How To Become A Cosmetic Tattoo Artist?

How To Become A Cosmetic Tattoo Artist

How to Become a Permanent Makeup Artist – The path to becoming a permanent makeup artist varies depending on your career goals, your areas of interest, and, most importantly, where you live, because licensing requirements can change considerably from one state to the next.

In all states, however, you’ll be able to perform more procedures with each new level of training you complete. Follow these basic steps: Learn your state’s requirements Some state boards license permanent makeup artists specifically, while others consider permanent makeup artistry to be a subdivision of esthetics.

Enroll in a training program Many permanent makeup artists start their careers as licensed estheticians and then pursue supplementary certification in cosmetic tattooing. Complete the required number of training hours One of the most important variations from state to state is the number of training hours you need to complete in order to earn a license.

How do I become a permanent makeup artist in California?

State License Requirements – In California, permanent makeup application follows under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Public Health. They require that permanent makeup artists provide proof of hepatitis B vaccination, complete a Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Training program, and get six months of training.

How do I become a permanent makeup artist in Texas?

How do I become a permanent makeup artist in PA?

License Renewal – In Pennsylvania, permanent makeup and body art practitioners do not have to adhere to any formal licensing and renewal laws. However, your clients will expect you to deliver the highest quality of skills in your field. That’s why you need to speak with schools in your area that offer training programs.

How do I become a permanent makeup artist in Massachusetts?

Practicing in Massachusetts To receive a license, a new practitioner must first complete a 100-hour course accredited by either the SPCP or AAM, and then must complete a 200-hour apprenticeship under the supervision of a Massachusetts licensed body arts practitioner.

Do you need a license to do microblading?

Do I need a license to practice micropigmentation? – A Department of Health and Human Services license is required for the practice of micropigmentation. Microblading is also considered micropigmentation and requires a micropigmentation license to practice.

However, a person enrolled in a program of training to become a micropigmentation practitioner may perform micropigmentation in the course of that training, but only under the direct supervision of a licensed micropigmentation practitioner.

Please refer to section 8 of the micropigmentation rules for education and training requirements. The Department has reduced the educational and training hours from 200 hours to 100 hours for applicants that do not have a professional license in an associated field of practice, as stated in the micropigmentation rules.

Do you need a license to do ombre brows in California?

For most states, California included, you do not need any formal type of license such as an esthetician or cosmetology license in order to perform microblading.

Do I need a license to do microblading in Texas?

Microblading Regulations in Texas Texas requires any business participating in producing an indelible mark on a human body by scarring or inserting pigment under the skin using needles, or other related equipment to be licensed with the Department of State Health Services.

How much is a PMU license in Texas?

State License Requirements – If you want to be a permanent makeup artist or tattooist in Texas, then you will need to get your license and make sure to keep it up-to-date. The initial license fee for tattoo artists is $928. If you pay late, a $100 fee will be added on to this fee.

Do I need a license to do permanent makeup in Texas?

Millions of people enjoy the benefits of cosmetic tattooing done correctly and safely by well-trained and experienced artists. It’s bad enough when a careless or inexperienced artist tattoos permanent makeup that looks ugly. But there is more at risk than just looking bad:  Permanent makeup is an invasive procedure, so there is also the risk to your general health. ​FACT #1: Texas, like most states, does not require a license for permanent cosmetics, piercing, or body art tattooing.

There is no state licensing board or agency regulating those facilities or technicians. FACT #2: Texas, like most states, does not require an examination to be passed before someone can do permanent makeup.

Anyone can tattoo makeup anywhere with any amount of training. The person’s background, experience, qualifications, or skills do not matter. FACT #3:  Fortunately, Texas require Health Department inspections. A permanent makeup artist’s location, equipment, or sterilization methods are inspected or supervised may be once a year (or once every 5 years), only if the artist spends almost $1,000 every two years to obtain/renew a tattoo-shop license (which most don’t).

  • Therefore, there are technicians that perform procedures that work under the table (in their hair or nail salons), they can move around to different salons, work from home, or work in their client’s homes/hotels;

FACT #4: Sterile needles are not enough to prevent disease transmission. Permanent makeup is invasive and cross-contamination can occur even if sterile needles are used. If a tattooist uses unsafe equipment or does not know, understand, or follow correct infection control guidelines, a person can contract a disease like Hepatitis.

