Aesthetic Experiences that are harmful to clients & employees - Chemicals we are exposed to at the salon Dr. Milena Minzberg

The popularity of permanent makeup has increased dramatically over the past decade, most commonly of the eyebrows, eyelids and lips. There are many reasons why one would seek out micro-cosmetics including less time needed to put into appearance and to enhance one’s natural features. Permanent makeup can be considered a form of tattooing as it utilizes a needle to insert pigments into the skin. Microblading is a semi-permanent tattooing technique where a blade is used to create super thin, hair-like strokes in one’s natural eyebrows. The needles scratch the skin and deposit pigment into the wounds created. Lip blushing is the semi-permanent tattooing process that defines and fills in your lips. Permanent eyeliner involves placing pigment on your lash line.

These procedures while having aesthetic benefits can lead to serious, harmful side effects. The most common adverse reactions include tenderness, swelling and itching. Allergic contact dermatitis and granulomatous inflammatory reactions are more severe side effects observed. The black inks used in microblading and permanent eyeliner procedure contain carbon nanoparticles, additives, and water. The nanoparticles are capable of inducing reactive oxygen species resulting in inflammatory reactions. Due to the fact that the FDA considers tattoo inks, including the ones used in permanent makeup, to be cosmetics, they do not undergo the approval process before entering the market. This lack of regulation can lead to detrimental effects as certain ingredients have not been evaluated for their safety.

It is also important to research the facility/practitioner responsible for the procedure as several patients have been injured due to improper treatment. The regulations for permanent makeup vary from state to state. Depending on the state, physician supervision might be required, but some allow estheticians and tattoo artists to perform. For example, in California microblading is considered “body art” and requires the individual performing to be at least 18 years old, registered with a local enforcement agency, properly trained on bloodborne pathogens, and working in a body art facility that meets health and safety code standards with a valid health permit. Whereas in Illinois, microblading is considered a form of cosmetic tattooing and is regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

References:

Giulbudagian, M., Schreiver, I., Singh, A.V. et al. Safety of tattoos and permanent

make-up: a regulatory view. Arch Toxicol 94, 357–369 (2020)

Goldman, Alberto, and Uwe Wollina. “Severe unexpected adverse effects after

permanent eye makeup and their management by Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.”

Clinical interventions in aging vol. 9 1305-9. 11 Aug. 2014.

Straetemans, Masja, and Linda Katz. “Adverse Reactions after Permanent-Makeup

Procedures.”NEJM.org, The New England Journal of Medicine, June 2007.