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Business & Tech

Monday Business Profile: Permanent Make-up By Mary

Mary Ritcherson's business helps clients look their best

This week's Monday Business Profile is on Permanent Make-up By Mary, Inc., 8461 W. Linebaugh Avenue.

Find out more below:

Owner: Mary Ritcherson, certified permanent makeup practitioner.

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Vital Stats: Phone: 813-928-9924 On the Web: http://www.permanentmakeupbymary.com/

Type of Business: Permanent Make-up By Mary is an eyebrow specialist who is able to permanently create the natural appearance of eyebrows and other body features.

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About the Company: Ask Mary Ritcherson what she does for a living, and the answer is less shocking and more complex than it seems: “I actually tattoo women’s faces for a living,” Ritcherson said.

Before you get images of Mike Tyson’s tribal facial tattoo, take a step back. Ritcherson’s tattoos are made to look like a natural part of the body. “I specialize in eyebrows,” she said.

Ritcherson can create new and natural looking eyebrows for clients who come to her for a variety of reasons. For example, aging and thyroid issues can cause the loss of eyebrows. According to her Web site, a common problem that permanent makeup can fix is thin or sparse eyebrow hair, whether this has resulted from over-plucking, medical conditions or injury.

Other clients who seek Ritcherson’s skills may have been diagnosed with Alopecia, or an autoimmune skin disease that, in certain cases, can lead to complete loss of body hair.

“Eyebrows frame the face,” she said. “It’s one of the first things people see.”

The tattooing is done with individualized, sterilized and disposable needles with a permanent makeup machine, which is a lot more calming and quiet than the whine of a traditional tattoo machine. This technique is used to apply the pigments in feathering strokes to mimic the appearance of hair.

The eyebrows are designed by Ritcherson and her client, and, according to her Web site, lengthen short eyebrows, give more fullness and a thicker shape to thin or sparse eyebrows, correct asymmetrical eyebrows and create an anti-aging "lift" effect.

And there’s another different from other forms of tattoos.

“It’s all pain-free,” she said. “I use only the best topical numbing agent.”

She also performs small tattoo removal, scar reduction, permanent eye-liner and lips, but will only do natural-looking permanent makeup, so those looking for a dramatic or artistic statement best look elsewhere.

However, one thing she prides herself on is her work with cancer patients, for which she does not charge.

A patient who has had part of her breast removed may seek Ritcherson, who can tattoo the appearance of a nipple areola.

“I don’t charge a dime for that,” she said. “They’ve suffered enough and I don’t take their money.”

For those who feel “a little less of a woman” after surgery, “I give back a little bit, and make it look as natural as possible.”

Ritcherson said she felt this was her calling after it was suggested by plastic surgeon for whom she worked. She received certification from the American Academy of Micropigmentation, and has had over 17 years experience in the plastic surgery and medical/spa industry.

Ritcherson said she “practiced, and practiced, and practiced” her skills on pig skins until she mastered it.

“I really fell in love with it. It’s the instant gratification. I love what I do. The money is only a bonus.”

Eventually she wants to start a school to teach others her trade, but for now, she’s busy with her clients.

Meanwhile, her daughter, also named Mary, will also join the business with her.

“Through my own confidence I can reassure my clients that it will be a pleasant experience, and sometime’s it’s like a therapy session,” Ritcherson said. “All my clients are my friends.”

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