Pros and Cons of Permanent Makeup

The idea of permanent makeup can be both enticing and a little bit intimidating. On the one hand, it is a hassle-free way to look polished on a daily basis. On the other hand, it's a significant investment and can be a literal pain. So how do you determine if permanent makeup is the right choice for you? Hopefully, this list of pros and cons will help you figure out if permanent makeup is in your future.

Pro: Promotes Self- Confidence

Whether you are post-mastectomy, have pigmentation issues, suffer from hair loss, or want to avoid applying makeup daily, permanent makeup and paramedical tattooing can be a game-changer. From the ability to recreate areolas and even out skin tone to simulating hair on your head or brows, permanent makeup can help make you look and feel like yourself again. Everyone feels their best when they look their best and permanent makeup can be one way to achieve your best self.

Pro: Simplifies Life

Everyone can benefit from more minutes in their day. Significantly cutting the time it takes to apply makeup each day by opting for permanent lipstick, permanent eyebrows, permanent eyeliner, or even all three means you can sleep in a few minutes or stop for that cup of coffee on the way to work. It also means there will be less clutter in your makeup bag or on your bathroom counter.

Pro: Eliminates Challenges

Applying makeup, especially eyeliner, can be tricky. It requires a great deal of patience and precision even for someone with the steadiest hand. But for the millions of women worldwide who have Parkinson’s Disease and other movement disorders, applying makeup may be more than challenging, it may be impossible. Permanent makeup techniques, like eyeliner tattoo, are an amazing alternative to either struggling to apply makeup or foregoing it altogether.

Pro: Water and Sweat Proof

While we can probably agree that raccoons are cute, we can also agree that we don’t want to end up looking like one. However, activities like swimming, hot yoga, or even a strenuous job will make you choose between being makeup-free or risking embarrassing runny makeup.

Eyebrows are so iconic that a study at MIT found that people had a harder time identifying celebrities when shown photos of them without eyebrows than they did when shown photos of them without eyes! So how do you sport your signature brow look when you can’t wear makeup? Permanent makeup is the ideal solution to this problem.

Mixed:Semi-Permanent

Because permanent makeup is not applied as deeply into the dermis as a traditional tattoo, permanent makeup is actually semi-permanent. This means that it will require touchups and new applications every few years to maintain. However, is this a setback or an opportunity in disguise? The fact that your permanent makeup will fade naturally over time will allow you to alter your look slightly as you age and as your taste and trends change.

Using high-quality permanent makeup pigments will ensure that as your permanent makeup fades, the colors remain natural and do not shift colors to unexpected tones. This is especially important when choosing microblading pigments.

Mixed: It Can Be Expensive

While permanent makeup applications may cost a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars depending on the type of application and your local market, how does this compare to what you would have spent over the next few years on the beauty products you will no longer need now that you have permanent makeup?

Plus, the expression “time is money” could not be more true. If you take 10 minutes a day off your morning routine by opting for permanent makeup, that amounts to over 60 hours a year! How much is your time worth to you?

Cons: Not For Everyone

Permanent makeup is not the ideal solution for everyone. People taking certain medications or those who have health conditions that cause bleeding, scarring, or impaired healing, may not be good candidates for permanent makeup. While there are precautions that can be taken to make permanent makeup a safe alternative for most people, it is not for everyone. Always speak to your doctor before deciding if permanent makeup is the right choice for you.

Cons: Painful

Although there are creams that can be used to minimize the pain during your procedure, permanent makeup applications can be uncomfortable. In addition, microblading healing and the healing from the other procedures can be uncomfortable. Following your artist’s aftercare instructions carefully and using the best aftercare products will ensure that your healing process goes as smoothly as possible.

Cons: There Are Risks

As the FDA warns, there are risks involved with permanent makeup ranging from dissatisfaction with the outcome to infection and allergy. However, many of these risks can be mitigated by doing your due diligence. Always consult your doctor before getting permanent makeup. Also, do your research to ensure that your permanent makeup artist is well trained, skilled, uses sterile equipment, and only the best permanent makeup pigments. Make sure to look at photos of their healed work to ensure that the results match your expectations.

As with any “permanent” or long-term decision, there are many pros and cons to weigh before making up your mind. Hopefully, this list has helped you figure out if permanent makeup is for you. Check out our FAQ section for frequently asked questions and more PMU tips and to see work by artists who use Quantum Micro Pigments, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.