Cartridges for permanent makeup

Previously, artists used special needles for permanent makeup, but today they have been replaced by a more convenient and practical device – cartridges or modules. Essentially, these are the same needles, with the difference being that the cluster is not soldered on a bar but built into a plastic housing that attaches to the machine securely. Modules for permanent makeup are ideal for rotary machines, though some artists still use induction models.

Let’s take a closer look at the construction of the modules. A cartridge is a medical-grade plastic housing that includes:

• a separate chamber for pigment;
• a spring mechanism that ensures smooth movements and stabilizes the amplitude;
• a membrane;
• single or clustered needles.

PMU cartridges are single-use consumables that are disposed of after use. Each module is packed in a sterile pouch, opened in front of the client before the procedure. Sterile modules prevent pigment and blood particles from entering the tattoo machine, ensuring reliable protection for both the client and the artist.

Advantages of using PMU modules:

• ease and convenience of use;
• no risk of infection if operating rules are followed;
• maximum precision and meticulous pigment application;
• a wide range of models from global brands, allowing all types of permanent makeup tasks to be completed.

Types of Cartridges and Needles for Tattooing

For a beginner tattoo artist, it can be difficult to navigate the numbers, letters, and markings on the packaging. We will simplify it for you. Modules differ by the following parameters:

• thickness;
• configuration;
• number of needles in the cluster;
• degree of sharpening.

The needle thickness directly determines the pixel size – the larger the needle diameter, the larger the pixel. Packaging usually shows values like 0.25, 0.3, 0.35. Some brands, such as MAST, use different markings: 8, 10, 12. Accordingly, 0.25 = 8, 0.3 = 10, 0.35 = 12.

Let’s take a closer look at the main diameters and their applications:

• 0.25 – ideal for mature, thin skin. Allows for soft shading, suitable for eyelid PMU.
• 0.3 – universal size, convenient for permanent makeup on lips, eyebrows, and eyelids.
• 0.35 – suitable for porous, oily skin, leaving the largest pixel. Not recommended for eyelids.

Next are the numbers indicating the number of needles in a cluster. For permanent makeup, needles /01 (single needle) and /03 (3 needles per module) are suitable.

The cluster configuration indicates how the needles are arranged relative to each other:

• RL (Round Liner). Round cluster, most often used in permanent makeup for precise contour work.
• RS (Round Shader). Needles arranged parallel, used for shading pigment in small areas.
• M (Magnum). Fill needles divided into M1 – flat, ends staggered, suitable for soft shading; M2 – double-row, suitable for deep coverage.
• RM (Round Magnum). Semi-circular cluster, suitable for soft shading.

Needle sharpening type refers to the length of the needle tip. Types of sharpening:

• Long – LT. Creates small-diameter punctures, best for ultra-fine lines.
• Medium – MT. Universal sharpening, suitable for all PMU work.
• Short – ST. Creates larger punctures, used for dense coverage.

Which Cartridges to Choose for PMU?

Many tattoo artists who value quality, convenience, and comfort choose:

• Defenderr cartridges. Module needles made of Japanese surgical steel, sterilized with ethylene oxide. Defenderr cartridges offer American quality, ease of use, and painless procedures. They ensure lines are always neat, soft, and natural.
• Bulldog cartridges. Country of origin – United Kingdom. Bulldog cartridges have sharp needles made of Japanese surgical steel. Modules with a double membrane and reliable stabilization provide comfort and precision.
• Mast Pro cartridges. Professional modules from the Chinese brand Dragonhawk made of silicone. The housing and needle are a single structure, providing smooth pigment flow. Mast Pro cartridges are easy to use, gentle on the skin, and compatible with all machine models.
• Kwadron cartridges. Cartridges for Kwadron rotary machines (Poland) are reliable, highly precise, and affordable. The module system features sharp medical-grade steel needles for precise and careful coverage while minimally traumatizing the skin.

Where to Buy Cartridges (Modules) for Permanent Makeup?

The Beauty Hunter professional cosmetics online store is a large platform, regularly updated with new products popular among professional beauty artists. A new section – "Permanent" – has appeared on the Beauty Hunter site. Here you will find everything needed for professional tattooing:

• tattoo machines;
• pigments from global brands;
• cartridges;
• anesthesia;
• protective and care products;
• disposable consumables, and more.