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2026.07.11
What Is Medical Permanent Makeup? A Clear Explanation of Its Expected Effects, Benefits, and Drawbacks
Art make-up and tattoo artist from Korea. After studying architectural aesthetics and spatial design at an art college in Japan, she went into art makeup with the sensitivity of an art college graduate and established “Anzy Sukinbrow”. She is a pioneer of natural eyebrows in Japan. She has experience in applying eyebrow treatments in many countries around the world and is also active as an instructor mainly in the U.S., Korea, and Japan. While constantly learning about fast-changing beauty trends, she provides the latest and most suitable treatments as an "artist who connects with the heart," deeply understanding each person's wishes and staying close to each person's life.
Medical permanent makeup involves depositing pigments—which are resistant to washing off with facial cleansers or sweating—into the superficial layers of the skin to enhance features such as eyebrows and lips.
During consultations, we often get questions like, “How is this different from a tattoo?” and “Will the design look natural?”
BIANCA CLINIC will explain how the treatments work, what they can do, and their benefits and precautions.
What is medical permanent makeup?
Medical permanent makeup is a medical procedure in which pigment is applied to the superficial layers of the skin to enhance the shape and color of the eyebrows, lips, and eyeliner.
A procedure that uses a specialized needle to deposit pigment into the superficial layers of the skin
In medical permanent makeup, pigment is deposited into the relatively shallow layers of the skin using specialized needles. Unlike regular makeup, it does not wash off easily when you wash your face or sweat.
That said, unlike typical tattoos, they do not remain in the same condition semi-permanently; rather, they gradually fade over time as they are affected by factors such as skin condition and lifestyle. Although the duration varies from person to person, they generally last about 1 to 3 years.
In Japan, permanent makeup is considered a medical procedure. Therefore, it must be performed either by a physician or by a nurse under a physician’s supervision and direction; nurses are not permitted to perform the procedure without a physician’s instructions.
Helps enhance the appearance of your eyebrows, lips, and eyes
The most common treatment areas are the eyebrows, lips, and eyes.
Permanent Eyebrow Makeup
There are two techniques for permanent eyebrow makeup: the hair-stroke technique, which involves drawing each eyebrow hair individually, and the powder technique, which involves gently layering color using fine dots. By combining these two techniques, you can achieve a soft, natural-looking brow while enhancing the natural direction of the hair growth.
Lip Art Makeup
Lip art makeup is not a procedure that changes the actual shape of the lips. By applying pigment, it enhances the natural color and defines the contours of the lips.
Other Permanent Makeup Services
We offer eyeliner services for the eye area, as well as mole removal treatments to enhance your facial features.
Valuing both “what suits you” and “what you want to be”
When I think about design, what I value most is not simply applying trendy styles as they are.
We’ll examine your bone structure, skin tone, facial expressions, and everyday makeup one by one to find a shape that complements the overall balance of your face.
On top of that, I make a point of taking the time to ask clients, “What kind of look are you hoping to achieve?” and “Why did you decide to get permanent makeup?”
We believe that aligning a design that suits you with the image you have in mind leads to a design that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
At Bianca Clinic, we go beyond simply enhancing your appearance for cosmetic purposes; we also provide support tailored to your emotional needs regarding scars."Flower Prescription"We are also carrying out initiatives such as these.
The feasibility and method of treatment depend on the condition of the scar, so if you have any concerns, please schedule an examination and consultation to discuss your options.
▶Details on the “Flower Prescription” for Covering Scars
What results can I expect from medical permanent makeup?
Permanent makeup can help enhance the appearance of your eyebrows, lips, and other features, and is expected to reduce the burden of daily makeup application and touch-ups.
The main changes we can expect include the following:
- Adjust the shape of your eyebrows and balance them on both sides
- Naturally Fill in Thin Eyebrows
- Enhance the natural color and definition of your lips
- Reduce the strain caused by makeup smudging due to sweat and sebum
- Cut Down on Your Morning Makeup Routine
- Aim for a look where your features remain distinct even without makeup
In medical permanent makeup for eyebrows, we use stroke techniques to fill in areas with sparse hair while adjusting the overall shading of the eyebrows using the powder technique.
Rather than making both sides look exactly the same, I prioritize finding a balance that looks natural, taking into account the facial structure and the movement of facial expressions.
Lip art makeup adds color to the lips to correct a lack of natural color or a blurred appearance.
However, this treatment does not alter the thickness or shape of the lips themselves. The treatment color will be adjusted during the consultation based on your desired results.
Because this treatment is less affected by sweat and sebum, it’s a popular choice among athletes and those who find their makeup tends to smudge easily.
