Pigments FAQS
PIGMENT FAQ’s
What is the difference between this line and Perma Blend’s current line?
This line has been exclusively developed by Tina Davies to keep colour selection simple and straightforward with a range of colours to suit all of your clients in 7 light-to-dark colours. There is no need to mix or modify any of these 7 colours. Also, each set includes an easy-to-use colour chart for quick reference and easy colour selection. Whereas, Perma Blend has a more vast variety of colour selection, read more here.
What can I expect after the first treatment?
When implanted with proper technique and aftercare, expect high levels of retention after 1 application. What you see is what you get. Do not expect much colour loss after healing.
How are they better than Perma Blend’s current line?
They are not better but made to meet the demands of artists who need a stable, rich, and straight-forward range of colours that will heal true to tone for the various skin types and colouring of our everyday clients. It also comes with a user-friendly colour chart that helps to eliminate colour selection and guesswork.
Is there a class on how to use these pigments?
Yes, there is an online class! Learn how to easily select the right colour for your client using I LOVE INK, with our I❤️ INK Online Colour Course. In this course, Tina dispels confusion about colour selection and gives you the knowledge you need to confidently use Tina Davies x Permablend I❤️ INK Original Eyebrow PMU Collection and I❤️ INK Sunset Collection. This video will completely change the way you think about colour theory making colour selection quick and easy and eliminating the guesswork, without the need to mix or modify pigments. You'll finally be able to work with the utmost confidence and cut your working time in half.
Learn more about the I❤️ INK Sunset Collection on our blog post here.
What makes this line last longer than other PMU lines?
All of the colours are highly concentrated. The higher the concentration the more saturation in the skin, the more saturation, the longer it will last. The pigment ingredients are comprised of the absolute highest quality pigments with the highest lightfastness rating for maximum colour stability and performance.
What is a lightfastness rating?
Lightfastness refers to the chemical stability of a pigment under long exposure to light. As a source of energy, light can cause colour and chemical changes in many pigments. Read more about lightfastness here.
What are the ingredients?
The ingredients are a combination of powdered pigments, glycerin, witch hazel, aqua, rosin, benzyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol. It is gamma-ray sterilized, vegan and cruelty-free. All ingredients can be found in the MSDS and can be downloaded from the website here.
Can you mix them even though the directions indicate ‘no mixing required?”
Yes, you may mix the colours to create custom blends using your artistic judgement to suit your client’s needs. It is common to “layer” colours on top of each other to create more dimension and contour.
Is this ink?
Yes, ink= pigment and pigment= ink. These terms are commonly interchanged and can be confused. “Ink” is pigment in a liquid state. “Pigment” is the pure pigment powder component ingredient in the ink.
What will prevent these colours from changing/shifting colours over time?
Our pigments are of extremely high quality and the lightfastness of each pigment is matched evenly across each pigment ingredient to reduce colour shifting. This means each colour will fade at the same rate.
How long has Perma Blend been tested in the skin for safety?
Perma Blend has been tested and used daily for over 7 years now.
Where can I find healed results of the colours?
Check out our I❤️ INK Healed Lookbook, here. You can search INSTAGRAM with the hashtag #healedILOVEINK for plenty of posts showcasing amazing healed results. Also, check out our Beauty Board to see artists posting their results!
Have there been reports of allergic reactions?
No, not as of yet. See our MSDS page for a full ingredient breakdown.
How can I perform a Patch Test for reactions?
Depending on your client, there are two ways to perform a patch test that will test for SENSITIVITY. Please note that this test does not determine an allergy to the product as allergies can arise over any period of time.
Using your desired pigment selection:
1. Make a few hair strokes behind the ear, near the hairline.
2. Make a few hair strokes within your client’s brow (towards the front) if they are comfortable with this.
After 10 days, look for evidence of sensitivity such as redness, swelling, itching, or hot to the touch. Document and take pictures of the initial patch test for your records.
Do these pigments contain heavy metals, such as nickel?
No, they do not. See our MSDS page for full ingredient breakdown.
Are these pigments safe with MRI’s?
Up to date, there have not been reports of problems in association with MRI and Perma Blend pigments. Your local MRI technician will be able to best advise you on MRI’s and tattoo safety issues. Please refer to our Pigment MSDS for the full ingredient listing. You can also find more information here.
Are these approved for use in the EU?
On January 4, 2022 under the EU REACH regulation, the European Union (EU) has restricted the use of certain chemicals in tattoo and permanent makeup (PMU) inks.
Perma Blend has formulated an EU ingredient compliant pigment line called LUXE which is available now. The rollout for Tina Davies Professional’s I ❤️INK brow and lip pigments are currently being formulated and tested and will also be available in 2022.
Read more about EU REACH here.
Why is Gamma Radiation Sterilization good?
Gamma radiation sterilization is highly penetrating and deactivates microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and spores. It easily penetrates packaging and product making it ideal for sterilization of I LOVE INK. Download your sterilization report on our website here.
Do these pigments contain iron oxides?
Blonde is the only pigment in this line that contains iron oxide. You can find the CI breakdown of each of our pigments with reference to iron oxide, carbon, titanium dioxide on our website here.