  • For any cosmetic procedure, including permanent makeup, you should always do research to select the best professional for you;
  • With no regulations for education, competency, or health safety, you are on your own;

Be diligent and thoroughly investigate anyone you are considering to perform your permanent makeup procedure. To look good  and  protect your health, please follow these steps  and  ask these questions:

  1. Does the Artist Have a Medical Background?  The Society of Permanent Cosmetics Professionals (SPCP) reports that most of its members have beauty or other backgrounds (cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician, electrologist, massage therapist, or traditional tattoo artist); only 10. 8% are nurses and 1. 8% are physicians. * The artistry of non-medical tattooists may be excellent, but their expertise in routine infection control standards is limited. Since permanent makeup schools are not regulated,  any artist without medical education and experience will practice according to how she was trained.

    If the training was inferior, the artist may not realize when she is cross-contaminating during a procedure. If the permanent makeup artist does not have a medical background, she should at least be certified by passing a nationally standardized examination (see below).

    [*2009 SPCP Industry Profile Study. ]

  2. Is the Artist Certified by a National Examination?  Anyone completing a permanent makeup class or course receives a “certificate”—so that person with a piece of paper can say she is “certified. ” But with no state licensing board for permanent cosmetics, there is no way to know that artist has been properly trained and is competent—unless she passed a standardized test from the AAM or SPCP. The American Academy of Micropigmentation (AAM) and Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP) are national, non-profit professional societies for the micropigmentation industry.

    For membership, they require artists to have a minimum number of training hours and to abide by a code of ethics. They offer continuing education meetings and board certification credentials. For certification, both require their members to complete advanced training courses and practice a minimum number of years.

    To be a Diplomat or Fellow in the AAM (DAAM or FAAM), the member must pass an oral, written, and practical examination. To be a Certified Permanent Cosmetic Professional (CPCP) in the SPCP, the member must pass a nationally standardized written exam. Both examinations test the practitioner’s knowledge of anatomy, medical conditions, blood-borne pathogens, cross contamination prevention, types of equipment, sterilization methods, pigments, color theories, esthetics, pain control, and more.

  3. Is the Business “Legitimate”?  Opening and operating any small business requires hard work and commitment. It means the owner has made a significant financial investment for expenses such as rent, utilities, permits, payroll, insurances, and taxes. Some people make money “on the side” by doing permanent makeup from home or in a back room of a salon. They charge less because they can afford to – by operating without the same overhead expenses.

    They ask for cash and do not accept credit cards or personal checks (usually to avoid paying income taxes). If a client has a problem or wants to file a complaint, those “technicians” usually disappear. So it is important to select a permanent makeup artist who is law abiding, dedicated to customer service, and committed to being in business long-term.

    Consider the win-win situation of paying a little more to support a permanent makeup artist who owns an established, legitimate business –  if it survives and grows, it will still be there in the future when you need another appointment.

  4. Inspect the Facility :  Before your procedure is scheduled, visit the business and evaluate its cleanliness and environment: Is it quiet and relaxing, or noisy with loud music, conversation, or the sound of hair dryers?  There should be a room used specifically for permanent makeup procedures. Ask to see it: Is the room separate and sanitary? Can you smell chemicals from hair sprays or acrylic nails contaminating the air?  Move on if you’re not allowed to inspect the room ; if it’s occupied, schedule a time to see it later. If the location is a doctor’s office, do not assume the tattooist will do good looking work.
  5. Look at Photos of the Artist’s Work :  Building a portfolio takes time, so a new or inexperienced artist may not have one. Or, she may have purchased one:  Permanent makeup artists can buy pre-made books, brochures, and website templates from suppliers or trainers. Those marketing materials show models who are not the artist’s clients, plus the makeup shown is often regular makeup vs.
    1. Most physicians advertising permanent makeup do not perform procedures themselves—they hire a nurse or technician to work for them, or they rent out a room;
    2. So you must  screen a permanent makeup artist working in a doctor’s office as thoroughly as anyone else;

    tattoo makeup. And some artists illegally copy photos from books or websites to use as their own. To evaluate the work of a permanent makeup artist, ask to see her portfolio of “Before” and “After” pictures of real clients—including “Immediately After” and “Healed After” photos  to show changes from the healing process.

    Look at her makeup design abilities: Do all eyebrows look alike, or are they customized to the client and flattering? Look at color choices: Are they appropriate for different ethnic groups and skin tones? Look at results: Can she create “soft and natural” or “glamorous” looks based upon a client’s preference? Are there examples of advanced techniques such as hair stroke eyebrows or scar camouflage?  Any talented cosmetic tattoo artist who is experienced will not hesitate to show photos of her/his original work.

