The Risks of Waterline Tattoos
January 12, 2024
Table of Contents
When you think of beauty or makeup one of the last things you think of is tattoos. However, over the last decade one form of tattoos has truly taken form, cosmetic tattooing, otherwise known as permanent makeup. If you haven’t heard of permanent makeup and want to learn more about it than you are at the perfect place for this is the Ultimate Guide to Permanent Makeup 2021 edition.
One of the most common permanent makeup procedures is the eyebrow tattoo, otherwise known as microblading & shading. “Most people start getting their eyebrows done, see how amazing it is and come back for another procedure”, says Anna An, owner of Advanced PMU. Before explaining more about the various PMU services, I am going to give you some brief history.
A Brief History
Permanent makeup is not something new, you can trace it back all the way to Egypt. For example, Cleopatra used to use henna and various techniques to decorate her body.
According to Wikipedia, the first documented permanent makeup treatment was done by the famous U.K. tattoo artist Sutherland MacDonald[5] in 1902 at his parlor, #76 Jermyn Str., London, “all-year-round delicate pink complexion” on the cheeks. In 1920s this “London fad” crossed the Atlantic, and the “electrically tattooing [sic?] a permanent complexion or blush on the face” became popular in the USA.
In the early 1930s you started to see a rise in permanent makeup services sold as “complexion treatment” for women. Back then, they used to inject people with vegetable dies. However, these women at the time did not know this was a tattoo.
Cosmetic tattooing has come a long way since those days. Now everything being used from the pigment, tools, and techniques are designed specifically for permanent makeup and to look as natural as possible.
Microblading & Shading
The eyebrow tattoo, also known as microblading & shading, is the most common permanent makeup service. It uses a very fine microblade to deposit pigment underneath the skin. These thin strokes mimic the look of hair.
Shading on other hand is a technique that fills your eyebrows pigment, which gives a very gorgeous powdery look. Combining these 2 techniques creates very natural and beautiful eyebrows.
Brow Mapping
Some artists know a technique called brow mapping that will allow them to draw perfect eyebrows that fit any ones face.
Procedure Time
Eyebrows normally take 2 – 3 hours depending on the skill level of the artist.
Healing Process
The full eyebrow healing process can last up to 30 days but most people will see the results they want after a couple of weeks. The Color tends to fade in the beginning and comes back after the scabbing has finished.
It is very important you keep your eyebrows clean throughout the healing process. You can find information about the healing process in our other blog post.
Cost of Service
The cost for microblading & shading varies among artist for a number of reasons. But you should be able to find a very talented artist between $300 – $1500.
How long does it last?
Your new eyebrows will last anywhere from 1 to 3 years, which is why we recommend coming for a touch up after a year or 2.
The Best Candidate for Microblading & Shading?
Anyone who wakes up in the morning and needs to fill in their eyebrows is a perfect candidate! Many of us as we grow older lose our eyebrows as well, this is the perfect way to get them back!p after a year or 2.
PMU Eyeliner
Permanent makeup eyeliner, or eyeliner tattoo, is another common PMU service. This service takes pigment and places it along your lash line to recreate the look of eyeliner.
PMU Eyeliner Types
- Classic — Gives the normal or “classic” eyeliner look right above your lash line
- Cat Eye — Adds a wing to your eyeliner that many people like when going out. It adds a little sexiness.
- Eyelash Enhancement – Adds pigment in between the eyelashes which gives a fuller look to your lashes.
Procedure Time
Eyeliner procedure depends on the PMU artist. Typically, including numbing this procedure should take less than an hour.
Healing Process
The PMU eyeliner healing process takes a couple of weeks and is not as intense as microblading & shading. It is smaller area and calls for less trauma to the skin. You may see some minor swelling or redness. The skin will scab and flake slightly, but you should be healed in less than 2 weeks.
Make sure to keep your eyelids clean for the healing process. Do not sweat or put excess water for a few days.
Cost of Service
The cost for PMU eyeliner depends on the type of eyeliner but generally around $500 — $1500 depending on a number of factors.
How long does it last?
Permanent Makeup eyeliner will last a few years, but you start seeing it fade around a year in. We recommend coming in for a touch up after a few months if you want your eyeliner to be bold.
The Best Candidate for PMU Eyeliner?
The best candidate for eyeliner is not only someone who puts on eyeliner frequently, but those people who don’t use eyeliner for personal reasons. Many people find it hard to put something that close to their eye, have shaky hands, have bad eyesight, or just don’t have the time to put on eyeliner. PMU eyeliner is the perfect solution.
