By Christopher Holland • The Current Contributing Writer
When Tina Madden was growing up in Dublin, Ireland, little did she know that by her early 20s she’d relocate to the United States and become an expatriate businesswoman.
After traveling around the states for a while, Madden moved to Jim Thorpe where she now runs her business “Skin Deep,” an endeavor that combine cosmetics with tattooing.
“My business started out as skin care and after continued education in the beauty industry I became more interested in permanent makeup,” Madden said.
Madden originally went to school for esthetics, micro-needling therapy and cosmetics, and then attended the Beau Institute for Permanent and Corrective Cosmetics in New Jersey to become a permanent makeup and medical tattoo artist.
“I started out as an esthetician and micro-needling therapist and then returned to school to become a permanent cosmetics artist… That’s when I realized there was a need for medical tattoo artists and returned to school again and focused in on learning more about the art,” she said.
The name Skin Deep came about because of Madden’s feeling of that many people judge each other by the skin that they’re in.
“Beauty is so much more than skin, so much deeper…. and I became determined to help my clients realize their true beauty from within,” she said.
She said that when she decided to focus more on medical tattooing, she really became aware of its importance.
“Eyebrows frame our face and the micro-blading technique I use creates hair strokes with all natural pigment creating the effect of real brows,” Madden said.
And while her business is open to anyone, she offers a specialty that’s not often heard of: areola tattooing on breast cancer survivors.
“I do it for breast cancer survivors who choose reconstruction surgery medical tattooing is the last step in their recovery,” Madden said.
She creates the areola using a specialized tattoo machine which she says can truly make a woman feel whole again. She also does camouflage to minimize and cover scars from surgery.
“I think we have all lost someone to breast cancer… And if I can make a woman feel beautiful again after their fight then I know I’m doing something right,” she said.
For the month of October, which is breast cancer awareness month, Madden is partnering with Turn To Us and offering one free eyebrow micro-blading procedure and one free areola procedure for cancer survivors.
Turn To Us is a Jim Thorpe-based nonprofit that advocates for individuals and their families who are experiencing the impact of both major and chronic illnesses by offering personalized assistance and connection to available resources in a compassionate and hopeful environment.
Madden noted that anyone interested in submitting their survival story should contact Alicia at Turn To Us at alicia@turntousinc.org.
“We will contact the winners and they can schedule their appointment,” she said.
Madden current runs her business at locations including Meraki Hari Salon in Lehighton, Haven Spa in Center Valley, Lehigh County and Dr. Lisa Bunin MD Ophthalmology in Allentown. She also travels to the Philadelphia area for procedures as well as operating out of her home in Jim Thorpe. She noted that her services are completely mobile.
She will be opening a brick and mortar in Jim Thorpe in the coming months, with an exact location to be announced soon.
Looking to the future, Madden says that Skin Deep will continue to offer skin care, micro-needling and all forms of permanent cosmetics, and it will be a full-time endeavor when the new shop opens.
“My heart will definitely be set on continuing to specialize in medical tattooing and helping breast cancer survivors in the last step in their journey,” Madden said.
For more information about Skin Deep and contact details, visit www.facebook.com/permanentcorrectivecosmetics.
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