Educating yourself on the makeup of pigments and their components is essential for achieving beautiful, lasting results. One key ingredient in many permanent makeup pigments is Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), a white inorganic pigment that’s used for its opacity and ability to lighten colours. 

It’s important to understand what titanium dioxide is, how it works in PMU pigments, and how it will heal and age over time in the skin. Building this knowledge is also beneficial when understanding colour theory. So, we have created a short educational guide to help you! 

The Role of Titanium Dioxide in PMU Pigments

Titanium Dioxide in makeup is known for its high opacity which contributes to fuller coverage when used as part of the formula for PMU pigments. This helps ensure that the pigment applied to the skin heals with sufficient visibility. Without Titanium Dioxide, pigments would appear too sheer making them less visible and vibrant. 

Titanium Dioxide not only helps maintain colour vibrancy but also contributes to the stability of the pigment over time. This means that the desired shade remains consistent, reducing the risk of fading or colour shifting. 



Benefits of Using Titanium Dioxide in PMU

There are many benefits to using pigments that contain some Titanium Dioxide!

  1. Opacity and coverage: Titanium Dioxide ensures that pigments provide sufficient coverage, making it easier for PMU artists to achieve the desired colour intensity and uniform application for their clients. 
  2. Natural-looking results: The reflective properties of Titanium Dioxide help create a natural appearance by scattering light, giving lips a healthy, luminous look. This effect is particularly beneficial in permanent makeup, where the goal is to achieve undetectable results that blend seamlessly with the client's natural features.
  3. Durability: Titanium Dioxide contributes to the longevity of pigmentation by helping anchor the pigment within the skin. This enhances colour retention, reducing the need for frequent touch-ups and allowing clients to enjoy long-lasting results.


Considerations and Cautions

While Titanium Dioxide in cosmetics offers many benefits, it's essential for PMU artists to use it mindfully. One important consideration is that Titanium Dioxide is highly durable and cannot be easily removed with laser treatments. This makes it crucial for artists to be cautious about how much they use, particularly in procedures where changes may be desired and removal may be needed in the future.

That’s why tattoo inks, which are really high in Titanium Dioxide, are not suitable for PMU treatments as they may not age well and could result in an ashy/grey or chalky residual colour over time. PMU artists should always check pigment labels to identify the presence and concentration of Titanium Dioxide, ensuring they use it appropriately and only in minimal amounts.

If you are using modifiers with a higher concentration of Titanium Dioxide, we would recommend adding a minimal amount to your pigment mix (1 drop at a time) to avoid overuse. Tweaks can always be made at top up if needed but once a high Titanium Dioxide pigment is saturated in the skin, it is very tricky to remove safely.

We would always suggest artists invest in their education and take the time to learn about pigmentology. A great resource is the Perma U Science Behind the Ink online course or the PMUni Colourant Manual.



Titanium Dioxide is a powerful tool in PMU pigment formulation, offering opacity, durability, and natural-looking results. However, it requires careful use and consideration of the specific needs of each procedure. By understanding how it works and what to be cautious of, PMU artists can make informed choices that lead to beautiful, long-lasting results for their clients.