I added microblading to my tattoo shop services. A client came in for brows. I mapped them out, she approved the shape. But after the swelling went down, one arch was clearly higher than the other. She looked surprised. She demanded I pay for laser removal and went to Yelp calling me “The Butcher.”
Key Takeaways
- PMU is Not Body Art: Insurance often classifies Permanent Makeup (Microblading) differently than Tattooing. You need a specific endorsement for “Permanent Cosmetics.” If you just have a “Tattoo” policy, PMU might be excluded.
- The “Satisfaction” Clause: As with tattoos, insurance covers negligence, not dissatisfaction. If they are just uneven (but healthy), insurers fight the claim.
- Mapping Photos are Critical: You must take a photo of the “Pre-Draw” (the outline) on her face before you cut. If the pre-draw was even and she approved it, the unevenness is likely due to her muscle movement or healing, not your error.
- Botched vs. Uneven: “Botched” implies scarring or wrong color. “Uneven” is subjective symmetry.
The “Why” (The Trap): The “Cosmetic” Exclusion
Standard Tattoo policies often exclude “Cosmetic Tattooing / Micropigmentation.”
Why? Because the clientele is different. PMU clients sue more often for aesthetic reasons (“I don’t look pretty”) compared to tattoo clients (“I wanted a skull”). The risk of “Dissatisfaction Claims” is 10x higher in PMU.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I quoted PMU coverage.
1. PPIB (Beauty & Body Art)
- Endorsement: You must check “Permanent Makeup.”
- Cost: Adds ~
150−150−300 to the policy. - Requirement: Certificate of completion from a PMU course (100 hours).
2. Esthetician Insurance (ASCP)
- Note: Many estheticians think their skin care insurance covers microblading. It often does NOT. It covers facials/waxing. Microblading penetrates the dermis and needs a specific rider.
Comparison Table: PMU Liability
| Issue | Cause | Insurance Coverage |
| Uneven Brows | Artist Error / Muscle Pull | Maybe (Defense only) |
| Scarring | Too Deep (Blade) | Yes (Bodily Injury) |
| Wrong Color | Ink Selection | Yes (Professional Error) |
| Infection | Unsterile Tool | Yes (If logs kept) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- The “Mirror Approval” Video: Don’t just take a photo. Take a video of the client looking in the mirror at the pre-draw, saying “I love the shape, go ahead.”
- Verify Your Policy: Look at your Declarations Page. Does it say “Tattoo” or “Body Art & Permanent Cosmetics”? If it’s just “Tattoo,” you are exposed.
- Use a PMU-Specific Waiver: Don’t use a tattoo waiver. Use one that mentions “fading,” “color shifting,” and “asymmetry due to facial muscle structure.”
- Botox Warning: Ask if they have had Botox recently. Botox alters brow position. If it wears off, the brows will drop and look uneven. That is not your fault, but you need to prove you asked.
FAQ
Q: Can I fix it with removal solution?
A: Be careful. Saline removal is another procedure. If you mess that up, you double the liability. Refer them to a laser specialist.
Q: Does microblading count as a tattoo in my state?
A: Usually yes, it requires a Body Art Practitioner license. Operating without a license voids your insurance.
[IMAGE: Before/After photo showing “Pre-Draw Mapping” (Perfect symmetry) vs. “Healed Result”.]