oxford American Dictionary, the word permanent means everlasting and unchanged indefinitely. With such a big commitment attached, this can cause people to hesitate to try this treatment, especially with the knowledge that mistakes can be hard to fix. Those who like to keep up with the latest styles worry they risk being stuck with something they end up disliking for the rest of their life, too.

However, although it may be called permanent makeup, in the case of this treatment, permanent doesn't mean forever. It only remains permanent for 3-5 years after treatment. It does actually fade with time due to the skin cells being replaced. With each passing year, it fades a little more. You should find that in the first 3 weeks, you will experience 10-50% of the total fading. Remember, this is not ink used like in tattoos. You will need color boosts and touch-ups to keep the desired look. It provides you with enough time to enjoy flawless looks without the effort for a decent time but enables you to easily change your style if you need.

Lots of other factors influence how permanent your treatment is too. The following are the top examples to be aware of:

It Depends On Your Treatment

How long your permanent makeup lasts does depend on the treatment you choose. For example, eyeliner and lip blush do not require refreshes as often as brows do, meaning you can go longer between your appointments and upkeep.

Your Skin Type Impacts Fading

Clients with oily skin may need a refresh sooner than those with dry skin. Oily skin will cause your exfoliation process to take place much faster, as will the oil glands. Therefore, the skin struggles more to keep the pigment. On the other hand, dry skin will heal much more cleanly and retain its color. Bear in mind it also depends on how you heal, too. Every person is different in how they heal. Some treatment options may be better than others, depending on your skin type.

Your Age

As you get older, your cell turnover is much slower. This means your skin will keep the pigment for much longer. As a bonus, this means you shouldn't ever feel too old to give this a go!

How You Spend Your Lifestyle

Spending every day after your treatment baking in the sun, jumping into pools full of chlorine, exercising a lot, or using a lot of skincare products impacts how permanent your permanent makeup is. Even if you are sweating a lot, it has a lasting impact. In particular, you should avoid sweating as much as possible during the healing process. All of these acts can damage the permanent makeup and cause fading to happen rapidly. It pushes the pigment out, resulting in a touch-up much sooner than you would want. Moderation, therefore, is crucial. Wearing a sunhat, for instance, is a good way to block out direct sunlight.

It Depends On The Skill Of The Artist

Who you choose to do your treatment does make a huge difference in how permanent your results are. It can last much longer when you select a high-quality artist with plenty of skill. Better artists will also generally use good-quality pigment, which also brings better results.

Quality Of After-Care

Your lifestyle can impact how permanent your treatment is, but so can your after-care. The better care you take of yourself during the healing process and after, the more likely the pigment is to remain, meaning your results last longer. This is why you want to get into good practice as soon as possible with this. Whenever a client comes to us, they receive very specific instructions for the treatment they have had – we send this via text or email after the appointment so that they know exactly what they need to be doing. To give you an idea of the type of after-care you can do, take a look at the following:

• Barrier cream: Apply a barrier cream after your treatment. You should use this 2 times a day for 14 days.
• Wash gently: You must wash your face daily, but do so gently and only with water. This way, you can remove any bacteria or build-up of products you've used without removing the pigment. Avoid using cleansers.
• Gently pat dry: With a tissue, gently pat dry your face.
• Do not get any other treatments for the face: This includes treatments like botox and facials.
• Do not overapply moisturizer: You don't want to delay the healing process in any way, and overapplying moisturizer can do just that.
• Avoid sleeping on your face for 10 days after: You don't want to do anything unintentionally to damage your permanent makeup, even at night, so you must aim to avoid sleeping on your face. Always use a fresh pillowcase, as well.
• Do not use makeup remover: For the first 7 days, you should avoid applying any topical cosmetics. This includes makeup, as doing so can cause an infection.

Book An Appointment With Us For The Best Results

As standard, you must wait 6 weeks before your next appointment, so even if it fades much faster than you wanted because the artists you went to didn't do a great job or you forgot about lifestyle habits, wait this time and then seek us out. Our experts are here to provide you with the desired results and the right after-care tips and tricks to help you.