What You Need to Know About Titanium Dioxide

Titanium dioxide is important and needed in both PMU pigments and the procedures we perform, however it is often misunderstood and feared by many artists. There are pros and cons to titanium dioxide – rather than being feared – it needs to be understood, respected and used responsibly by both the PMU artist as well as the pigment manufacturer.

What Is Titanium Dioxide?

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a naturally occurring mineral used widely in cosmetics, skincare, and permanent makeup pigments. It has the largest particle size of all colorants used in pigment formulation. With that said, the particle size of high-quality titanium dioxide will not be as large as poor quality titanium dioxide. So, the quality level of titanium dioxide is critical to pigment and procedure performance. Its primary role in PMU pigments is to:

1. Add opacity to provide full coverage.

2. To create lighter shades.

3. It even creates brightness in certain cases.

4. It’s particularly common in brow pigments, lip pigments, and of course camouflage pigments.

The Pros of Titanium Dioxide

1. Opacity and Coverage
• Titanium dioxide is highly opaque, which makes it effective for creating lighter tones and achieving full coverage pigments, which is needed for some cases and skin types. Many organic pigments are naturally sheer, they can be too sheer and by adding titanium dioxide, this provides opacity.
• Its high refractive index reflects light, gives the pigments a brighter and more vibrant appearance in the skin.
2. Stability
• Titanium dioxide is incredibly stable and resistant to UV degradation with a high lightfastness. This property helps pigments retain their color longer and minimizes fading from sun exposure.
3. Versatility
• It’s used in a wide variety of pigments, including pigments used for brows, lips and paramedical applications. For example, in scar camouflage, its opacity is invaluable for covering and blending skin discoloration.
4. Hypoallergenic
• Generally well-tolerated by most skin types, titanium dioxide is considered safe and unlikely to cause allergic reactions.

The Cons of Titanium Dioxide

1. Overuse and White Cast
• Excessive use of titanium dioxide can lead to pigments appearing overly bright, especially in lighter skin tones. Excessive use can lead an ashy, or chalky appearance, especially in darker skin tones. This is due to its reflective nature; it tends to not blend very well with melanin…especially high melanin.
2. Aging Characteristics
• Over time, titanium dioxide can leave a white, yellowish, gray, or ashy cast. This effect has a higher risk of occurring with pigments containing high amounts of titanium dioxide.
• Its reflective properties can sometimes exaggerate the appearance of scar tissue; the actual texture of the scar, making imperfections more noticeable as the pigment ages.
3. Placement Challenges
• Titanium dioxide particles are large and tend to sit higher in the dermis, closer to the surface. If implanted too shallow, it can appear patchy or uneven. If implanted too deep, it can migrate and create a hazy or blurred effect over time. Both unwanted results can happen with any pigment but there tends to be a higher risk of occurrence with pigments containing high amounts of titanium dioxide. It’s very important to implant all pigment at proper depth.
4. Difficulty in Removal
• Pigments containing high levels of titanium dioxide are more resistant to removal techniques, including laser treatments and saline lightening. This is due to its opacity, light-reflecting properties and larger particle size.
• Laser turns titanium dioxide Black or Dark Gray then the Black or Dark Gray pigment can be treated and lightened by additional laser sessions. This should be explained to the client so they can make an informed decision as some people may not be comfortable knowing their brows will turn Black or Dark Gray.
• With that said, over the last eight years, the LiFT® Saline Solution has proven to be pretty effective lifting and removing titanium dioxide from the skin. It can take more sessions due to its large particle size, but we have some amazing results from LiFT®.

How Titanium Dioxide Behaves in the Skin

1. Placement and Longevity
• As earlier mentioned, titanium dioxide tends to sit in the upper dermis and can age to a grayish, chalky or yellow hue over time depending on the skin tone. Its large particle size makes it more stable but also more likely to resist breakdown. Titanium dioxide also has a high lightfastness which also attributes to resisting breakdown, so it stays around for a long, long time.
• If it lasts too long, with its big particle size taking up space in the skin – too much space - this can make color refreshes challenging. There may not be room in the skin for additional pigment when the brows appear faded and a color refresh is needed.
2. Interaction with Skin Tones
• In lighter skin types, titanium dioxide is generally well-tolerated and contributes to bright, even results. With that said, unwanted results can certainly happen with the lighter skin tones, especially when the pigment contains high amounts of titanium dioxide or implanted incorrectly.
• In darker skin tones, it can create an unnatural contrast or grayish undertone, especially if used excessively or implanted incorrectly.
3. Aging and Color Shifts
• As the pigment ages, titanium dioxide’s reflective properties may become more pronounced, leading to a grayish, yellow or chalkier appearance. This is particularly true in pigments containing a very high amount of titanium dioxide.
4. Scar Tissue Visibility
• While titanium dioxide is effective for coverage, if pigment retention is low or the technique is improper, its bright white hue can emphasize scar tissue rather than cover and blend it with the surrounding skin.

What PMU Artists Should Know

1. Use Titanium Dioxide Responsibly
• Be cautious about using pigments with high titanium dioxide content, especially with darker skin tones. Excessive use can lead to unwanted ashy or gray results.
• When working on scar camouflage procedures or, balance titanium dioxide with other pigments to avoid these issues.
2. Understand Placement Depth
• Proper depth is crucial. Implanting titanium dioxide too shallow can result in patchy healing, while going too deep can lead to migration and hazy results.
• Practice and precision are key to achieving consistent, desirable outcomes.
3. Educate Your Clients
• Explain how pigments with titanium dioxide may age over time, this becomes most important when performing scar camouflage procedures.
• Transparency builds trust and helps clients set realistic expectations.
4. Adapt to Skin Types
• Light skin types often respond better to titanium dioxide, but darker skin types may not and require pigments with little to no titanium dioxide in order to achieve natural-looking results.
• Understanding the interplay between pigment and melanin is essential for tailoring your technique to each client.

Final Thoughts

Titanium dioxide is a double-edged sword in the world of permanent makeup pigments. Its opacity, stability, and versatility make it a valuable tool and needed for the wide range of procedures and work we do, but overuse or improper technique can lead to unwanted results. By understanding how titanium dioxide behaves in the skin, adjusting your approach based on client needs and skin types, and continuing to educate yourself - pigments containing titanium dioxide can be used confidently, effectively and successfully.

It's also important to note that pigment manufacturers must source and use high quality titanium dioxide in their pigment formulations, understand the complexities of titanium dioxide, how it can affect our procedures and use it responsibly.

Written by Teryn Darling. Copywrite 2025