Permanently Beautiful

Choosing the right permanent cosmetics technician is critical. When you decide to invest in permanent makeup, your goal is to enhance and perhaps improve your natural beauty. You want the results to look beautiful and natural, not garish or artificial. The expertise, experience and artistry of the permanent cosmetics technician you decide to work with are critical to achieving the results you desire.

With its increasing popularity, permanent makeup services are more widely offered, sometimes by facilities and technicians with limited experience in the field. You should be aware that there are currently no uniform regulations governing the industry in the U.S. Because permanent makeup will permanently alter your appearance, it is essential that you carefully research any technician and facility you consider.

The Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals, which has been lobbying for the establishment of industry standards, recommends the following:

• Visit the site where the work will be performed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do set standards for physical cleanliness and sanitary work environments. Ask to view the rooms where procedures are performed. Facilities should have the spotless cleanliness of surgical facilities. Rooms should be private to prevent contamination from other procedures being performed at the facility. Hot and cold running water should be available to technicians outside of the restroom.
• Meet the technician. Is their appearance clean and neat? Are their nails clean? Make certain that new gloves and clean sheets are used for every client. And, most critically, find out if new sterile needles and equipment are used for each client.

More on how to choose a Permanent Cosmetics Technician on Friday.