‘PGC Schools‘, Japan’s first medical permanent makeup school, will celebrate its 38th anniversary in 2024. We asked this talented instructor about her thoughts on permanent makeup and her job as an instructor.

● Name
Hitomi Yamazaki

● Area of Activity
Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Hokkaido

I am also available to visit other regions upon request.

● How I Got Started in Permanent Makeup
Since I was young, I had always wanted to pursue a career in nursing or the beauty industry. Working at a beauty clinic felt like a dream come true, allowing me to do what I love. As I continued working there, I began considering further skill development, and that’s when I encountered permanent makeup. When I was invited to try it, I was eager to take on the challenge and began my journey.

● My Thoughts on My Current Work (Process and Experiences Leading to Success)
・From school graduation to the era of performing treatments on monitor patients
As a newcomer, there were many times when things didn’t go well, and I often vented to Dr. Akabane, who always encouraged me. I briefly considered gaining experience at a hospital after transferring to a beauty clinic, questioning whether that would be the right path.
However, the words of patients, such as “please do my treatment again next time” and “I feel confident leaving it to you,” became a great source of motivation. Now, I have many patients who return specifically requesting my services. Every day is enjoyable, and time passes quickly.

● The Reason I Decided to Become an Instructor
At the time, I felt that I was still very inexperienced both as a professional and as a technician, so I initially planned to decline the offer. However, with the support and encouragement of my mentors and senior colleagues, I decided to take on the challenge. As a result, I have learned so much from this new experience, and I feel that trying it was the right decision.

● My Vision for the Future of Permanent Makeup
I have come to understand that permanent makeup holds great potential by combining the safety of medical procedures with the beauty of aesthetics. Currently, I am focusing on raising awareness about the use of permanent makeup for patients who have experienced hair loss due to chemotherapy. I am actively engaged in academic presentations and writing papers to share this with more people. I aim to serve as a bridge between medical treatment facilities and beauty clinics offering appearance care, and I am committed to further growth in this field.

● A Message for Those Who Are Practicing or Wanting to Learn Permanent Makeup
There is a lot to learn in the beginning, such as handling machines, color theory, and design. It may seem overwhelming since everything is new, but I am confident that there will be moments when you will think, “This is fun!” and “I’m glad I worked hard!”
As the number of permanent makeup artists grows, I hope to see an increasing number of patients who are happy they chose this procedure. It would be wonderful to contribute to this positive change.