Permanent Makeup Training, Permanent Makeup Schools. Permanent Makeup Picture Portfolio, Laws and Regulations

MORE INFO: PERMANENT MAKEUP CONSULTATION, PERMANENT MAKEUP PICTURES, CHOOSING A PERMANENT MAKEUP ARTIST, PERMANENT MAKEUP TRAINING/SCHOOLS/CLASSES, PERMANENT MAKEUP NUMBING METHODS, OKLAHOMA PERMANENT MAKEUP LAWS & REGULATIONS

The Consultation

A consultation appointment may be scheduled before a permanent makeup procedure appointment is scheduled. There may or may not be a consultation fee. Some permanent makeup artists charge $50 for it, others do not. The well-known artists get more than their fair share of lookiloos, wannabes, and newbies pretending to be clients, so find it necessary to charge a price to filter that out. The consultation used to be for the purpose of explaining that this is tattooing and what the risks are. Now, everybody already knows that information, so the permanent makeup artist uses the consult visit to try to seal the deal, and the client uses the consult visit to look at the portfolio and decide if they think the artist does a good job. Do not book a permanent makeup procedure at this time. Go home, sleep on it, and call back if and when you want to do it. I keep my portfolio in the waiting room of my office where anyone can look at the permanent makeup pictures any time – appt is not needed for that. The photographs are of my own clients.

When a client is already familiar with the work of a particular permanent makeup artist and confident with the artist’s abilities, the client may prefer to combine the consultation and procedure into a single visit. Some are traveling from out of town; others are busy and have limited time to take off work. Most are referred by a friend or family member that has had procedures done, so have seen healed results in person. Information and explanations can be given over the phone.

When clients do want a consultation ahead of time, it is usually to see how their brows would be drawn, or because they want thinking time about what style of eyeliner they should choose. It surprises clients how quickly they can point out what eyeliner style they like best when I point out that this picture is defined, this one is softened, this one is smoothed, this one is smudgy, this one is faded off. Even if thickness, styles, and colors are discussed ahead of time, we have to do it again right before the procedure because I wouldn’t remember who said what last week and details need to be fresh in my mind right before I do it.

On the permanent makeup procedure day, I will be happy to offer suggestions about permanent makeup colors, styles, and thickness. I make recommendations based on how you typically like to wear your makeup. If your makeup style would be better a little different than the way you are doing it, I will explain why and how a variation would enhance your features. You don’t want someone to talk you into doing something totally different than what you like because you wouldn’t be happy with it.

Cancellations policy is 24 hours. The more notice you can give the better, but is appreciated right up to the morning of the procedure. I will not reschedule a 'no call - no show'.

The Portfolio
The pictures in a permanent makeup before and after portfolio will have sets of three pictures of each client: 1) before/ no makeup, 2) after/ red & swollen & looks like wet paint, and 3) healed. There should also be close-up photos of the eyeliner so you can see if the lines are perfect and smooth, and if the permanent cosmetic technician is able to be more artistic than just running strip eyeliner across the lashes. Healed permanent makeup pictures are important to have because if pigment is not implanted correctly, you may not have anything there after the healing period. If not enough pigment is implanted, it quickly fades off or appears to be a washed out version of what you wanted.

Not all clients will be in the book. Before and after photos may be taken for your file, but you can say "yes" or "no" to being in the advertisement book. It won't hurt anyone's feelings if you say "no". Many clients do not want anyone who knows them to see them without makeup or with big fat lips. There is not enough room in the book to put everyone in there anyway. I try to keep a balance of a variety of age groups, skin tones, hair color, and makeup styles.

It takes time to build a nice looking portfolio. Sometimes, technicians get impatient and start copying off the internet, books, permanent makeup brochures, and permanent makeup supplies catalogs. To help determine if the permanent makeup pictures are the work of the permanent makeup artist presenting them, notice things like if the photography style is consistent throughout the book, or if it looks like a mix of photos taken by different people with different cameras.

Permanent makeup trainers sometimes sell copies of before and after pictures to their students. A permanent makeup school was even selling before & after photos on ebay. Purchased before and after photos are always closely cropped to the eyes, brows or lips. You don't see full face or multiple views, and usually do not see the full set of 1) Before, 2) After, 3) Healed. If there is not an AFTER picture to go with the BEFORE and HEALED picture, it is most likely topical cosmetics. The majority of permanent makeup artists are cosmetologists and estheticians that apply topical make-up as part of their job, and they also take pictures of before & after topical makeup application. The permanent makeup picture that is called “after” is immediately after and does not look pretty. You cannot poke thousands of holes in the skin and have it look pretty. The picture that is called “healed” is the pretty picture. A pigment manufacturer sells a portfolio that has the full set of pictures, but you can tell by looking at it that it is a commercially prepared, mass produced book.

