The Health Risks of Permanent Make-up
Posted on Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 and is filed under Beauty. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
by Dr. Kristie
It sounds so easy. Have your makeup tattooed on so it’s permanent. Then you can sleep twenty minutes later in the morning without having the hassle of putting on your face. Imagine the cost savings. No more trips to the Lancome or Estee Lauder counter. Unfortunately, as with most things in life, when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. This certainly seems to be the case with permanent make-up.
Why is application of permanent make-up such a problem? Along with the permanently red lips and the eyeliner that never washes off may come a variety of skin reactions ranging from peeling and blistering to permanent scarring. The FDA has issued warnings to consumers about the possible adverse effects of permanent make-up, but many women are still swayed by the allure of the impressive before-and-after ads.
How is the application of permanent make-up carried out? If the procedure is performed in a doctor’s office (which is the safest place), the skin is numbed with a topical anesthetic. After the anesthetic starts to work, a vibrating needle is used to introduce pigment into the dermal layer of the skin in a manner that’s similar to tattooing. Most patients report a slight stinging sensation during the procedure, but rarely report pain. Application of permanent make-up can cost anywhere from $200 to $700.
The only problem is some people don’t react well to the pigments used in permanent make-up. Some patients have an allergic reaction to the pigments which can cause intense redness, irritation, and even scarring. There’s also the risk of infection particularly if unsanitary technique is used. Because some people are strong scar formers, significant disfigurement can occur which a patient may have to live with for the rest of their life. Not the prettiest of pictures. Although some people have a good outcome and are quite satisfied with the results, is it worth the risk of potential disfigurement?
Another potential problem you can encounter if you choose to get permanent make-up is fading of the color. Although it’s advertised as permanent, this is somewhat of a misnomer since touch-ups are usually required every few years. When you invest in permanent make-up, this is another factor to consider when you calculate the total cost. Those touch-ups can really add up over time.
If you do decide to take the chance and get permanent make-up, at least have it done in a doctor’s office rather than a salon setting where the set-up may be less sterile and the person doing the work less experienced. Before you book your appointment, do your research and give it some serious thought. After all, those trips to the Lancome counter are kind of fun.
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