Permanent eyeliner tattoos have become popular in beauty, offering a long-lasting solution for those who want to skip the daily routine of applying eyeliner. Despite its name, permanent makeup isn’t entirely permanent and requires touch-ups to maintain its vibrant look and shape over time.
This guide outlines the signs that indicate when a touch-up is necessary and what to expect from the process.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Permanent eyeliner tattoos offer a long-lasting beauty solution but require touch-ups to maintain their vibrancy and shape. Common signs that a touch-up is needed include fading pigment, changes in colour, unevenness, and patchiness.
Touch-ups are also ideal for style changes or addressing skin retention issues. Regular maintenance every 2-3 years helps keep the eyeliner fresh. Before your touch-up:
- Consult your technician.
- Take care of your skin.
- Follow aftercare guidelines to ensure the best results.
Signs You Need A Touch-Up For Your Permanent Eyeliner Tattoo
1. Fading Pigment
One of the most common reasons for considering a touch-up is fading pigment. After the initial procedure, it’s normal to experience a colour fade of up to 50%. This is part of the healing process, as skin retains pigment differently from person to person.
If your eyeliner starts looking lighter than you prefer or the lines appear less defined, it’s a good indication that a touch-up is needed.
2. Changes In Colour
Over time, the pigment used in permanent eyeliner tattoos may change colour due to sun exposure, skin aging, or how your body reacts to the ink. If you notice your eyeliner shifting to a colour that doesn’t suit your style, such as turning blue or grey, a touch-up can help restore the desired shade.
3. Unevenness Or Asymmetry
Even with the most skilled application, the healing process may cause unevenness or asymmetry in your eyeliner tattoo. Factors like skin healing at different rates can result in one eye looking different.
A touch-up can correct inconsistencies, ensuring both eyes have a balanced appearance.
4. Desire For A Style Change
Beauty trends evolve, and your personal preferences may change over time. If you’re no longer satisfied with your eyeliner style, whether you want a thicker line, a new shape, or a wing, a touch-up session is the perfect time to adjust your look.
5. Patchy Appearance
During the healing process, it’s common for the tattooed area to look patchy as scabs fall off unevenly. In most cases, this is temporary, but if the final result still appears patchy, additional pigment can be added during a touch-up to create a more even look.
6. Skin Retention Issues
Some individuals’ skin may not retain pigment as well as others, leading to a less saturated appearance after the initial application. A touch-up allows your technician to apply additional pigment layers, ensuring your eyeliner looks full and sharp.
7. Scheduled Maintenance
Even if you don’t notice obvious signs like fading or unevenness, periodic touch-ups are recommended to keep your eyeliner looking fresh. Most professionals suggest getting a touch-up every 2 to 3 years.
Regular maintenance helps refresh the colour and maintain the sharpness of the tattoo, ensuring your eyeliner looks as good as when it was first applied.
Preparing For Your Permanent Eyeliner Tattoo Touch-Up
While permanent makeup offers a long-lasting solution, it’s not truly permanent. The pigments used in eyeliner tattoos gradually fade due to factors like skin cell turnover, sun exposure, and your body’s natural chemistry.
Typically, permanent eyeliner lasts 12 to 18 months before a touch-up is required. This timeline allows for adjustments to suit changing styles or preferences.
Scheduling Your Touch-Up
The ideal time for a touch-up varies from person to person. Once they notice significant fading, most people need one around a year after their initial procedure.
However, if your skin retains pigment well, you can go longer before requiring maintenance. A touch-up is also a great opportunity to modify your eyeliner, whether you want to darken the colour, enhance the shape, or adjust the thickness.
Pre-Touch-Up Considerations
Before booking your touch-up appointment, there are a few things to consider to ensure the best possible results:
- Consultation: Speak with your technician to discuss any changes you want or concerns about your current eyeliner tattoo.
- Skin Care: In the days before your touch-up, avoid activities and products that could affect your skin, such as sun exposure, swimming, or harsh skincare treatments like retinol near the eyes.
- Health & Medications: Let your technician know if you’ve started new medications or supplements, as these can impact healing or cause increased bleeding.
