Shaded Eyeliner Tattoo Procedures, Tips, Healing Process & Risks

The crucial thing about getting a shaded eyeliner tattoo is finding a certified and licensed technician with good experience. The procedure is generally considered completely safe and pain-free, and it’s a great idea if you don’t want to waste your time on everyday makeup. Permanent eyeliner tattoos are suitable for all eye types and available in multiple colors, shapes, and styles. The winged eyeliner is the best choice for those with larger eyes without wrinkles, while thin is perfect for hooded eyelids. Depending on your preferences, choose an appropriate style to accentuate your eyes and enhance your appearance.

Before the Procedure

Don’t leave your skin exposed to direct, intense sunlight up to three days before the treatment to avoid sunburns. If you get sunburns, you must wait a few days for your skin to heal. Also, experts say that consuming alcohol may lower the pain threshold, so we suggest you refrain from drinking it before the procedure.

On the day of the procedure, be sure not to work out or use a sauna because the heat will expand your pores. If you have contact lenses or lash extensions, remove them and don’t put them back until your eyelids recover from redness or swelling.

What To Expect During the Procedure

Skin tests are not a typical part of the process, but some technicians do them to review skin allergies or other potential conditions. Here’s the step-by-step process, which usually takes two to three hours:

  1. Cleaning the patient’s eyes;
  2. Applying a numbing cream;
  3. Drawing the eyeliner shape;
  4. Using an ultra-thin needle to deposit the pigments into the dermal layer of the skin;
  5. Repeating the previous step several times to ensure the pigment stays.

Immediate side effects may include swelling, bruising, itching, and discomfort, but these last only a couple of days.

Eyeliner Tattoo Aftercare

You must take proper care of your eyelids after the procedure, so be sure to avoid the following.

  • Touching your eyes
  • Wetting the tattoo
  • Applying makeup for at least three days
  • Using hot tubs, steam rooms, or public pools
  • Exercising
  • Sunbathing
  • Using chemical peels

Shaded Permanent Eyeliner Tattoo

How Long Will It Last?

Despite being called a permanent eyeliner tattoo, it does have an expiration date. Its longevity depends on the ink’s quality, color, and your technician’s skills. While some claim that it can last up to three or even five years, the tattoo should remain unchanged for about a year. You’ll most probably need a touch-up around that time; consult with your technician for more accurate information.

Eyeliner Tattoo Cost

The price of a shaded permanent eyeliner tattoo varies depending on the salon, style, color, and whether you do both eyelids or just the upper one. The Beautylectual team compared the prices in several places, and you can expect to pay around $500. Touch-ups generally run for approximately half the initial price. It’s pricey but might be worth the cost in the long run since it also saves a lot of your time.

Potential Risks

If you make an appointment with a certified technician, you don’t have to worry about the procedure’s safety, but there are a few possible hazards. The most significant risk is an eyelid infection, and others include allergic reactions, scarring, and keloid formations.

People with specific disorders or skin conditions must consult their doctors beforehand. If you have lupus, eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis, we suggest not undergoing these procedures to prevent potential complications. This also applies to pregnant women.

Eyeliner Tattoo Removal: Is It Possible?

Yes, removing your shaded eyeliner tattoo is possible in a few ways. However, we don’t recommend it since it’s expensive, uncomfortable, and comes with risks.

Using tattoo removal creams is undoubtedly a bad idea; they could cause burning, discoloration, scarring, or inflammation. On the other hand, the saline tattoo removal method is safer and better for cosmetic tattoos. It extracts the pigment from the skin using natural ingredients like purified water, aloe, and orange or lemon seed extract.

Laser tattoo removal is also an excellent method, but it’s more effective on tattoos older than six months and usually requires at least a couple of sessions. So, it’s better to wait for your eyeliner tattoo to start fading than do a laser removal months after the procedure.

If you decide to remove your shaded eyeliner tattoo anyway, don’t forget to consult with an expert first.