Permanent Make Up

Permanent make-up, also known as PMU, micropigmentation or cosmetic tattooing, is a treatment in which specially formulated pigment is implanted into the skin to enhance features such as the brows, lips or lash line.

The aim can be very subtle and natural or more defined, depending on your preferences, features, skin and the technique selected.

At Crystal Confidence Aesthetics, your treatment is designed individually rather than using the same shape, colour or style for every client.

The name can be slightly misleading.

Permanent make-up is a tattoo, and pigment can remain in the skin for many years. However, cosmetic tattoo pigments are intended to soften and fade gradually over time.

How quickly this happens varies considerably and can be influenced by:
Skin type
Pigment colour
Technique and depth of implantation
Treatment area
Sun and UV exposure
Skincare and skin treatments
Lifestyle
Individual metabolism
Age

Even when PMU looks significantly faded, some residual pigment may remain within the skin.

For this reason, I don't describe permanent make-up as something that simply “disappears completely” after a fixed number of years.

There is no exact timeframe that applies to everyone.

You may enjoy your result for several years, with the colour gradually becoming softer and lighter.

Brows, lips and eyeliner can all fade differently, and two people receiving the same treatment may retain pigment very differently.

It certainly can.

My approach at Crystal Confidence Aesthetics is to enhance your natural features rather than replace them.

Before treatment, we'll discuss how subtle or defined you'd like the result to be.

The shape, colour and technique are then selected around your individual features.

Your brows are carefully mapped before treatment, taking into consideration your:
Natural brow growth • Facial proportions • Existing asymmetry • Bone structure • Personal preferences

I'll show you the proposed shape before tattooing begins.

Natural faces aren't perfectly symmetrical, so the aim isn't to force your brows into mathematically identical shapes. It's to create a balanced result that works naturally with your face.

Pigment selection depends on the treatment and your individual colouring.

For brows, factors such as your natural brow hair, skin undertone and desired result are considered.

For lips, we consider your natural lip colour, undertone and the healed colour you'd like to achieve.

The colour you see immediately after treatment will not be the final healed colour.

This is normal.

Freshly implanted pigment usually appears darker, stronger or brighter immediately after treatment.

As the skin heals, the result softens.

With lip blush in particular, the initial colour can look considerably brighter than the final healed result.

Don't judge your permanent make-up on day one.

Healing varies between individuals and treatment areas.

Initially you may experience:
Redness
Mild swelling
Tenderness
Darker or brighter-looking pigment
Dryness
Flaking or light crusting

As healing progresses, the pigment may appear lighter or uneven for a period before settling.

Avoid picking, scratching or deliberately removing flakes or crusts.

Permanent make-up can be uncomfortable, but everyone's sensitivity is different.

You may experience scratching, vibration, pressure or a stinging sensation during treatment.

Some areas are naturally more sensitive than others, and sensitivity can also vary throughout the appointment.

I won't describe PMU as completely painless because that isn't realistic.

Your comfort will be monitored throughout your treatment.

Everyone's skin retains pigment differently.

Once your skin has healed, a follow-up appointment allows me to assess:
Pigment retention
Colour
Shape
Any areas that have healed lighter
Whether small adjustments are needed

A perfecting session may be recommended where appropriate.

PMU can sometimes create the appearance of improved balance, but it cannot make a naturally asymmetrical face perfectly symmetrical.

Almost everyone's brows, eyes and lips have some natural asymmetry.

Rather than fighting your natural anatomy, I'll work with it to create the most balanced and flattering result possible.

Lip blush is a cosmetic tattoo treatment designed to enhance the appearance of your natural lip colour and definition.

It can be used to add a soft wash of colour, improve the appearance of uneven colour and create greater definition around the natural lip border.

The final result can be very subtle and shouldn't necessarily look like you're wearing lipstick.

No.

Lip blush doesn't add physical volume to the lips and isn't an alternative to dermal filler.

Improving colour and definition around the natural lip border can sometimes make the lips appear more defined, but the treatment doesn't increase their actual size.

Pigment should not simply be tattooed significantly beyond the natural lip tissue to create the illusion of larger lips.

Some unevenness in natural lip colour may potentially be improved, but lip pigmentation needs to be assessed individually.

Darker or melanin-rich lips may require a different approach, colour selection and treatment plan.

