575.222.0967

3850 Foothills Rd #9,
Las Cruces, NM 88011

Welcome to Aria Wellness

(575) 680-0484

Las Cruces' Leading Alternative Medicine Clinic

Permanent Cosmetic Makeup

What is Permanent Cosmetic Makeup?

Permanent Cosmetic Makeup is a non-surgical procedure also known as Permanent Makeup or Permanent Cosmetics. It is cosmetic tattooing of the facial features to enhance color and improve shape. Special colored pigments are implanted into the Dermis (middle layer) of the skin through microscopic injections with an extremely fine needle or cluster of needles. This process is also called Micropigmentation, Microdermal Pigmentation, Intradermal Cosmetics, Dermagraphics, Dermal Implantation, or Micropigment Implantation. Although pigments can be inserted using different types of equipment, we use the most sophisticated digital tattoo equipment and sterile safety needles available.

 

How Permanent Makeup Can Help You

When applied correctly and safely by a properly trained professional, permanent makeup can enhance your appearance and lifestyle. Save time and money by not having to apply makeup every day. Look fresh with color when you wake up in the morning, travel, or go camping. Prevent makeup smudges when you shower, exercise, or swim. Stop struggling to pencil on eyebrows or eyeliner when you cannot see without your eyeglasses. Avoid uneven lines and redo’s if you have unsteady hands. You can now enjoy beautiful, hassle-free makeup every day!

 

You are a Candidate If You Have Any of the Following:

A busy lifestyle and do not have time to apply makeup every day or do not enjoy doing so

 

Sports activities and want to look fresh while working out, swimming, camping, dancing, or exercising in any way that causes your makeup to run, smudge, or “sweat off”

 

Eyebrow hair loss from prolonged waxing or tweezing, medical conditions such as Alopecia, or medications such as Chemotherapy for Cancer

 

Asymmetrical features and want to make uneven areas appear balanced or more equal in size such as eyebrows, borders of the lips, or breast areolas

 

Oily skin and your makeup smears or wears off too quickly and easily

 

Cosmetic allergies and want to look good without irritation if you have sensitive skin, seasonal allergies, or allergic reactions to conventional makeup

 

Poor near vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses that makes it difficult to see when applying makeup

 

Vision loss from eye conditions such as Cataracts or Macular Degeneration and want to wear makeup again

 

Unsteady hands from muscle weakness, joint pain, or motor skill impairment that makes applying makeup challenging (e.g., Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, stroke survivors)

 

Your Permanent Makeup Colors

Color Source has a large assortment of hypoallergenic pigments so you can choose colors that coordinate with your skin tone, hair, and eye color. Full spectrum lighting representing natural daylight is used to enhance color selection. Our goal is to create a custom designed look according to your personal preferences. We recommend a conservative approach when choosing color because it is easier to darken permanent makeup later than to lighten it. She will only use colors that you have approved, and they will be recorded in your confidential chart for reference at a future appointment.

 

Preparing for Your Procedure Appointment

You will be given preparatory guidelines when you schedule your procedure appointment. Specific steps will be advised such as postponing some skin treatments, taking a prophylactic medication, or discontinuing certain medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements. When scheduling your appointment date, you should keep social and/or work plans in mind. Although there is no real “down time” during the first week of healing, your tattooed features will be darker and shiny (from applying ointments) and you will be unable to wear some conventional makeup (e.g., mascara). The length of a procedure varies by type (eyebrows, eyeliner, or lips) and the individual. However, you should allow at least 2-3 hours for your initial appointment.

 

At Your Permanent Makeup Procedure

 The initial procedure appointment is long due to many important steps. You will fill out forms including a medical history that we will thoroughly review. Pigment colors will be selected with your approval, and then the appropriate topical anesthetics will be applied to numb the areas to be tattooed. A final makeup design will be created with your approval as the template for us to follow during your procedure. After all of the prep work is complete, the tattooing process begins which may take an hour or more. Before and after photos will also be taken for your confidential fi le.

