Micropigmentation

An ageing face loses definition around the eyelids, lashes and brows. Natural colour fades, and lash and brow hairs can become grey or sparse. Makeup restores that definition, but applying it accurately and symmetrically gets harder over time.

Micropigmentation places pigment in the skin to restore the definition permanently. It stays in place through swimming and perspiration and removes the daily effort of application, which makes it particularly useful for people who are active in sport, who have difficulty seeing well enough to apply eyeliner, or who have arthritis or another condition that makes fine application awkward.

Eyeliner

Topical anaesthetic is applied for comfort, and a hand applicator places pigment accurately along the lash line. Width and extent follow the individual's preference and can be increased at follow-up if a stronger line is wanted.

Aftercare involves keeping the lid margins moist with ointment. Swelling and tenderness are minimal and there is generally no down time.

Eyebrows

Where brows have faded or thinned, pigment restores shape and density. Colour is individualised to natural hair and brow colour along with personal preference, and the aim is a feathered, natural appearance that follows the existing brow hairs as a guide.

Wearing your usual brow makeup to the appointment is helpful, since it lets careful measurements and colour assessment be made against the look you already prefer.

Lips

Lip micropigmentation restores the outline and colour lost with age. Choosing the colour is not the same exercise as choosing lipstick: natural tones are used to restore the individual's own colouring as closely as possible.

Applied colour looks darker and more intense than intended for roughly four weeks before settling. Lipstick can still be worn over the top when more variety is wanted.

The session and the settling period

The area is anaesthetised topically, with more anaesthetic added during the procedure as needed. Pigment is placed by hand applicator under magnification. A session commonly runs two to three hours in total, including time for the anaesthetic to take effect.

Immediately afterwards, pigment appears very dark and intense. It fades over four to six weeks to the intended colour, which is why follow-up is scheduled at least that far out, when colour and smoothness are checked and additional pigment added if wanted.