What Is Permanent Makeup? The Complete Guide

The main PMU techniques

• Microblading — a hand tool creates fine, hair-like strokes. Works best on normal-to-dry skin; strokes can blur faster on oily skin.
• Powder brows / ombré brows — a machine deposits pigment in a soft, shaded gradient, like brow powder. Tends to hold up longer than microblading, especially on oily skin.
• Combo brows — microblading strokes layered with powder shading, for hair-like texture up front and more filled definition overall.
• Lip blush — soft pigment added to the lips for a natural tint and more defined shape, distinct from a solid-color lip liner tattoo.
• PMU eyeliner — pigment placed along the lash line, ranging from a soft lash-enhancement look to a more defined winged liner.
• Scalp micropigmentation — tiny pigment deposits that mimic the look of hair follicles, most often used to disguise thinning hair or scarring.

How long does it last?

Most PMU lasts one to three years before a touch-up is needed, though this varies by technique, skin type, sun exposure, and aftercare. Powder and ombré brows generally outlast fine microblading strokes, since shaded pigment holds up better on oily skin. A touch-up refreshes fading pigment — it isn't starting over.

Is permanent makeup safe?

Performed by a licensed, trained artist using sterile, single-use needles or cartridges in a clean environment, PMU carries a similar general risk profile to any tattoo: temporary redness or swelling, and a rare risk of infection or pigment allergy. Licensing requirements vary by state and country — confirm an artist is licensed where required, ask about their sanitation practices, and disclose anything relevant (pregnancy, certain skin conditions, blood thinners) during a consultation.

This is general information, not medical advice. When in doubt, talk to your doctor and a licensed PMU provider directly before booking.

How much does it cost?

Pricing depends on technique, artist experience, and market — and varies enough that a single average number would be more misleading than useful. We're building a real pricing guide directly from our own vetted artists' listed rates — coming soon.

How to choose a PMU artist

• Ask to see healed results — 4+ weeks out — not just day-of photos before swelling goes down.
• Confirm licensing or certification appropriate to your location.
• Ask about their sanitation process — single-use needles/cartridges, disposal practices.
• Look for results on skin like yours. Results vary meaningfully by skin type, so an artist's experience with your Fitzpatrick type is a better predictor of your own outcome than a portfolio full of one skin tone.

Every artist on The Real Gallery confirms their photos are their own work, and every photo is tagged with Fitzpatrick skin type and healing stage — so you can browse real, already-healed results on skin like yours before you ever book a consultation. Explore real healed work.

What to expect: appointment & aftercare, briefly

A typical appointment starts with a consultation — shape and color mapping, a quick medical history, numbing — followed by the procedure itself (roughly 1.5–3 hours depending on technique), then aftercare instructions: keeping the area dry, avoiding sun, sweat, and makeup for a set window, and applying a healing balm. Full healing usually takes 4–6 weeks, during which color looks darker and bolder before softening to its true healed shade. A full step-by-step walkthrough and day-by-day healing timeline are coming as their own dedicated guides.

Frequently asked questions