Answering a Mother’s Question about Permanent Makeup after Cleft Lip Surgery

Hello beauty lovers, today I will be answering a mother’s question about permanent makeup after her daughter’s cleft lip surgery. I apologize for being two days late in answering my Wednesday’s beauty question. Love’s holiday and other obligations have led me astray.

Dear Deirdre,

My daughter will soon have her last major cleft surgery.  At what age can permanent makeup start? She is asking already & is 11 years old. Is there a make up to use until she is of age?

Thanking you in advance,

Bev

Hi Bev,

Thanks for writing in. Your daughter sounds like an amazingly brave girl. I have asked the permanent makeup company I have done business with, Noveau Contour, for their professional permanent makeup artists’ opinions. Their answers are below with mine following.

The youngest age to have permanent makeup applied would be 1 year old. You can’t do anything until all surgeries are done and completely healed because it depends on the individual. The PMU (permanent makeup) is not a one-time thing. You will have to add to it as the child grows.

I recently conducted an interview with a cosmetic doctor from Arizona on the Vampire FaceLift, which uses your own platelets and fillers to reduce lines, but he also mentioned teenagers and early twenty somethings are having the procedure done to minimize the scarring of acne. I mention this, because as your daughter gets older, this may be a viable alternative for her along with the permanent makeup application.

In a nutshell, permanent makeup is basically the tattooing of cosmetics, and can be done at any age with a parent’s consent, however, I would ask the doctors how long the healing process is with this last cleft lip surgery your daughter is about to receive. After one of my surgeries, I was advised to avoid the sun for 6 months as to not darken my scar.) I am sure you know that though.

Reputable salons will have a consent form to apply permanent makeup, the same as various states (if you are in the US) have specific ages for tanning salons and tattoo parlors. Again, a reputable salon will have this information and offer it freely. Legally, the age may vary from state to state.

Many dermatologist offices also offer permanent makeup and this is the place I would utilize for a child to have it applied. Call 877-628-7201 to find permanent makeup locations nearest you.

In the meantime, my suggestions for makeup to use that will help to conceal the scarring from cleft lip surgery are Clinique Continuous Coverage (nothing will cover it completely, but these will help) and a mineral powder such as Bare Minerals Touch Up Veil.