Permanent makeup and body art tattooing are both methods of implanting pigment into the skin, but they have key differences in terms of technique, equipment, and the results they deliver. Here’s an in-depth comparison of these two art forms.
What is Permanent Makeup?
Permanent makeup, or PMU, is considered a form of tattooing because it involves implanting pigment into the skin. However, PMU has unique characteristics that distinguish it from traditional body art tattoos.
Methods of Implanting Pigment
There are two primary methods of implanting pigment in permanent makeup:
- SofTap (Hand Tool Method): This method involves a hand tool that uses a set of needles (ranging from 3 to 114 needles) to gently flick or lightly scratch pigment into the skin. This technique is commonly used for microblading, which involves creating fine, hair-like strokes to enhance the eyebrows.
- Machine Method: The machine method is more similar to traditional tattooing. PMU artists use rotary machines, while tattoo artists typically use coil machines. Both machines deliver pigment into the skin, but rotary machines are specifically designed for delicate areas like the face, while coil machines are better suited for more extensive areas of body art.
Differences Between PMU and Body Art Tattooing
Despite the shared process of pigment implantation, permanent makeup and body art tattooing differ in several significant ways:
- Needles and Tools: Both PMU and tattoo artists may use similar needles, but PMU artists often use thinner needles, such as acupuncture needles. These needles allow for more delicate work, ideal for creating soft, natural-looking results like pixelated lips, ombre brows, and hair stroke brows.
- Depth of Pigment: Permanent makeup is applied to the uppermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, while traditional tattoos go deeper into the dermis. This shallow implantation in PMU results in less bleeding and fading over time.
- Inks vs. Pigments: One of the key distinctions is that PMU artists use pigments, while tattoo artists use inks. Pigments have smaller molecules, allowing the body to break them down gradually. This leads to a natural fading over time, providing the flexibility to adjust color and shape as trends or personal preferences evolve. In contrast, tattoo inks are designed to be more permanent.
- Longevity: Due to the differences in depth and pigment formulation, permanent makeup does not last as long as body art tattoos. The fading process allows clients to refresh their look as their desired style changes, typically every few years.
The Precision of Permanent Makeup Needles
Permanent makeup artists use a variety of needles to achieve different effects. While tattoo artists commonly use thicker needles for body art, PMU artists often opt for finer, more specialized needles, such as acupuncture needles. These needles are so delicate that they can bend with the slightest pressure, allowing for incredibly precise and natural-looking results, particularly in applications like eyebrow microblading, eyeliner, and lip tattoos.
Summary: Is Permanent Makeup a Tattoo?
Despite the differences in tools, techniques, and the final outcome, permanent makeup is technically considered a tattoo. The core principle—implanting pigment into the skin—remains the same. However, the nuances in the equipment, pigments, needle types, and application methods are what set PMU apart from traditional body art tattooing.
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