Make-up tattoos are all the rage

Movie stars used to be the only ones who could magically wake-up in the morning with ‘face on’. But now thanks to permanent make-up, even the fabulous ‘housewives of Ballito’ can have access to this luxury.

So what is permanent make-up, is it dangerous and does it hurt? We put these and more questions to one of the few permanent make-up technicians on the Dolphin Coast, Cindy Brand.

Brand is Vanilla Beauty Salon owner and therapist in Chakas Rock, and while new to the area she has been practicing this art for the past 10 years through her previous salon in Jo’burg.

“Permanent make-up is basically a tattoo whereby we implant a pigment into the dermal layer of your skin using a tattoo pen-like machine,” said Brand.

The tattoo lasts between five to eight years.

The most common procedures include eyebrows, eye-liner and lip-liner. Although with new technology some salons are able to do permanent mascara and even blush.

“Eyebrows are definitely the most popular. Many people have brows that are too thin, unevenly shaped or one brow is higher than the other. Eyebrows frame the face and give definition so correcting these things can make a big difference.”

Brand said the procedure was particularly popular with recovering cancer patients who had lost their eyebrows during chemotherapy.

And yes it does hurt a little, as you would expect a tattoo to, but Brand said the level of pain depended on your sensitivity and the quality of the anaesthetic used by the therapist.

“Fly-by-nights often use too mild an anaesthetic. I use a good topical anaesthetic to start the procedure. I leave you for 30 minutes and I use a good numbing agent throughout.

“Always go to a certified therapist who has a good reputation.”

Brand said she has fixed up numerous procedures that were not originally performed by skilled therapists or had changed colour due to the ink that was used.

“You want to check what ink they use. You do not want ink that contains iron oxide because it turns blue over time.”

She said the main things to check for were: did the therapist conduct a consultation prior to the procedure, was he or she insured (covering both themselves and you should you require medical treatment after the procedure) and did they adequately explain the risks involved?

“While it is rare, you could have an allergic reaction to the ink or anaesthetic.”

And the benefits?

“You will save money and time with less make-up to apply every day, and say goodbye to smudged or faded make-up even after exercise or swimming.”

Brand said permanent make-up was also popular with women who’s eyesight was failing or because of medical conditions like arthritis, as putting on make-up every day was a struggle.

Contact Cindy at 060 918 8489.

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