Is it organic?
The line is a combination of organic and inorganic pigments.
Do the pigments contain PPD?
Our pigments do not contain PPD. PPD is part of the oxidizing process in hair dye and henna. Since our products have no form of oxidation they are completely free from this. Please refer to our Pigment MSDS for the full ingredient list.
I heard iron oxide is bad for PMU, is this true?
Iron oxides by themselves don’t seem to be stable for PMU, but when mixed with organic pigments they stay together and last a long time.
Do the colours contain carbon black? If so, will it migrate?
Most colours contain carbon black to make the pigments more stable and balanced. Carbon black is known for its longevity and excellent saturation ability. When working around the eyebrows, the chances of migration is very minimal.
Carbon black has a very small particle size Due to that, there is a higher risk of migration with carbon-based inks around the thin tissue of the eyes. Technical challenges such as poor deposit (skips, inconsistent deposit) should not be mistaken for migration. Migration often looks like a “halo” or spread of the ink beyond its tattooed area.
Will the pigments turn red, orange, blue or purple after a while, if not, why?
NO, because they are comprised of high-quality ingredients, have high lightfastness and concentration. They will only become a lighter version of the original colour(s).
Do the pigments turn grey after a while?
No. The only colour that will heal grey is GREY. All the colours in the set have been formulated to avoid ashy, healed results. However, if any colour is inserted too deep into the skin, or applied over cool, red/pink undertones, the colour may look ashy. Read more about this on Tina’s Secret Recipe blog post.
Can these pigments be used for microblading AND machine work?
YES! These pigments can be used for BOTH microblading and machine work.
Where can I buy these pigments?
Order anytime 24/7 on our website at eu.tinadavies.com as well as on Amazon.
How can I prevent these colours from fading?
We suggest using sunblock while in the sun, and be careful of what exfoliation chemicals you use on your face.
What aftercare do you recommend with this line? Do I have to avoid water/washing my skin during healing when using this line?
No, you don’t have to avoid water/washing. We recommend gently washing with a gentle, non-scented soap and rinsing well during the healing process at least once a day. Read more about Tina’s recommended Aftercare Protocol here. The Tina Davies Aftercare Healing Gel is highly recommended to help hydrate and prevent infection during the healing process.
Read more about the Tina Davies Aftercare Healing Gel here.
Can I get removal with this pigment line?
Yes, you may. There are several different PMU removal procedures to consider. These are the top two most popular types of removal procedures that we recommend, saline tattoo removal or laser tattoo removal. Tattoo removal is a highly advanced procedure, it is best to talk directly to a qualified laser removal technician in your area to receive a consultation.
Is the pigment FDA approved?
No pigment has FDA approval to this day.
Where are these made?
The pigments are made in the USA.
USAGE FAQS
Check out our line of microblades here.
Do I need to modify any of the colours?
No, this is unnecessary. All of the colours are perfectly balanced and are ready to use straight out of the bottle.
When do I need to do touch-ups on my clients?
You can expect only 10-20% of fading each year depending on the method of implantation, the skill of the artist, skin conditions and lifestyle of the client. A colour boost is recommended every 1 ½ to 2 years to refresh the colour or update the shape to your client’s desires.
Do I need to do a follow-up/touch up with these colours?
A follow-up is always suggested, but not required. If you are new to Perma Blend or have less than 1-2 years of experience in PMU, it is highly recommended to see your clients for a follow up within 3 months to assess the results of the treatment and make any necessary adjustments to improve results.
How should I use these colour for people with pink/red F1-2 skin types?
This is the skin type that is considered very “cool”, presenting with pink or red undertones. The colours BLONDE or MEDIUM BROWN is recommended for these skin types because they are more golden and warmer, which will heal nicely in the skin without ashing out. Cooler colours such as GREY, BOLD BROWN, and EBONY should be avoided to prevent ashy (grey) healed results.
How do I select the right pigment shade for my client?
There are so many variables for choosing the colour you choose: skin tone, hair colour, how much makeup a client wears, how intense or natural they want their brows, etc. The Pigment Colour Chart is essential for helping you select the right shade. Read more about pigment selection here.
We highly recommend purchasing the Colour Course Video Tutorial as it's an in-depth video covering any confusion about colour selection and giving you the knowledge you need to confidently use our line. It will change the way you think about colour theory - making colour selection quick and easy - no mixing or modifying of pigments needed.
I find Perma Blend pigments very thin, will these be the same? How can I make these thicker?
Yes, they are the same. The reason they are thinner is that there is no excess filler. This allows for higher pigment concentration. Thicker pigments just have more glycerin. You should not add any products to make it thicker, rather, shake it well to ensure an even mixture of the ingredients in the bottle.
When microblading, the colour doesn’t seem to be implanting or appearing on the skin. What is the issue?
The most common cause of this issue is stroking too fast. Our pigments are thinner than most so if you are newer to the line, there may be a slight learning curve.
