Permanent Eyeliner

  • By Bryce Cleveland
Permanent Eyeliner

Everything about Permanent Eyeliner

Read on to learn about the techniques, results, cost and more about permanent eyeliner.

Permanent Eyeliner

A growing trend is to get semi-permanent eyeliner tattoos. It enhances many makeup looks but it can be a daunting task to draw it perfectly everyday. This is a great option for those who want to have the look of eyeliner without it smudging for years.

About Permanent Eyeliner

This is an advanced PMU treatment that recreates eyeliner semi-permanently.

This is done using an electric device used for cosmetic tattooing. The pigments are semi-permanent with natural origins and are inserted in the skin of the eyelids to draw eyeliner in any shape you want.

It is considered a non-invasive procedure since it does not have any downtime after the procedure. But as with the other PMU treatments, it will need a few weeks of healing.

Can Anyone Get Semi-Permanent Eyeliner?

Most people are qualified to get this procedure. There are some conditions that make it unsafe such as:

  • Viral infections or diseases
  • On-going chemotherapy
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Skin conditions like Psoriasis or Rosacea in the area
  • Proneness to keloid scar formation
  • Blood thinning medication
  • People with diabetes should get a doctor's approval
  • Recently Botox injections or dermal fillers (you need to wait at least 2 weeks)
  • Pregnancy and nursing

About Permanent Eyeliner

Permanent Eyeliner vs. Traditional Tattoo

Are They The Same?

Permanent eyeliner is a type of cosmetic tattooing but not like a traditional tattoo.

Permanent eyeliner is only semi-permanent, but the term is what is used in the industry. The color and vibrancy of the treatment will fade eventually. Which is why this is also known as semi-permanent eyeliner. It is a modern technique with more advanced tools used.

The pigments used in PMU are formulated in a way so the body can break it down gradually. In 1 to 5 years, the color fades and the eyeliner tattoo will disappear.

One similarity with traditional tattoo is the use of an electric device with a very fine needle that deposits the pigment into the skin. The difference is how the pigment for permanent eyeliner is deposited shallow into the skin in the basal epidermis layer unlike in regular tattoos.

About the Permanent Eyeliner Treatment

Learn more about the process of getting Permanent Eyeliner treatment.

Step 1: Consults

The process starts with a consultation with your PMU artist regarding what style you are going for. During this conversation, you can bring examples of the style you want or show it through your makeup.

The next thing to discuss is the color of the eyeliner. Black is not a recommended color, so go for dark shades of brown because it fades in a better shade. You can choose any color but keep in mind that you will wear it everyday so it is best if you choose a color that suits any occasion.

You will need to fill up some forms to let your PMU artist know it is safe to do the procedure on you. These forms could be your medical history and your consent form.

Some discussion on aftercare can also be discussed to let you know how to help your skin heal properly.

Step 2: Preparations

The technique begins with cleaning the eye with a make-up removing product. The region must be cleaned of any makeup and skincare residues, as well as sebum.

The process is then made painless by applying a numbing cream. It may still be unpleasant, but it should not be painful.

Step 3: The Procedure

This is where your artist will use the PMU machine to make tiny cuts into the skin that deposits pigment. These tiny dots form the eyeliner shape you want.

Step 4: Building up pigment

To make sure enough pigments are deposited, your artist will make around 2 to 3 passes of dots. This translates to around an hour of needling in the area. When there is enough pigment, the treated area will be cleaned and that's the end of your first appointment.

Step 5: Touch up

The final step to this procedure is getting a color boost touch up after 6 to 8 weeks. At this point, the first appointment has already fully healed and your artist can check if any pigment is lost or if there are any lighter patches.

Does Getting an Eyeliner Tattoo Hurt?

This procedure is considered non-invasive but since it is still a form of tattoo, you may experience some discomfort.

The needle still breaks the surface of the skin, but a numbing ointment is applied so there shouldn't be any pain rather just a certain sensation or scratching.

Let your PMU artist know if you feel any discomfort or pain so they can add more numbing cream if needed.

How Long Does Permanent Eyeliner Procedure Last?

