When permanent makeup goes wrong

You’d think that when someone is about to apply a tattoo directly onto your face, they should be appropriately qualified and trained to do so. However, not all permanent make up practitioners are equal, in fact some are nothing short of inept. Choosing the wrong artist for your permanent eyebrows, eyeliner, lips or otherwise could end up with disastrous results.

Not all permanent makeup disasters are the fault of the practitioner though. Some clients fail to understand the aftercare routines necessary to ensure amazing results, and others demand styles that are just not suited to their face. Here, we’ll take a look at the times when semi permanent makeup goes wrong, and how you can avoid ending up with disastrous results yourself.

What is permanent makeup?

There has been a dramatic rise in popularity of semi permanent make up London wide, and where London goes, other cities follow suit. Permanent eyebrows, eyeliner or lips can give you a made-up look straight out of bed, which is highly appealing to many people who are pushed for time to get ready each day.

Tattoo eyeliner never looks smudged, eyebrow tattoos always have the perfect shape and lip pigmentation can save a fortune on those expensive lipsticks we all have in our drawers. It’s easy to realise the appeal of these types of Understanding what permanent makeup is and how it works is key to ensuring you get the results you need.

Make up tattoos are not the same as traditional tattoos. They use semi permanent inks which are tested to be non-allergenic, and the pigment is inserted much higher up in the skin layers. This creates a much more natural looking result which fades gradually over time, rather than discolouring as regular tattoos are apt to do.

So, what are the risks associated with permanent makeup, and what should you be careful of if you don’t want a makeup disaster?

The risks of permanent makeup

Well applied permanent makeup shouldn’t look any different to regular makeup, because a good technician will work hard to produce something natural looking and tasteful. However, we have seen first hand some situations where things have gone horribly wrong. Here are some examples:

Wrong pigment used

Applying the wrong pigment can be disastrous. Rather than your subtle light brown semi permanent eyebrows, you’re left with two great big black caterpillars on your forehead. Not a good look.

Poor styling

Every permanent make up tattoo should be adapted to the individual’s needs, but some practitioners work with stencils or other standard styles, applying the same thing over and over regardless of their face shape or desired result.

Allergic reactions

If you are sensitive to a particular product, you stop using that product. Unfortunately, with tattoo pigment it is injected into your skin, so any itching, redness or swelling that it causes is going to stay with you for some time. Practitioners should use hypoallergenic inks to be safe and should conduct a test to check for sensitivity before starting treatment.

Infections

Unless all the equipment, inks and environment are kept scrupulously clean in the salon, there is a risk of infection occurring. Infections can cause the pigment to bleed into unwanted areas of the skin, spoiling the look at putting the client at risk.

Scarring

Allergic reactions, infections and poor aftercare can all result in scarring of the tattooed area. This can ruin the effect of the permanent makeup and can make it difficult to tattoo it again in the future.

Early fading

When well looked after, the inks should retain their pigment for one to three years, depending on the type of treatment applied. However, if the semi-permanent makeup is not well looked after, there is a chance fading could occur too early. Using sunscreen, moisturising and avoiding exfoliation of the area can all help.

If you do end up with a permanent makeup disaster, there is always the option of tattoo removal. However, this is far more expensive than it is to have the tattoo done in the first place, and carries many more risks of infection, scarring and other problems. It’s far better to get things right in the first place than to try and correct it when it’s already gone wrong.

How to avoid a permanent makeup disaster

There are some steps you can take to avoid ending up disappointed with your results, including:

Do your research, look at testimonials and ask for recommendations
Don’t be sold on glossy pictures, flashy websites or expensive addresses
Check the practitioner is qualified, trained and skilled
Ask how long they’ve been in business
Listen to the advice regarding aftercare, and commit to looking after your tattoo

A good practitioner with plenty of training and experience will be able to create a perfect treatment for you. Whether it’s permanent eyebrows, tattoo eyeliner or lip pigmentation you’re after, the right person will actually improve the look of your face. When applied correctly, there should be little to no pain during treatment, and the end results should be beautiful.

Why choose MW Aesthetics?

Here at MW Aesthetics, we work hard to achieve perfect results for each and every one of our clients. We don’t use any templates or standard procedures; instead, we work alongside every customer to create a look that is unique to them.

For permanent eyebrows, we work with the hairs that are already there, applying in fill cover and adding volume and definition. We adapt the semi-permanent eyebrow shape to the individual face, so that the end result is face framing, natural and unique. Our tattoo eyeliner, lip treatments and other procedures are all similarly tailored to the individual’s needs, which is one of the reasons we have achieved 100 per cent satisfaction from our clients.

As leading practitioners of semi permanent makeup in London, we use all the latest tools and techniques to ensure a flawless finish. Our pigments are award winning, and proven to be longer lasting than others, and are available in a wide range of shades to suit darker or fairer clients.

Marek Waclawczyk who is the head permanent makeup artist is one of the most experienced in the business, having attended numerous masterclasses with world renowned trainers and various training and development courses over the years. When you choose MW Aesthetics, you can be confident that you’re in safe hands. Talk to us today and we’ll be happy to answer your questions, or book in for a free consultation to find out more about our semi-permanent makeup treatments.