:: Health News ::

(PRWEB) May 9, 2005 — Permanent Cosmetics is a largely unregulated field, with little or no formal standards or licensing. Consumer questions abound on the safety and quality of treatments and how to gauge a technician’s qualifications. As more and more woman discover permanent cosmetics, the most common question is, “Are You licensed?” Often they are told, “Yes” or “I am certified.”

Truth be told, almost no one is, because few states offer or require licensing or education before performing permanent cosmetic application. Many individuals in the field are concerned about setting standards, such as Roxanne Zarafonetis, CNMT, PA who is a Johns Hopkins Hospital trained Nuclear Medicine Technologist who entered the field of permanent cosmetics 15 years ago before todays’ unregulated “certification” schools, and allergic pigments were on the scene.

In an effort to help set allied health compatible standards, Ms. Zarafonetis has acted as an advisor to the Board of Cosmetology and The Higher Education Commission in her home state of Maryland on Permanent Cosmetic issues. Over her years in the field, she has found that most clients are very concerned about the lack of standards and credentials. This led Ms. Zarafonetis to open one of the first dedicated Permanent Cosmetic Schools in the USA to gain state approval by a Higher Education Board. The Lasting Effects TM Permanent Cosmetic Institute is founded on traditional tattoo manufacturer research and paramedical protocols for application.

Because those working in the field have few opportunities for professional meetings on the East Coast, she is hosting Permatasia 2005- Permanent Cosmetic Convention in Atlantic City, May 25, 26, 2005. Permatasia 2005 continues their tradition of offering education, workshops, lectures and demos for Permanent Cosmetic Technicians with the theme- “Explore the Possibilities.” Subjects include scientific information on equipment, topicals and treatments, sterilization of equipment and safe application protocols with advanced workshops in basic scar coverup for vitiligo, surgery scars and breast cancer reconstruction. The Permatasia Convention is dedicated to gathering and dispensing information on the art, science and allied health aspects of Permanent Cosmetics and Scar Restoration. The convention theme of “Explore the Possibilities is aimed at expanding the vision of Permanent Cosmetic Technicians to consider offering the much needed skills of scar cover-up treatments in their own communities. PC-MEDS- the Permanent Cosmetic Medical, Educational & Development Society will offer a voluntary Board Exam at the convention and is dedicated to setting safe standards, ethical practice and consumer protection. Interested attendees may visit the website at www.permatasia.com .

Permatasia 2005 Permanent Cosmetic Convention will be held in Atlantic City, NJ at the Taj Mahal Resort and Casino on May 25,26, 2005. It will be an educational event, offering vendors and presentors from malpractice insurance to laser hair removal treatment to permanent cosmetic and scar coverup topics. The Electrologist program is approved by the Maryland Electrolysis Committee for 11 hours of continuing education credits.