The whole procedure can last up to an hour and a half. This can greatly depend on the style you're going for and the experience of the PMU artist you book.

How Do I Choose the Best Artist?

An important decision when it comes to getting a permanent eyeliner procedure is your choice of artist.

A good way to decide is to get recommendations from people who have done permanent eyeliner procedures before and were happy with the results. There are also online reviews and social media accounts that you can check. Make sure you do your research before booking an artist.

You might be able to gauge the skill of your artist by the price they put on their services. Sometimes high prices often come with more skill and experience. They also use higher quality supplies and do quality work.

Although, this may not always be the case so do your research and look at their past work.

Permanent Eyeliner Artist

Preparation for the Permanent Eyeliner Treatment

How Do I Prepare for Treatment?

Here is a list of things to avoid before your first appointment:

  • Dyeing or getting an eyelash lift up to 2 weeks before treatment
  • Eyelash extensions up to 3 days before procedure
  • Recent eye surgery, botox, filler, laser eye surgery, etc
  • Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, niacin, coumadin, fish oil, vit E 3 days before procedure
  • Drinking alcohol or caffeine a day before

You won't be able to wash your hair after the procedure so make sure to wash it before going to your appointment. Bringing a pair of sunglasses can also protect your eyes in case they become more sensitive to light after treatment.

If you wear contact lenses, you need to refrain from using them during and at least a day after the procedure.

Permanent Eyeliner Aftercare

What Can I Expect After the Procedure?

After the procedure, you will be told to clean the tattoo area frequently for the first 24 hours to remove the lymph. Otherwise, the lymph will harden and form scabs, affecting pigment retention. After any permanent makeup procedure, lymph drainage is completely normal and expected.

Here are the common aftercare instructions after a Permanent Eyeliner procedure:

  • For the next 7-10 days, avoid getting your eyeliner tattoo wet. This is not to say that you should not clean the area; rather, you should protect it during showers and avoid swimming, saunas, steam baths, and other activities that cause excessive sweating.
  • Similarly, don't use makeup in and around the treated area for 7-10 days. Removing the makeup would affect retention of the pigment.
  • Avoid touching and picking the scabs that form. The amount of scabbing varies with each individual.
  • Refrain from sleeping on your face.
  • Avoid facials, peels, Botox and fillers up to 4 weeks after.

You can carry on with your day since there is no downtime after treatment. You might just notice some swelling and redness in the treated area.

Learn more about the day to day tips on aftercare in this guide.

Can I Get an Eyeliner Tattoo if I Have Eyelash Extensions or Wear Contact Lenses?

For those with eyelash extensions, it is best to remove them at least 3 days before your appointment. Removing them too close to the procedure may leave glue residue and may impact the quality of the treatment. You are free to get eyelash extensions after your skin fully heals.

When it comes to contact lenses, you will be asked to take them out before the appointment. And you might not be able to wear them a few days after. Your eyes may be swollen in the next few days so glasses are a better option.

Eyeliner Tattoo Touch-Up

Getting a touch up after 6 to 8 weeks is necessary for most clients. This appointment is used to add more pigment in case there are lighter patches in your brows after healing. You can also ask your artist to make your eyeliner darker or thicker if you are unsatisfied with how it looks.

The treatment can fade over time so you may opt to refresh it and get additional touch ups. This can greatly prolong the results of your Permanent Eyeliner procedure.

The Effects of Semi Permanent Eyeliner

How long does Permanent Eyeliner last? This procedure can last around 1 to 5 years depending on your skin type, age and your lifestyle choices.

Since it is a semi-permanent treatment, the pigments will fade over time. Because of differences in lifestyle, skin type and other factors, it is difficult to predict how long exactly your treatment will last.

Semi Permanent Eyeliner

Will I Lose Some Color During the First Week?

In the first week, you will notice some of the pigment may lighten or fade which is similar to other PMU procedures.

Right after the first appointment, your eyeliner may look too dark, but it will fade to the right shade as it heals. So no need to panic. And you will get the exact look you are going for after your first touch up.

