Published On:Tuesday, February 02, 2010

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

PERMANENT make-up is fast becoming the quick fix remedy, for women who want to avoid the tiring ritual of daily makeup application, may be allergic to makeup or simply want to correct or enhance a physical feature.

Lila Pinder at Lila's Skincare & Beauty Center specialises in permanent makeup tattooing and talked with Tribune Woman about the process and reasons why some people would opt for micropigmentation.

"Of all the reasons, most women choose this because they want to look and stay beautiful day in and day out. For this matter they choose to undergo the procedure which by the way is very simple, easy and gentle," she told Tribune Woman.

"For example, women who do not have brow hair or cannot grow hair due to a condition called alopecia often come in to get their brow area filled," she said.

This procedure is also used for people who have had chemotherapy for breast cancer. It is used to enhance the appearance of the breast areola after surgery.

However, the most popular procedures that Lila Skin Care & Beauty Center has performed are filing or shaping eyebrows, applying lip and eye liners and lipsticks.

"Walk-ins are welcomed, so we have people who just come into the center requesting different procedures," she said.

And the process is very simple: "Some of the persons who come into our center have an idea of what they want already. But if they are not sure as to what it is they want we guide them along the way," she said.

They begin with a consultation to determine what the client wants. After that part has been established, then a sketch close to what the outcome will be like is drawn.

"This part is especially important because we want to give our clients an idea of what to expect when everything is completed," Mrs Pinder explained.

When it comes to the eyebrows, which are the most popular, Mrs Pinder said they are usually arched according to the shape of the face.

"We try to pick colour and a shape that compliments the structure of the face and the skin tone," she said.

Mrs Pinder added that she has had men who came into the center to get a little something done here and there.

"I have worked on a few males who wanted the discoloration on their skin and lips to be removed. One also wanted the darkness on his lips to be removed. This procedure is not only for women, men can take advantage of it too," she said.

All of the inks used by the professionals at Lila's Skin Care & Beauty Center are FDA approved.

And even though the they are permanent, it fades after a period of time.

"Every so often persons will need to come in to get the color darkened," Mrs Pinder explained.

Lila Pinder has been a permanent makeup specialist for 23 years, acquiring most of her skills in Europe.