Question to a specialist: how does the sun affect permanent makeup?

The last month of summer is coming, and many clients, not wanting to worry about their makeup on the beach and in the waves of the sea, will come to you, the PM master, for the procedure. To warn your client about the possible consequences, remind yourself how the sun affects permanent makeup.

The presented article is an exclusive translation of the material published on the website of the international journal for micropigmentation specialists PMU International. Magazine of Permanent Makeup (original article - link )

People who have done permanent makeup consistently report that they enjoy an increased quality of life. While there is technically nothing wrong with "haying while the sun is shining," you should avoid taking this phrase literally, as sun exposure is extremely harmful to permanent makeup, as it speeds up the fading process and can be hazardous to your health.

It doesn't take a degree to understand why ultraviolet radiation can be harmful to our body. Long-term regular exposure to the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. In addition, when exposed to the sun, skin without proper protection loses its elasticity, which is considered one of the elements of aging, not to mention the uncomfortable and sometimes painful effects of sunburn.

Why PM and tan are incompatible

The tanning mechanism is simple. Solar radiation consists of two types of rays: UVA and UVB. While UVA rays can penetrate deeper layers of the skin, UVB rays are more powerful and cause instant skin damage. When a person is exposed to the sun, in particular UVB rays, the melanocytes in the epidermis begin to redistribute in a way that protects the skin from excessive radiation. However, where melanocytes are absent, UVB rays can enter cells and damage their DNA.

To protect the skin, more melanocytes begin to be produced deep in the dermis, but it takes several days for them to penetrate the upper layers of the skin, which is why tanning appears after exposure to the sun. To fuel the process of producing more melanocytes, blood flow to the irradiated area is increased, causing the skin to turn red.

What does this have to do with permanent makeup? Most directly: due to the increased blood flow in the exposed area of the skin, more pigment particles will be removed by the lymphatic system. Combined with the natural healing process, the complete disappearance of the pigment is almost inevitable. After all, even at the moment when the treated area finally heals, increased blood flow will cause serious fading.

This is the main reason why permanent makeup artists categorically forbid any form of tanning, including a tanning bed, to their patients for about three weeks after the procedure is completed. No sunscreen can preserve the pigment in the skin at this stage, so the treated area should be covered with clothing or, if possible, the person should remain in the shade. UV exposure can cause healed permanent makeup to be darker, fade very quickly, or not last at all. In addition, a patient seeking micropigmentation should not tan for 30 days prior to the procedure, as tanned skin bleeds and may not heal at all.

After the permanent makeup has healed , it is very important to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Please note that sunburn does not only happen on the beach: people are too often exposed to the sun in their daily lives without noticing it. Some tattoo artists recommend sunscreens for tattoos, as they not only protect the skin from harmful UV rays, but also moisturize the skin, while not containing harsh chemicals that can cause pigment to fade excessively.

The most practical advice that patients should follow to prolong the life of their permanent makeup is to avoid sun exposure as much as possible.