FAQ
What is a derma pigmentologist?
Only successful graduates of the Swiss association examination receive the quality label and are authorised to use the professional title ‘Certified Derma Pigmentologist’. The quality label is labelled with a year. In order to receive a new, current annual number every year, it is necessary to complete further training days or workshops.
What assurances do I have?
‘So test he who binds himself forever!’ - Even if permanent make-up does not last forever, it is extremely important to find out exactly who you are trusting with this important step beforehand.
The longer durability and the awareness that the skin is being worked on shows that there may also be risks involved. Serious distortions, infections or injuries can be the result of improperly carried out work and cause lasting damage to those affected. For this reason, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) has issued new guidelines for this area. The Swiss Professional Association for Cosmetics SFK, together with representatives of the Swiss Professional Association for Permanent Make-up SFP, has drawn up conditions for comprehensive training that does justice to this responsible activity and defined the corresponding conditions for admission to the specialist section for permanent make-up.
The training can be completed with a specialist examination, which entitles only successful graduates to use the title ‘Certified Derma-Pigmentologist’. I myself have been a certified derma-pigmentologist SFP since 2002 and worked for several years as vice-president and examination expert for the Swiss Association for Permanent Make-up.
What can be pigmented?
Mouth:
The contour of the lips can corrected by pigmentation. Absence of lip colour is supplemented with a pigment colour that matches the red of your lips. All applications are outlined in advance for harmonising.
Eye area:
With the eyebrows, individual hairs are simulated by pigmentation. Since this pigmentation follows the natural hairline of your eyebrows, the difference to the genuine hairs can hardly be seen. For optical eyelash enhancement, the edge of the eyelashes is outlined exactly at the base of the eyelashes and then pigmented.
A further possibility is the pigmentation of the classic eyelid line.
Further possibilities for pigmentation are:
nipple design, cleft palate camouflage, and optical lip correction after a cleft palate operation, optical lip correction after a burn or an accident, beauty spots and scar camouflage.
What does a Permanent Make-up cost?
The price depends entirely on the client's wishes. For example an eyebrow pigmentation can differ between having a fuller brow or a shape correction or indeed both, so that the harmony of the face is recreated.
Prices which include a comprehensive initial consultation, post examination and if necessary retouching work begin at Fr. 600.00, these vary depending on what type and the region in which, the permanent make-up will be carried out on. The initial consultation is charged at a cost of Fr. 90.00, this will be deducted on the final payment.
My aim is that both the client and myself are completely satisfied and happy with the results. Satisfaction and perfectionism are my ideals.
Is it painful?
Some clients don’t feel a thing, and other a slight prickling. At any rate it is easy to tolerate.
What colours are used?
The pigmentation colors are only produced from registered and approved raw materials with purity certification. They fully comply with the specifications of the FOPH (Federal Office of Public Health). REACH-compliant pigments, which have been mandatory in Switzerland since February 1, 2025, but which I have been using since 2022, are free from iron oxides, nickel and other allergenic preservatives. They have a high pigment density, good pigmentation and flow properties and offer maximum, gentle pigment penetration into the skin.
The colors in my practice are checked at regular intervals by the food inspectorate (Office for Consumer Protection, cantonal chemist). The certificate can be viewed on request.
How long does pigmentation last?
Depending on the skin type and consistency, according to experience it lasts between 2 and 4 years. If the colours fade, which is normal after a time, further pigmentation can be carried out at any time. This will be offered at special terms.
What is Permanent Make-up?
Permanent make-up is a contouring procedure for eyebrows, lips and eyes, which experience has shown to last between 2-4 years.
Colour pigments are implanted into the skin using a discreet method tailored to the customer.
How is it done?
Prior to any treatment, a comprehensive advisory consultation is held with the interested person.
If the interested person has decided on a particular treatment, following cleaning and disinfecting, an ointment is applied that makes the spot less sensitive.
With permanent make-up, colour pigments are implanted under the skin using an instrument with a needle attachment of approx. 0.06 to 0.12 mm.
How long does the treatment last?
In order to avoid irritating the skin, the actual treatment should not last longer than an hour. After treatment, soothing skin compresses are applied.
The complete length of treatment (cleaning, outlining, soothing ointment, etc.) last between 2 to 2½ hours.
What is a Q-label?
Q-Label - Eyeco High Level Quality Control:
The Q-label is a recognition of quality in the hygiene sector. It originated in co-operation with the professional associations and the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG). The clientele thus has the possibility of a quality recognition feature. In these studios, work is undertaken according to the “Guidelines for Good Working Practice”, compiled by the BAG and according to the basic prerequisites contained therein for pursuit of the business.
How does one get a Q-label?
In order to receive the Q-label, a studio has first of all to be certified by the EYECO Company and the owner must fulfil the basic prerequisites contained in the “Guidelines for Good Working Practice”. After successful certification by the EYECO Company, the owner can then make a written application with a copy of the acceptance report to his/her branch of the professional association. After a successful positive inspection of all prerequisites, the owner receives the Q-label for his/her studio/ business..
What does “Member of the Professional Association” mean?
Member of the Professional Association:
After the Swiss Professional Association for Permanent Make-up (SFP) was disbanded, in October 2006 the new professional association for Permanent Make-up was founded (SFK/PMU).
The only professional association for Permanent Make-up in Switzerland:
Swiss Professional Association for Cosmetics, Permanent Make-up specialist section.
What does hygiene certification mean?
Hygiene certification:
Hygiene certification (in force since 2007) is a certification following the guidelines for “Good working practice in the sector tattooing, permanent make-up, piercing and related practices”, which is recognised by the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) and the various professional associations and is a condition for membership of the Permanent Make-up specialist section.
The hygiene inspection, like the Q-label, must be applied for and passed every year; otherwise it loses its validity.
Annual inspection and certification of my studio is carried out by the EYECO Company.
