Learn average costs for microblading, lip blush, and eyeliner, plus how to finance your permanent makeup with flexible weekly or monthly payment plans
Permanent makeup costs vary considerably by treatment. RealSelf reports an average cost of about $708 for permanent makeup overall, while scalp micropigmentation averages about $2,919 and can approach $4,800 based on patient-reported pricing.
The amount you need to budget depends on the treatment area, provider, number of sessions, whether an initial touch-up is included, and whether you want to finance the balance. Here is how permanent makeup pricing, maintenance expenses, insurance rules, and payment options fit together.
Your final price depends on the provider’s experience, geographic market, technique, treatment area, and number of appointments. Published studio pricing also varies in whether the first perfecting session is included, so compare complete treatment quotes rather than the advertised starting price alone.
| Procedure | General Price Range | What Can Affect the Price |
|---|---|---|
| Microblading | About $400 to $800+ | Artist experience, brow design, market and touch-up policy |
| Powder / Ombré Brows | About $500 to $1,000+ | Machine technique, shading complexity and provider |
| Combination Brows | About $600 to $1,200+ | Combination of hair strokes and machine shading |
| Lip Blush | About $400 to $1,200+ | Color correction, desired coverage and additional sessions |
| Permanent Eyeliner | About $400 to $800+ | Upper/lower lash lines, thickness and style |
| Scalp Micropigmentation | $2,919 average | Treatment area, hair loss pattern, provider and number of sessions |
Sources: Permanent makeup average and SMP pricing are based on patient-reported RealSelf permanent makeup data and RealSelf scalp micropigmentation data. Procedure-specific ranges are general market estimates and vary by provider.
Two studios advertising the same starting price may provide very different treatment packages.
Before paying a deposit, ask for an itemized estimate that identifies:
This gives you a better comparison than choosing a provider based solely on the lowest advertised service price.
Permanent makeup can fade over time, so the original procedure price may not represent your total long-term spending.
Pigment retention varies by procedure, technique, skin characteristics, sun exposure, aftercare, pigment, and provider. Some people return periodically to refresh color or definition, while others go much longer between appointments.
Instead of assuming a fixed annual maintenance schedule, ask the studio what it charges existing clients for future touch-ups and when those appointments are typically considered. That gives you a more realistic long-term budget without assuming every client follows the same maintenance cycle.
Scalp micropigmentation creates the visual appearance of hair follicles by placing small deposits of pigment across areas of the scalp. Pricing is influenced by the size of the treatment area, extent of hair loss, desired hairline, provider qualifications and experience, location, and number of treatment sessions.
According to RealSelf’s medically reviewed overview, patients commonly undergo two to four sessions. Smaller areas or scar camouflage may require less work than creating the appearance of density across a large portion of the scalp.
Source: RealSelf Scalp Micropigmentation.
Elective permanent makeup is generally a self-pay cosmetic expense, but reconstructive pigmentation after certain medical procedures can be treated differently.
The federal Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act requires applicable group health plans and health insurers that provide mastectomy benefits to provide coverage for all stages of breast reconstruction when a patient elects reconstruction. Federal guidance specifically states that this includes nipple and areola reconstruction, including repigmentation to restore the physical appearance of the breast.
Other reconstructive tattooing may be treated differently depending on the procedure and health plan. Coverage should be confirmed with the insurer before treatment rather than assuming a cosmetic tattooing service qualifies simply because it addresses a scar or other visible difference.
Permanent makeup performed solely to improve appearance generally does not meet the IRS definition of a qualified medical expense.
IRS Publication 502 generally excludes cosmetic procedures that improve appearance without meaningfully promoting proper body function or preventing or treating illness or disease. However, the IRS recognizes exceptions for certain procedures needed to improve a deformity arising from or directly related to a congenital abnormality, personal injury, or disfiguring disease.
If your micropigmentation is reconstructive rather than elective, verify eligibility with your HSA or FSA administrator before using pre-tax funds.
Available payment methods depend on the studio, treatment price, and your credit profile.
Compare personal loan options from leading lenders to find competitive rates, flexible repayment terms, and funding that fits your needs.
At a hypothetical 13% APR, financing $3,500 would cost approximately $313 per month for 12 months or $166 per month for 24 months.
| Amount Financed | 12-Month Payment | 12-Month Total | 24-Month Payment | 24-Month Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | ~$179 | ~$2,144 | ~$95 | ~$2,282 |
| $3,500 | ~$313 | ~$3,751 | ~$166 | ~$3,994 |
| $5,000 | ~$447 | ~$5,359 | ~$238 | ~$5,705 |
Examples assume a hypothetical fixed 13% APR and are for illustration only. They are not an offer of credit. Actual APRs, fees, amounts, terms, and monthly payments vary by lender and applicant. You can check your rate with SuperMoney without affecting your credit score during prequalification.
Extending the repayment period lowers the required monthly payment but increases the amount of interest paid when the APR is the same. Compare the total repayment amount alongside the monthly payment.
According to consumer review data from RealSelf, the national average cost of permanent makeup is approximately $708, with most procedures typically falling between $450 and $1,000. Full multi-area packages or master-artist services can reach $1,200 or more, depending on the treatment area, provider expertise, and whether follow-up touch-up sessions are included.
It depends on the provider. Some studios bundle a follow-up perfecting appointment into the original price, while others charge separately. Ask for the complete treatment price before booking.
Yes. The degree and timing of fading vary by technique, pigment, treatment area, skin characteristics, sun exposure, aftercare, and other factors. Some clients return for color-refresh appointments as their results soften.
RealSelf reports an average SMP cost of approximately $2,919, with patient-reported prices ranging from about $618 to $4,799. Treatment area and number of sessions are major cost factors.
Elective permanent cosmetics are generally self-pay. Different rules can apply to reconstructive pigmentation, including nipple and areola repigmentation performed as part of covered post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.
Purely cosmetic treatment generally does not qualify as a medical expense under IRS rules. Certain reconstructive procedures related to congenital abnormalities, injuries, or disfiguring disease may be treated differently. Confirm eligibility with your plan administrator.
Yes. Depending on the provider and your eligibility, options can include studio payment arrangements, point-of-sale financing, personal loans, healthcare credit cards, and general-purpose credit cards.
Eligibility depends on the lender or financing provider. Some lenders consider applicants across different credit profiles, but approval, APR, loan amount, fees, and repayment terms are not guaranteed.
Compare APR, fees, monthly payment, repayment term, total repayment amount, and promotional conditions. For promotional credit offers, determine whether the agreement includes deferred interest.
Get the complete treatment estimate first, including any follow-up appointment that is not included in the advertised price.
For a smaller balance, financing charges can outweigh the benefit of spreading out payments. Larger treatments such as extensive scalp micropigmentation may make comparing installment options more relevant. Whatever the amount, evaluate the APR, fees, monthly payment, repayment period, and total cost before borrowing.
For additional aesthetic treatment payment information, explore our resource on financing med spa treatments.
Are you a permanent makeup studio or med spa? Learn how to offer patient financing options.
Disclosure: FigCare Pay is not a lender, broker, or credit decision-maker. Selecting “Check Loan Rates” redirects you to an independent loan marketplace where participating lenders establish rates, fees, terms, eligibility, and approvals. FigCare Pay may receive compensation for partner referrals. Prequalification uses a soft credit inquiry that does not affect your credit score; proceeding with a loan application may result in a hard credit inquiry. Pricing estimates are general benchmarks and vary by provider, geographic market, technique, treatment area, and treatment plan. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, lending, tax, insurance, or medical advice.
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