    If the artist has no portfolio, or makes excuses to not show it, that is a red flag to move on.

  6. How Much Experience Does the Artist Have?  You may not want your permanent makeup done by a brand new artist, so  ask how long she has been tattooing. But do NOT assume anyone doing it “many years” will do beautiful work. Since Texas has no licensing or continuing education requirements, a long-time artist may be using outdated equipment and techniques. Also, many technicians do not tattoo makeup on a regular basis.

    Often permanent makeup is offered as an extra service in a beauty salon or spa, but the artist spends more time performing other beauty services (e. facials). The SPCP reports that only 27% of its members practice permanent cosmetics full-time.

    And the national average for new procedures is only 6. 3 per month. * So in addition to asking a technician how long she has been tattooing,  ask how many procedures she performs each week. An artist performing several hundred procedures each year has more experience, better skills, and returning clients. ]

  7. How Much Training Does the Artist Have?  Texas has no state board requiring a license to practice permanent cosmetics. No agency requires the passing of an examination. No board regulates school accreditation, the curriculum for primary or advanced training, or continuing education. All permanent makeup schools are not alike—basic training varies from a DVD course to a few days to several weeks.
    • [*2009 SPCP Industry Profile Study;
    • Tuition ranges from $99 for a DVD to a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars;
    • Students—and later their clients—get what they pay for;
    • So ask for details about the artist’s training and look at certificates;

    Guidelines by the AAM and SPCP recommend that a fundamental course of instruction be 100 hours minimum. Ask to see the artist’s basic training certificate to check for hours. Also ask to see certificates for advanced courses and training in Blood-Bourne Pathogen Control that follows CDC-OSHA guidelines.

  8. Ask About the Equipment Used :  Do not rely fully on an artist’s reassurance about using sterile needles. Even when single-use sterile needles are used, diseases can be transferred between people through body fluid and airborne particle contamination of the machine—this is called “cross-contamination. ” With most tattoo devices, many steps are needed to clean and disinfect the motor mechanism and hand piece.
    1. The parts must be autoclaved to be sterilized or disposed of and replaced completely;
    2. If the artist skips a step or performs one incorrectly, cross-contamination can occur;
    3. And some machines should never be used because they allow cross-contamination even when properly cleaned;

    The only devices that prevent that from happening are the disposable Nouveau Contour System, I-Star System, or manual hand tools. With other types of equipment, there is no way to guarantee safety unless it has been inspected and approved by the health department.

  9. Ask for References and Referrals:   Any reputable permanent makeup artist should  willingly provide references of satisfied clients. If he/she cannot or will not provide any, you should go elsewhere. Referrals are also important —ask your friends, family members, or co-workers if they have had permanent makeup applied by someone they would recommend. But don’t rely solely on referrals—follow the guidelines on this page to choose the best technician for you.
  10. Consider Price LAST:   Even in today’s economy,  you should never make a decision about a cosmetic procedure based on price alone. With few laws regulating permanent makeup, as a consumer you are at risk. A low price can mean an artist is a beginner and needs experience, or is not busy and needs money, or is cutting corners to save time or supply costs. An experienced and skilled permanent makeup artist who practices safely, correctly, and ethically will  not  have the lowest prices—because she cannot remain in business otherwise.
    • So follow the tips above and ask many questions;
    • Remember “you get what you pay for” and a cheap price can cost you more in the end —ugly makeup, pain, or a disease;
    • Permanent makeup is an investment in your face  and  body;

    It can last a lifetime, so it is worth paying a little more to protect your looks  and  your health.

All reputable permanent cosmetic professionals will not hesitate to answer your questions, show their work, or display their credentials. Protect yourself and be informed, be careful, and be safe—you are worth it! For guidelines on how to choose a qualified permanent makeup specialist, visit our page Consumer Safety Tips..

Do you need a license to tattoo in PA?

Operating in hundreds of shops around the state, tattoo artists are not required to prove, in any way, that they have the adequate experience or skill necessary to apply tattoos. Tattooists do not have to pass exams or receive a license to operate in Pennsylvania.

What qualification do you need to be a makeup artist?

Generally, makeup artists must complete a diploma from a vocational school in cosmetology or makeup with at least 3 years of experience within their chosen industry. Successful makeup artists possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and have an artistic personality.

Do you need a license to be a freelance makeup artist in PA?

