Question 1

What is permanent makeup?

Accepted Answer

Permanent cosmetic makeup is a form of cosmetic tattooing — you'll also hear it called microblading, micropigmentation or micropigment implantation.

Pigment is deposited into the upper reticular layer of the dermis (the second layer of skin) for micropigmentation, or into the epidermis (the first layer) for microblading.

It's called permanent because it won't wash off in the shower — but it isn't as permanent as a body tattoo. The work is facial and doesn't go as deep, so it fades over one to two years.

Question 2

Who benefits from it?

Accepted Answer

Anyone who meets the minimum age requirement and heals normally from minor wounds. Interest runs from young to mature — anyone who wants a soft, natural enhancement. It's especially valuable if you can't wear conventional cosmetics because of allergies or sensitivities; if you're active and want to look your best swimming, hiking, biking or at the gym; or if you're tired of sweating makeup off and reapplying it. It also helps people with vision or dexterity challenges — arthritis, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, stroke recovery — and anyone who simply doesn't have time to reapply makeup through the day.

Question 3

What procedures can be done?

Accepted Answer

Results range from very subtle to dramatic, depending on what you want: Eyebrows — microblading or micropigmentation Eyeliner, top and bottom 3D lips

Question 4

Is it really permanent?

Accepted Answer

The pigment is tattooed into the dermal layer and cannot be washed off — so yes, permanent. But like any pigment, it fades, which means periodic colour refreshing. That's not a flaw; it's an opportunity. Think how your tastes have changed over the years — your clothes, your hair colour, the makeup shades you wear. A refresh is the moment to reassess shape and colour with me rather than living with a decision you made years ago. How long it lasts varies with lifestyle (sun exposure above all), the colours used, and the topical products you put on your skin.

Question 5

How is it performed?

Accepted Answer

With a machine and hand device, or with a hand pen for microblading. The process is always: consultation, application of pigment, and at least one follow-up appointment — the touch-up. After that, an annual refresh.

Question 6

How long does each procedure take?

Accepted Answer

Microblading: about an hour and a half for the initial appointment — records to establish, photographs to take, design and colour to agree, the procedure itself, and aftercare to talk through. Follow-ups and refreshes take less time. Micropigmentation brows: two to three hours. Machine work needs steady hands and slow movement to get the best result, and I won't rush it.

Question 7

Is it painful?

Accepted Answer

Most people feel very little discomfort, though it varies with your pain threshold. There are topical anaesthetics developed specifically for this industry to manage it. For perspective: traditional tattoo artists generally use no anaesthetic at all. In permanent cosmetics it's more of a comfort luxury, because of where we're working and because this sits in the beauty category.

Question 8

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

It varies by artist — you're paying for their training and their products as much as their time — but the industry average runs roughly $300–$600 per procedure. My full price list is on the services page.

Question 9

Are there side effects?

Accepted Answer

Eyebrows show little after-effect. Eyeliner and lips may show slight to moderate swelling, depending on how much work is done — a lash enhancement barely responds, while wide eyeliner or full lip colour responds more. There may be minor bleeding during the procedure; this is very individual, and more likely if you take blood thinners. Bruising is rare, and when it happens it's minor and settles in a few days. Expect some tenderness, and expect the colour to look much darker than the final result for the first six to ten days. This is why I ask every client to complete a health history before we begin.

Question 10

Is it safe?

Accepted Answer

With proper sterilisation and disinfection, permanent cosmetics should be completely safe. Here's what you should be looking for in any studio — mine included: All needles new and sterile for each client, opened in front of you Disposable, single-use machine parts, into a sharps container immediately afterward New disposable aprons and gloves for each client, changed during the procedure as needed A clean, neat technician New single-use chair or bed covering for each client A treatment area free of other contaminants — not a salon floor with nail dust or aerosols

Question 11

Can the pigments cause allergies?

Accepted Answer

People can develop an allergy to anything at any time, but pigment allergies are considered rare. Some doctors actually recommend permanent cosmetics for people with environmental allergies or sensitivities to conventional makeup, because it replaces the products causing the problem. I use certified Swiss Color® pigments exclusively — organic ingredients, and no iron oxides, azo dyes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, forbidden heavy metals or dangerous aromatic amines.

Question 12

Is there any risk of medical problems?

Accepted Answer

With today's health standards, the possibility is almost non-existent. Where problems do occur, they're usually linked to aftercare that wasn't followed. Choose a time for your procedure when you're confident you can follow the instructions — they're simple, but they matter.

Question 13

Can I still have an MRI scan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Studies show little to no potential for irritation from an MRI, even for people with large body tattoos; in the rare cases of discomfort it was localised and very temporary. Still, tell your MRI technician that you have permanent cosmetics.

Question 14

What's a touch-up, and do I need one?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The healed colour is rarely perfect after the first session — permanent makeup is a process, and at least one follow-up should always be scheduled. Detail work shouldn't happen sooner than four weeks after the original procedure; for lips the minimum is six weeks, because they heal on a different schedule. These timings shift a little with your age and health profile. After that you're generally good for up to a year, provided you follow the aftercare.

Question 15

What if I don't like it?

Accepted Answer

There's more flexibility in colour and shape than people expect. Colour looks darker immediately after and softens as it heals — lips can take up to six weeks to settle into their final colour. Be patient with it; a new look takes time to get used to, especially if your brows were sparse before. Genuinely disliking healed work almost always traces back to a technician who didn't work with you on design and colour. Speak up if you can't communicate with your artist, or if your wishes aren't being heard. And don't choose brow colour from your dyed hair colour — it should come from your skin undertone and your natural brow hair. A good technician will also decline a request that isn't reasonable. If several artists turn down what you're asking for, it's worth rethinking the ask. And if you truly want it gone, I offer brow removal.

Question 16

How do I choose a technician?

Accepted Answer

Carefully. Look at training, experience, compliance with local law, and their before-and-after portfolio. Shape and placement matter as much as colour. Professionals study colour theory and skin undertones — that's what makes the healed colour land where you wanted it. People without that education can't reliably translate pigment to skin. And the result comes out of the conversation between you and your artist, across the consultation, the procedure and the follow-up.

Everything you want to ask before you book.

The basics

The procedure

Safety & pigments

After & aftercare

Ask me anything