East

Sian Johns lost her hair and eye brows as a result of alopecia.

We follow her story as she considers whether to try out a new treatment - called 'permanent make up' -  designed to boost her self confidence.

Permanent make-up is a cosmetic form of tattooing which uses computerised technology to define eyes and brows.

Self conscious

Sian is like most 20-year-olds – she likes going out, having fun and meeting new people.

But she is very self-conscious about her alopecia and worries that people might stare at her as a result of the condition.

Sian is considering taking a drastic and radical decision which will change her appearance for ever – permanent make-up.

Tattooed eyebrows and even eyelashes can help alopecia sufferers regain their confidence but it’s a big decision to make which is why there has to be a consultation period before the process begins.

Making a difference

Inside Out followed Sian on a visit to Wellingborough to meet Lucy who has already had the treatment.

Surprisingly neither woman has met anyone else with alopecia before.

Success ...permanent make up for Sian

Unlike Sian, Lucy never takes her wig off, but they’ve had remarkably similar experiences.

But Lucy has found that having permanent make up has made a huge difference to her life.

After meeting Lucy, Sian decides to go ahead with the permanent make up treatment.

Life changing treatment

Sian decides to have her treatment at the Nilam Patel clinic in Milton Keynes, one of a number of centres specialising in permanent make up.

It takes at least two visits to the Milton Keynes clinic to achieve a realistic look.

With her new eyebrows complete Sian meets up with Lucy for a night out to enjoy the simple things in life the rest of us take for granted.

The trip is a success and proves that the permanent make up treatment is already starting to make a huge difference to Sian’s self confidence and social life.

It shows how others with hair loss and alopecia could benefit from this groundbreaking new treatment.

Cancer patients who have lost their hair as a result of chemotherapy can also benefit from the treatment.

How it works...

The client comes in for a consultation and patch test before any treatment begins.

The clients are asked to bring in old pictures of themselves and their wigs.

The therapist uses numbing cream and then draw the shape of eyebrows.

The therapist makes a light pass with a needle like a tattoo. It looks like an ink pen and sounds like a dental drill.

The therapist makes tiny strokes to save the shape. Once completely numb she draws in tiny hairs.

The end result looks darker than when it is first done. The healed result comes in seven days when the crust from scar falls off and softens up.

It's an uncomfortable process and the patient's eyes tend to swell up.

If a client has alopecia they will almost certainly have to come back for a second visit.

Because of the immune system it attacks hair follicles and pushes out anything foreign. It doesn't heal very well.

If a client has cancer the immune system is low but they can still have it done.

The treatment fades every few years so clients have to have it freshened up.

The treatment takes about half and hour in total - and there is a nurse and doctor on the premises at all times.