- Aftercare Review: Familiarise yourself with the aftercare instructions from your original procedure to ensure proper healing after the touch-up.
What To Expect During A Touch-Up?
1. Duration & Comfort
Touch-up appointments are usually quicker than your initial session, taking about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the adjustments needed. Your technician will apply a topical anaesthetic to keep you comfortable.
2. Assessment & Customisation
Your session will begin with an assessment of your eyeliner tattoo. Your technician will evaluate how the pigment has settled and identify any areas of fading or unevenness.
This is also the time to discuss any changes or adjustments you want to make, whether it’s darkening the eyeliner, extending it for a more dramatic look, or refining the shape for better symmetry.
3. Pigment Addition & Corrections
Based on the assessment, the technician will begin the touch-up by adding more pigment to faded areas than to others. During this step, corrections will be made if there’s any asymmetry or the shape doesn’t align with your expectations.
The pigment and technique will be similar to the initial procedure, ensuring consistency in colour and style.
Aftercare For Your Touch-Up
Proper aftercare ensures optimal healing and long-lasting results, like your original permanent eyeliner tattoo. Your technician will provide you with specific aftercare instructions, but in general, you should follow these guidelines:
- Keep the area clean: Gently cleanse the area around your eyes without using harsh products or scrubbing.
- Avoid makeup: Avoid makeup around the eyes during healing to prevent irritation or infection.
- Moisturise: Keep the area moisturised to help the healing process.
- Protect from sun exposure: UV rays can affect the longevity of the pigment, so it’s important to wear sunglasses or a hat when outside.
- Avoid certain activities: Swimming, saunas, and excessive sweating should be avoided until the area is fully healed to prevent infection and pigment loss.
Conclusion
Regular touch-ups are key to maintaining the appearance and quality of your permanent eyeliner tattoo. Whether dealing with fading pigment colour changes or simply wanting to update your look, scheduled maintenance keeps your eyeliner looking sharp and defined.
By recognising the signs that it’s time for a touch-up and preparing properly, you can enjoy the benefits of permanent makeup for years to come.
FAQs About Permanent Make Up Touch Up
What Is A Permanent Makeup Touch-Up, And Why Might I Need One?
A permanent makeup touch-up is a follow-up procedure to the initial application of permanent cosmetics, such as eyebrow tattoos, eyeliner, or lip colour. Over time, the pigment used in permanent makeup can fade due to sun exposure, skin type, and the body’s natural metabolism. A touch-up session helps refresh and maintain the colour intensity and definition that may have diminished, ensuring your permanent makeup looks its best.
How Long After My Initial Procedure Should I Wait Before Getting A Touch-Up?
The ideal timing for a touch-up varies depending on the type of permanent makeup and individual healing processes. Generally, waiting at least 4 to 8 weeks after the initial procedure is recommended to allow for complete healing and colour stabilisation. After this period, your technician can assess how your skin has retained the pigment and perform any necessary adjustments.
Are Touch-Ups Less Painful Than The Initial Procedure?
Many clients find that touch-ups are less painful compared to the initial procedure. This is partly because touch-ups typically involve less extensive work, and the initial tattooing process has already conditioned the skin area. However, pain tolerance varies from person to person, and your technician can apply topical anesthetics to minimise discomfort during the session.
How Often Will I Need Touch-Ups For My Permanent Makeup?
The frequency of touch-ups depends on several factors, including the type of pigment used, the specific area treated (eyebrows, lips, eyeliner), your skin type, lifestyle, and how well you follow aftercare instructions. On average, most people consider touch-ups every 1 to 3 years to keep their permanent makeup looking fresh. Your technician can provide more personalised advice based on how your skin holds the pigment.
Can I Change The Style Or Colour Of My Permanent Makeup During A Touch-Up Session?
Touch-up sessions are not only for refreshing the existing colour but can also be an opportunity to make minor adjustments to the shape, thickness, or colour of your permanent makeup. However, significant changes might require more extensive work or even removal of the existing pigment before applying the new design. It’s essential to discuss your desired changes with your technician beforehand to understand what’s possible and to set realistic expectations.
