Delphi Analysis of a Group of Experts to Develop a Semi-Permanent Makeup NCS Training Program -In the Run-up to the Tattoo Law Regulations

Purpose: In Korea, semi-permanent makeup has become a key sector in the beauty industry, recognized as a form of makeup that complements the limitations of traditional tattooing. Demand for semi-permanent makeup services is expected to increase further as the medical beauty market and its application expand to a wider range of age groups. For a long time, the Korean semi-permanent makeup and tattoo-related service industries remained in a legal limbo due to insufficient institutional and legal regulations. However, with the recent passage of the Tattoo Act by the National Assembly, tattooing and semi-permanent makeup procedures are expected to be formally legislated and regulated within the next two years. Semi-permanent makeup is characterized by its delicate and invasive nature, and its institutionalization is leading to an increasing demand for certification and retraining. Therefore, systematic training and evaluation are essential. Against this backdrop, the developmen t of a standardized and systematic training program to cultivate professional semi-permanent makeup practition -ers is a critical and urgent task. Method: The NCS-based educational program for semi-permanent makeup proposed in this study was designed based on practical field requirements and was systematically researched and structured to establish its conceptual framework, development domains, and development components. First, a literature review was conducted on 81 master’s theses, 14 doctoral dissertations, and relevant monographs related to semi-permanen t makeup. In addition, the concept of the National Competency Standards (NCS), NCS competency units a nd elements in the beauty field, and the learning module system were examined. Second, to develop the competency unit elements of an NCS-based educational program for semi-permanent makeup, a Delphi survey was conducted in three rounds with 20 field experts who possessed between 3 and over 20 years of professional experience in semi-permanent makeup. Results: Through the third round of the Delphi survey, 18 NCS competency units and 59 competency unit elements were derived to facilitate application to learning modules. These competency units included an overview and definition of semi-permanent makeup, skin and scalp, hygiene management, infection control and disinfection, pre- and post-procedure management, history and trends of makeup, basic makeup drawin g, semipermanent makeup design, color theory, pigments, equipment, equipment-based design techniques, field application, corrective methods for improper procedures, use of pain relief agents, customer management, business management, and educational feedback. Conclusion: In a field where prior research on semi-permanent makeup remains limited, this study—developed through the systematic elicitation of expert opinions—is expected to serve as foundational data for training professional semi-permanent makeup practitioners and for the advancement of the beauty industry.