How Teryn Started Diluting Pigments—And Why You Should Too

The Beginning: A Lesson from Body Tattooing

About 25 years ago, during my body tattoo apprenticeship, I learned the power of pigment dilution. In body tattooing, diluting black ink was a well-known technique used to create different values of gray, from dark gray all the way to the lightest and softest tones of gray. So, when I transitioned into permanent makeup, it only made sense to bring this knowledge with me to my own work as PMU artist.

Bringing Pigment Dilution to PMU

Since I had seen the value in diluting pigments and what it can create in body tattooing, I first started diluting black pigment for eyeliner clients who wanted a softer, smoky look instead of a bold, jet-black effect. Then, I expanded it to brows, lips, and areolas—discovering how it could create stunning, natural-looking. translucent healed results across all PMU applications.

But back then, dilution wasn’t a common practice if at all in PMU. Many artists thought I was crazy for "weakening" my pigment when most were struggling to get enough saturation and retention. Some needed three or more sessions to meet their clients’ expectations—so why would I make my pigment even less concentrated?

The answer was simple: efficiency and control.

Why Pigment Dilution Works in PMU

My training in body tattooing gave me insights that weren’t widely known in the PMU industry at the time:

• Larger needles deposit more pigment quicker and more efficiently than small needles. That was a game changer for me.
• I had the opposite problem of most PMU artists at the time – my pigment was healing in too good and creating an unnatural result.
• To achieve a softer, more natural eyeliner result, I needed to dilute my black pigments.
• Dilution wasn’t a new concept for me—it was just new to PMU.

By incorporating dilution, I was able to create soft, transparent results while still using bigger needles for efficiency. I started to become a more versatile artist, and whether the client wanted a soft, low saturated and natural result or a more striking, higher saturated result – I could accomplish both using bigger needles, keeping my procedure timely and my touch-up work minimal.

What Happens When You Add a Dilution Solution?

When you mix pigment with a dilution solution, several key things happen:

1. It Lowers the Pigment Concentration

• Fewer pigment particles per drop of pigment are implanted, which softens the overall effect.

2. It Alters the Pigment Consistency

• The pigment becomes thinner and flows more smoothly, allowing for a more even application.

3. It Reduces Opacity

• The pigment becomes more translucent, creating a softer, more natural healed results.

The Science Behind Why It Works

Diluting pigment isn’t just an artistic choice—it’s backed by science. Here’s how dilution affects the way pigment heals in the skin:

1. Reduced Pigment Load – Fewer particles mean a lighter, softer healed appearance.
2. Light Dispersion – Lower concentration allows more light to scatter through the skin, softening the final look.
3. Increased Transparency – Diluted pigment allows natural skin tones to show through.
4. Surface Reflection – The skin’s natural undertones enhance the results, creating a more natural effect.
5. The Skin’s Healing Process – Immune cells (macrophages) help distribute pigment more evenly, leading to a seamless healed result.

Does Diluted Pigment Last as Long?

Yes! Many artists assume dilution makes pigment fade faster, but that’s not the case. Here’s why:

1. The Pigment’s Core Properties Stay the Same
• A pigment’s lightfastness and durability doesn’t change just because it’s diluted.
2. Particle Size Remains Stable
• The individual pigment particles are still the same size—they’re just distributed further apart in the skin – their scattered.
3. Macrophages Still Process Pigment the Same Way
• The immune system treats diluted pigment the same as undiluted, so longevity isn’t affected.
4. Long-Term Retention is About Depth, Not Dilution
• As long as the pigment is implanted at the correct depth (upper dermis), it will retain well over time.

When Should You Dilute Your Pigment?

Pigment dilution isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach—it’s a technique that allows you to customize results based on your client’s needs. Here’s when it makes sense to use it:

1. For Softer, Smoky Eyeliner

• Ideal for clients who want a subtle, natural eyeliner effect and you want to keep with bigger needles or hand movements other than whip shading or pendulum.
• Works beautifully with 5 shaders or mags to create soft blends.

2. For Powder Brows & Ombré Brows

• When using larger needles, dilution helps achieve a soft, powdery brow look.
• Can be used for outlining your brow design with a single needle or a 3RL without the worry of ending up with an outline in the healed result.

3. For Lip Blush & Tints

• Helps create a soft, blended lip tint or blush when working with larger needles.
• Can also be used for outlining the lip design without worry of the outline showing up in the healed result.

4. For Layering & Gradients

• Starting with a diluted “safety line” can help with placement before going in with full-strength pigment.
• Perfect for ombre bottom eyeliner, where a softer, faded effect is desired.

5. For Delicate Skin Types

• Mature, dry, or sensitive skin benefits from diluted pigment because it reduces saturation overload and trauma.

My Go-To Dilution Solution: Soft FX

Over 15 years ago, I formulated Soft FX with Li Pigments to create the perfect dilution solution. It contains:

✔️ Sterile water
✔️ Alcohol
✔️ Glycerin

This balance allows artists to thin their pigments safely and predictably—without compromising pigment stability or longevity. It’s compatible with all pigment brands, giving PMU artists full control over their work.

With the launch and expansion of the OMG® brand, Soft FX has new moved over to OMG®. Same great formula, nothing has changed – she just sports a new pink, branded outfit 😊

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Experiment with Dilution

If you’re not already using pigment dilution in your PMU procedures, I encourage you to try it. The ability to customize your pigment concentration allows you to work smarter—not harder—while creating more natural, long-lasting results for your clients.

Written by Teryn Darling. Copywrite 2025