insideKENT Magazine Issue 83 - February 2019 | Page 106

FASHION+BEAUTY IS PERMANENT MAKEUP HERE TO STAY? CONT. Is it a tattoo and will it hurt? Is it safe? This is more often than not one of the first things I am asked prior to or during a consulta tion, and the fact is that yes, technically it is a tattoo. To the more conservative ear, this usually conjures up images of beefy men in lea ther vests, listening to thrash metal over a loud buzzing machine, so when they see me the y ar e (usually) pleasantly sur prised. Permanent makeup is an advanced form of cosmetic tattooing and as such requires a skilled and artistic hand. An experienced and adept artist can perform procedures that are comfortable, so there’s really no need to worry. My motto is safety first! It goes without saying, you should not take an y risks with y our health. An y reputable artist will follow a strict code of practice that ensures a safe treatment. Treatments should be performed in a pr ofessional, safe , comf ortable environment that is licensed by the local authority and the artist should be fully insured. These practises are absolute no brainer s and w orth investigating prior to booking any appointments with an artist for your safety and peace of mind. Can anyone have microblading or permanent makeup? Most women who wear cosmetics regularly can enjoy the long-lasting benefits of permanent makeup. A number of my clients are doctors, nurses or teachers – all pr ofessions that consume a lot of time and energy, so these treatments are perfect for shaving valuable minutes off their morning routine. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, then sadly no. You’ll need to wait until you’ve had your little bundle of joy or stopped breastfeeding before you can ha ve your treatments. If you suffer with keloid scarring or hyper pigmentation, or have any medical conditions, then it’s probably best to discuss this with y our artist before booking your appointment. If you’re not sure, just ask! How long does it last? The reality is that your skin plays a huge part in the final result of a procedure and how long it will last, so if your skin is in tip-top condition and y ou take care of your enhancements as instructed, then the results can last years. Ultimately, these enhancements are designed to fade over time and ideally maintained every 12–18 months. 106 Whatever the futur e ma y hold f or per manent makeup, history has sho wn us tha t the tools and techniques are likely to keep evolving and improving. While we are poised to ha ve less stigma ag ainst cosmetic changes than ever before, one thing is for sure – permanent makeup is very much here to stay. I personally use strictly sing le-use sterile needles , blades and products that are safely disposed of at the end of every treatment. I also choose to work only with the best quality hypoallergenic pigments that meet European medical standards and always perform an allergy test prior to the first treatment; usually this will be done during a consulta tion. A seasoned artist will take g reat care to explain the treatments in order to enhance your face the wa y you want it to. Such care may not be universal in the industry, so it’s important to check the credentials of anyone you’re considering as in r ecent years, numerous new clients have come to my clinic asking to correct or improve treatments done elsewhere. Is permanent makeup expensive? In short no, not really! A recent survey has revealed that the average British woman spends £756 on her hair each year. When compared with other cosmetic treatments tha t r equire fr equent and costly maintenance suc h as der mal filler s, per manent makeup measures up as a r elatively inexpensive option when you consider how long the results last. Where permanent makeup is concerned, the higher end of the mar ket usually deliv ers the most satisfactory and long-lasting results, and this is why the quality and experience of the artist should be a deciding factor rather than price. After all, this is your face! Sara Duane Microblading & Permanent Makeup Maidstone & Beckenham 07736 428509 [email protected] www.saraduane.com mrssaraduane saraduanepmu sara.duane