• Enhancing With Color
Color for cosmetic use has been around for centuries, for use both on the surface of the skin and below the surface. Archaeologists have evidence that Egyptian women used green copper ore as an eye shadow as early as 5000 B.C. They also used henna to dye their hair, carmine to redden their lips, and kohl to blacken their eyebrows, lips and lashes.
Until the middle of the nineteenth century all the colorants used in foods, drugs and cosmetics were obtained from natural sources that included animals, vegetables and minerals. The discovery in 1856 of the first synthetic dye unleashed a host of new and different colorants that were available in a wider variety of shades, lasted longer, and were considered safer. The Food and Drug Act of 1906 finally placed controls on colors used in food, drugs and cosmetics.
• Tattooing
Prior to electricity, the manual method was used to tattoo. A needle attached to a bamboo stick was inserted into the area to be tattooed either freehand or by being tapped with another stick. Although still in limited use today this technique lends itself more to body art than cosmetic tattooing.
• The Two Coil Machine
In the 1800’s an electric tattoo machine was invented using two wrapped coils of copper. This machine used an oscillating movement to rapidly insert and withdraw the needle. The Micro-Pigmentation Centre’s early collaboration with a machine manufacturer developed a more lightweight version of this machine using acrylic rather than metal. This gave the technician a more manageable and accurate tool for the tattooing procedure. However, even though it was lighter, it had several disadvantages including the amount of noise it generated and its lack of a refined design.
• Pen Style Machine
Originating in Taiwan the pen machine was brought to the North American esthetics market allowing many people to enter the permanent makeup business. Its popularity was attributed to its physical design, lightness and quiet operation. It became the machine of choice but only to those lacking proper training and understanding. Although the two-coil machine was larger and noisier it had the power to deposit the pigment to the correct depth, avoiding the trauma to the skin or the color fading associated with the use of the pen.
• Computer Technology
Given the role of the computer in our society, it was only a matter of time before this industry looked to that technology for the answer to this problem. The newest and latest digitally controlled tattoo machine to enter the North American market is the Nouveau Contour. Made in Germany and sold exclusively in Canada through the Micro-Pigmentation Centre this product brings together all the qualities and performance of the two-coil machine with all the design aesthetics of the pen.
• The Digital 600 and the Nouveau Intelligent
Both the Nouveau Contour Intelligent machine and its predecessor, the Digital 600, are equipped and controlled with an Intel microprocessor "chip". The Nouveau Contour Intelligent offers many advanced features that allow the practitioner to select pre-programmed settings for various procedures, i.e. eyebrow, eyeliner, lip color and medical procedures. The latest in technology, the Nouveau Contour Intelligent boasts a patented needle that comes in sterilized pouches to prevent cross contamination. The needle in the Intelligent retracts into the tube when the machine is not operating making it much safer than the old tattooing methods. The control unit of the Intelligent can up-modulate or down-modulate the power and needle frequency so that the rate of needle punctures per second remains constant. This improves the accuracy and precision for every procedure.
• Client Comfort
This advanced technology is a great improvement over the old style machines in the area of client comfort. It means a gentler procedure with much less trauma to the skin. The speed and virtually noiseless operation of this technology makes the tattooing experience much less painful and intimidating for the client.
• The Importance of Proper Equipment
The Micro-Pigmentation Centre understands the importance of having the latest technological advances in tools and equipment for their trainees and their future practice. Because of their commitment, they offer the Nouveau Contour Intelligent to their graduates at cost on completion of the training program.
...innovative technology with the natural touch.