Permanent Makeup
Quick answer
Permanent makeup, also called cosmetic tattooing, uses fine pigment implanted into the skin to create natural-looking definition for brows, eyeliner and lips. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster, every treatment starts with an in-depth consultation to choose colour and shape, and results fade gradually over time rather than staying fixed forever.
What is permanent makeup?
Permanent makeup, also known as micropigmentation or cosmetic tattooing, implants specialist pigment into the upper layers of the skin to enhance the natural shape and colour of your brows, eyes or lips. It is designed to soften the daily makeup routine and to give definition that holds up through exercise, swimming and everyday life.
At Naomi Waite Aesthetics we offer a range of brow, eyeliner and lip techniques, each suited to different skin types, hair patterns and personal preference. Every treatment begins with an in-depth consultation, where colour, shape and technique are chosen together based on your natural colouring and the shape of your face.
Only pharmaceutical-grade pigments and single-use, disposable equipment, including needles, trays and personal protective equipment, are used throughout, in line with strict hygiene practice.
Who is permanent makeup suitable for?
Permanent makeup suits anyone who wants to simplify their routine, restore definition that has softened with age, or add shape to sparse natural brows, lashes or lips. It is popular with people who lead active lifestyles, wear glasses or contact lenses, or who simply want to wake up with their features already defined.
Not everyone is a suitable candidate, and this is assessed during your consultation. If, for any medical or personal reason, treatment is not appropriate for you, you are under no obligation to continue and any deposit already paid will be refunded.
- A time-saving alternative to daily makeup application
- Softly enhancing sparse or uneven natural brows, lashes or lips
- Restoring definition and colour that has faded with age
- Suitable for most skin types, following a consultation and patch test
What to expect from your appointment
Every appointment begins with a thorough consultation, where we discuss the look you want and match pigment to your natural colouring, skin tone and features. A template is drawn onto the treatment area so you can see and approve the proposed shape before any pigment is applied.
The area is numbed before treatment for comfort. The exact technique used, whether fine hair strokes, soft shading or a solid line, depends on which service you choose, and most treatments include a follow-up visit once initial healing is complete, to fine-tune colour and shape.
Appointment length varies by treatment and by how much work is involved, so your practitioner will give you a realistic idea of timing at your consultation rather than a single figure that applies to everyone.
Healing and aftercare
Because permanent makeup works by placing pigment beneath the top layer of skin, the treated area needs time to heal, generally around two weeks for lips and eyeliner and up to four weeks for brows to settle into their true colour. Colour often looks stronger immediately afterwards, then appears to fade as the surface skin flakes away, before gradually resurfacing to its intended shade.
You will be given full aftercare advice and a soothing balm, and asked to avoid sun exposure, swimming, saunas, exfoliation and picking at the area while it heals. Following this guidance carefully gives the best, most even result.
Because everyone heals a little differently, a follow-up or touch-up visit is generally included to adjust colour or shape once healing is complete.
Prices
Permanent makeup prices vary by treatment area and technique. Current prices are confirmed at your consultation, so please get in touch or book a free consultation to discuss the right option and cost for you.
Related treatments
- BrowsBrow permanent makeup uses fine pigment strokes or soft shading to create fuller, more defined brows that hold their shape through the day. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster, techniques range from soft ombre shading to fine hair-stroke work, chosen at consultation to suit your natural brow hair, skin type and the look you want.Find out more
- EyelinerEyeliner permanent makeup uses fine pigment along the lash line to create definition that lasts, from a soft lash-enhancing line to a fuller, more defined flick. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster, the right technique and shape are chosen together at your consultation to suit your eye shape and the look you want.Find out more
- LipsLip permanent makeup adds soft, lasting colour and definition to the lips, from a subtle everyday tint to a bolder, fuller colour. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster, your lip shape and colour are planned together at consultation, working within your natural lip line unless slight correction is needed.Find out more
- Colour Boosts & CorrectionsColour boosts and corrections are follow-up permanent makeup treatments for brows, eyeliner or lips that have faded over time, or that need adjusting after previous work. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster, every case is assessed individually at consultation before any pigment is added.Find out more
- PMU & Brow Tattoo RemovalPMU and brow tattoo removal uses specialist laser treatment to gradually fade unwanted cosmetic tattooing, such as old microblading or brow tattoos. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster, Pico laser and Q-switched Nd:YAG laser are available. Cosmetic pigment can respond unpredictably, so every case starts with a careful assessment.Find out more
Frequently asked questions
Permanent makeup, also called micropigmentation or cosmetic tattooing, implants specialist pigment into the top layers of skin to enhance the natural shape and colour of the brows, eyes or lips. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics this includes brow techniques such as ombre brows, microblading and hair stroke brows, eyeliner treatments including lash enhancement, and lip blush or full lip colour, each matched to your natural features.
The treatment area is numbed before work begins, so most clients describe the sensation as mild discomfort rather than pain. Sensitivity does vary between individuals and between areas, eyes and lips tend to feel more sensitive than brows, and your practitioner will explain what to expect and how comfort is managed at your consultation.
Permanent makeup is semi-permanent rather than forever. Colour typically fades gradually over roughly one to three years depending on the technique, your skin type, sun exposure and lifestyle, and a periodic top-up appointment helps keep the look fresh. This is different from body tattooing, which is designed to be permanent.
Treatment uses pharmaceutical-grade pigments and single-use, disposable equipment throughout, including needles, trays and protective equipment, following strict hygiene protocols. A patch test and full consultation take place beforehand to check the treatment is suitable for you, and very occasionally a client is advised that permanent makeup is not the right option for them.
If you have existing cosmetic tattooing, such as an older brow tattoo, that you would like faded or removed rather than refreshed, this is treated separately using specialist laser technology rather than the techniques on this page. Naomi Waite Aesthetics also offers a dedicated PMU and brow tattoo removal service for this.
Yes, many clients choose to combine brows, eyeliner and lip treatments over time, though each is carried out as its own appointment rather than all at once. Your practitioner can advise on a sensible order and spacing between treatments at your consultation.
It helps to avoid alcohol for 24 hours beforehand, as it can thin the blood and increase bruising, and to avoid aspirin or ibuprofen unless prescribed. Wearing your usual makeup to your consultation is also useful, as it gives your practitioner a clear idea of the look you like.
Book Your Free Consultation
Tell us your goals. We'll tell you exactly what's possible and build a plan to get you there.