Hardening the Positive judgment of Permanent cosmetics
“Is the process on safe side?” I often hear this inquire from first time, soon-to-be permanent cosmetic and tattoo clientele. At first I wondered, “Why would they determine it was hazardous?” I looked into story articles and medical literature and there were the reasons for questioning the process’s safety: stories about untrustworthy and/or unregulated permanent cosmetics pigments, blood born pathogens including hepatitis B and C, filthy working conditions, and the reuse of needles and other supplies. Few and distant between were the good stories about the beauty of skin art, the benefits of permanent cosmetics procedures and corrective pigment procedures. Or the efforts of the permanent makeup and tattoo industries to develop and put into action uniform sanitary guidelines. Or how the permanent cosmetic and tattoo industries are working closely with state and counties to ensure licensing requirements that protect the client and practitioners. All of this bad publicity adds to the attitude that the process isn’t safe. I believe it is up to all of us, in the industry to strengthen the positive judgment and reality that tattooing for cosmetic, corrective or esthetic reasons is on safe side and something that can be effective with a minimum of chance taken.
How do we change the specific perception of Permanent cosmetics Procedures?
1. Rigorously enforce and follow all the
sanitation guidelines provided by the government,
our professional organizations and good common
sense. This means visibly making sure the consumer
sees and knows that the professional is creating and
working in a clean and risky environment.
2. Know how and where the permanent makeup pigments are made
and that the pigment manufactures adheres to and
meets all the federal requirements under the Food,
Drug and Cosmetic Act for safety and efficiency.
3. Get involved with the organizations regulating
our industries, both legislative and specialist and
become part of the change process. Remember,
they aren’t the ones doing permanent cosmetic or
tattooing, so they need our professional guidance
and input.
4. Monitor and ensure that your local news
organizations provide fair and balanced reporting
of the issues. Call or write and cite that
balanced research is provided to the public, which
is meant to train not sensationalize the article.
5. Toot your own horn! Post signs stating your
adherence to safe sanitation practices, set out
licenses and expert certifications for your
business and practitioners.
6. Attend continuing instruction so your training
is current and you are up to date on the well-known
issues impacting our permanent cosmetic and
tattooing profession.
This list is not exhaustive, but rather I hope, a good starting point. By the way, how do I answer to the original question regarding the safety of the permanent makeup procedures? I ask the individual to go into the office, or shop and look around. Do they see licenses and practitioner certificates posted? Ask if the customer doing the permanent makeup procedure is licensed and a member of a specialist organization. Notice the cleanliness of the work area. Are equipment left open and exposed to contaminates? How frequently are tools cleaned and needles replaced (after every use)? How do they clean reusable tools and items? Do they test for allergic reaction prior to the procedure? Have they experienced any cosmetics reactions to the permanent cosmetics pigments or topical anesthetic used? What are their procedures when a bad reaction occurs? And, is this a place you would be comfortable having something placed under your skin? After all, that is what permanent makeup and tattooing does.
Good Luck,
Greg Yates
CEO – http://www.tattoovanishinc.com
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