Select here to view "KVOA's segment by Martha Vasquez of Elaine Pichet's Artistic Touch, aired November 14, 2007"

"Permanent cosmetics are gaining popularity"


PERMANENT COSMETICS IS A FAST GROWING FIELD; it is a wonderful option for women but it can also be a nightmare if the application is not properly done. If you are considering permanent cosmetics, do your research. Many options are offered to you whether you go on the web and consult with the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (S.P.C.P), the American Academy of Micropigmentation (A.A.M), or the Permanent Makeup Society of Arizona (P.M.S.A.Z.). You need to take into consideration that permanent makeup is tattooing and therefore permanent. Unfortunately, the permanent makeup industry is not regulated in Arizona and a lot of poorly skilled technicians will be performing procedures.

There are a few different methods utilized to apply pigment such as the coil machine (used for body art tattooing), the pen machine, rotary or digital machine and the hand method. No method is better than the other; it is purely by choice of the technician. Many technicians are versed in all of the methods but favor one in particular. Some methods may be presented to you as new and better but only pigment brands and/or hand tools may differ. Most technicians will also use a form of anesthetic ointment to numb the skin before a procedure.

Talk to your technician about allergic reactions; some allergic reactions have been identified but are rather rare. Have a test patch before you undergo your procedure although it would not prevent you from developing an allergic reaction, sometimes, many years later. All current manufacturers of pigments assure their pigments are MRI safe and hypo-allergenic. Also, all permanent makeup procedures will fade with time; touch ups every two or three years are to be expected.

Before any procedure there are several questions that you should address with your technician. Here are some examples: Where is the procedure performed? It is illegal in Arizona to perform tattooing out of a residence. Is sterilization available? Are needles reused? How about cross-contamination? Are universal precautions taken for your own safety as well as the technician? Are preventative steps such as anti-viral medication suggested? Do they have pre and post-procedure instructions?

Always check your technician's credentials, continuing education, how many procedures were performed, board certifications (memberships are not enough), portfolio, informed consents and detailed paperwork, blood borne pathogens certification, etc. Have many consultations although, the best is always a solid referral from a friend, family member, physician, plastic surgeon and/or a co-worker. Lastly, make sure your technician is also an artist; your features are unique, so should be your permanent makeup application! Many times a bargain in permanent cosmetics is not a bargain; your face is being permanently marked.

As a woman and a permanent makeup artist, I would like to stress the importance of researching thoroughly before you make any decisions. Patients will always say that permanent cosmetics was the best thing they have ever done but it is heartbreaking when I hear and see some very unfortunate outcomes.

AZHealth Magazine - January 2005