Not every lip colour can safely or predictably be transformed into a chosen shade.

I'll discuss realistic expectations before treatment.

Permanent eyeliner implants pigment along the lash line to create longer-lasting eye definition.

It can range from a subtle lash enhancement, where pigment sits close to the lashes, to a more visible eyeliner effect where appropriate.

The style needs to work with your individual eye shape, anatomy, skin and desired result.

Your preferences are extremely important, and you're welcome to bring inspiration photographs.

However, a treatment that looks beautiful on someone else may not necessarily suit your facial structure, natural colouring, skin or anatomy.

I'll use your inspiration to understand what you like and then adapt the design to you.

Sometimes—but not always.

Existing PMU needs to be assessed before adding more pigment.
I'll look at:
Existing colour
Shape
Pigment saturation
How much it has faded
Skin condition

Whether the old shape can realistically be incorporated into a new design

If the existing pigment is too dark, heavily saturated, significantly discoloured or outside the desired new shape, adding more pigment may make the problem worse.

In these circumstances, fading or removal may be a better first step.

Please tell me about previous PMU when booking.

Yes.

As cosmetic tattoo pigment fades, its appearance can change.

Factors including the original pigment composition, skin undertone, UV exposure, skincare, treatment technique and time can influence how the remaining colour appears.

This is another reason why careful pigment selection and avoiding unnecessary repeated tattooing are important.

Preparation varies depending on whether you're having brows, lips or eyeliner, so you'll receive specific instructions before your appointment.

It's important to tell me about:
Current medications
Relevant medical conditions
Allergies and sensitivities
Previous PMU or tattoo reactions
Recent cosmetic treatments
Active skin conditions
Previous cold sores if you're having lip blush

Never stop prescribed medication simply to have permanent make-up.

If medication or a medical condition affects treatment suitability, appropriate medical advice may be required.

Lip tattooing can trigger a recurrence of herpes simplex (cold sores) in people who carry the virus.

If you've ever experienced cold sores—even if you haven't had one for years—please tell me before booking lip blush.

You may need to discuss appropriate antiviral medication with your GP before treatment.

Do not attend for lip blush if you have an active cold sore.

At Crystal Confidence Aesthetics, permanent make-up is not performed during pregnancy.

Because PMU is an elective cosmetic procedure, treatment can simply be postponed until an appropriate time.

No.

Hormonal changes, skin sensitivity and other factors may affect treatment and healing.

You should avoid applying conventional make-up directly over the freshly treated area while it is healing.

Introducing cosmetics, brushes or other products to newly tattooed skin can increase irritation and contamination risk.

You'll receive detailed aftercare instructions explaining how to care for the area and when you can return to your usual routine.

You'll usually be advised to temporarily avoid heavy exercise, excessive sweating, swimming, saunas and steam rooms while the area begins healing.

Sweat, heat, moisture and friction can interfere with the healing environment.

No.

Allow any dryness, flaking or light crusting to come away naturally.

Picking can remove pigment prematurely, interfere with healing and potentially increase the risk of scarring or infection.

It can also leave the healed result patchy.

Sometimes the hardest part of PMU aftercare is simply leaving it alone.

Permanent make-up intentionally breaks the skin, so it isn't completely risk-free.

Potential complications can include:
Infection
Allergic or sensitivity reactions
Swelling or inflammation
Uneven pigment retention
Pigment colour changes
Unwanted shape or colour
Scarring
Cold-sore reactivation following lip treatment
Pigment migration in some circumstances

Correct technique, hygiene, appropriate client selection and good aftercare help reduce risk, but no practitioner can truthfully promise zero risk.

Relevant risks will be discussed before you consent to treatment.

Removal may be possible in some circumstances, but it can be complex, expensive and require multiple treatments.

Different pigments can respond differently to removal methods, and some cosmetic pigments may change colour when exposed to certain lasers.

Permanent make-up should therefore never be approached with “I'll just remove it later if I don't like it.”

Shape, colour and expectations should be carefully considered before pigment is implanted.

Yes.

Permanent make-up is a treatment you'll be wearing every day, so I believe the consultation is just as important as the procedure itself.

We'll discuss your:
Natural features • Desired result • Skin • Medical history • Medications • Lifestyle • Previous PMU • Expectations

It's also your opportunity to ask questions and make sure you feel comfortable before going ahead.