This page is general information, not medical advice. Suitability for any treatment is confirmed at a private consultation, and clients with medical conditions or medications should check with their physician first.
What permanent makeup is
Permanent makeup, also called micropigmentation or cosmetic tattooing, deposits color into the upper layer of the skin to enhance features such as eyebrows, lips, and the lash line. Despite the name, it fades gradually as the skin renews, so most people refresh their color over time.
Mahsa came to permanent makeup after years as a bridal, red carpet, and editorial makeup artist. That background matters: shaping a brow or choosing a lip color is a makeup decision first, and the best results look like your features on a good day.
Compare treatments
| Treatment | What it does | Typical appointment | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microblading | Hand-drawn, hair-like strokes for natural, fuller brows | About 1.5–2 hours | Microblading |
| Powder and combination brows | Soft machine shading, alone or with strokes, for a filled look | About 1.5–2 hours | Powder brows |
| Lip blushing | Sheer, lasting color and a more defined lip line | About 1.5–2 hours | Lip blushing |
| Permanent eyeliner | Pigment along the lash line, from subtle to defined | Discussed at consultation | Permanent eyeliner |
| Brow lamination (no pigment) | Sets brow hairs into a brushed-up shape for weeks | Under an hour | Brow lamination |
| Lash lift (no pigment) | Lifts and curls natural lashes for weeks | Under an hour | Lash lift |
Consultation, consent, and safety
Every permanent makeup treatment begins with a consultation. You talk through the result you want, your skin, and anything that affects healing. California's Safe Body Art Act requires clients to complete a health questionnaire and a written informed consent form before a procedure, and to receive written aftercare instructions.
- Permanent makeup is not performed on anyone under 18, even with parental consent, under California law. Bring a valid photo ID.
- The health questionnaire covers pregnancy, cold sores (herpes), diabetes, latex or antibiotic allergies, bleeding disorders, heart valve conditions, and current medications.
- The FDA regulates tattoo and permanent makeup pigments as cosmetics, and no pigments are FDA-approved for injection into the skin. Ask any artist which pigments they use.
- Possible risks include infection, allergic reactions (sometimes delayed), granulomas or keloids, and results you are unhappy with. Removal is difficult, which is why shape and color are approved before any pigment is placed.
How to prepare for permanent makeup
- Avoid Botox, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser treatments on the face for four weeks before your appointment.
- Stop retinoids and strong exfoliating skincare near the treatment area beforehand.
- Tell Mahsa about every medication and supplement you take, including blood thinners and fish oil. Never stop a prescribed medication without your doctor's approval.
- For lip blushing, tell Mahsa if you have ever had cold sores; your physician may recommend preventive medication.
- Tell Mahsa if you have taken isotretinoin (Accutane) in the past year, have a history of keloids, or have a skin condition near the area.
- Permanent makeup is not performed during pregnancy, over an active infection or open wound, or during chemotherapy or radiation.
Healing and touch-ups
Swelling, redness, and light flaking or crusting are normal in the first days, and color looks darker than the healed result for roughly the first week or so. Healed lip color can take around four weeks to fully show.
A follow-up appointment is part of the process. Industry guidance recommends waiting at least four weeks before refining brows or eyeliner and at least six weeks for lips, once the skin has fully healed. After that, periodic color refreshes keep results crisp; Mahsa recommends one every eight months to a year.
How to choose a permanent makeup artist
Permanent makeup is difficult to undo, so choose carefully. Questions worth asking any artist in Los Angeles:
- Can I see healed results, not only fresh photos taken minutes after the procedure?
- Are you registered with the county as a body art practitioner, and does this location have a health permit?
- Do you use sterile, single-use needles and blades?
- Will I complete a health questionnaire and informed consent form, and receive written aftercare?
- Which technique do you recommend for my skin type, and why?
- Is a follow-up included, and when is it scheduled?
Ask Mahsa any of these at your consultation. You can also read client reviews and see before and after work.
Permanent makeup pricing
Pricing varies by treatment and by whether it is a first session, follow-up, or color refresh. Mahsa confirms pricing when you request a consultation.
Google reviews
What clients say
5.0 rating from 8 Google reviews, as of September 10, 2026. All reviews
Mahsa is a makeup queen!! I got my makeup done twice in 3 weeks because she is amazing!! I got so many compliments on my makeup because of her amazing work!! I highly recommend getting your makeup done for your special occasions with Mahsa! Thank you for your hard work & talent ❤️🤍
I’ve only had the best experiences with Mahsa. I went for the first time to do a simple eyeliner. It was so quick and easy. I loved it so much. Mahsa is so particular and does the most perfect job.…
Questions clients ask
How long does permanent makeup last?
Permanent makeup fades gradually rather than disappearing. Many people refresh brow or lip color every one to three years, and Mahsa recommends a refresh every eight months to a year to keep results crisp. Sun, skin type, skincare, and pigment color all affect longevity.
Does permanent makeup hurt?
Most people feel some discomfort, and it varies from person to person and by area. Lips and eyeliner are often more sensitive than brows. Mahsa checks in with you throughout the appointment.
Is permanent makeup safe?
Permanent makeup carries real risks, including infection and allergic reactions, which is why hygiene, sterile single-use tools, a health questionnaire, and careful aftercare matter. The FDA notes that no permanent makeup pigments are approved for injection into the skin.
Can I get an MRI if I have permanent makeup?
Yes. Complications are rare, but some people feel brief swelling or burning in tattooed areas during an MRI, and eyeliner can affect eye-area images. Always tell your imaging team you have permanent makeup.
Can I get permanent makeup while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Mahsa does not perform permanent makeup during pregnancy. There is limited data on pigment exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so waiting is the cautious choice; ask your physician.
Can permanent makeup be removed?
Removal is possible but can be long, uncomfortable, and expensive, and some pigment may not fully clear. That is why the shape and color are designed and approved with you before any pigment is placed.
What is the difference between permanent makeup and microblading?
Permanent makeup is the umbrella term for cosmetic tattooing of the brows, lips, and eyes. Microblading is one permanent makeup technique for brows, using a hand tool to draw hair-like strokes.
Where can I get permanent makeup in Tarzana?
The Brow Doctor is at 18321 Ventura Blvd, Suite 680, in Tarzana, between Encino and Woodland Hills. Appointments start with a consultation booked directly with Mahsa.
Keep exploring
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic — Micropigmentation
- Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals — Information for the public
- U.S. FDA — Tattoos & Permanent Makeup: Fact Sheet
- California Health & Safety Code §119302 — Minors
- California Health & Safety Code §119303 — Informed consent and health questionnaire
- American Academy of Dermatology — Tattoo skin reactions
- MotherToBaby — Cosmetic procedures while pregnant or breastfeeding
- Cleveland Clinic — Pros and cons of permanent makeup
Written by Mahsa Gerami, The Brow Doctor | Makeup By Mahsa G.. Last updated .
