Have you ever heard of permanent makeup? You can think of permanent cosmetics as similar to tattoos, except that the pigments used for these treatments mimic the natural tone of skin and hair. The goal of permanent cosmetics is to achieve a constant beauty look that is overall low maintenance and will last for several weeks or months. Learn more about this treatment before you schedule your first appointment at The Botox Bar in Dallas, TX.
Permanent makeup comes in many forms, including flesh-toned pigments to cover up vitiligo, permanent eyeliner, and the most popular treatment, permanent eyebrow filling. While microblading is the most well-known brow treatment, there are other permanent makeup treatments for the eyebrows that produce more natural-looking results, such as powder brows and combo brows, which combine both powder and microblading techniques.
How Do You Take Care of Permanent Makeup?
So, how do you take care of permanent cosmetics? The key to ensuring your results will last as long as possible is a healthy dose of caution when it comes to the skincare products you use daily, particularly on the days before and after your treatment. Your skincare will set the tone for how well your results develop and how long you will be able to enjoy your results. Some tips include:
Before Your Treatment
About two to three days before your appointment, you should discontinue the use of any irritating skincare products, including medicated soap, chemical exfoliants, and retinoids. It’s best to prepare your skin for your treatment by using the gentle cleansers and moisturizers you plan to use during your aftercare period.
You should not wax, tweeze, or use depilatory creams at least 48 hours before your treatment. You should not have any energy-based treatments, chemical peels, or aggressive facials at least one week before your appointment. It’s also best to avoid direct sunlight to avoid sunburns or other skin irritation. You should reschedule your appointment if you are having an active breakout of certain skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis.
Treatment Day
How you treat your skin on the day of your treatment will set the tone for the rest of your aftercare, as well as how well your results will develop. You will be instructed to wait at least 30 minutes after your treatment before you cleanse the treated area with sterile wipes and apply a thin layer of ointment or other products to the area. It’s important to use very gentle pressure and pat your skin dry. Aquaphor is highly recommended during your aftercare period.
You should repeat these steps at least once every three hours until bedtime. You should try to sleep on your back to avoid putting pressure on any treated areas. It’s very important to avoid hot water, steam, and chemicals on the face on the first day of your treatment.
The Week After
The first week after your treatment, you should closely follow all cleansing and treatment instructions you are given after your treatment. Your priority will be to keep your treated area clean and moist. For some people, the skin may start to shed during the first week after your appointment, but this is expected and will stop after your skin acclimates to the pigment. Please do not pick at any shedding skin.
If your skin feels tight or dry during this period, it’s usually because your skin is in the process of healing. You may want to consider applying a thicker layer of Aquaphor, repeating your cleansing and treatment steps more frequently, or even using products like aloe vera to soothe dry skin.
Other Tips
Throughout your aftercare period, you should avoid all unprotected exposure to the skin, as sunlight will fade the pigment used for your permanent cosmetic treatments. You should not wear any type of makeup for at least 72 hours; after this period, you should only use new eye cosmetics to avoid any bacterial transfer from old makeup.
You should avoid hot water, steam, chlorine, chemical exfoliants, harsh skincare products, and tanning beds during your recovery period. Your skin will be very sensitive to heat and potential irritants, so if you want to enjoy the best possible results, you should do your best to avoid activities that may cause skin irritation or inflammation.
Other FAQs
1. Which Brow Treatment Is Best?
The best brow treatment for you will truly depend on what your aesthetic goals are. All of our brow treatments will produce natural-looking results, but some treatments may be better for those who have sparse eyebrows. For example, microblading is a good option if you want to increase the visual density of your eyebrows while powder brows have a softer effect that will darken the shade of your eyebrows and fill in minor thin areas.
The goal of any brow treatment is to increase the density and definition of the brow. While the techniques for these brow treatments are different, the ultimate result is permanently dark, defined, and dense eyebrows. We will discuss your aesthetic goals and help you identify the brow treatment that is the best match for your expectations.
2. Are Permanent Cosmetics the Same as Tattoos?
In a way, yes, permanent cosmetics are remarkably similar to tattoos. Both tattoos and permanent cosmetics involve depositing pigment into the skin to produce a desired aesthetic effect. However, the major difference between tattoos and permanent cosmetics is the techniques and pigments used. Permanent cosmetics are generally applied by non-electric methods and use special pigments that are semi-permanent, meaning they will eventually fade from the skin.
3. When Do You See Results?
During your aftercare period, you will see early results in the darkness of your brows. Some patients are concerned the that pigment of their brows is much darker than desired during the aftercare period, but some of the ink will fade during the first one to two weeks after your treatment. Most people will be able to see their desired results about three to four weeks after their appointment.
It’s possible you may require a touch-up appointment about six to eight weeks after your treatment. A touch-up is advisable for those who are not fully satisfied with their results or those who experienced drastic pigment loss during the aftercare period. Some people may not need any touch-ups at all.
4. How Long Will Your Results Last?
You can expect the results of permanent brow makeup to last for at least a year. Your results will last this long or sometimes longer if you closely follow your aftercare instructions. The longevity of your results may also depend on the type of treatment you use. For example, powder brows can produce results that last for 12 to 18 months or even longer for some.
5. Are These Treatments Comfortable?
Yes, these treatments are very comfortable. Before any treatment, your skin will be prepped with a topical numbing cream so you will be comfortable during your treatment. This topical cream may continue to keep your skin numb for an hour or longer after your treatment. Overall, permanent cosmetic treatments are well-tolerated by the vast majority of patients.
6. Who Are Good Candidates?
In general, the best candidates for permanent makeup like powder brows, microblading, and combo brows are those who want to achieve more definition and density in the shape of their brows. Those who have naturally sparse brows often use these treatments to achieve their aesthetic goals. Some other requirements for being a candidate of these treatments include:
- You have healthy skin
- You have good physical health
- You have thin or sparse eyebrows
- You want fewer cosmetics
You must have healthy skin to qualify for this treatment, as healthy skin is more receptive to pigment treatments. You should also be in good general health, which means those who have chronic illnesses, diabetes, bleeding disorders, and cancer may not be qualified for treatment. Women who are pregnant also may not be eligible for these treatments.
Enjoy a Constant Beauty Look With Permanent Makeup
Ever wonder what it would be like to roll out of bed with perfectly groomed eyebrows that are dark, defined, and beautifully dense? Instead of spending time and money on applying brow cosmetics every day, you may want to consider permanent brow makeup treatments. Taking care of permanent makeup so you can enjoy long-lasting results means carefully following all of your aftercare instructions. Contact us at The Botox Bar in Dallas, TX to schedule your consultation today.
