The popularity of permanent makeup seems to be growing and there are many reasons for that. Women got tired of applying makeup daily. It is time-consuming, requires some skills and precision and usually wears off until the end of the day.
Therefore, they decided to turn to microblading eyebrows, permanent lipstick, eyeliner tattoos and other popular treatments that can make them look effortlessly pretty at all times. But is permanent makeup really permanent?
Let’s find out how long does permanent makeup last.
So, How Long Does Permanent Makeup Last?
Even though these contemporary treatments are called “permanent,” none of them last forever. Depending on the treatment, some last just around a year, while others can last for up to 10 years.
So, since the PMU treatments fade after some time, the term permanent may not be suitable. But there’s also another side to the story.
Permanent makeup is done similarly to traditional tattoos, which means that the pigment is inserted in the second layer of the skin, the dermis and stays forever in the body.
There are many factors that affect the longevity of a treatment, and we are giving you summed-up effects of each permanent treatment in the table below.
| Treatment | Longevity |
| Microblading eyebrows | 1.5 – 2 years |
| Ombre powder brows | 1.5 – 2 years |
| Microshading | 1 – 2 years |
| Nano brows | 1.5 – 2.5 years |
| Permanent eyeliner | 1 – 3 years |
| Lip tattoo | 2 – 5 years |
| Freckle tattoos | 1 – 3 years |
| Scalp micropigmentation | 4 – 8 years |
| Nipple and areola tattoo | 3 – 5 years |
Note: The table shows the longevity of different permanent makeup treatments. Bear in mind that they can be prolonged with regular touch ups and proper care.
How Long Does Permanent Eyebrows Last?
There are different techniques for eyebrows permanent makeup, but the average longevity is somewhere between 12 and 24 months.
That doesn’t mean that the eyebrow tattoo will disappear completely for everyone – some may have visible pigment residues for much longer.
Here are some things that affect the longevity of your brow permanent makeup:
- Skin type – the pigment is likely to fade more quickly with people with oily skin
- Lifestyle – if you sweat every day and your skin is often exposed to the sun, it will speed fading up
- Skincare routine – some cosmetic products contain ingredients that might speed fading up
- Touch-up frequency – if you freshen up your microbladed brows often enough, they will last longer
Microblading or a hair stroke eyebrow technique done manually usually lasts somewhere between 12 and 18 months, after which the eyebrow lose their shape, and brows look washed out and faded. To prolong the effect a touch up is required.
Check out this article to find out what microblading looks like after a year.
Machine hair strokes, also known as nano brows, are said to last longer, but again, skin type and lifestyle can speed up the fading process.
Powder brows, with no visible hair strokes, but a soft powdery effect have an average lifespan of approximately 2 years, but for some people can look great for even longer.
Image source: Instagram @inkd_by_chanel
How Long Does Permanent Eyeliner Last?
Permanent eyeliner is a very popular procedure, especially with women who like wearing makeup every day. It draws attention to your eyes without the struggle of having to precisely apply it every morning. Permanent eyeliner lasts from 1 to 3 years.
The speed of fading depends on your skin type and lifestyle, as well as the skin products you use. Also, the quality of the ink affects the longevity of your permanent eyeliner.
Image source: Instagram @thecosmetictattoostudio
How Long Does Lip Blushing Last?
A lip tattoo is a great way to enhance your lips without the hassle of makeup. It comes in a variety of styles and gives long-lasting results. Permanent lipstick lasts 2-3 years, but with regular touch ups it can last up for even longer.
It’s important to follow the aftercare instructions to make sure the lips are healed properly, so the results last as long as they should.
Image source: Instagram @sjbrowslondon
How Long Do Freckle Tattoos Last?
One of the newest trends, freckle tattoos means inserting pigment into your nose and cheeks. The result is sun-kissed skin.
These fake freckles last up to 3 years. However, things such as smoking, exposure to the sun, sweating or chemical peelings will make the freckles disappear faster.
Image source: Instagram @kahlibrows
How Long Does Scalp Micropigmentation Last?
Besides permanent makeup treatments which purpose is to make a person look prettier, there are related treatments that correct some imperfections.
For example, scalp micropigmentation is a great way to cover up baldness. It is the most similar to a tattoo, and it lasts from 4 to 8 years when it starts fading, so a touch up is required.
Again, as with most permanent makeup treatments, the skin type and lifestyle will affect the speed of fading. Therefore, some people will notice their scalp micropigmentation started fading much faster, while others will still have good results even after 10 years.
Image source: Instagram @scalptist
Conclusion
Contemporary permanent makeup is done differently than traditional tattoos. The biggest difference is in the formulation of the pigments used. Unlike ink which fades much slower, pigments give more natural results but last shorter.
So, permanent makeup is not really permanent, which makes it easier for people to decide to commit to it, knowing it will not be on their faces for a lifetime.
Cover image source: Freepik