 

After Your Permanent Makeup Procedure

Immediately following your procedure, there will be mild swelling, redness, and tenderness in the tattooed areas that will subside within a few days. The color will be darker than what you want, but it will lighten during the first week of healing. Over the next few weeks your color will continue to gradually lighten, stabilize, and soften to a more natural look with the desired color.

 

We advocates safe, proper care before, during, and after each procedure. For your convenience and to minimize any chance of infection once you leave, a complete kit with medical grade products and supplies will be given to you at no additional cost. During your first week of healing, some steps in your normal routine will be postponed (e.g., not wearing mascara after permanent eyeliner). We will provide detailed verbal and written after care instructions.

 

Perfection Visit  (“Touch-ups”)

Most new permanent makeup procedures need two applications for best looking results. The first reason is color saturation: A second coat of paint on anything makes that color appear more even and vibrant, and the same concept applies to permanent cosmetics. Second, the color you see results from the pigments used plus your skin tone. If your healed color leans toward an undesired tone (e.g., too red), it can be adjusted at the second visit. Third, the color can be darkened and the shape refined with another application. Fourth, during the first procedure some tissue swelling and mild bleeding will occur that is normal and varies with every person. A second application can correct any light areas that retained less color due to tissue changes. Your follow-up procedure should be scheduled 4 to 8 weeks after your first session when full healing and color stabilization is complete.

 

Color Boost every year (Long Term Maintenance)

Permanent makeup is permanent wherever it is tattooed because the pigment molecules remain in the skin. That is why it is critical that you choose a well-trained, knowledgeable, and experienced professional for your procedure. However, the color of your permanent makeup will be semi-permanent. It will re quire some maintenance because it will fade over the years. How quickly your color fades will depend on several factors: Following after care instructions, UV exposure (sun or tanning beds), skin care treatments, health conditions, medications, lifestyle (e.g., smoking), and the original color implanted (lighter colors fade faster than darker ones). Many people schedule a “booster” visit every year to refresh their makeup color. These visits are shorter and less expensive if the original tattooing was performed by Amber Giron.

 

FAQ

 

What are Permanent Cosmetics?

Permanent cosmetics describe non-surgical procedures that use specialized tattooing methods. Colored pigments are implanted into the Dermis (middle layer) of the skin through microscopic injections with an extremely fine needle or cluster of needles. This process is also called Micropigmentation. Permanent Makeup is the term used to describe the cosmetic tattooing of facial features (eyebrows, eyelids, or lips) to improve color and shape.

 

Are Permanent Cosmetics safe?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), permanent cosmetics are safe when the technician is educated in the control of Blood Borne Pathogens and follows all OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) guidelines. A permit is issued only when the tattooist, business, and equipment are examined and approved by a health department inspector.

 

What are some of the CDC and OSHA Guidelines for Permanent Cosmetics?

The tattooing equipment used should have parts that are completely disposable or can be autoclaved. If an autoclave is used, it must be functioning properly at the correct temperature with periodic testing. All needles should be individually wrapped, sterile, disposable, and for single use. All pigments and anesthetics should be dispensed from the manufacturers’ original containers. The procedure area should be sanitary with hand washing capabilities (running hot and cold water, soap, paper towels). Any products used during the procedure should be discarded afterward every time. Unfortunately, unless the technician and facility are inspected by the health department, there is no guarantee that the CDC and OSHA guidelines are followed.

 

How are the procedures performed?

Cosmetic tattooing is performed in different ways using different types of equipment. The name of the device that holds the needle describes the application method. The categories of equipment and methods are as follows: Manual Hand Tool method (also called Hand Tap or Non-Machine method); Coil Machine method (a smaller version of the traditional tattoo machine); Analog Pen or Rotary Machine method (most commonly used); and Computerized Digital Machine method (most sophisticated technology).

 

Is a Cosmetic Tattooing procedure painful?

Due to the invasiveness of the process, some people may feel minor discomfort that varies according to their pain threshold and response to anesthetics. People describe what they feel in different ways such as “irritation”, “scratching”, “vibration”, or “a slight burning sensation. We use medical grade topical anesthetic creams and gels before and during all procedures to numb the area and minimize discomfort. Most of of our patients remark that their procedure was “far more comfortable than I thought it would be.” Those with body art comment that the cosmetic tattooing is painless compared to traditional tattooing. Overall, people feel the benefits from the results far outweigh any brief discomfort they might have experienced during the process.

