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Permanent Makeup

Permanent makeup is another term for cosmetic tattooing or micropigmentation. This advanced technique can be used to enhance eyes and eyebrows, camouflage scars, improve vitiligo or even recreate the areola after breast reconstruction surgery.

The University of Kansas Health System aesthetic team includes a certified micropigmentation technician to ensure outstanding results from your permanent makeup procedure. Whether looking for brow and eye enhancement, hoping to diminish scars or restore the appearance of the areola following breast cancer surgery, we can help you achieve your appearance goals.

What is permanent makeup?

Permanent makeup, or micropigmentation, is a form of tattooing in which color is implanted in the thickest mid-layer of the skin (dermis). The inks and pigments used in treatment are metabolically inert and are insoluble in water and most organic solvents.

We offer a variety of appointment types. Learn more or call 913-588-1227 to schedule now.

Who can get permanent makeup?

Permanent makeup is an option for individuals who are allergic to conventional makeup, or those with vision or other impairments for whom makeup application is difficult. Some people are interested in getting micropigmentation simply because they desire makeup that is waterproof, timesaving, hassle-free and always fresh.

How does micropigmentation work?

As with regular tattooing, permanent makeup is achieved by placing pigment on the superficial layer of the dermis using a tattoo pen. Because your skin is always shedding, the implanted color will appear darker on the day of your procedure but will lighten up over time. As you heal, the top layer of skin (epidermis) will flake away, revealing your final results.

For those who want permanent makeup for eyebrow enhancement, we offer 2 options:

The hair stroke effect brow technique offers a more natural-looking brow blended to complement your hair color and skin tone. This treatment is best for people who have experienced hair loss.

Powder filled brow technique provides a defined shape and more of a blocked-in appearance for your eyebrows. With this technique, the needle goes deeper into the skin with the use of small dots of pigment, allowing the treatment to last longer than a hair stroke technique. This treatment is best for people who want a more "made-up" look.

Eyebrow enhancement is done with an electric pen with a sterile fine blade made up of 10-16 tiny needles. Pigment is implanted in the first layer of skin by creating very intricate hairline strokes to form a more natural-looking eyebrow.

We also offer permanent eyeliner to create fuller-looking eyelashes, bilateral areola tattoos as the final step of breast reconstruction and scar camouflage.

Benefits and risks of permanent makeup

For cosmetic enhancement, micropigmentation is a permanent solution that can:

  • Add definition to the eyebrows through permanent brow enhancement
  • Create fuller looking eyelashes with permanent eyeliner
  • Help disguise scars and pigmentation irregularities

Permanent makeup can also be used to recreate the appearance of an areola after breast reconstruction.

After micropigmentation, you can expect to experience some swelling and crusting around the treatment area that will persist for a few days. In general, you should have little discomfort and few side effects. It is important to keep in mind that you need to protect your skin from the sun in order to maintain your new look.

What happens during micropigmentation?

An advanced cosmetic procedure, micropigmentation requires skill and experience from your technician. Permanent makeup tattooing is conducted in an office setting. The time required varies depending on the complexity of the treatment but averages between 1-2 hours. Your micropigmentation technician may apply a local anesthetic cream to help reduce discomfort.

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Permanent makeup FAQ

  • Before the procedure begins, a topical anesthetic that is specially made for permanent makeup can be applied to the treatment area to numb the skin. On a pain scale of 1-10, with 10 being the worst, most people experience mild pain in the 1-3 range. This type of pain is often described as a vibration or tickling feeling.

  • You should expect your procedure appointment to last about 2 hours. The first 20-30 minutes will be used to numb the treatment area. The next 60 minutes will be spent on tattooing. The remaining 30-40 minutes will include providing aftercare instructions, taking photos and scheduling a return visit in 4 weeks.

  • Your recovery time depends on the procedure you receive. Larger treatment areas may sting and feel sensitive for longer than small treatment areas. Eyebrows result in a small amount of swelling and will sting for a couple of hours after the anesthetic wears off. The stinging will feel similar to the sensation after scraping your hands on the sidewalk. Eyeliner may result in moderate swelling, as if you’ve been crying for a while. Cold packs are recommended.

  • Micropigmentation can last for a long time, but the exact length will depend on your skin type and how well you care for your procedure. Environmental factors will affect your tattoos. These can include sun, swimming and facial products, among others. Your body’s natural breakdown response will also affect the lifespan of your tattoo. The more comfortable you become with your permanent makeup, the more you may want to add to or freshen it every couple of years.

  • Your micropigmentation specialist will be happy to help you factor in any conditions you have that may affect your permanent makeup tattoo. These include scars, vitiligo, alopecia, a history of fever blisters or other health problems. Please do not hesitate to inform your technician about your conditions and ask questions about treatment and recovery.

  • Visit mrisaftey.com for information about micropigmentation and MRI. Rarely is there a problem with micropigmentation’s effect on MRIs. A small percentage of individuals may experience some tingling or a burning sensation. If you experience this sensation around the eyes, place a dampened cotton round over your eyes for comfort.

  • Your investment in permanent makeup may seem expensive up front, yet it will also save you time and money in the long run. Retouches, which are less expensive, are required every couple of years to keep your permanent makeup looking fresh. Your investment can eliminate daily, time-consuming makeup rituals and frees you from the worry of smears or smudges on your eyebrows or eyeliner.

  • Permanent makeup can make a big difference in your daily routine. You’ll save countless hours trying to get your eyebrows or eyeliner just right, and you’ll save money on expensive makeup products that rub off during the day. Permanent makeup doesn’t have to replace all of the makeup you may want to use at times. Since the color is in your skin, and not on your skin, you may apply additional makeup whenever you want.

Related links

BBL® Photorejuvenation
BOTOX® Cosmetic
Chemical Peel
Fat Grafting
Injectable Fillers
KYBELLA®
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Medical Grade Skincare
Permanent Makeup
SkinPen™ Microneedling
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