How to Become a Makeup Artist in Pennsylvania – To become a makeup artist in Pennsylvania you will need to have a license issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology. You can choose between earning a general cosmetology license or a more specific esthetician license. As an esthetician you will be able to provide makeup artistry services, as well as:

  • Do face massages
  • Apply antiseptics, tonics, lotions, and creams to your clients’ faces
  • Use tweezers, wax, or depilatories to remove extra hairs
  • Dye of eyelashes and eyebrows

Cosmetology License To become a cosmetologist you will need to complete an approved program of study that is at least 1,250 hours in length or an approved apprenticeship that is at least 2,000 hours in length. After this you must also pass a cosmetologist examination. As a cosmetologist you will be able to perform the cosmetology services associated with all of the following professional classes:

  • Esthetician
  • Nail technician
  • Natural hair braider
  • Hair dresser and hair stylist

Makeup Artist Education in Pennsylvania There are literally hundreds of teachers throughout Pennsylvania who are licensed to instruct prospective cosmetologists and estheticians. Once you have located an ideal makeup artist school, you can check to make sure your instructor is licensed to teach either cosmetology or esthetics through the Pennsylvania Department of State’s license verification webpage. To be eligible for a license your instruction must be from a licensed professional. Whether you are pursuing a cosmetology or esthetician license, the classes that cover makeup artistry should be more or less the same, and include subjects like:

  • Bacteriology, disinfection, and sanitation
  • Business practices and a professional attitude
  • Pennsylvania cosmetology law
  • Skincare
  • Makeup application techniques
  • Science of makeup
  • Temporary hair removal
  • Eyelash and eyebrow styling and shaping

Do you need a license to tattoo in Massachusetts?

Tattoo artists, or body art practitioners, must have more than just good artistic skills. The nature of their art requires that they be knowledgeable in sanitary and safe tool-handling practices, and have an awareness of the human body and how it reacts.

  • For these reasons, tattoo artists in Massachusetts be educated and licensed to practice their craft;
  • Though the state of Massachusetts has established model regulations for body art professionals, it is the responsibility of regional, county and municipal departments of public health to license tattoo artists and determine professional accreditation requirements;

Contact your county or municipal public health department. Massachusetts tattoo artist regulations can differ slightly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, so check with your local public health authority to learn the particular requirements for your city or county.

Complete your education requirements. Though requirements can vary, all licensed tattoo artists in Massachusetts must complete courses in blood-borne pathogens and basic CPR and first aid. You can find these courses at your local American Red Cross or other training providers.

Becoming a Cosmetic Tattoo Artist

These courses generally take no more than one day or a weekend to complete. Many jurisdictions also require that you take a college-level anatomy or physiology course, though many will accept non-college courses that they deem equivalent. Contact your public health provider to find out which training providers offer anatomy courses that are acceptable for certification.

Apply to local tattoo parlors. To be licensed as a tattoo artist, you must be employed by a licensed tattoo or body art establishment and complete a supervised apprenticeship. Apply for an apprentice license.

Many jurisdictions require that you get an apprentice license before beginning your apprenticeship. You must apply to your local public health authority and include documentation proving that you have complete your required education, such as your blood-borne pathogens and CPR courses.

Application fees vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Gain experience. In general, you must complete an apprenticeship of at least two years or 2,400 working hours under the supervision of a licensed tattoo artist to qualify for professional licensure.

Apply for a professional license. Once you have completed your mandatory apprenticeship period, you can apply for a professional license. You must apply to your local public health authority and include proof of completion of your required education, as well as documentation proving that you have completed your work experience requirement.

Do you need a license to be a makeup artist in Massachusetts?

Education Details – Schools of cosmetology, hair styling, and hair dressing offer programs in makeup artistry, usually leading to a certificate. Some vocational high schools and community colleges also offer makeup artistry programs. There are no licensing requirements for makeup artists in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but going through a training program is enormously helpful, and clients may be looking to see that you have a professional credential.

In cosmetology school you will learn about skin, hair and nails, both normal and diseased. Your courses will cover cosmetic pigments, cosmetic products, and cosmetic tools, and receive instruction in how to use them.

Some of your instruction will be on different facial shapes, skin, hair, and eye color, and how to choose cosmetic colors that flatter them. The specifics of cleaning and sterilizing tools and pigments will also be covered. Live instructors will demonstrate techniques and skills, supplemented by video lessons.

What is a PMU artist?

