12 Things To Know Before Permanent Makeup

We’re learning the last of the 12 things you want to know when making the decision on whether your client is a candidate for permanent makeup. This information can help both you, and your potential client to make an informed decision on whether permanent makeup would serve them well in the scope of look your client is wanting to achieve.

It’s Spring and the time of year everyone wants to look great for summer. Along all our new clients calling in, we’re getting calls from clients wanting a refresher appointment from procedures we did 10-18 years ago. Of course, this makes you feel wonderful for both you and your client when they’ve had so many years of enjoyment from your procedures. We know that time goes by so fast, and we want to consider all the factors involved, as well as the natural aging process before performing our procedures to give our clients the best overall experience.

As practitioners, as well as our clients, we know when a touchup becomes more than just a refresher. A touchup appointment every 2-4 years helps to keep our clients looking well…Fresh (: And when these procedures get stretched beyond 4-5 years it’s very typical that it becomes more than just a touchup. At our studio we like to do a consultation with our clients on their first visit, and really any visit that follows no matter if it’s months or years. Many clients return for add on services and procedures, as well as touchups, along with skin care regimen treatments and product purchasing.

We all have those clients that will maintain there procedures on a more regular basis, and those who will wait longer. As like any professional we factor our pricing structure accordingly. We know as practitioners if a client waits several years for a refresher it’s no long just a refresher, but rather more like a full redo procedure. This is where communication is key and clients are fine with that. They are happy to go with your recommendations as a professional. We will talk more on this subject another time.

Over the past 40 years of being in the beauty industry and doing stage work with artists from around the world; I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the current hair, clothing and makeup trends. I wanted to pick the brilliant brains of all my favorite artists, and I did. I had a lot of fun, and learned everything up to Train the Trainer as I built my own team. But, and this is a big but! You as the expert are obligated to educate your client in the understanding of the character of their skin, and what their future holds in the time to come with the placement of your procedures; along with the color choices that you make together.

Clients have come to me for corrective makeup for almost 30 years now, and I still remain in the thought I started with when I began training with teams of individuals such as doctors, plastic surgeons, nurses, and my colleagues. You can not go wrong when you use a more natural approach towards the application of your procedures! Explaining to your clients that conventional makeup can be your best friend when it comes to wanting a trendy look for an evening, work, or an event. But, a classic/ timeless approach is always more pleasing mover time; and holds a timeless beauty for the years ahead of them, and for you as a practitioner. This conservative approach has kept my clients looking and feeling better about how their makeup still looks natural over the years.

Let’s look at #7 as we complete this list of 12 things you need to know before permanent makeup.

7. KELOID SCARRING– Keloid scars appear as thick ropes under the skin and can be very tender to the touch. Other types of scars are usually flat on the skins surface and feel numb. Procedures can still be done effectively. You may want to disguss dry needling the scar first to help flatten this area if it interferes with the placement of your client’s tattoo. This may give your client a more pleasing result. Dry needling is also a subject you want to get expanded training on before approaching.

8. QUESTIONALBE SKIN DISORDERS– people who are suffering from any type of visible skin allergy or infliction should be referred to a dermatologist before performing any intradermal pigmentation. Always, always ask for a written approval from their physician before any procedure is done.

9. ALLERGIES – Clients who have had negative responses to any prior tattooing they may have gotten anywhere on their body should have a patch test 3-4 weeks prior to procedure consideration. You also want to patch test your clients who are allergic to nickel, or a Caine derivative that may be found in topical ointments if you are using them for numbing. Allergic reactions could also be caused by latex gloves, or powders used along with your gloves.

10. HERPES SIMPLEX – This is commonly know as a viral infection, or better known as fever blisters that erupt at the base of the lips. Eyeliner and eyebrow procedures can be done with little or no difficulty. However, you will want to inform your client that if they have Herpes Simplex they are susceptible to an outbreak from a lip procedure. Medication prescribed by their doctor should be taken before, the day of, and after their lip procedure. Most clients have done really well when following this protocol, but we will have those few who may still experience a few blisters.

11. BIRTHMARKS – Birthmarks come in a wide variety of shapes, and sizes and are risky for any tattooist. For our potential clients to receive the best results we want to direct them to seek advice from a dermatologist specializing in cosmetic work.

12. EMOTIONALLY UNSTABLE CLIENTS – The purpose for a consultation is to establish the reason behind your client wanting to have a procedure done, their emotional state of mind, and the condition your client is in. A client who is facing some life challenges and suffering emotionally would do better to wait 6 months to give your client time to think through their decision. Clients come in to me after a death of a loved one and they’ve been wanting their permanent makeup for years, and they are fully ready with no signs of distress, and they are completely solid in their decision, this is one thing. But, if they are coming in unsure or under persuasion from a friend; do not do any procedures. You as the practitioner are the professional to guide your client in the best way so they can be in a mentally healthy frame of mind when you are performing their procedures.

Clients are coming to us to help them look in the mirror at themselves and feel better about who they are. This does not always mean we are going to be tattooing everyone that walks in our doors, even though we could love to. We are professionals who listen to the words that our clients speak and we witness their body language. Some people need to have work done on the inside to see the beauty they hold within them first before seeking our help on the outside.

I hope this has been helpful for not only all of you talented tattooist out there, but also for giving your potential clients a better understanding of your role as a professional, and why we make the decision as that profession for their greater good!

Happy tattooing everyone!!

Alisa Florio