How long does cosmetic tattoo last

We spoke to experts in the field to find out all there is to know about the process, how long it takes ― and perhaps most importantly, how long it lasts. The popularity of permanent makeup seems to be growing, and there are many reasons for that. Women got tired of applying makeup daily. It is time-consuming, requires some skills and precision, and it usually wears off until the end of the day.

Therefore, they decided to turn to ombre shaded eyebrows, permanent lipstick, lash extensions, lash filler, lash Botox and other popular treatments that can make them look effortlessly pretty even when they go shopping.

For the uninformed, permanent makeup is a tattoo technique (yup, tattoo!) that can leave you with full brows, tinted lips, and a sharp cat-eye for years—no products needed. And unlike the tattooed makeup of the ’80s and ’90s, permanent makeup of 2020 actually looks like makeup, not a line of tattooed ink along with your lids or mouth. 

But how exactly does it work? And is it super painful? Don’t worry, and I gotcha: I reached out to the experts to find out everything there is to know about permanent makeup—from microblading to eyeliner, to lip blushing—ahead. Good luck getting through this guide without booking an appointment.

Is Cosmetic Tattoo A Safe Procedure?

At Crystal Cosmetics, the procedures are performed under sterile conditions, using only disposable needle cartridges and with digitally controlled implantation device. There are no long-term side effects; short-term effects may include some redness, swelling, and tenderness. There are no known allergic reactions to pigments, as the pigments used are all organic. 

There’s a lot of room for error when talking about semi permanent tattoos and the eye area. But when done properly at a reputable place by a professional or certified aesthetician, permanent eyeliner can be safe. Translation: Don’t walk into just any place without having done your research beforehand. Pay a visit to the location, talk to past clients, read reviews, anything to ensure the establishment is clean and professional.

And the same goes for taking the proper precautions before your appointment, do your research and come prepared. Even though eyeliner tattoos or semipermanent makeup are not as deep as regular tattoos, they still involve a needle piercing the skin, so the same precautions should be taken as with any other similar procedure. Avoid blood thinners, including red wine, Aspirin, Advil, and Aleve, beforehand to prevent bleeding and bruising, and make sure you haven’t taken Accutane within six months of getting tattooed, because it can affect your healing process.

How Long Do Permanent Makeup Treatments Last? 

Even though these treatments are called “permanent”, none of them lasts forever. New techniques emerged several years ago, giving these treatments an updated version and name that seems to be way more suitable – semi permanent makeup if the effects are to be considered. Some of them last for more than ten years, while the others last for just two years.

The longevity of today’s cosmetic tattoos varies, but most estimates put the duration of results anywhere between one and three years. Everyone’s body metabolizes pigment differently, and, since the ink is placed very close to the skin’s surface, it also sloughs away in time. As a result, routine touch-ups are required.

You might be wondering: Can the colour change over time? Or what if it fades out unevenly? 

Well, that totally depends on what treatment you get, but generally, it will last you anywhere from one to three years. So, not really permanent, but, hey, more permanent than the eyeliner that smudges off your face by the end of the day, right? And the reason it doesn’t last forever, like a regular tattoo, is because permanent makeup doesn’t reach the deeper layer of your skin—it’s more of a superficial tattoo. Organic pigments that are specially formulated to break down consistently and evenly.

There are many factors that affect the longevity of treatment, and we are giving you summed-up effects of each permanent and semipermanent treatment in the table below.

Treatment Longevity

Microblading eyebrows (2-3 years)

Ombre powder brows (1-3 years)

Microshading (1-3 years)

Feather eyebrows (8-12 months)

Henna Brows (2-4 weeks)

Nano brows (1-3 years)

Permanent eyeliner (1-3 years)

Permanent lipstick (3-5 years)

Lash lift (6-8 weeks)

Lash extensions (6-8 weeks)

Freckle tattoos (2-3 years)

Scalp micropigmentation (4-6 years)

Nipple and areola tattoo (3-5 years)

Note: The table shows the longevity of different permanent makeup treatments. Bear in mind that they can be prolonged with regular touch-ups and proper care.

Permanent eyebrows

There are different techniques for eyebrows permanent makeup. Those that are called permanent are tattooed brows, and they last for many years. They are a bit outdated and replaced with more sophisticated treatments that provide a natural look.

Microblading and its variations such as microshading, powder brows and feather brows include inserting pigment into the skin but not as deep as it was done with tattooed eyebrows. Therefore, they are only semi-permanent, and they last up to three years, depending on different factors.

