Cosmetic eyelid tattooing to enhance the facial beauty

Cosmetic eyebrow and eyelid tattooing goes back to ancient African and Mediterranean cultures that practiced a form of scarification in order to line and accentuate the eyes. Usually, an abrading instrument of some kind was used to agitate the membranes just below and above the ashes and a dark colored pigment, such as the kohl used by the Egyptians, was then rubbed into the wound to provide permanent eyeliner.

In modern times, you can now get permanent eyeliner as well as eyeshadow applied to anywhere on your upper or lower lids. Usually this permanent make up is applied manually with a needle and pigments by a trained cosmetologist, tattoo artist, aesthetician, nurse or plastic surgeon.

Permanent eyeshadow or eyeliner is not only of use to very busy women or women who want to look glamorous from the moment they wake up in the morning. It also has many practical applications. For instance, it can enhance the appearance of eyes that have no eyelashes. The effective absence of eyelashes can occur as the result of being albino, having alopecia (a condition that causes hair loss including loss of eyebrows and eyelashes) or chemotherapy.

Permanent eye make up is also useful for individuals whose hands tremble too much for them to apply their own or whose vision is too blurry to even see a mirror. The one application of permanent eyelid makeup forgoes the possibility of ever being accused of having crooked eyeliner again.

The application of cosmetic eyelid tattooing is almost never done with a tattoo gun. The multiple needles and motion of an electric tattoo gun are too caustic for delicate eyelid skin. Cosmetic eyelid tattoos are best applied manually with inks that are made from iron oxide or titanium dioxide pigments.

Before you have eyelids tattooed you do need to have an initial consultation with the professional applying the procedure. If you have a prolapsed mitral heart valve you may need to take antibiotics before hand to prevent a bacterial infection in your heart. You may also be asked to eliminate the use of aspirin and nicotine before the operation to minimize the chance of swelling or bleeding.

The only real risk of the surgery is an allergic reaction to the pigments. You should know that such a risk is much higher when it comes to eyelid tattooing than it is for any other tattooing procedure. This is because some people’s eyes may not be able to tolerate the pigments.

As this tattooing procedure is in such close proximity to the eye itself, there is also a risk of eye infection. It is very important to follow your doctor’s post operative care instructions which will advise you not to rub, scratch or pick at the area in any way. In some people, the procedure may also cause excessive tearing of the eyes for a couple of days.

Almost everyone is a good candidate for eyebrow and eyelid tattooing except for individuals who have the Herpes Simplex virus. The operation could trigger an outbreak of sores that could leave unpleasant scarring on the treated area. If you take anticoagulants or immunosuppressive drugs or have an acute illness, do not undergo permanent cosmetic procedures.

If you are not very tolerant to pain, a topical anesthetic may be applied to the area before the eyelid tattooing is begun. After the procedure you can expect some bruising or swelling that can last for a week but in general lasts no longer than three days. Swelling is reduced through the use of ice.

After your permanent eyelids are applied you will also be discouraged from using makeup for a few days. You will also be discouraged from using products that contain alpha-hydroxy acid as they can partially remove or dissolve the new tattoo.

Although most pigments are considered to be permanent they might fade over time. Light of all kinds, but especially sunlight can play a role in lightening the color of your tattooed eyelids. It is also essential to avoid using cleansers with abrasives or acids that bleach or remove the upper layers of the skin.

As cosmetic eye tattooing is very detailed work, you need to find a specialist with a practiced eye. Before choosing a cosmetician, ask to see a portfolio of his or her work. The best practitioners of permanent tattoo artists will be certified by the American Academy of Micropigmentation and charge between $400 and $600 an hour.