Once you have made the decision to have Permanent Makeup applied you have the important task of finding a qualified technician to do the work for you. This is a critical decision. Locate a technician in the same manner you would a doctor, dentist, etc. Since there are no uniform regulations in the country, it is mandatory you learn as much as possible about the industry so you can determine who is a qualified professional in this field. Remember you are altering your appearance permanently so it is important you make your decision carefully and do not base the decision on price.

• It is important you visit the site where the work will be done. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set standards for physical cleanliness and a sanitary working environment. Does the location you are visiting meet this outward criteria? Is there hot and cold running water on the premises other than in a rest-room? Is the work being done in a private room where other contaminants, such as acrylic nail dust, cannot circulate in the air?
• Is the technician registered with the state? Do they have their Body Art technician registration certificate on display in the work area? Remember that Body Art licensing is different from Cosmetology and Skin Care licensing, and just because someone is a licensed Hair Stylist, Manicurist or Esthetician in Washington state, it does not mean that they have been properly licensed for Permanent Cosmetics/Body Art!
• Is the facility or shop also registered with the state? Is the facility registration certificate on display?
• Is the technician clean and neat? Do they use new gloves for every client? Do they use disposable coverings on the bed or chair and are they replaced after every client? Are surfaces to be touched during the procedure wrapped in barrier film to prevent contamination? Are the technician’s nails clean and short?
• Most importantly, to prevent the transmission of diseases, do they use new sterile needles and equipment with each client? Are needles and equipment fully disposable? Are any metal handles Autoclaved or disposed of after use?
• Ask about the technician’s background. How long have they been in the industry and how many procedures have they done? Ask about certificates of training and continuing education. Since this field is rapidly evolving, regular continuing education is a must. For someone relatively new to the industry, ask how many hours of training they have had. How many hands-on procedures did they perform during training class?
• Look at the technician’s portfolio and inquire if this is their own work (and not stock pictures from their training school or pictures of work done by their instructor). Does their work match your own personal style as it relates or relative to how intense the finished work is?
• What does their healed work look like? Ask for photos. A red flag is when they have NO healed photos of their own work to show you. Fresh procedures and healed procedures (especially with Microblading/Hair Strokes) can look very different.
• Is the procedure price a lot lower than other technicians in the area? Are they running deeply discounted specials or introductory pricing on a “local deals” type of website? Established technicians do not typically run these types of “local deals”, or specials and this can be a red flag that the technician is new to permanent cosmetics and Microblading.  Some may ask, “What’s so bad about going to a new artist? Aren’t I getting a deal?” It takes years of consistent work on live people to become skilled at any form of tattooing, especially cosmetic tattooing of the face. Would you really want to be a brand new artist’s “practice” client.
  
  

As you do your research into this industry, bear in mind Permanent Cosmetics are a form of tattooing and must be thought of as lifelong. You will need regular color boost touch-ups over the years. It is important that you be comfortable with your technician before you start. You will have a special relationship with your technician. You must be confident he/she will give you a look you will be comfortable wearing for many years.