FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Yolanda L. Moore LeMor Micropigmentation Institute 877 Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite 102 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 USA TEL: 925-934-6020 FAX: 925-934-6040 EMAIL: info@lemormpi.com WEB: www.lemormpi.com Educational Crisis in the Micropigmentation Industry Walnut Creek, CA - May 3, 2002 -- As a practicing Micropigmentation Specialist and educator I encourage our colleagues domestically and internationally to seriously critic the technical skills of their permanent cosmetic graduates. Equally important, educators should critically evaluate their graduates' knowledge and practical experience in preventing cross contamination during a Micropigmentation procedure. The possibility of cross contamination is considerable and greater emphasis needs to be placed on prevention. The dangers of cross contamination with respect to transmission of blood-borne pathogens, specifically hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency viruses (HBV, HIV) and other pathogenic microorganisms can and must be eliminated. Ideally, Micropigmentation (MP) educators will instruct their students until their technical skills are perfected and those students are able to practice confidently. Graduating MP students must master basic technical skills to apply pigment color correctly and accurately into the dermis. However, what is more imperative, is that MP students have the educational knowledge to perform sterile/clean procedures and the necessary clinical skills to prevent cross contamination between clients, amongst themselves and other office staff members. Minimizing potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens and airborne pathogens by establishing infection control procedures and adhering to Universal Precaution Principles should be a primary concern of every MP educator. Consequently, it is unrealistic to believe that health hazard issues, color theory, permanent cosmetic techniques, and hands-on training can be adequately addressed in a 1 or 2 day seminar for a group of students. Many students who are attending these 1 or 2 day seminars are likely entering the MP industry without an educational or professional background in the health sciences. These seminars may be the only Micropigmentation training that some students receive before they begin practicing. Inadequately prepared for their new profession, these students may unknowingly expose themselves, their clients, and others who may be within their business establishment to potentially dangerous health risks.
Students attending these seminars may lack the knowledge and necessary foundation to quickly grasp the practical and operational concepts of cross-contamination prevention and operational methodologies for sterilizing. They may not have taken courses in virology, bacteriology, microbiology, chemistry or anatomy and physiology. In many cases, these students require intensive one-on-one individualized training or, at the very minimum, training within a small group of 4-6 students. The optimum educational setting would be a student internship program requiring 80 or more hours of theoretical and practical experience. One day group training cannot adequately prepare students for a professional career in Micropigmentation. Before enrolling in a 1 or 2 day course prospective students should realistically evaluate the course curriculum, and content with respect to their individual skills, professional experience and training. Prospective students should answer the following fundamental question: "Will this seminar meet my educational goals and the goals of the other prospective students attending the seminar?" For the esthetician, electrologist, or paramedical professional, permanent cosmetics provide the ultimate artistic challenge. The student must use all her/his knowledge regarding skin physiology, have a complete mastery of color theory, and have the fine eye-hand dexterity to permanently apply pigments to the face. Blending the fine art of cosmetics with the science of pigments and dyes commands a great deal of technical skill. Besides having the technical expertise many students fail to realize that they also must be well educated and trained in the prevention of spreading communicable diseases between their clients and themselves. Micropigmentation, or permanent cosmetics, is defined as an invasive procedure. Specifically, colored pigment or dye is implanted into the dermis using a specially designed machine. As this invasive procedure is considered surgical in nature, it should be done in a safe and clean environment. If performed correctly, usually every permanent cosmetic procedure draws some amount of blood. Consequently, using sterile products, the prevention of cross contamination, and the necessity for performing these procedures in a safe, clean environment are imperative. The potential impact of contracting the AIDS or Hepatitis virus has altered and improved conventional safety procedures in the health and beauty industries. Tattooing has been in existence for centuries but the risks of contracting the AIDS virus or other potentially contagious diseases, such as hepatitis B or tuberculosis, has placed a much greater emphasis upon the need for a safe, sterile, and healthy working environment. Unfortunately, however in many skin care and beauty salons throughout the country, practitioners perform permanent cosmetic procedures with limited training regarding the importance of a healthy, sterile work environment. Many procedures are performed in unsanitary conditions, using unsterile products, with improper handling of hazardous blood contaminated disposable supplies. Many blood contaminated paper products and needles are disposed of directly into ordinary wastebasket receptacles.