PMU Lip Blush
PMU Lip Blush has many names in the industry and among people for instance people call it lip tattooing, lip contouring, lip liner, lip tint, and lip blush. This service in tales depositing pigment into the lip area to improve the natural color of your lips, reshape your lips, which gives definition and the illusion of fullness.
Procedure Time
The entire procedure takes about 2 – 3 hours depending on the size of your lips. Naturally, bigger lips will take more time do.
Healing Process
The healing process will take anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks depending on the person. You will see the color fade, your skin will peel, and your lips will be very dry. But after the peeling process your color will return and you will look beautiful!
Cost of Service
This will cost roughly $600 but some talented artist will charge a couple thousand.
How long does it last?
Your lips will last anywhere from 1 to 2 years. Because of the type of skin, this area does fade faster. However, the touch up healing process won’t be as long.
The Best Candidate for Lip Blush?
Anyone has discoloration on their lips, want to reshape their lips to look fuller, or just don’t want their lipstick to smear anymore. However, not every skin tone responds well to lip tint, I would recommend asking for a consultation before booking an appointment.
Scalp Micropigmentation
This particular PMU service is in a class all its own. Scalp Micropigmentation takes the same concept of makeup and applies it to the scalp.
Scalp micropigmentation is the use of pigment deposited into the scalp to create the illusion of hair follicles. This particular procedure is very popular among men who are bald or balding and women who need to fill in their natural hair part.
Procedure Time
Scalp Micropigmentation takes anywhere from 3 to 6 hours to complete and typically requires multiple sessions. It all depends on how much are you want to cover.
Healing Process
The scalp micropigmentation healing process is a little easier than other procedures. It will generally be healed in a few days because it is causing very little trauma to the skin. Just make sure to not get your head wet for 2 to 3 days.
Cost of Service
SMP will cost you anywhere from $1000 to $8,000 depending on the technician and amount of sessions you need.
How long does it last?
Scalp Micropigmentation will last for 2 to 3 years, but I recommend coming in for touch ups every year to make sure everything look clean.
The Best Candidate for Scalp Micropigmentation?
Anyone who has thinning hair, no hair, or just want to fill in any gaps on the head. This technique even works for the hairline of people with long hair.
Scar Camouflage
Scar camouflage is a service similar to scalp micropigmentation. You use the same pigment and tools to cover up scars on the body or scalp.
For instance, many hair transplant patients have some sort of scaring that happens when the hair gets transferred, through this camouflaging technique we can make it look like there is no scar.
Procedure Time
The procedure time varies depending on the size of the scaring but generally it takes around 2 – 3 hours.
Healing Process
The healing process for scar camouflage is easier than an SMP procedure. It will take about a few days of not getting that area wet and keeping it clean.
Cost of Service
The cost of this service depends entirely on the scaring but it can be anywhere from $200 — $1000.
How long does it last?
This procedure will vary among people, but generally 2 – 3 years.
The Best Candidate for Scar Camouflage?
Anyone who has had a hair transplant, accident, or scaring and wants it to be less noticeable. This procedure works best when it is on the scalp because we can blend it in with the surrounding hair.
Areola Tattoo, Freckle Tattoo, & Other PMU Procedures
Some less common, but still frequently done procedures are the areola, freckle, and cheek blush.
Areola Tattoo
The areola tattoo is common among women who have some kind of breast surgery. Sometimes the areola, dark skin around the nipple, becomes deformed and needs correcting.
This type of procedure is unique to each person and should be discussed with your PMU artist.
Freckle Tattoo
Freckle tattoos are a rarely asked for PMU procedure, but is becoming more and more popular. I personally do not recommend them because most of the images you see online are not healed results. After the freckles heal, most of the time the color looks off.
If you do want freckles make sure you do your artist research and ask for healed result photos.
Cheek Blush Tattoo
Cheek Blush Tattoo is another rare PMU procedure that I do not recommend for the same reason as the freckle tattoo. The cheeks will look nice immediately after the procedure but not after the healed results.
Make sure you do your research before getting any of these procedures done.
What To Do Before Getting Your PMU Procedure
Research Your PMU Artist
Make sure you do your research before getting any permanent makeup procedure done. Not every artist has the same knowledge and talent. You want to make sure you are always looking for healed results when going through their work.
Consult Your Artist
Some people are allergy or have very sensitive skin. We always recommend getting a consultation with your permanent makeup artist before getting a procedure because there a number of things that can effect the way your procedure heals.
Come with the Area Clean
No matter which permanent makeup service you get always make sure that area is clean. Make sure to have no makeup, dirt, or products in order to get the best looking results.
Most Popular:
How To Become A Permanent Makeup Artist
June 29, 2023
How To Market Yourself As A Permanent Makeup Artist
April 6, 2023