The pigment company also sells website packages supplied with permanent makeup pictures for those that don’t have their own pictures. See it here. When new permanent makeup techs set out to make their own website, they look at all the others to decide what to say on theirs, copying little pieces here and there, and copying pictures here and there. I find little pieces of mine all over the globe.

permanent makeup pictures permanent makeup schools

commercially prepared mass produced portfolio sold by manufacturer

Choosing A Permanent Makeup Artist
This subject hits a sore spot in makeup artists who have a clue how many people are out there looking for permanent makeup corrections and permanent makeup removal. A permanent makeup artist must have a love and knack for it. First, let me say that some artists will do a nice job from day one, others will still be substandard after ten years.

Of those who call inquiring about getting bad permanent makeup fixed, the most common things said are: 1) The price was good, 2) I didn’t know she was new at this, 3) He is a doctor so I thought he knew what he was doing, 4) She travels around doing permanent makeup so I thought she was good at it, 5) She is an instructor so I thought she must be good at it.

Let’s take a closer look at the five situations listed above. 1) The Price. We all love a bargain, but if the makeup doesn’t last past a year, that little bit of money was thrown out the window. What’s worse, if the permanent makeup has to be fixed or removed, it will cost more than the higher price that you didn’t want to pay in the first place. 2) The newbie. Too many people want to get into the permanent makeup business for the bottom line, which is the dollar. Their talents may not be in this area. Students get out of permanent makeup schools raring to go. It takes quite a few procedures to figure out that you don’t know much. Permanent makeup training is short and cannot possibly prepare you for all that is ahead. 3) The doctor. Makeup design is not in the medical school curriculum. He has never put on makeup, so how could he know about our nitpicky ways of placement and cutting in the curves? 4) The traveler. There may be good traveling permanent makeup artists, but the reasons for traveling are usually that the quality of work is not good enough to build a reputation and clientele. They depend on the offices and spas to line up clients for them. 5) The Instructor. Don’t be impressed. There are good instructors out there, but others are instructors because they weren’t making the cut as a permanent makeup artist. There is an old joke in the business that those who can’t do it teach it. Permanent makeup schools dangle large carrots on their ads. Like the envelope stuffing ads, they don’t make money doing it; they make money reeling others in to take their money. I know someone that placed an ad for permanent makeup school before she had finished her own certification. How’s that for permanent makeup training? See one, do one, teach one. Anyone can dub their facility as a training center.

There is something to be said for experience, and volume is more important than length of time trained. One cosmetic tattoo artist may do a few per year, another may do a few hundred per year. There are a whole lot of people performing permanent makeup procedures. Most can do an average job on basic makeup lines. Techniques that make it look softly blended and natural are successfully performed by only a tiny fraction of permanent makeup artists. A stick outline of a house can be made by anyone with a Sharpie marker; a Thomas Kinkade cottage takes blending and lightening knowledge. The biggest hurdle is learning how to make the permanent makeup tool create the look desired in the skin. After the creative techniques are mastered, permanent makeup can be given different kinds of finished looks.

Some questions to ask yourself. If you were wanting topical makeup applied, would you be letting this person do it? If you were needing a minor medical procedure, would you be letting this person do it? Tattooing is not a medical procedure, but the degree of sterilization and disease prevention is the same. Permanent make-up procedures have risks of problems that body tattoo artists do not have to worry about due to the anatomical locations (eyes and lips), and those complications certainly are medical. There is a greater responsibilty on permanent makeup artists to be knowledgeable about client's medical conditions and how it relates to the procedures.

Permanent makeup requires fine lines without error. Is this person likely to have sloppy handwriting? Perfection requires patience. Do you think they dot their i's and cross their t's? Figuratively speaking - you get the idea. You do not want the rush job from someone who cares more about the money you will pay than how the work looks. Proper holding of the skin is important. Does this person have long claws that would make it difficult? Do they put the same eyebrow on everyone, or do you get the shape and thickness you want? Do you get to be involved in the color choices, and are there a variety of colors to choose from? A technician who doesn't have many colors doesn't do many people. What type of pigments will be used? What level of aftercare support can you expect? Can you reach this person after office hours or on weekends? Are they affiliated with a doctor who will take care of you if you have a complication -- or will you be on your own to see a doctor who may not be familiar with the procedures, complications, and best methods of treatment? If you are in a state that does not require an affiliation with a physician and have an unusual problem, look for a nearby physician that offers the services.

