Do Permanent Makeup Eyebrows Hurt?

There are a lot of questions around the topic of permanent makeup. PMU artists are often asked things like, “How long will my eyebrows last? “How often do I need them touched up?” “Will they look fake?” And it’s only natural to wonder if having your face tattooed will cause any discomfort.
It is pretty rare for a client to feel pain during her permanent makeup eyebrow service. There are areas of the face that can be more tender, such as the eyelids for eyeliner or the lips. Your level of comfort will typically vary between one of two reasons:
- Your pain tolerance
- The quality of numbing cream or gel your artist uses
Although it is rare, some clients might feel the entire service, even with using good numbing products. Some individuals simply don’t respond to a topical numbing well. They may also struggle with getting numb at the dentist or doctor’s office. It’s not very common, but it can certainly happen. Some artists will use a secondary numbing after they get going with the procedure which can get clients even more comfortable than the first round.
Using good quality numbing products is also a key factor in whether or not you find any discomfort. Artists will have their own preferences, and each state may vary in what they allow for percentages of certain ingredients when having a permanent makeup procedure done.
If you are apprehensive about having your eyebrows tattooed because you are concerned about any pain that might be associated with it, you should ask for a consultation with your artist. During the consultation you can ask something like, “Explain to me how you keep your clients comfortable during the service?”
Overall, your eyebrow experience should be a good one. Don’t ever be afraid to ask your artist questions around how they will help ensure it is.