In search of perfection

When Mumbai resident Harsha Jogi started noticing her eyebrows losing their thickness and shape, she decided it was time for an intervention. The 53-year-old decided to opt for a permanent eyebrow enhancement procedure called micro-blading that changed her look, endowing her with fuller facial features. With simple aftercare, Harsha now feels glad to have undergone the treatment that is popularly a part of permanent make up. Just like Jogi, 45-year-old Kedar Mantri was losing the ability to express through his face, owing to a complete loss of eyebrows and decided to take necessary steps to arrest his ‘eyebrow fall’. “The treatment was a boon as I got my eyebrows back in place. The technique can help a lot of people suffering from facial issues that are prevalent with ageing,” says Kedar.
 
Going under the blade
Cosmetic procedures such as these are increasingly gaining acceptance as they are turning to be a hassle-free way to enhance one’s features. Permanent make-up or Microblading is a tattooing technique in which a small handheld tool with several tiny needles is used to add semi-permanent pigment to the skin. Dating back to the 1980s, permanent makeup or cosmetic tattooing as a field initially expanded for the burn victims, cancer survivors, patients with arthritis and Parkinson’s disease who had difficulty putting on makeup and for those who want to limit the amount of time they want to spend in front of the mirror. The areas that are treated include eyebrows, eyelids, lips, and correction of spots and freckles. “This treatment lasts for two to five years depending on the quality of the artist that performs it, aftercare, and your skin type and condition,” says permanent make-up expert Rahul Shelar. People with a desire to enhance their features and get an accentuated look are keen to choose this treatment. “It’s not just a girl thing. I have known men who have etched new eyebrows altogether,” reveals another expert Devendra Palav.  

When it comes to fixing things for the long term, especially on the face, one might perceive it as a highly expensive affair with long hours of treatment. But a procedure of lip lining is very much in one’s budget. “You just spend two to three hours in the clinic if it’s done by an experienced professional,” explains Rahul. No wonder, our Bollywood celebs are making a beeline for such quick fixes. “Celebrities in India have just started becoming aware of this trend, apart from the many Hollywood celebrities who have taken advantage of this treatment. Even top actresses such as Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Priyanka Chopra have chosen to enhance their eyebrows,” shares Allan Gois, another permanent make-up expert.

Word of caution
While one might go for sorting the face structure for a few years and be thrilled with the outcomes, all is not rosy in the world of needles and ink. According to experts and those who have opted for the treatment, the risk and complications such as infections, allergic reactions, scarring, fading and dissatisfaction about colour and shape are likely to happen after the treatment. Allan suggests that once the permanent makeup session is done, one needs to take adequate amount of care. “One needs to have a proper diet and without alcohol. If one follows the aftercare seriously, then it helps to heal the wound faster,” he suggests whereas Devendra recommends that sticking to cooler temperatures, “Sweating would delay healing wounds, so one needs to even stop going to the gym.” And allergic reactions may be more disadvantageous thereby negating the whole process. According to Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Sujit Shanshanwal, if the person is allergic to any particular component, there can be an adverse reaction despite the technological advances. “Although the side effects are rare, but if it is done at a parlour or a clinic where the needles are not properly sanitised, then there are chances of complications,” explains the doctor and adds that the biggest challenge with permanent make up is to meet the client’s expectations. “Each person’s skin is different and it may tan a little when you go for the treatment and then matching with the expectations comes into the picture,” he says and adds that anyone opting for the treatment needs to understand that the final outcome would be slightly different from expectations.