

Until very recently, EU didn’t have any specific union-wide legislation in place. How Are PMU Pigments Regulated? In Europe However, it is not advisable for inexperienced artists to use carbon-based pigments for permanent eyeliner because the risk of color migration is great, precisely due to small particle size.

It gives the formula pitch-black, opaque color, so it’s often used for permanent eyeliner. The molecules of elemental carbon are the smallest of all ingredients used in PMU. Generally, the quality of lighter shades is better than that of dark ones. The problem of accelerated fading is easily solved by adding titanium dioxide, but then the formula is no longer purely organic, plus it can’t be touched by lasers – ever.

Chemicals from skincare products can also do more damage to this type, so it’s advisable to switch to natural skincare. Organic pigmets are affected by sunlight exposure more than the inorganic type – they fade quicker.

They are also called lakes, or lake pigments. Today’s formulation of organic pigments is hypo-allergenic, also due to the alumina hydroxide, which “shrouds” the pigment molecules and prevents it from reacting with the tissue directly. Generally, pigments used for lip PMU, as well as areola tattooing, contain a lot of organic components. This substance is not soluble, which helps color retention and makes the pigment heavier so it can set into the skin better. By changing the ratios, the colors are modified.Īnother common ingredient of organic pigments for permanent makeup is the hydroxide of alumina. Nowadays, all available colors are made in the lab by combining carbon with different substances, most often nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen. This is not the safest option, as vegetable dyes can cause severe allergic reactions. In the past, they were called coal tar or anilines and were obtained from plant and animal organisms: brown pigment from nuts, green pigment from kiwi, blue or red pigment from berries. Relatively few companies produce purely organic pigments, although there is still a wide range available.Ĭarbon is the basis of organic chemistry in general, so these are basically carbon derivates.
