Looking Great 24/7

Created on 01st October 2008

Concluding his exploration into the advantages of micropigmentation, Andrew Stassi of Smudge-Free reviews the make-up applications

Micropigmentation is a form of tattooing, but rid your mind of connotations of scary tattoo parlours with men and women with highly decorated bodies and even faces. This is a far more sophisticated procedure; it is very safe and medically approved and incorporates the use of organic and inorganic, hypoallergenic iron oxide colour pigment instead of carbon inks which are used in conventional body art tattooing. With today's advanced technology the procedure has been fine tuned, is of medical grade and is usually carried out in a clinic-type environment.

The process itself is carried out using pharmaceutical grade pigments which are implanted at little more than 1mm below the skin's surface to form cosmetic make-up enhancements which will last anything from one to three years and sometimes longer. The equipment used today is generally computerised controlling a hand-piece which holds a single-use sterile needle cartridge.

The area to be enhanced should be prepared for client comfort using a topical anaesthetic cream and the procedure should be pre-drawn for the client's approval before any work is carried out. Before and after pictures should always be taken to accompany the client's consent form for legal reasons and a patch test is usually carried out at least 24 to 48 hours prior to treatment.

These procedures are long-lasting so be sure you have them carried out by an experienced and highly recommended technician.

Semi-permanent make-up has become increasingly popular today and is one of the most requested treatments in both medical-aesthetic clinics and in beauty salons. Its popularity has increased hugely in the  ast few years partly due to reality TV programmes such as 10 Years Younger and Make me Perfect and favourable write-ups in numerous glossy publications.

The true benefits of this treatment are looking great 24/7 and the fact that when applied correctly by a fully competent technician, they can make you appear rejuvenated and youthful without going under the knife. You can even apply your conventional make-up over it for that special occasion or for an evening out. No more endless applications of conventional make-up several times a day to look immaculate, no more smearing or smudging. It's the ultimate ‘shower and go' treatment.

The most popular treatments are eyebrows in hair-stroke simulation which, when placed correctly appear very natural, eye enhancements defining the lash-line and lip enhancements to create volume, balance and definition. With the latest techniques and fine needle configurations you can expect beautifully stunning results that last and will remain smudge free.

Eyebrows that have thinned over time due to over plucking or simply due to the ageing process, lips that have thinned with age or which have natural asymmetry can be given a new lease of life with the ‘finishing touches' applied by competent semi-permanent make-up technicians.

It's a great time saver and works well for men as well as women. Now that men are also realising the benefits that these procedures have to offer without looking ‘girly' they are opting for it too.

The UK is officially now seen as the leader in the micropigmentation field and although it is very popular in America, they seem to have stagnated and are lagging way behind in technology and in techniques. In the UK we use a far softer and more natural approach whereas in the US they seem to sport the appearance of made-up Barbie dolls since their application is strong and overpowering focusing on bright red lips, block eyebrows and thick eyeliner.

There are other means and machines, but the few highly acclaimed training providers in the UK use the most advanced system which is of German technology and manufacture. The cartridge needle system is by  far the safest method available to date providing that aseptic protocol is adhered to at all times in order to avoid cross contamination and/or infection.

The main training providers will be using this equipment, but this does not mean they offer high-end treatments or a good education programme. So please always research thoroughly and ask to talk to students they have trained or clients who have had treatments from them.

Anyone wishing to undergo a semi-permanent cosmeticsmprocedure should find a reputable technician as there are many out there producing less than satisfactory results. Always ask to see a portfolio of their work. It is advisable to ask to speak to clients of theirs too as many technicians are using images which do not belong to them. There is quite a lot of misrepresentation to the public going on so be vigilant and aware of this before making any final commitment.

Check they are using the latest technology, preferably with the single-use only cartridge safety system. These needles are finer and cause far less trauma than single components. The implantation is not as deep and ‘should' fade over time to allow for minor adjustments as the physiology of the face changes during the natural ageing process. CSMUK