Subjective Perception Types of Procedural Safety in Permanent Makeup Using Q-Methodology

The rapid expansion of semi-permanent makeup procedures has highlighted the need for a comprehensive safety framework. While previous studies have primarily addressed individual factors such as pigment toxicity and technical competencies, research approaching safety as a multidimensional and integrated concept remains insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and analyze practitioners’ subjective perception types regarding integrated safety in semi-permanent makeup procedures. Q-methodology was employed, where 30 semi-permanent makeup practitioners sorted 31 safety-related statements into a forced distribution. Factor analysis revealed three distinct perception types. Type 1, ‘Regulation and Medical Management-Oriented’, emphasizes that institutional mechanisms and regulatory controls are essential for ensuring procedural safety. Type 2, ‘Technical and Professionalism-Centered’, perceives technical proficiency, particularly the precise control of skin penetration depth, as the core element in preventing risks. Type 3, ‘Practical Balance and Reality-Aware’, balances considerations of pigment safety and hygiene while acknowledging the realistic challenges and limitations of excessive regulation. The low correlation coefficients between these types indicate independent cognitive structures. By conceptualizing integrated safety and classifying practitioner perceptions, this study provides foundational data for future system design, policy development, and the establishment of effective risk communication strategies within the semi-permanent makeup industry.