For many people, this means they no longer have to apply their eyebrow and lip makeup from scratch every morning, which reduces the time spent on makeup and the hassle of touch-ups.
On the other hand, the color of medical permanent makeup fades over time. Since a single session may not always produce the desired color, Bianca Clinic may recommend two sessions.
There are individual differences in how well pigment sets and how it fades, depending on various factors such as skin type, metabolism, UV exposure, and skincare habits.
What are the pros and cons of medical permanent makeup?
While medical permanent makeup has the advantage of reducing the burden of daily makeup application, there are also potential risks to be aware of, such as redness, swelling, pain, and discoloration.
Benefits of Medical Permanent Makeup
- It makes it easy to cut down on your daily makeup routine
- Hard to remove due to sweat and sebum
- Can be designed to suit your body type and facial features
- Can be used on multiple areas, such as the eyebrows, lips, and eyes
- You can consider undergoing the procedure after consulting with a doctor.
For those who find their daily eyebrow and lip makeup routine a burden, medical permanent makeup is an option that can save time.
Another benefit is that the color doesn’t fade easily even when you’re sweating, so you can reduce the number of times you need to touch up your makeup.
Since we’ll take the time to discuss the design with you before the procedure, there’s no need to worry even if you haven’t decided on the shape or color yet.
We’ll work with you to come up with a design that won’t look out of place over time, while taking into account your everyday makeup, clothing, and the impression you want to convey.
Disadvantages and Precautions of Medical Permanent Makeup
- Redness, swelling, and a stinging sensation may occur
- Pain During Treatment
- The color may appear darker immediately after the treatment
- Individual Differences in Color Retention and Fading
- After the treatment, you need to be careful when washing your face or applying makeup.
- Depending on your physical condition or medical history, you may not be eligible for this treatment.
Although we use a topical anesthetic during the procedure, we cannot guarantee that you will feel no pain at all. Sensations vary from person to person, and you may experience a prickling sensation or a feeling of pressure.
There are a few precautions to follow on the day of your treatment, such as avoiding the use of makeup removers or facial cleansers and refraining from wearing makeup for about a week.
If you have allergies, pre-existing medical conditions, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, you may not be able to receive treatment, so please be sure to inform us during your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
We answer frequently asked questions from patients regarding medical permanent makeup, including precautions, designs, duration, pain, and post-treatment care.
Q. I would like to know about the safety of medical permanent makeup.
A. Medical permanent makeup is a medical procedure performed under a doctor’s supervision and guidance, with due consideration given to hygiene and the physical impact on the body.
However, there is still a possibility of skin problems such as redness, swelling, or a stinging sensation.
If you have any medical history or allergies, please be sure to inform us in advance.
Q. How can I achieve a natural-looking design with medical permanent makeup for my eyebrows?
A. One method involves combining strokes that depict each individual hair with a powder technique that builds up color using fine dots.
We’ll work with you to determine the ideal shade and shape that will complement your entire face, taking into account your bone structure, facial expressions, natural eyebrows, and your usual makeup routine.
Q. How long does medical permanent makeup last, and how is it maintained?
A. The results generally last about 1 to 3 years, but this can vary depending on skin type and lifestyle.
Since the color and shape will gradually fade over time, please keep an eye on these changes and consider having the design touched up as needed.
Q. How painful is medical permanent makeup?
A. We use topical anesthesia to minimize pain, but you may still experience a prickling sensation or a feeling of pressure.
Since everyone experiences things differently, please feel free to let us know if you have any concerns, either during the consultation or while the treatment is in progress.
Q. How long does a medical permanent makeup procedure take?
A. As a general guideline, the first session—including the consultation—takes about 1 to 3 hours, and the second session takes about 1 to 2 hours.
After confirming that the anesthesia has taken effect, we will carefully perform the permanent makeup procedure.
Let’s use medical permanent makeup to bring your “ideal look” and “desired image” to life.
Medical permanent makeup is a procedure in which pigment is deposited into the shallow layers of the skin using a specialized needle to enhance the appearance of the eyebrows, lips, and eyes.
While it can make applying makeup easier, there are also potential side effects to be aware of, such as redness, swelling, pain, and discoloration.
At BIANCA CLINIC, we believe it’s important not to base our designs solely on trends or popularity, but rather to work with you to understand your facial structure, skin tone, everyday makeup routine, and the look you hope to achieve.
We offer design proposals that take into account each individual’s background and feelings. If you’re interested in medical permanent makeup, please come in for a consultation so we can discuss your needs.
▶Please see the details of our medical permanent makeup procedures.
▶Please contact us via the online reservation form.
