Make up has been part of human civilization ever since the dawn of recorded history. From ancient Egyptian women, to modern cosmopolitan females, makeup has spanned the history of man. Like makeup, tattoos too have also spanned the millennia, which are permanent skin designs that, in many cultures, augment a female’s beauty and visage.
Fast forward to the modern age, and these two historical icons have spawned a new form of beauty enhancement; permanent makeup.
What is Micropigmentation?
More technically known as micropigmentation, and also known as permanent cosmetics, permanent makeup is used to enhance, sometimes create, facial features like eyebrows, lashes, lips, even delicate areas like the nipples and areola area of the woman’s breasts. There are both cosmetic and practical reasons to get micropigmentation.
Reasons for Micropigmentation
Cosmetic reasons include the possible loss of beauty in these facial features due to old age or traumatic injuries. For example, eyebrows falling off, or lips losing their natural luster and color. Practical reasons include allergies to most makeup, thus preventing the patient from enhancing their beauty on a regular basis. But for whatever reason, and whatever purpose, permanent makeup can provide the enhancements that normal makeup could not.
Aside from these reasons, permanent makeup also provides convenience. It removes the need to put makeup on a daily basis, saving effort and precious time while also saving money. In the long run, little traditional makeup will be needed. It also allows people with physical conditions, like allergies and arthritis, to reap the benefits of makeup without the risk of allergic reactions or difficulty in application. Permanent makeup never runs, and doesn’t need to be removed regularly at night.
But micropigmentation isn’t just a makeup alternative. People also get the procedure to have natural looking beauty features. Examples of these are subtle rosy cheeks, more naturally colorful lips, artificial freckles (or removal of), and more. This application of micropigmentation is a more natural approach, creating more natural looking colors rather than makeup looking ones.
Micropigmentation Procedure
The process of micropigmentation is not unlike tattooing. The surgeon places color in a layer between the skin called the dermis, along with color on the skin’s actual surface, in a process that is very similar to normal tattooing. Small, inert pigments inserted below the epidermis ensure that there is no allergic reaction. Once the desired colors are placed in the target areas, the process is complete and the results are quickly visible.
Like most operations, swelling can occur, which can be reduced by using ice packs and avoiding exposure with the sun. Because of the risk of infection, it is important for patients to diligently take the prescribed medicine by the cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist to ensure proper recovery.