Modern Salon
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Permanent Treatment

Permanent cosmetics are a growing segment of the professional beauty industry, as more people discover the benefits of the procedures. Also referred to as micropigmentation, the treatment deposits colored pigments into the skin to help solve any number of cosmetic problems. If you’re interested

by Staff
September 28, 2012
2 min to read


Permanent cosmetics are a growing segment of the professional beauty industry, as more people discover the benefits of the procedures. Also referred to as micropigmentation, the treatment deposits colored pigments into the skin to help solve any number of cosmetic problems. If you’re interested in this segment of the industry, read on for more about who your potential clients may be, regulations and treatment costs.


Permanent cosmetics have been especially popular among people with allergies and sensitive skin who can’t wear cosmetics, as well as people with medical disorders that can cause them to lose their facial hair, like alopecia. The treatments can be used to create or enhance eyebrows, eyeliner, eyelash enhancement, lip liner, full lip color, scar camouflage, feature reconstruction, hair imitation, skin grafts and beauty marks. Costs vary between $400 and $800, with advanced work charged at $150 to $250 per hour. According to a study conducted by The Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals in 2006 (the last year available), the most popular treatments are for eyeliner and eyebrows and the average cost of each of those is $407 and $398, respectively. The treatment price for permanent cosmetics also generally includes one or two touch-ups.

Ad Loading...


The study also showed that most permanent cosmetics technicians have a background as either an esthetician (26.2 percent) or cosmetology (23.8 percent), and the majority has been performing procedures for one to three years (30.9 percent) or four to six years (22.9 percent). Initial training costs varied among respondents, with the most (18.6 percent) citing $2,500 to $3,000. Types of machines and devices that they were initially trained on varied as well, including rotary, coil, hand tool and rotary digital.


Regulations for training and who is allowed to perform permanent cosmetic procedures vary from state to state. To find out about your state, visit www.spcp.org and click on Regulatory Information, under the Info for Technicians category.


Information from The Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals.

More In The Know

Ad Loading...
A man cuts a man's hair
In The Know|Articles|Aug 6, 2026

In Dubai, Clients Visit the Salon Every Week. Here’s What That Market Can Teach You

In Dubai, a salon visit isn’t an appointment. It’s a weekly routine, and clients can spend $800 to $1,400 a month on it, according to Gaurav Tripathi of MADI International. On October 6-8, 2026, the market behind those numbers opens its doors as Beautyworld Dubai marks its 30th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together distributors, brands, stylists and salon owners from all over the world.

Sponsored by BeautyWorld Dubai

Ad Loading...
A woman with long brown hair, a black sleeveless blouse, and a beaded headband.
In The Know|Articles|Jul 2, 2026

Mireya Villarreal Announces From Chair to Boss Live, a New Business Education Event for Beauty Professionals

Mireya Villarreal, founder of From Chair to Boss™, is bringing together beauty industry leaders for a new one-day educational event designed to help salon professionals strengthen the business side of their careers. From Chair to Boss Live! will take place September 28 at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Ad Loading...