Numbing Methods: Does It Hurt?

Use of over-the-counter (OTC) topical numbing meds make permanent makeup procedures tolerable for some clients, but not others. Use of prescription strength numbing meds work better. If the procedure is done in a doctor’s office (as is always the case in Oklahoma -state law), the doctor may prescribe a couple of pills for pain/sedation. It took a period of tweaking for us to hit a "just right" combination at our office so clients are comfortable enough to take a nap. Still, medications are adjusted as needed. Some clients need less, some need more. There are offices that only use topical, offices that give stronger meds than we do (demerol and versed), and offices that give a short general anesthetic. We stick with lortab and valium because it can be more easily adjusted within a range for clients. The leathal dose of valium/diazepam in rats is 1240 mg per kg, which means at 110 pound = 50 kg it would take 62,000 mg or 6,200 pills of valium 10 mg to be lethal. Documented cases of intentional overdose with up to 2,000 mg diazepam (200 pills of 10mg) report that blood pressure never fell below 120 systolic and the patient was discharged after observation. A toxic dose to the liver of lortab/hydrocodone 10 mg is about 20 pills due to the acetaminophen in it.

Permanent cosmetic artists are on a never-ending search for better numbing meds and methods. Numbing methods include topical, field blocks (dental nerve blocks & eye nerve blocks), SQ local infiltration (needle & syringe). In other states, permanent makeup procedures are allowed in beauty salons and other places, so are limited to OTC topical numbing meds. Prescription strength topical meds and injectables require a supervising physician. The pigment takes better with a little local injection in the skin. Local injections may only be given by persons with some type of medical license (doctor, nurse, hygenist). Cosmetologists are not trained or licensed to give shots to the public. One group of topicals is for prenumbing unbroken skin. The other group is used during the procedure on broken skin to continue numbing effects and control swelling and bleeding. Some are safe for eyes and some are not (related to ingredient, water soluble, or pH). Links below provide additional information for inquiring minds that want to know more. Local anesthesia Injectables

Pain perception varies among individuals, and the type of pain a person tolerates varies also. One person can tolerate hair pulling but not a needle shot. Another person can tolerate eyebrow tweezing but can’t stand microdermabrasion.

MENSTRUAL CYCLES

It is true that women are more vulnerable to pain during a period and a few days before. Estrogen levels are low during this time (for example 50pg/ml). Estrogen production increases after a period and peaks prior to ovulation (for example 350pg/ml). Estrogen begins decreasing again after ovulation. Falls in estrogen influence chemicals in the brain such as serotonin, adrenalin, dopamine, and endorphins. Estrogen increases the number of receptor sites in the brain for endorphins or enkephalins (the body’s natural pain relievers).

FEAR-TENSION-PAIN TRIANGLE
The experience of pain is a combination of the type of pain, tension, fear and anxiety. Fear and anxiety can intensify the experience of pain. It causes the release of stress hormones: the “flight or fight” catecholamines epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol. Vital signs increase (blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature), blood is decreased to nonessential organs (digestive tract) and increased to organs that will assist in “running or fighting” (heart, brain, muscles). Eyesight sharpens, awareness intensifies, impulses and reflexes quicken. The adrenalin surge puts the senses, nerves, and muscles in high gear. How does this relate to your permanent makeup procedure? Fear leads to muscular tension, which then increases pain. Then the increased pain increases the fear, and the situation worsens.

Tension will increase swelling and bruising because 1) stress hormones have already increased blood pressure, and 2) tension makes the skin contract and kind of grab at the needles instead of letting them glide smoothly along. For eyeliner procedures, the doc lets you have a pain pill and a Valium. Many clients comment that a half of a Valium knocks them out at home. It is different at home. Your endorphins work fine at home where you feel safe and relaxed. Anxiety and prolonged stimulus of permanent eyeliner procedure reduces the effect. Most clients say they were comfortable and dozed off for most of it. Occasionally, the meds have no noticeable effect on someone who is extremely anxious, or has a high tolerance to meds.

