Permanent Makeup Australia
In a way permanent makeup is a boon for your morning routine, but one should not be under any illusion that it is a magic wand; it is a cosmetic tattoo. Here I put forward some guidance on treatments, the cost, how to heal and select a proper provider in Australia. My name is Nina Corcoran and in writing this I have sought to get at the kind of details you will not find in a glossy before-and-after spread.
You are better off with a realistic result than a face made to look perfect in perpetuity. There are times when touch-ups are called for as styles date and skin and pigment change. For the best results you want a conservative consultation and clean technique from a technician who has no problem saying a treatment is not for you.
What Is It?
By putting cosmetic pigment into the skin permanent makeup gives you defined brows, lip colour or eyeliner. Some call it semi-permanent or a cosmetic tattoo, yet “semi” can be something of a misnomer since you may be left with some of it for years.
How it heals and the type of skin you have will determine the outcome, as will the technique and your lifestyle. Then there is the matter of a wobbly application; with this you cannot just wash it away like conventional makeup. That is its appeal and its drawback.
Removable Is Not The Same As Temporary
There is no set date on which permanent makeup vanishes, it is more likely to fade in time. All manner of things influence colour retention: the depth of the implant, your age and immune system, oil production, the elements and what you put on your skin.
With microblading fine strokes are put down to mimic brow hairs, an ombre brow will be deeper at the tail and lighter up front, and powder brows are for a softer shade. Let your technician tell you what is right for your face and skin, do not be swayed by whatever is in vogue this month.
Brows, Eyes And Lips
The popularity of permanent eyebrows is easy to understand, they put back shape so you need not reach for a pencil every day. Eyeliner and lip work will save you time in your routine but come with their own aftercare and risks.
In a sound consultation your medical history, allergies, what you normally wear and long-term tastes will all be taken into account. One does not always gain most from the most dramatic option.
For Definition And Shape
Those wanting a filled-in effect are well served by powder brows. Microblading might seem more like hair at first but if your skin is on the oily side or apt to let the pigment run it is not the answer.
Have the brow mapped out before anything is put in. Make sure you are sitting up with your normal expression to judge the shape; lying down alters the proportions in ways that can have disproportionate consequences.
A Defined Eyeliner
This can be done to give a subtle boost to the lashes or a more pronounced line. Positioning has to be exact given the proximity to the eye and the irritation or swelling that can make you uncomfortable for a while.
Do not think a permanent wing will hold up like liquid eyeliner indefinitely. Pigment has a way of softening and fading, and fashion moves on quicker than your calendar.
Lip Blush
It will define the border of the lip and put some tint on it but you will not get the opacity of lipstick and any unevenness in your natural pigmentation can still be seen.
If you are prone to cold sores make the technician aware of it before you book. Lip work can bring them on in some people and you may be advised to see a doctor about prevention.
The Process
An appointment will entail consent, mapping, numbing, choosing your pigment and so on. Do not be surprised if it runs long; there is no point in hastening to the machine when measuring is of greater import.
I was struck by this when I began to look into aftercare for cosmetic tattoo: much of what makes the final result is put in place once you have left the room. The technician does the work, your skin has to do the healing.
Prior To Your Visit
Your expectations, any medications or past cosmetic tattooing and allergies should be covered by a responsible provider. A patch test is sometimes put forward but even a negative one is no guarantee against a reaction.
Check that infection control is in order and that single-use needles and sterile equipment are the norm. The paperwork for informed consent will lay out the risks and the fact that you may have to have it corrected or removed.
The Appointment
Prior to any pigment being put in, the technician must have the design approved. If the colour, thickness or shape is not to your liking, say so; one does not give proper consent on the basis of “it will be fine when done”.
Photographs of how you normally wear makeup are a good way to put your preferences across, but an identical result to someone else is not to be had. Differences in natural pigmentation, the way one’s face moves and skin texture will see to that.
Weighing The Pros And Cons
There are benefits to permanent makeup: it can add definition where hair has been lost or lip colour has changed, make life easier for those with dexterity or vision issues and ensure a uniform look through a long day at work, exercise or a swim.
Then there are the limitations. Colours have a way of shifting and fading in an uneven manner. Should removal be necessary, it is as a rule more costly and less certain than what was put in initially.
What You Expect And What Is
You may think the job will be done and dusted straight away. In fact, fresh pigment tends to be more pronounced, darker or swollen than once it has healed.
One session is not going to be all you need. After the healing has taken its course most clients find they want a retouch, and some maintenance down the track. For safety and compliance, permanent makeup follows strict rules outlined in the Tattooing guidelines.
And while you might assume you can just have it removed, in reality complete removal is no sure thing and could call for laser or other specialist intervention.
Vetting Safety
Since the procedure involves breaking the skin, there is a risk of scarring, infection, an allergic response or colour you do not want. Lip work is further complicated by cold sores and anything around the eye presents its own set of issues.
Licensing and regulation is not the same in every state, territory or local council in Australia. An AHPRA registration is pertinent for health practitioners, yet that is not to say a cosmetic tattoo technician is necessarily registered with them; the practitioner information from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency will tell you.