Permanent make-up (PMU) is a cosmetic technique which employs tattoo methods of producing designs that resemble makeup, such as eye lining, microblade brows, powder brows, shaded brows, and lip blushing. Your PMU artist will talk to you about what you are looking for before doing anything. This discussion will include questions around your lifestyle (if you are in the sun a lot for example), the products you use on your face, as well as your skin type. Then, she will map out the area being tattooed with a pen or pencil. Once you approve the mapped out drawing, your artist will apply a topical numbing cream so that you are comfortable during the service. The face can be more sensitive; therefore, most PMU artists numb the area beforehand, as well as use a secondary numbing while working on the area. Once you are numb, the artist will start the permanent makeup procedure. There are a couple of different modalities to do this, but the most popular method is done with a tattoo machine.

  • The PMU artist will then have you look to approve a mapped drawing and determine if any adjustments need to be made to your service;
  • Your artist will likely do what she calls “passes” for your eyebrows, eyeliner, and lips;

“Passes” is simply just how many times the artist goes over the area to ensure good saturation. It typically takes 2-4 passes depending on the artist and your skin type. The best way to imagine this would be if you were coloring in a coloring book. You might do one pass of color with a crayon, but then decide to do more if you want the area you are coloring to look darker.

We keep my customers informed and engaged throughout the entire process. Once your service is completed you will be sent home with post care instructions to follow. Customers who follow the post care instructions will have amazing results! Permanent makeup is a wonderful solution for women who are tired of filling in their eyebrows, eyeliner, and/or lipstick every day, and for those who would like a subtle lip color or more of a defined lip if their lip line has faded over the years.

Permanent Cosmetics, Micropigmentation, Permanent Makeup, Derma pigmentation, Cosmetic Tattooing, Microblading… No matter how you say it, it is feeling confident and naturally beautiful every day. Our permanent makeup artist will make you feel beautiful around the clock.

  1. We create natural-looking makeup that does not wash away at the end of the day;
  2. Permanent makeup –  also known as cosmetic tattooing – is a service that provides the look of brows, eyes, and lips in a tattooed format;

It is done with a tattoo machine or microblade for brows, by a licensed and trained PMU artist. This is where you need to do your research, in the state of Texas, PMU artist are not required to have any professional education or training. They need to only purchase a license.

  1. ALWAYS ask your PMU artist if they have gone through professional training;
  2. A PMU artist specializes in the face (brows, eyeliner, and lip blushing), and in some cases, does nipple and areola tattoos as well;

A PMU artist evaluates your facial features, skin tone, and any contraindications that might impact your healed results when working with you. They will typically offer a consultation prior to your service, whether it be prior to the appointment or just before. There are typically three main steps to having PMU done:

  • The pre-draw/mapping out of the area to be performed on.
  • Numbing- medical spas are licensed to use medical grade numbing cream that day spas, brow bars, etc. cannot use.
  • The permanent make-up process itself.

Save Time & Look Beautiful 24/7. Permanent makeup does not just enhance your natural beauty. It changes peoples’ lives, just ask anyone who now has permanent eyebrows that had none before; or someone with a seriously misshapen lip line that has a new confidence because her lip line is improved.

  1. What you should know before deciding to get Permanent Makeup Select your Permanent Makeup technician carefully;
  2. Do not make your decision based on price;
  3. What is most important is the reputation, experience, skill, knowledge, credentials, and training of the permanent makeup artist;

Photos should always be available to see the artist work. You should feel extremely comfortable and have all your questions answered during your consultation for you to make your decision an educated one. The pigments used for micro-pigmentation are high quality inorganic and organic colorants.

While they have a historically long safety record and allergic reactions are exceedingly rare, there is not a reliable test that a technician can give to determine the occurrence of an allergic reaction.

The history of tattooing has shown the great majority of tattoos and permanent makeup to be safe and free of adverse effects. The first step is a scheduled consultation to obtain a current health history and to obtain pre-treatment advice and procedure information.

A follow-up procedure is recommended within 6 weeks. The result depends on the client’s commitment to following post care instructions, the body’s ability to heal, and the skill of the technician. Your permanent make-up procedure is a decision you should be comfortable with.

Please reserve the requested amount of time and follow the pre-treatment advice and procedures to assure your experience will be a positive one..

Do you need a license to do permanent makeup in California?

What License Is Needed for Permanent Makeup? – In the state of California, all permanent makeup applications are regulated by the California Department of Public Health. Applicants are required to complete a Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Training Program, provide proof of hepatitis B vaccination, and undergo 6 months of training.

Do you need a license to tattoo in California?

All Body Art Facilities, such as tattoo parlors, piercing shops, permanent makeup businesses, and microblading businesses, must have a public health permit.

How do I become a tattoo artist in California?

How do I start microblading in California?