The Truth About Permanent Eyeliner: What You Need to Know

Permanent eyeliner aka Permanent Lash Enhancement is one of our favorite treatments. With many styles like smokey, slightly winged, or soft shaded, it’s a subtle, beautiful, and timeless enhancement when done correctly. But like any cosmetic procedure, it’s not without its risks and we believe in helping you make informed decisions.

We recently came across a public social media post that perfectly illustrates two common issues we want to bring to your attention. (This is not our work—we’re simply using it as a teaching moment.)

Issue #1: Pigment Migration

The first issue in the image is pigment that has migrated outside the corner of the eyeliner. This typically happens when tattooing is done too close to the outer corner of the eye (the outer canthus). Placement matters. Knowing the “safe zones” around the eye is essential. Tattooing into the corners of the eyes or past the last lash line is a basic no-go and it’s something every trained PMU artist should know, but unfortunately, not all do.

To help you understand what to watch for:

• We never tattoo the waterline. It’s simply too close to the eye and EXTREMELY risky. The area contains delicate oil glands that, if damaged, can cause permanent dry eye.

• We also avoid tattooing the inner and outer corners of the eye for similar reasons: the skin is too thin, and the risk of pigment migration is VERY high. This is due to the capillaries being very close to the surface and the high risk of pigment entering the capillaries. This risk is high in mature or sun damaged skin.

• If you have very visible or raised capillaries, it may limit design options, but a skilled artist will guide you toward the safest, most flattering look.

Issue #2: A Poor Attempt at Correction

The second problem we noticed was how the original mistake was being “corrected.” Unfortunately, the technician attempted to cover the migrated black ink with skin-colored pigment - a decision that causes more problems than it solves.

Why is this a bad idea? Skin-toned pigments contain titanium dioxide, a white substance used to create opacity in ink. While it may look fine at first, over time it mixes with the old black ink, and what you’re left with is a milky green mess that becomes more obvious as the tattoo fades and ages. Think: murky, blotchy, and impossible to fully remove. Unlike layers of makeup, ink doesn’t sit on top of the skin—it moves within it, and the body naturally tries to break it down over time.

Even worse, titanium dioxide is notoriously difficult to remove. In large amounts, it can appear chalky or “cottage cheese”–like under the skin. If anyone suggests this as a cover-up method, it’s best to walk away—quickly.

Final Thoughts

We’re not sharing this to scare you, only to empower you. Tattooed eyeliner can be absolutely stunning and truly life-changing, but only in the hands of a knowledgeable, well-trained artist. Ask questions. Do your research. Trust your instincts.

When done right, this treatment enhances your eyes in the most elegant, effortless way. Choose wisely and you’ll love the results for years to come. 💫