Postponement
If the area is still healing from something else, sunburnt, infected or irritated, put off the treatment. Those who are pregnant, have an immunocompromised system, are on medication for bleeding or have a skin condition in the vicinity should get medical advice first. Keloid scarring is another consideration.
A doctor should be the one to answer questions about your medical history, not the technician, who is not in a position to diagnose or advise you to discontinue prescribed drugs.
An Idea Of Cost In Australia
How much you pay for permanent makeup will depend on a number of things: the type of treatment, where you are, the consultation and the like. A metropolitan clinic will put a higher price on it than a regional one, though that is not always better value.
For planning purposes, an initial brow is in the order of $400–$900, eyeliner $350–$800 and lip blush $450–$900. These are market indications rather than fixed fees. Get the total figure before putting down a deposit.
| Treatment | Indicative Initial Cost | Common Extra Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Microblading / fine-stroke brows | $400–$800 | Touch-up is often separate |
| Powder or ombre brows | $450–$900 | A retouch could run $100–$300 |
| Lip blush | $450–$900 | To even out the pigmentation extra work may be called for |
| Permanent eyeliner | $350–$800 | Upper and lower lines may be itemised |
Make sure you know if the price covers the mapping, aftercare product, review and any correction work. An unsuitable shape will turn an inexpensive appointment into a costly affair.
Making Plans For The Visit
Factor in time for the trip home and the consultation. You may well drive or take a rideshare, but after an eyeliner session the swelling and watery eyes can be a nuisance behind the wheel. In the CBDs of Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne or Newcastle check on parking ahead of time. Opt for a clinic that is easy to get to and has toilets close by. If you are coming from a region, do not book a return for the same day without some leeway.
Appointment Checklist
- Verify the technician’s insurance, training and compliance with local rules.
- Look at photographs of healed work, not just the fresh stuff.
- Put to rest any uncertainty over the brand of pigment, the cost, options for removal and the touch-up policy.
- Be open about any medications, allergies, previous cosmetic tattoos or cold sores.
- Make provision for safe transport should an eye procedure leave you uncomfortable.
Aftercare
The provider will have written instructions for you to follow. Keep the area clean and do not handle it more than you have to. Leave the flakes and scabs alone even if the colour is patchy; the skin will be uneven until it has settled.
Your technician will be the one to tell you when it is safe to put on makeup, be in the sun or have a good sweat in the sauna; until then, do not swim or subject the treated area to any of these. And as for ointments, stick with what is recommended. There is no need to put together some kind of science experiment from your bathroom cabinet given that product instructions are not all the same.
The Usual Course of Healing
You may see the colour go darker and have some redness, swelling and tenderness at first. While the surface will put itself right in a few days, changes at a deeper level can take weeks. Technicians will typically wait for the skin to heal before making a final call on colour retention.
Should you have any cause for concern, like pus, fever, pain that is getting worse or redness that spreads, do not write it off as part of the healing process and get in touch with the provider or a doctor.
Selecting A Technician
Make sure the person you choose is qualified and puts the limitations on a par with the benefits in their explanation. Check for current insurance, proper hygiene, consent forms in order and training that is relevant. A portfolio with healed work on a range of skin types is also something to look for.
Then there are the reviews. Do not be swayed by a single attractive photo if there are comments to the contrary about being rushed, fees that come as a surprise or communication that leaves much to be desired. Any professional worth his salt will make plain when he would turn down a job or put you in touch with someone else.
A Few Questions To Put To The Provider
Inquire as to how they handle cross-contamination, patch testing and the disposal of sharps. If the colour does not come in even, is a correction part of the deal? What is the procedure for removing permanent makeup should you change your mind about it?
An image on social media is not reason enough to book. Between the lighting and fresh pigment, filters can obscure the facts. You are better served by an unedited result that has fully healed.
Some Common Queries
What exactly is permanent makeup?
It is cosmetic tattooing whereby pigment is put into the skin for the effect of lip colour, eyeliner or brows. It is not always going to be there in perpetuity but it does not entirely fade.
And how long will it last?
Anywhere from a year to several, contingent on the type of skin, the area treated, the element of sun exposure and so on. An exact figure cannot be guaranteed by any technician.
Is it painful?
Sensitivity is a matter of the individual but most would put it down to discomfort, not anything more. Numbing agents help to a degree though the length of the appointment and the technique employed will have their say.
Costs in Australia?
Expect to be looking at $350 to $900 or so for an initial treatment. Before you put it in the diary, find out if the price covers aftercare, a touch-up and the consultation.
Can one have it removed?
Specialist laser work is an option but complete removal is not a certainty and results are hit and miss. It is wiser to be conservative with the design and colour than to count on being able to have it taken out.
Think It Over
Permanent makeup is for those who appreciate the convenience of it and are aware of the risks and upkeep involved. Not so for anyone under pressure or intent on replicating something they saw online, or who is disinclined to adhere to aftercare.
Be direct with your questions and give yourself time to compare. When the novelty is gone you want the outcome to still be recognisably you, not the darkest brow or the most defined line.