As we are at the beginning of the 21st Century, permanent cosmetics has come into its own as an exciting, viable career. Thousands of people from many walks of life now have successful businesses in many types of facilities, such as salons, doctors offices, tattoo studios and independent offices.  As more people become educated to the benefits of permanent cosmetics, more people will enter this industry.    
 

There are a wide range of options for training.   These options should be reviewed closely.  Success in the industry is directly related to the quality and amount of training you receive. 
 

The best way to learn permanent cosmetics is from someone who will train you privately or with only one other person in the class over a period of time such as one week, one month or longer. This type of program unfortunately is not easy to find, so you will need to look at various types of permanent cosmetic training facilities.    
 

The easiest procedures to learn and master are permanent eyeliner and eyebrows.  Lip color is a more advanced procedure.  Camouflage and/or skin repigmentation are expert procedures, so they require considerable experience before they should be attempted.   Classes attempting to teach more than eyeliner and eyebrows should be long classes - do not attempt to learn any lip work in a 2 or 3 day class.   
 

 Before signing up for a class, find out how many people are going to be in the class and how many hands-on procedures you will be able to get.   For any procedure you are going to learn, you will need at least 2 hands on procedures before completing the class.  During procedures, the trainer should be focused only on the person doing the work.  If many people work at the same time, you will not get the individual attention needed to learn effectively. 
 

The Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals, a non-profit professional organization, maintains a list of trainer members.  This is a good way to find reputable trainers.  Another good way is to look for all certificates of continuing education from the trainer to determine how long they have been in the industry.   Good instructors should go to conventions at least once a year and/or other educational seminars to keep current with this rapidly growing field. 
 

Classes should teach all of the following: a good sense of skin and facial structure and how to design a look women want, all aspects of sterilization and pertinent health factors, a complete understanding of equipment, needles, autoclaves, etc., color and pigment issues and general business and marketing needs.  Most important is to have hands on experience in front of the teacher so they see how the machine/device is held, and can offer advise on working factors.   There is no substitute for working on real people   
 

There are three types of Permanent Makeup devices/machines available on the market place:  1. the traditional coil/tattoo machine;  2. the rotary/pen machine;  3. the non-machine/hand method.     There are pros and cons to each method, so determine which technique you prefer to learn.  The best way to make this determination is to ask technicians what they prefer and why.   Everyone is opinionated in this regard, but there is no one right system. 
 

After finishing the course you will have ongoing questions.   Determine what kind of continuing support you will receive.   A good way to get ongoing support is to join the Society, as they provide many written materials and experts to help with problems.  A successful technician cannot work in a vacuum so will need some manner of a support network.  
 

This represents an outline on what to consider for those desiring to enter this exciting, fast growing industry.   Do the research needed and also be sure the financial commitment is there.  Learning how to do permanent cosmetics is only the beginning, so budget accordingly for an appropriate office set up, insurance, proper, sterile equipment, a professional marketing program and any licenses or registration fees required by the city, county or state.  
 

For more information on the Society's trainer members, contact the trainer membership office at 888-584-SPCP. See also "Is Permanent Cosmetics A Career For Me?".
 

by Susan Preston   

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The SPCP is a Technician oriented organization for permanent cosmetics, micropigmentation, permanent makeup, cosmetic tattoo, and traditional tattoo technicians.
Last modified: November 19, 2004