 

Are the pigments that are used safe?

Permanent cosmetics utilize sterile pigments with cosmetic grade colorants that are approved by the FDA as safe for human use. Technically, the colored pigments used are suspensions containing insoluble inert compounds, usually iron or titanium oxides. The microscopic particles that appear to be dissolved are actually suspended in a clear liquid base of alcohol, distilled water, and glycerin. The traditional body tattooing process is different because it uses colored “inks” or “dyes” that are completely dissolved liquids with transparent color.

 

Are people allergic to the colored pigments?

Most of the pigments used for cosmetic tattooing are made to be hypo-allergenic. Studies have shown that acute (“immediate”) allergic reactions to these products are extremely rare. Delayed-hypersensitivity reactions (“delayed onset”) allergic reactions are also uncommon. Medical professionals believe that most “allergic reactions” are not reactions to the pigments. They believe a reaction is caused by a bacterial infection or an allergic reaction to a topical after care product. In 2004, the FDA recalled one pigment line by one manufacturer when allergic reactions occurred. The cause was determined to be a new preservative added to the formula. No other product recalls have occurred before or after that one.

 

What will the final color look like?

Permanent makeup colors should be selected to compliment a person’s skin tone, hair, and eye color. A conservative approach is best because it is easier to make an existing color darker versus lighter. Colors will always look darker and more intense immediately following a procedure, and then gradually lighten and soften upon healing. For medical tattooing (e.g. scar camouflage or areola re-pigmentation), color spot testing is advised to determine the best custom combination of colors for the tattooed area. All reputable permanent cosmetic professionals will record the pigment(s) used for a client in her or his file for future reference.

 

Why is the color so dark right after the procedure?

When wet clothing is removed from a clothes washer, it looks darker than when it was dry. The same principle applies to permanent cosmetics. The pigments contain dry microscopic powder particles that are suspended in a clear liquid. As the body absorbs the liquid, the colored particles remain where they were implanted and gradually return to (“dry to”) their original powder color. In addition, the skin underneath the tattoo turns red and “flushed” from blood flow to the area during the process. The background redness contributes to the darker appearance and once the redness subsides, the color appears lighter.

 

How long do Permanent Cosmetics last?

The results are considered permanent because the tattooed color cannot be washed off. However, the color should be considered “semi-permanent” because some fading will occur over time. Color retention is affected by different factors including the shade of the original color, the person’s age and metabolism, skin type and condition, exposure to UV radiation (sun, tanning booths), smoking, certain drugs and medications, and skin peeling treatments such as Retin-A or microdermabrasion. In general, the color lasts from one to five years and can be enhanced and refreshed by a maintenance visit when needed (usually at a lower fee than the initial procedure when performed by the original artist).

 

What is a Perfection appointment?

During the initial procedure (first application), the tattooed area(s) will be saturated with as much color as possible. Due to swelling, there may be some areas where the tissue will no longer allow pigment to be implanted. Those areas will show less color after healing and may need another visit to be filled-in (a touch-up). Because everyone’s tissue reaction is different, some clients will need a second visit while others will not. First, the tattooed area must heal before a refinement procedure can be performed. It is best to wait 4 to 8 weeks for complete tissue healing and color stabilization. Once the desired results are achieved, the client can keep the color looking fresh with a maintenance visit every year.

 

Can I remove or change my Permanent Makeup?

The removal of permanent makeup is not an easy process, if at all possible. That is why it is important to select a qualified and experienced professional who has a conservative approach. During the initial application, a “less is more” philosophy works best. A lighter, more natural color can always be changed or supplemented later with conventional makeup. It can also be adjusted or darkened if necessary with another application at a second (touch-up) appointment. Shape can also be refined at a follow-up visit, but not drastically, so a good original design is a must.

 

What is the recovery period like?