TRY TO RELAX

There are many relaxation techniques to experiment with. These include hypnotic analgesia, guided imagery, music or white noise, aromatherapy, reflexology, acupressure, massage. reference An electric massage pad on the permanent makeup procedure chair is a great idea. Massage relieves tension and increases endorphins. Biofeedback studies show that diverting or competing tactile stimuli can improve discomfort levels (like wearing a tens unit for back pain, or the cheek wiggling trick that dentists use). Dress warm; being cold makes skin constrict. Taking your own blanket or beach towel adds psychological comfort.

RED HAIR

Women with red hair are likely to experience more pain from a given stimulus, and can require up to 20% more anesthetic than women with dark or blonde hair. Redheads have a variation in the melanocortin 1 receptor on cells that provide pigment to skin and hair. This dysfunction triggers a feedback mechanism that increases release of more of the hormone that normally stimulates these cells. This same hormone also stimulates a related brain receptor that increases pain sensitivity. A tendency for increased bleeding, swelling, and bruising has also been observed.

ETHNIC SKIN

The number of melanocytes is the same in all races, but the size of melanosomes and amount of pigment production is increased in black skin. Thicker skin and more oily skin make it harder for topical numbing meds to penetrate the outer layer skin barrier – the stratum corneum described as the brick and mortar. ref 1 The skin has other activities besides producing a tan. Metabolic and endocrine response or reactions to painful stimuli are among the many functions of the skin. 2, 3 Reports say that black skin has ten times more activity. Increased activity of the integumentary system has many benefits, but of course has to have a few drawbacks. The down side is increased response that may cause hyperpigmentation, keloid scarring, and possibly increased pain signals. Pain studies of Caucasians and African-Americans report that Caucasians rate a given painful stimuli lower than African-Americans. 4 , 5 .

NICOTINE
No other drug has as many conflicting and confusing reports as nicotine. Some effects demonstrated in some lab experiments may not apply to the human subject that is a long-term nicotine user due to the sensitization, desensitization, and functional upregulation mechanisms. When a report says a particular affect is dose related, one must consider that a high dose for one person is a low dose for another person depending on how much the person normally takes and how long they have been doing it. Some effects apply to smoking due to factors in the smoke rather than to nicotine, and would not apply to patch users. 1 Nicotine effects mentioned here will be only those that relate to your permanent makeup procedure; those concerning pain level and wound healing.

Nicotine is both a stimulant (catecholamine action) and a sedative (endorphin action). 2 , 3 The relaxation effect is most observed by users. 4 Pain sensation on skin is reduced (deeper or other types of pain may be more intolerable due to increased neuronal excitability) not only because of endorphin action and peripheral analgesia, but skin is more numb for the same reasons that smokers may have poor wound healing, increased chance of infection, poor complexion, and increased wrinkles. Thicker blood viscosity, increased clotting factors, and vasoconstriction to skin would mean initially decreased bleeding, bruising, and swelling of skin (a deeper surgical incision may have increased bleeding due to increased heart rate and blood pressure). 5 , 6 Afterward, the decreased blood flow slows healing, and carbon monoxide carried by red blood cells poison the tissue. 7 Cigarette smoke reduces anti-oxidants available for healing and anti-aging. 8 Smokers (and exercisers) need more replacement vitamins. 9 Skin care should be approached both internally and externally by both oral supplements and topical applications of anti-oxidants. 10

CAFFEINE

This stimulant blocks adenosine receptors to maintain neuronal firing, and has antihistamine properties by inhibiting prostaglandins. No need to tell you to avoid caffeine in the hours prior to bedtime, or other times that you need to relax. Caffeine enhances some OTC pain relievers (is added to some aspirin and Tylenol products), but counteracts benzodiazepine (Valium) sedatives. ref The half-life of caffeine varies, but as a general rule, avoid caffeine for 6 hours prior to relaxation time or before taking benzodiazepines, double that if you are on oral contraceptives (slows elimination), half that if you smoke (speeds elimination).

Oklahoma Permanent Makeup Micropigmentation Laws & Regulations

The highlights are: permanent makeup micropigmentation must be performed in a doctor's office and the person doing it must have a Medical Micropigmentation License issued by the Oklahoma State Department Of Health. Supervising physician may be an MD, a DO, or Dentist.

In Oklahoma, a body tattoo license is different than a micropigmentation / permanent makeup license. Tattooing may not be performed in facilities that offer food, hair, or nail services. These services would impose high risk of infection to the client. Hair cannot be sterilized. Airborne hair particles would contaminate sterilization processes, and pose a bacterial threat. Nails have bacteria down in the crease, and fungal microrganisims under artificial nails. Nail filing releases microscopic airborne particles, and would pose risk of bacterial and fungal infection to clients.

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