Over the past years consumer complaints ranging from poor technique, wrong pigment color to pigment migration or spreading have been on the increase. Inexperienced and/or improperly trained permanent cosmetic practitioners are performing many of these procedures. The permanent cosmetic industry is unregulated in many states. There are no national licensing boards or agencies to govern, regulate, or oversee those individuals who are practicing or the educators who are conducting these courses. The popularity of Micropigmentation is on a steady and rapid increase. Consequently, prospective practitioners and experienced practitioners must be very selective as more and more 'schools', 'training programs', and 'associations' are popping up across the country. A number of these programs offer extensive permanent cosmetic training including a 'certificate of completion.' Many individuals take these courses and assume that upon completion they will be able to perform permanent cosmetic procedures successfully, and safely. However, often the importance of sterility, infection, cross contamination, color analysis and theory, procedural techniques, sensitivity/color skin patch testing, health history evaluation, preoperative evaluation and post-operative care are compromised, or excluded in these courses. For the consumer finding a well-qualified, experienced permanent cosmetic practitioner can be challenging and confusing. Whether you are prospective client who would like to have a permanent cosmetic procedure or a prospective student, the following is a guideline intended to assist you in making a personal decision relative to permanent cosmetics. Make sure your permanent cosmetic practitioner or educator addresses these issues. 1. Before any procedures are performed a thorough consultation should be completed to determine if the client is a good candidate. A thorough health history should be taken. For instance, clients who are diabetic, pregnant, or have had precancerous skin lesions, eczema or psoriasis should not have the procedure performed without medical approval. 2. The skin should be examined for any suspicious lesions. A lesion should never be pigmented. The client should be referred to a physician for further evaluation. 3. A thorough color analysis should be completed to custom blend the most enhancing permanent cosmetic colors for the client. Remember permanent cosmetic procedures are irreversible therefore color selection is critical. 4. Only sterile/clean supplies should be used to minimize the risk of infection, (i.e., sterile gauzes, swabs, pigments, & water). 5. The permanent cosmetic practitioner should wear protective garbs -- a surgical mask, eye goggles, gloves, and scrubs or lab coat. These protective garbs will help minimize the risks of cross contaminating between clients and aid in protecting clients and the permanent cosmetic practitioner.
6. Permanent cosmetic procedures should not be performed in hair or nail salons. Hair clippings and fumes from hair and nail products may pose possible contamination problems. 7. If performed correctly, every permanent cosmetic procedure will draw a minute amount of blood. Consequently, sterility, the prevention of cross contamination, and the necessity for performing these procedures in a safe, clean environment are imperative. 8. All blood-contaminated waste products should be disposed of in a separate container and disposed of properly and follow strict sanitation and sterilization guidelines as required b the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and OSHA regulations. 9. Needles should be used only once and disposed into a sharps container. Needles should never be reused even on the same client. 10. Tattoo inks should not be used for permanent eyeliner procedures. Tattoo inks have been known to migrate (move) in the delicate skin around the eyes giving the appearance of smeared eyeliner. 11. Ideally, permanent cosmetic colors should be composed of granules of at least 6 microns or greater. The risk of migration increases, if the granule size is smaller. 12. All permanent cosmetic machine accessories that are in direct contact with pigment, blood, and bodily fluids should be completely disposable or sterilizable. 13. A color/sensitivity skin patch test should be performed to determine if the appropriate color was selected or if the client is allergic to the product. 14. Only iron oxide based pigments should be used around the eyes. Check the pigment ingredient labels. Never use organic pigments around the eyes. 15. Clients should be educated as to the proper care for their permanent cosmetic procedure. An antibiotic ointment should be used to prevent infection. Clients should be evaluated for possible allergic reactions to the antibiotic ointment. Perhaps, as important as ascertaining information regarding procedures, colors, equipment and safety, is researching the quality of the "training programs". If you are considering a professional career in permanent cosmetics or if you are in the midst of searching for a permanent cosmetic practitioner the remaining four (4) points of the guideline are intended to assist in that effort. 16. Find out the trainers qualifications and credentials. 17. Find out if there are course prerequisites and what the curriculum entails.
18. Is emphasis placed upon performing these procedures in a safe, sterile working environment? 19. Determine if a follow-up support system to update graduates on new developments within the permanent cosmetic industry is available. Selecting a permanent cosmetic practitioner, or selecting a school or training program using these guidelines will assist the prospective client or practitioner in obtaining a successful result. For more information or comments contact Yolanda L. Moore, MPS via email at yolanda@lemormpi.com. About LeMor MPI: ### Yolanda Moore, MPS founded the LeMor Micropigmentation Institute in 1989. Yolanda is a recognized expert/authority in the Micropigmentation field both domestically and internationally. Her articles have appeared in beauty magazines such as Self Magazine, and Skin Inc. Yolanda has also appeared on the Good Evening Magazine television show. Yolanda has trained thousands in the art and science of permanent cosmetics and her 13 years of experience translate into over 10,000 hands-on permanent cosmetic procedures. Yolanda s background and education is unique to the field of Micropigmentation. She holds multiple degrees in both biology and chemistry as well as a Master s degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Yolanda is a proud member of the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals, the International Micropigmentation Association and the American Academy of Micropigmentation. *** Copyright 2002 LeMor Micropigmentation Institute, All Rights Reserved. LeMor MPI, YOUR PERMANENT BEAUTY SECRET, and the LeMor MPI logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of the LeMor Micropigmentation Institute in the USA and/or other countries.