Immediately following a procedure, there will be mild swelling, redness, or tenderness that lasts a few hours to a few days (eyebrows swell less than eyes and lips). There may also be slight bruising with lip procedures. The color looks much darker immediately afterward for any procedure. It will lighten a lot within 3 to 7 days and will continue to lighten over several weeks. During the first week ointments must be applied to the tattooed area for protection and to minimize scabbing. Most people are amazed at how “normal” they look immediately after and do not feel it is necessary to take time off of work.

 

How long does each procedure take?

Many important steps are followed when a procedure is done correctly. A well-trained and experienced permanent cosmetics specialist will take a minimum of 2 hours or more for an initial appointment. It should include a consultation (if not done before) and a review of the person’s medical history. Time is then used for determining the best design, color selection, numbing, the actual procedure, photos, after care instructions, and answering all questions. Follow-up visits usually require less time. For scar camouflage work, spot testing for color accuracy must be completed first at least 6 weeks before the actual tattooing procedure.

 

Will Permanent Makeup continue to look good as I age?

It is true that as we age, our skin and its elasticity changes. However, there are many older women who look good wearing conventional makeup as long as it is correctly applied. Those women would look just as good with correctly applied permanent makeup. The best looking permanent makeup can be altered, however, if any facial surgery is performed that changes the position of the tattooed area. For example, if a brow lift is performed after a permanent eyebrow procedure, the eyebrows could be raised and look different. Therefore, anyone planning to have facial plastic surgery should discuss this with her surgeon and permanent cosmetics specialist.

 

Can I have an MRI procedure after Cosmetic Tattooing?

Yes. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses radio waves and electromagnetic fields to create pictures of internal human organs. The magnetism and temperature changes during these procedures may cause mild temporary discomfort in tattoos containing large amounts of iron oxide metals. Studies showed that only a few patients with an iron oxide tattoo reported a mild pulling or burning sensation during an MRI test. Most people with tattoos have had no problems. The size of a tattoo and the total number of tattoos seems to affect the amount of magnetic pull. According to MRI safety experts, the iron particles in most cosmetic tattooing pigments are too microscopic to react as metal pieces. However, they recommend that a patient with a tattoo informs the radiologist and technician where it is located because it may create a small artificial image (artifact).

 

Is a Cosmetic Tattooing procedure expensive?

Permanent cosmetics are affordable for most people, and the long term benefits make procedures fairly inexpensive. Other non-surgical procedures like Botox or fillers cost the same or more. But they may last for only three to twelve months while cosmetic tattooing lasts for years. The savings from not having to buy regular makeup products that are applied every day adds up quickly. Also, the convenience and time saved from not applying makeup every day are worth a lot, and the self-esteem that is restored by medical tattooing is priceless. Nationwide, permanent makeup fees can vary greatly for the initial procedure and one follow up.  Permanent makeup performed by legitimately certified and experienced artists generally ranges from $350-$650 for two applications. Pricing also varies by makeup procedure type and region of the country (city and state). So it is important to ask questions to see what you will get for your money. You can only make an informed decision on price when comparing “apples to apples.”

 

Microblading

Microblading is an amazing technique that is done by making hair strokes using permanent makeup to shape the eyebrows.

 

Amber relies on a manual pen-like tool that has 11 or 14 tiny needles at the tip. After treating skin with numbing cream, she dips the end of the device into cosmetic-grade eyebrow dye and then sweeps on individual lines of pigment.

 

Amber recommends clients come back four weeks later to fill any gaps and add a second color for dimension. The result is subtly defined hair strokes—not a blended, filled look—that lasts one to three years.

 

The best part about the technique is that there is no down time. Your new set of brows will be ready for immediately after the process. Although there is little to no down time involved in this process, your skin will still need to heal and the recovery process can take about a month, 25-30 days on average, though this will vary and be different for everyone. Amber can give you a better idea of your individual healing time during your appointment.

 

After the first month of having microblading done we do recommend a touch up for most people.

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*Katie Trujillo,  as well as any other colonic therapist at Aria Wellness is not a physician, nor do any of the colonic therapists at Aria Wellness provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We provide general educational information only, and do  not provide personal medical advice. The information provided is not intended, nor should it be used as, a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

 

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