What Is Micropigmentation?

Micropigmentation or Permanent Make Up is the enhancement of the face or re-pigmentation of hypo- pigmented areas of the dermis with non-reactive,  hypo-allergenic natural and/or iron-oxide colored pigments which are implanted into the very first layers of the skin.

Procedures and Treatment Areas Available

Eyelashes / Lash Enhancement
Some people have a condition that disallows the growth of eyelashes. Perhaps it is persons with Alopecia and even those individuals who are undergoing chemotherapy, antibiotic courses, obsessive plucking, etc.. These individuals will certainly benefit from permanent makeup should they need the illusion of having eyebrows and eyelashes for a symmetrical appearance. The eyebrows, especially, help give symmetry to the face.

There is a permanent makeup procedure called blepharopigmentation, which simulates eyelashes. It is performed using a micro needle and the pigment is "implanted" in a dot-like matrix fashion into the lid margin (base of the eyelashes) The pigment is placed a little deeper, in the dermis. This way when the epidermis covers is after healing, the look is a more translucent one, very natural. Other than that they line the lash line to give the illusion of a thick eyelash line of application of eyeliner. 

Eyeliner
This application can define the eyes, make them "stand out" more, or simply enhance the general eye area. This may be the more painful of the micropigmentation procedure but many patients deem it very worth it. Is it either carried out in a "smoky" look, dot matrix, a thin line

Eyebrows
Eyebrows are the "frame of the face". If you have nothing with which to guide you, you are going to have a hard time producing a flattering look. There are many stencils you can purchase to guide your pencils or better yet, eyebrow powders applied with an angled brush, for a natural result.  But, if the hassle of daily application and the inconvenience of accidentally wiping them off or smudging them seems too much for you, then permanent makeup is definitely for you. 

Your technician will determine the hair color and skin tones in pigment selection. You will discuss the best eyebrow shape for you and apply powders or pencil for you to visualize the new shape. Remember that this is permanent, so steer clear of the trends or unrealistic super high arches. No one wants a "dated" look.

Lip Liner
This can even out your asymmetries, if you have them, or give the appearance of a more defined lip. A lip liner implantation can also be made to look even more natural by apply a "blended"  look. The
Remember that fashionable colors change often. 

Full Lip Color
This procedure is a combination of lip liner and and a fill in. You can even get the area (vermilion border) tattooed "outside the lines" To give the appearance of larger, fuller lips.

Beauty Mark
Think Cindy Crawford, Marilyn Monroe, under the eyes, off to the outer corner, above the lip, etc..

Cleft Lip Asymmetries
As with any lip asymmetry, persons afflicted with a cleft lip condition scar can have it corrected and re-pigmented. Thereby camouflaging the area creating a sense of "normalcy". This is an advanced technique that only a specialist can perform.

Are You a Candidate For Micropigmentation? 
If you are very active, do not wish to apply your make up every day or perhaps a swimmer, or even someone who has less than perfect vision and wish to have the appearance of having cosmetics on at all times - you may be a candidate for micropigmentation. Just be sure that you do not have any scarring problems such as Keloids or extensive allergies. 

What to Expect at Your Consultation
You will go over the above details. You will also discuss your skin tone as certain pigments may appear differently through certain skin tones. Such as a mauve color will look differently implanted in an olive-toned skin type rather than a yellow or peach tone skin color.

You will discuss the different techniques and anesthetics as well as possible brow shapes and lip shapes if this is your desire. You will then ask any question you are interested in and possibly make an appointment if you are conformable with the particular technician's techniques, experience and abilities.

Preparing for Your Procedure
There really is no preparation as it is not very invasive. No more invasive than a regular tattoo. Just ascertain that this is what you want. Although tattoos can be removed it isn't an easy or quick process. How This

Procedure Is Performed
Any type of tattoo is applied by using a small electric device with a needle bar that holds from one to 14 needles, each in its own little tube, to implant colored pigments  *Note: Tattoo needles are regulated by the FDA.  Here at Allure Skincare, depending on the procedure we prefer the rotary pen and/or the manual/hand method.

The tattooing device basically works like a miniature sewing machine: the needle bar moves up and down really fast, forcing the needles into the superficial (epidermis) and middle layer (dermis) of the skin, implanting whatever colored pigment the technician dips the tip into. The technician holds the machine with a steady hand while guiding it along the skin. The speed and power is controlled by a foot switch or pedal, much like a
sewing machine.

The needles penetrate the skin only a couple of millimeters as the tubes restrict the needles from penetrating any deeper. Each needle has its own separate. This feature permits the  needle bar shaft to operate smoothly without damaging the needles.

The end of the needle tube is dipped in a small amount of ink. The technician guides the machine over the skin and the needle(s) move up and down, penetrating the skin, implanting the pigment. Excess pigment and blood, or other bodily fluids, ooze out from the puncture wounds and the technician wipes them off with an absorbent disposable towel, repeatedly. This enables the technician to better see what he or she is doing.

Prior to getting a tattoo, the technician puts on a pair of latex gloves or other types if you or he/she has a latex allergy and inspects your skin to make sure you have no cuts, scrapes or other types of broken skin. The area is either swabbed with alcohol or sprayed with an  antiseptic solution or both. The razors and towels used for wiping your bodily fluids should also be disposed of in the same type of bio hazardous waste.

In most cases the technician will draw the basic shape on the skin. You are then asked to verify the placement, position and so forth of the design you are about to implant into your skin forever. If everything is good then a thin layer of petroleum jelly, or other ointment, is spread over the area to be tattooed.

The level of pain really depends on the individual. Some people's pain threshold (or tolerance) is high while others are quite low. The level of pain also depends on the tattoo site. Cosmetic Tattooing can be completed per area in about an hour and a half. If you are having more than one area/procedure it may take a few hours or maybe another sitting (you come back another time).

When the technician has completed your design the tattoo is sprayed with water and antiseptic and wiped off. A layer of Bacitracin is applied over the tattoo and you are instructed to wash it no more than twice a day with mild soap and water and apply hand cream or Bacitracin as needed (no Vaseline!) 

The Road to Recovery
You will wash it gently with mild soap and apply hand cream or Bacitracin as needed.
It takes about a week (usually seven to ten days) for a tattoo to heal. Until then, you should not apply cosmetics over the area and NO PEROXIDE. You'll "bubble" the healing skin and ink away. No peeling of the area either. If it flakes, let it flake. You will pull pigment right out of the tattoo resulting in splotchiness. 

Do NOT expose your tattoo to direct sunlight for at least two weeks. If you do, you may get sunburn or changes in pigment (i.e. color fade). Use sunscreen like it's going out of style. Do NOT go swimming. That goes for fresh, salt or chlorinated water. This could cause pigment fade as well. You should always apply sunblock if you expose your tattoo to sunlight (this means "artificial light", too). Indoor Tanning machines will fade your tattoo as well.

You will feel tender and you may be a little sore. This can be relieved with Tylenol although your eyes may be puffy and red if you had eyeliner applied. Please do not peel flaking skin.

Risks & Complications of Micropigmentation
Allergic reactions to permanent cosmetics are quite rare. you may request a skin patch test in an inconspicuous area prior to having a procedure performed. 
Regardless, you should understand that an allergic reaction could occur at any time.

If you are prone to Keloids or hypertrophic scarring you may develop scar tissue at the treatment site. Please think this over if you are prone to the above.