Here are some things that affect the longevity of your brow permanent makeup:

• touch-up frequency – if you freshen up your microbladed brows often enough, they will last longer
• skin type – the pigment is likely to fade more quickly with people with oily skin
• lifestyle – if you sweat every day and your skin is often exposed to the sun, it will speed fading up
• skincare routine – some cosmetic products contain ingredients that might speed fading up

Permanent eyeliner

Permanent eyeliner is a very popular procedure, especially with women who like wearing makeup every day. It draws attention to your eyes without the struggle of having to apply it every morning precisely. Permanent eyeliner lasts from one to three years. The ink is not injected so deep into the skin, and the colour normally fades away.

The speed of fading depends on your skin type and lifestyle, as well as the skin products you use. Also, the quality of the ink affects the longevity of your permanent eyeliner.

Although it’s called permanent eyeliner, eyeliner tattoos are actually semipermanent, which means if you want it to last forever, you’ll have to get it touched up as it fades. 

Factors to consider 

When you’re thinking of having cosmetic tattooing done to enhance your looks, it’s natural to wonder just how long the results will last. As a cosmetic tattoo is a semipermanent makeup procedure, it does fade over time. However, there’s no real straight answer to the question of how long your cosmetic tattoo will last. There are many different factors to take into consideration. For example:

• Brand of pigment – a brand with an impeccable track record for safety should always be used
• Quality of pigment – it goes without saying that the quality of pigment is of the utmost importance
• The technique employed – your micropigmentation specialist should be qualified and well versed in the latest techniques.
• Exposure to sun – prolonged or long-term sun exposure makes pigment fade much more rapidly.
• Type of skin – commonly dry skin hold pigment more than its oily counterpart although this is not always the case.
• Use of medication – some medications make pigment ore difficult or even impossible for the skin to hold
• Following aftercare instructions – your specialist will explain exactly how to look after your skin after the procedure. If these instructions aren’t correctly followed, your tattoo may not be as long-lasting and in the worst-case scenario may even not heal into the skin.
• Natural body functions/metabolism – exercise, diet and your own rate of healing have an effect on your cosmetic tattoo.
• Beauty treatments – some beauty treatments such as microdermabrasion, glycolic acid, laser, peels and AHA tend to make your tattoo fade.
• Depth of colour – lighter colours tend to fade faster than darker tones. Good news if you love the dramatic black cat-eye eyeliner look!

There really is no exact answer to how long it will last, depending on your skin type and how it holds the pigment, as well as how closely you follow the aftercare instructions, cosmetic eyebrow tattoos can last between 12 months and three years. There are many things that can impact the lifespan, including:

• The quality and technique used.
• The quality of the pigments used.
• Your skin type – although not always the case, often dryer skin can hold onto the pigment more than oily skin.
• Sun exposure – will make the pigment fade a lot quicker, so if you spend a lot of time outdoors, your eyebrow tattooing will generally fade faster.
• Beauty treatments – particular beauty treatments can make the tattoo fade quicker. Exfoliants such as glycolic acid, peels and microdermabrasion can impact the life of your tattoos.
• Aftercare – after your treatment, your body actually treats the area like a cut anywhere else on your body, and it will form a small scab. It would help if you took real care not to damage the scab. Otherwise, the pigment may come out with it. It’s important to follow the aftercare instructions from your brow technician. If these instructions aren’t followed properly, your tattooing won’t last as long and may not even heal into the skin at all.
• Colour – darker colours usually last longer than lighter colours. Blonde eyebrows will likely fade and need to be touched up a lot sooner than darker eyebrows.

Permanent Vs Semi-Permanent Tattoos

Many people assume that like a traditional tattoo which is ‘permanent’, cosmetic tattooing will last forever, but as it is a ‘semipermanent’ procedure, it will fade over time. The main difference between a semipermanent tattoo and a permanent one is how deeply the ink is injected into the skin. The deeper you go, the longer it stays. Traditional body tattoos are intended to last, so artists implant the ink deep into the skin. Semipermanent brows are expected to fade, so technicians use a digital pen or microblading tool to implant ink more superficially into the skin.

Retouching

If you want the colour to stay perfect, it’s best to be prepared to have a retouch every 12 months or thereabouts. Some people may be lucky and get a lot longer out of the procedure, and some people decide to let it fade off a bit before having it redone so that the colour or shape can be changed. 

A great procedure for those wanting to spend less time on their everyday beauty routine and have great brows all the time; cosmetic eyebrow tattoos are rapidly growing in popularity. If you want to obtain the perfect shape and colour eyebrows, then contact the expert team at Crystal Cosmetics on 0499 453 555. Conveniently located in the heart of the Gold Coast, the team at Crystal Cosmetics are committed to providing you with outstanding beauty services and professional advice.