What is the difference between Semi-permanent makeup and Permanent Make-up?
Permanent cosmetics are chosen by many people, semi-permanent makeup is very common these days and more people decide to have it done. Semi-permanent makeup is also more popular and available than in recent years.
Is there a difference between semi-permanent makeup and permanent makeup?
In my opinion, the difference is just in the name. Permanent makeup is a tattoo, and it involves the placement of pigment in the dermal layer of the skin.
Semi-permanent makeup doesn’t penetrate the skin as deep as the body tattoo does. Skin on the body is thicker than the facial skin.
There are a few reasons for permanent makeup being deposited not as deep. Mostly because, if the pigment would be implanted too deep, the colour of the pigment may change over time and it becomes ashy. This is not a different technique and it doesn’t make the treatment permanent, this is usually a mistake and often done by the permanent makeup technician, who is maybe not as advanced or without much experience. The too deeply inserted pigment will not look light and soft, it looks blunt and heavy, and may cause pigment migration. We need to take into consideration the thickness of the skin, if you think of it, the skin on your hands or legs is thicker than the skin on your forehead or your eyelids. So much thinner skin requires more shallow application.
Some people say that permanent make-up lasts longer compared to semi-permanent makeup
Well, how long permanent makeup lasts mostly depends on the technique used, eg. powder, hair-stroke, etc but very often the skin type (oily, combination, dry) plays a huge role here. Plus some other factors like your lifestyle (if you exercise a lot you may have faster metabolism, and your body will remove “foreign matter” from sooner and faster), your health conditions and the medication you take (that includes herbs, and supplements).
All these things play a role in how well your skin retains pigment.
Certain techniques may be fading much quicker than others, for example, microblading. Microblading will disappear from your skin in about 6months up to a year. But then also machine brows will fade in about 2-5 years, so neither of these techniques is permanent.
Just to give you an example – a 55-year-old woman with dry and thin skin will get her brows tattooed with either machine or microblade, and I’m sure she’ll be enjoying her brows for a very, very long time. I can say that her brows will most definitely last longer than 2-5 years due to her skin type, she may also be not so active due to her age and already have a slower metabolism anyway.
We work very gently, and there is no bleeding or swelling during the treatment. We use the correct depth of work and light pressure to achieve airy and soft results. Of course, there may be some rare exceptions, as some clients may not know of certain conditions they have and some have sun damaged skin etc.
You have probably asked yourself at least once before “is semi-permanent makeup for me?”
Permanent makeup is a very safe treatment. Research your permanent makeup technician, make sure they work with disposable and sterile tools. There is a very minimal risk factor. At Beauty Bar in Ware Hertfordshire we only use single-use fully disposable equipment and sterilize and sanitise the work area between each client.
When it comes to a client’s look, that very much depends on your desired outcome and what would you like to achieve, your skin type, skin condition and facial features.
We can help you to make a decision, and guide you on choosing the appropriate technique for your skin. We can help you choose the right shape and style of the semi permanent makeup, that will look nice, natural, and flattering on your face. We always take into consideration our clients’ social life, their facial features, lifestyle, and the fact that they will age together with this enhancement. We want you to look in the mirror in 5 years’ time and be as happy with your semi-permanent make as you are on the day you had it done.
If you have any questions about choosing the permanent make-up, please visit our website.
In summary, the term semi-permanent and permanent makeup essentially refer to the same cosmetic procedure. It differentiates mainly by terminology and expectations. While the permanent makeup doesn’t last the lifetime, it offers long lasting results, typically 2-5 years, gradually fading over time. Understanding this distinction helps in setting realistic expectations and making informed decisions about enhancing your natural beauty. Whether you call it semi permanent or permanent , the key is to choose a skilled technician who can deliver the desired look with precision and safety.