Eyeliner Tattoo Side Effects & Risks

If you are wondering about the risks and side effects of Permanent Eyeliner, one thing you have to consider is that you must only have the procedure done by a licensed and well trained professional.

Here are the potential risks that come with this procedure:

  • Infection: This happens if the equipment used is not sterile especially since needles can easily pass infections from one person to the other
  • Allergic reactions: A patch test can be done before the procedure to check for this
  • Granulomas: these are nodules that form around foreign substances. This could happen to the pigments if your body reacts negatively to it
  • Scarring: for people prone to scarring, they may experience keloid formation
  • Removal: if you want to remove the treatment, the options may take time and are tiresome to the body. It will need additional expenses and may also have their own side effects
  • Changing trends: with trends changing every so often, we are not sure when the look of winged eyeliner may become dated in the future

Permanent Eyeliner Styles & Colors

There are different styles that can be achieved using Permanent eyeliner. Here are the 4 basic styles to choose from:

Eyelash enhancement

This is a more subtle take on the eyeliner tattoo. It can be applied in two ways: as a thin line that does not leave the lash line, or as a dot next to each eyelash. This style, however, does not give the appearance of an eyeliner tattoo, but rather makes your eyelashes appear fuller and thicker.

This is an excellent option for anyone who wants their eyelashes to appear thicker. It's also the style that the majority of male clients prefer.

Thin eyeliner

This is the best option for all clients who dislike wearing thick eyeliners. This is a good option for many people because it allows you to build up the eyeliner and make it thicker with regular makeup while still having that thin eyeliner line when you wake up in the morning.

Thin Permanent Eyeliner

Classic, medium-thickness

This is the best option for women who wear makeup every day and want a look that is both natural and bold.

Thick, smokey

This one isn't for everyone. It's a good choice for clients who wear a lot of makeup on a daily basis. Typically, a smokey effect is used. If you choose a thick tattoo eyeliner, you must be willing to commit to a permanently bold makeup look.

The wing can be added as an option.

Medium Thickness Permanent Eyeliner

Tip: Keep in mind that you can always add more eyeliner. So keep in mind that you must be certain of the thickness you desire before proceeding with the procedure.

Consider current trends and whether you want to have them tattooed on your eyelids. Also, keep in mind that the wings may lose their shape as the skin sags over time. This is why lash extensions and subtle eyeliner tattoo designs are so popular.

What Color Should My Eyeliner Tattoo Be?

You can decide on what color your eyeliner tattoo will be. Even though you probably use black eyeliner most of the time, deep brown shades are a better option and what most clients prefer. PMU pigments in black can fade into an unappealing blue/grayish shade, whereas browns are more stable.

Many artists also provide more diverse color options, such as green, blue, and violet, but keep in mind that you'll have to stick with the color you choose for a couple of years.

Blonde clients with fair skin tend to prefer subtle brownish tones.

Permanent Eyeliner Removal

If you are wondering if Eyeliner Tattoos can be removed, then yes. This can be done through laser or saline removal.

Laser removal breaks down the pigments so that they can be absorbed by the body, whereas saline removal works by opening up the skin, depositing a drying solution into it, and allowing the pigments to be pulled out by the resulting scabs.

Both options are generally effective, but they can be costly since they require multiple sessions. Furthermore, not all saline removal specialists conduct the treatment on eyelids, so finding one in your area may be challenging.

Semi-Permanent Eyeliner Tattoo Cost

How much does it cost to get an eyeliner tattoo? The average cost goes from $500 to $1000 but it depends on the style, color and thickness of the style. The middle point is $560.

And every touch up after the first appointment can cost $150 and up.

Here is a Permanent eyeliner cost guide for a comparison of the prices.

Main Takeaways

Getting an eyeliner tattoo is a time-saving and look enhancing option if you are a fan of eyeliner. You won't have to worry about getting it perfect everyday, you will wake up with perfect eyeliner everyday.

This is why you have to decide carefully about the style and color you want since you have to stick with it for around 1 to 5 years. Make sure to book a licensed and experienced PMU artist to do your procedure for the best results.

Explore more about Permanent Makeup: