PMU Color Theory & Pigment Selection 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which Fitzpatrick skin types tend to have the most melanin interference with PMU pigment color outcome?
- Types I–II
- Types III–IV
- Types V–VI (Correct answer)
- All types equally
Correct answer: Types V–VI
Fitzpatrick V–VI have the highest melanin density, which can absorb and shift lighter pigment tones significantly.
Question 2: When mixing two pigments to create a custom shade, what is the recommended starting approach?
- Add equal parts of both pigments
- Start with the lighter pigment and add small amounts of the darker one (Correct answer)
- Start with the darker pigment and add large amounts of the lighter one
- Mix by feel without measurement
Correct answer: Start with the lighter pigment and add small amounts of the darker one
Starting with the lighter pigment and incrementally adding darker pigment gives the most controlled, predictable result.
Question 3: A client presents with a previously done brow that has healed with a strong red/orange tone. What does this indicate about the original pigment?
- The pigment had too much blue base
- The pigment had excess iron oxide red remaining after other pigments faded (Correct answer)
- The pigment was too dark overall
- The pigment was applied too superficially
Correct answer: The pigment had excess iron oxide red remaining after other pigments faded
Red/orange iron oxides are more stable and fade slower, remaining visible after cooler tones have faded.
Question 4: What is 'color metamorphism' in the context of PMU pigments?
- Pigment changing color when viewed under different light sources (Correct answer)
- Pigment fading uniformly over time
- Skin naturally producing more melanin after PMU
- Pigment migrating outside the treated area
Correct answer: Pigment changing color when viewed under different light sources
Color metamorphism (metamerism) refers to a pigment appearing different colors under varying light conditions (daylight vs. fluorescent).
Question 5: For a PMU artist correcting a bluish-gray healed brow, what is the primary corrective strategy?
- Apply more black pigment to deepen the brow
- Add a warm orange or brown corrector to neutralize the blue-gray (Correct answer)
- Use a pure white pigment to lighten the area
- Apply green corrector to balance the blue
Correct answer: Add a warm orange or brown corrector to neutralize the blue-gray
Orange/warm brown neutralizes blue-gray because orange is the complementary color of blue.
Question 6: Which pigment ingredient has been most scrutinized by the EU for safety in tattoo and PMU inks?
- Iron oxide black
- Titanium dioxide
- Azo-based organic pigments (e.g., CI 15850) (Correct answer)
- Zinc oxide
Correct answer: Azo-based organic pigments (e.g., CI 15850)
The EU REACH regulation has restricted many azo-based organic pigments due to concerns about amine release and potential carcinogenicity.
Question 7: What term describes the percentage of pigment particles that actually remain in the skin after healing?
- Pigment density
- Retention rate (Correct answer)
- Saturation index
- Chromatic yield
Correct answer: Retention rate
Retention rate is the percentage of implanted pigment that survives the healing process and remains visible long-term.
PMU Color Theory & Pigment Selection 3
Which Fitzpatrick skin types tend to have the most melanin interference with PMU pigment color outcome?