Skin art has been discovered on the skin of Egyptian mummies dating back to 2000 B. C. Tools of the trade were soot, gunpowder, sharpened stones, and other primitive implements. Dermal pigmentation, commonly known as tattooing, has been present for centuries in our cultures for the purpose of body adornment. The implanting of pigments, colors, and/or dyes intradermally results in permanent alteration of tissue to gain a cosmetic effect.

One of the newest additions to the cosmetics world is "permanent makeup," also referred to as dermapigmentation, or micropigmentation. This technique benefits women with poor vision, arthritis, problems with dexterity, allergies to makeup, watery eyes, or problems with contact lenses or oily skin that causes makeup to smear. Also, convenience might be a consideration for an athletic woman who wants to look good during sports or exercise. Some women simply don't like to be seen without makeup.

One of the most beneficial uses for permanent eye makeup is to recreate the illusion of lost lashes and brows due to hair loss induced by chemotherapy, or a condition that causes total hair loss known as alopecia areata. More and more men and women are becoming aware of how the advantages of "natural looking" permanent cosmetic makeup can enhance and accent features of their appearance. It won't wash off, smudge or smear and will always look professionally applied.

Permanent makeup is also used to line and fill in the lips. It can correct irregularly shaped lips, as well as make the lips look fuller. Because of its permanence, many women find it convenient to only apply a lip gloss instead of lip color all the time. It can transform mornings and evenings, of time consuming effort, into minutes; and your look is always great. Now you can have eyeliner, eyebrows, lip liner, or a full color mouth twenty-four hours a day.

There is an expanding field of permanent cosmetics called corrective camouflage. Loss of pigmentation in the skin, either through accidents, birthmarks, vitiligo or a multitude of other skin irregularities and disorders, are problems which may be corrected through pigmentation. Postsurgical scars, if noticeable, can be camouflaged by pigmenting the lighter colored areas of the scar to match the surrounding skin. Many burn survivors can have scar tissue pigmented to create asymmetry to the contour of the lips and eyebrows. The main objective when using corrective cosmetics is to play down the abnormality and draw attention to other areas.

Permanent cosmetic makeup procedures (compared to expenses like hair, nails and cosmetics) are a relatively inexpensive way to improve one's appearance on a permanent basis. Most people absolutely love the end result. It can be a very freeing experience, and change or highlight features. There's beauty in everyone and there's always the possibility that there is something that can be improved.

NOTE: You cannot donate blood for up to one year after having any tattooing procedure.

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