First, we cannot express how important it is to work very slow and clean. If you are having trouble with the pigment staying in the skin, please make sure you watch the pigment drop from the needle before making each stroke. This technique is called the 'Pigment Drop'. We have found this technique is helping many artists working with the thinner consistency. It ensures that you are depositing the pigment into the second layer of skin effectively. Please remember to also work very clean. Ensuring you’re wiping your blade or machine to ensure that the pigment is not drying on the tool.
You can read more of Tina’s Tips & Tricks on our blog posts below:
Pigment Drop
Microblading top technical skills
See the Sweet Spot
How deep should I stroke?
Tina’s Secret Recipe
What tips do you offer for working with machine and I❤️ INK pigments?
Similar to working with the manual microblade, watching the Pigment Drop is important when working with a machine as well. Stretch, depth, pressure and needle configuration are all important for best results. You can read more about this on our Machine Work With I❤️ INK Blog Post.
Can I cover old faded PMU with these colours? If so, how?
Old PMU should be faded by a minimum of 50% in order to hide/cover up the original PMU successfully. The desired target colour can be applied directly with no additional colour correction necessary. For example, you can cover old, faded red or grey eyebrows directly with DARK BROWN if that is your client’s desired colour. If the old colour is still very saturated and dense, removal by saline or laser is highly suggested to “lift out the heavy saturation” in order to achieve the best results.
You can also see these Case Studies as reference:
Microblading over old faded PMU
Covering Grey Faded PMU
Cover up from red to brown eyebrows
The colour seems to dry very fast on the skin during the masking step of microblading. How do I remove it easily?
If you are finding the pigment dries fast, you can place a piece of saran wrap over the eyebrows when you are masking, as this will help keep the pigments moist and easy to wipe off. Ensure you're wiping your blade or machine throughout your procedure to make sure the pigment is not drying on the tool.
To remove dried pigment, take a wet cotton pad soaked in diluted a soap mixture and place it over the eyebrow for a few seconds. This will make the pigment wet again. After a few seconds, just give the cotton pad a wiggle wipe and the pigment will come off! Here is a great video for reference.
Tip: Use 1 part Dr. Bronner’s Baby Unscented Castile Soap to 9 parts distilled water. Your mixture should be 10% soap to 90% distilled water. Put it in a squeeze/wash bottle and squeeze onto soft cotton pads to wipe. Do not use too much soap in your mixture or it will be foamy.
The Pigment is drying in the Pigment Ring how do I stop this?
The key is filling it enough so that the sponge is very saturated with pigment and the cup is full enough that it doesn't dry out. Please see here for more on our Pigment Rings with Sponge.
Certain colours look a bit orange/red when I finish the procedure. Should I be concerned? What should I tell my client?
No, as the skin is injured and this appearance is normal as the undertones of these colours have yellow to orange base to prevent ashing-out. This disappears after healing in about 1 week. Prepare your client to expect discolouration for up to three days so they are not surprised by this temporary effect. You can read more about this on our blog post here.
Can I use these pigments for shading?
Yes, you can. You can create shaded effects for both machine and manual devices with this line.
How do I use the Shading Solution for MANUAL shading?
Being conservative is the rule of thumb for creating shading mixtures, this allows you to “build up the colour” and avoid undesirable shading that is too saturated. Typically, adding shading results in longer retention than microblading alone. It is done using a manual hand shading tool like the Tina Davies 19 Shader Microblade. Tina typically does both microblading and shading in one procedure and is using this technique on about 50% of her clients. Learn Tina’s signature technique, Blade & Shade here.
When using Shading Solution you want to use a mixture of 2 parts pigment to 8 parts Shading Solution and mix well with a pigment mixer. Always be careful when shading the ends of the eyebrows as the skin is thinner can be easily oversaturated if too much pressure is applied. Read more about shading and dilution on our blog post here.
You can see more about how to use the Shading Solution here on our blog post.
How do I use the Shading Solution for MACHINE shading?
Shading Solution is optional for Machine use. You can change the lightness or darkness of your pigment simply by adjusting your pressure, needle configuration and amount of passes.
Note: If you choose to dilute using a machine, we recommend 30%-50% in order to obtain dilution.
Can the pigments be used for eyeliner?
Yes, EBONY is a great colour for eyeliner that is brown-black in formulation. Please note this is a carbon-based pigment. It has a very small particle size and is for experienced artist use due to its excellent saturation ability. There is a higher risk of migration with carbon-based inks around the thin tissue of the eyes. Technical challenges such as poor deposit (skips, inconsistent deposit) should not be mistaken for migration. Migration often looks like a “halo” or spread of the ink beyond its tattooed area.
*Carbon pigments are for professional use only and for those experienced with carbon colours.
Why does the colour heal ashy at the tail?
The thinnest part of the eyebrows is at the tail (recall blue veins being seen through the skin) so this is where you need to LIGHTEN your pressure and APPROACH WITH CAUTION as not to implant too deep, otherwise it may heal too dark/concentrated/ashy. This is even more evident and important in mature/F1-F2 skin types as this skin is EXTRA thin so be prepared for very little colour loss when working on thin skin and areas.
How do I open/close the pigments and keep them clean?
We also highly recommend placing a piece of clear plastic tape to keep your labels clean, see here for reference.
Click here to download the MSDS
