Micropigmentation can be defined as the professional practice of implanting colors to change the tissue for cosmetic purposes. Micropigmentation is essentially and unmistakably a form of tattooing, in spite of the type of instrument, or the type of technique employed. Tattooing is an ancient and highly artistic occupation that has achieved professional standing within the scientific, cosmetology, liberal arts, health care, and medical communities.

Micropigmentation has been performed for centuries in the form of tattoos and body art. Many cultures have adopted this art form for religious purposes, tradition or status within their community. Beauty and prestige are also among the reasons that marking the body has been introduced over time.

The most influential cultures in the history of man have in some way utilized the art of tattoo. Archaeological evidence indicates that tattooing was practiced among people living during the late Stone Age. Evidence of tattooing has also been found in China some 1000 years before Christ. The Incas, Mayans, Aztecs, Greeks and Egyptians are also among the cultures to use tattooing more than 2000 years ago.

Cleopatra: the most recognizable woman ever to purportedly wear permanent makeup

In Europe more than 8,000 years before Christ, they utilized this form of decoration probably with the intention to imitate animal colors with mystical or religious purposes. It was believed that the wearer of the tattoo called upon the spirits of the animal. Evidence has been found indicating its existence in all geographical areas and civilizations throughout the world. The earliest evidence of tattoos was found in the Otzal Alps between Austria and Italy on an Iceman that died some 5,300 years ago (3,300 B.C.) The earliest tattoos found in Egypt were mummies more than 4,000 years old. A famous tattooed Egyptian was Amunet, who was a priestess of the goddess Hathor at Thebes during 2160-1994 B.C. The art of tattooing spread throughout ancient Europe when the Egyptian empire expanded to Crete, Greece, Persia and Arabia. In classic Greece, they utilized tattooing as a symbol of nobility or human value. The Romans marked slaves and criminals. Around 2000 B.C. tattooing spread to China. The Polynesians were very artistic and used elaborate geometrical designs as far back as 1,200 B.C.

In Eastern Europe a mummified Pazyryk chief was found heavily tattooed with interlocking designs of animals and later a female Pazyryk tattooed mummy was discovered. The Pazyryk were Iron Age horsemen and warriors who lived in Eastern Europe and Western Asia from 600 to 200 B.C. Men in China and Japan during 300 B.C. - 300 A.D. tattooed their faces and bodies to ward off evil spirits. During 300 - 600 A.D. China's and Japan's criminals were tattooed. It is quite evident that tattoos have appeared on every continent throughout history and virtually in every culture

The medical use of tattooing for camouflage can be traced back 150 years. Physicians have successfully used medical tattooing (Micropigmentation) to disguise birthmarks and various kinds of scars. Since World War II, many medical articles have been written describing the use of Micropigmentation; thus assuring us the safety of utilizing certain types of coloring agents in the skin of eyelids, lips and brows.

Although modern day Europe and the Americas have, in the past, considered tattoo art an alternative subculture, in the early 80's tattoo art started to have a more positive and trendy image worldwide. Tattooing of the face to simulate facial makeup, permanent cosmetics, became quite faddish and popular. The cosmetic line of the future evolved and a new and exciting niche emerged within the cosmetic industry.

Over time, the art of tattooing as well as permanent cosmetics evolved to a refined technical application in which health and safety are major considerations. Distinct differences appeared between tattoo, the art form, and permanent cosmetics and that evolution paved the way for two different industries. Tattoo art concentrates on the major parts of the body using basic art techniques and design, whereas permanent cosmetics, now known as Micropigmentation, works primarily on the face, scars, areola complex and other skin discolorations.

Evidence of tattooing for the purpose of permanent cosmetics has been well documented from before the turn of the century. Whether it was done manually by hand or with the newly developed electric machine, physicians as well as tattoo artists responded to the idea and need for permanent cosmetics.

Tattooing artistic designs of any kind on the face was considered "forbidden" in the mid 1970s in the United States. In the early 80's, cosmetic applications or permanent make-up generated a lot of demand within the beauty field. In Asia, permanent make-up started to boom as an industry prior to the United States; developing coloring agents, equipment and supplies specifically for permanent make-up. This demand spread into France and expanded throughout Europe. In the beginning the industry utilized just a few tools such as, bamboo sticks with the needle attached to one end and a few basic colors. Soon thereafter, lightweight, more easily manageable instruments, innovative supplies, a large array of colors and refined techniques were developed. By the mid 80's, the coloring agents used for permanent eyeliner and brows were extensively tested, and approved for use in topical cosmetics close to the eye. There have been no reported complications to the iron oxide materials utilized in permanent cosmetics. Only natural colors were used: various shades from black to brown, light brown and gray.

In the early 90's, a revolutionary innovation was produced by MCN International Inc. The first electrical, rotary Micropigmentation device, consisting of disposable and sterilizable parts, was adopted by the industry and is the tool of choice for 80% of the technicians today.

In performing Micropigmentation, high-quality pigments are used. The following is considered the optimum physical and chemical characteristics of high-quality pigments, which provide the best medium for both permanent cosmetics and paramedical procedures.

A facial cosmetic Micropigmentation procedure provides an alternative to traditional daily makeup applications. The benefits of Micropigmentation are enjoyed by a multitude of diverse individuals. Facial cosmetic Micropigmentation procedures include permanent eyeliner, permanent eyebrows, permanent lip liner and full lip shading. The main objective is to allow the convenience of maintaining a perfect, yet natural-looking image, 24 hours a day. This allows ease in applying other facial makeup. Make-up application time is less time consuming and no longer difficult because the necessary corrective design on the brows, eyes and lips is already permanently done.

Once the tiny droplets of color are placed into the dermis layer of skin, the results are enhancing, immediate and permanent. These Micropigmentation procedures achieve a naturally enhancing look that cannot be duplicated with traditional makeup applications and paramedical camouflage. The color permanency of facial cosmetic Micropigmentation procedures provides the ultimate benefit to its users.

Paramedical Micropigmentation procedures have taken the ancient art form of tattooing into a newly created and increasingly more demanding specialty. Specializing in paramedical Micropigmentation can be most rewarding. Blending color artistry skill with various Micropigmentation techniques to camouflage and restore the natural skin tone pigments of depigmented skin has benefited many. Paramedical Micropigmentation procedures can provide an aesthetically pleasing alternative to the sole usage of paramedical makeup. Although these treatments have many demands, it is also possible to repigment skin, camouflage scars and reconstruct areolas.

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