September 2025 SPCP Insights

September 24, 2025•9 min read

In this issue:

Featured Sip n Share Replay
Don't Miss the First-Ever SPCP Paramedical Summit
My Journey with the SPCP by Nahid Farzinzad (Shihan), CPCP
CPCP & CPTP Exam Review
CPCP & CPTP What's the Difference?
When to Say NO
New CPCP Certified
Notice of SPCP Members Meeting

Set Up& Tear Down Sip N Share Replay

Watch this months replay in your own time as industry expert Saville Warren-Pena, walks us through essential session on setup, breakdown, and effective machine disinfection protocols. This presentation covers the best practices to maintain a clean, safe, and compliant work environment. Learn how to protect your clients, your equipment, and yourself. Don't miss this great replay!

Members can earn one credit hour.

CLICK HERE

Paramedical Summit

Time is running out—tickets for the first-ever SPCP Paramedical Summit are selling fast, and you won’t want to miss this transformative two-day experience in Tulsa, OK, happening October 5–6, 2025

Day 1 launches on Sunday morning with a dynamic lineup of keynote sessions and expert presentations. The day also includes the SPCP Annual Members Meeting and wraps up with an evening networking reception.

Day 2 shifts into hands-on learning with interactive workshops and the exciting opportunity to sit for the brand-new Certified Paramedical Tattoo Professional (CPTP) board exam.

Why You Won’t Want to Miss This

This isn't just another summit—it's your opportunity to be among the first artists in the world to earn the Certified Paramedical Tattoo Professional (CPTP) credential.

The CPTP exam takes place on Day 2, and all applications must be submitted by September 30th, 2025.

Learn From the Industry’s Best

We’re proud to feature a stellar lineup of speakers and educators, including:

Kris Fernicola: Expert in 3D areola tattooing, scar camouflage, and corrective PMU. Founder of Restoration Body Art, featured in Allure, ABC NY7, and more.

Mandy Sauler, CPCP: From scar camouflage to 3D areola-nipple tattooing and medical tattoo education, Mand work continues to shape the gold standard in this rapidly evolving industry.

Vicki Hansen, CPCP: A PMU industry pioneer with 30+ years of experience and seven-time winner of Texas’s Top PMU Artist. She’ll be both a keynote speaker and workshop leader.

Shanan Zickefoose, BSN, RN, CPCP, CMM: A licensed nurse and seasoned PMU artist, Shanan brings a unique blend of medical knowledge and tattooing expertise.

Julie Michaud, CPCP: Internationally recognized for her work in both cosmetic and paramedical tattooing, with experience from NYC to Paris.

Pat Shibley, CPCP: Known as “The Queen of Color,” Pat brings unmatched expertise in pigment theory and color correction.

Find out More at https://summit.spcp.org/

NEW E-Versions Available

The SPCP has 2 publications now available for purchase in digital version.

Areola and Nipple Repigmentation for the Permanent Cosmetic Professional - $71.10 USD (Members Discounted Pricing)

The Art of Camouflage: The Hidden Facts - $31.50 USD (members Discounted Pricing)

My Journey with the SPCP

by Nahid Farzinzad (Shihan), CPCP

I believe the only reason to look back is to measure the distance between who you were and who you’ve become.

When I look back, I see a woman who had just started her business as a licensed aesthetician. At that time, life was not easy. My husband had been injured and could barely walk. We had three young children — two little ones and a newborn — and the weight of responsibility was heavy. But even in his pain, my husband was always supportive. He was like a rock behind me, pushing me forward when I felt tired, reminding me that I could do this. Whatever I have built today, I know I could not have done it without him.

Still, the road was not smooth. Connecticut requires 2,000 hours to do tattooing, and with no mentor, no roadmap, and no safety net, I had to carve my own path. I traveled anywhere I could find education — Texas, New York, any place that offered classes. Many times, I was disappointed. Certificates were given easily, but there was little true knowledge. I wanted something more, something real.

That’s when I found the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals — SPCP.

From the moment I joined, everything began to change. SPCP stood for the things I was searching for: professionalism, safety, knowledge, and community. It wasn’t about buying a certificate; it was about building a strong foundation. The education was phenomenal, and the sisterhood gave me strength. For the first time, I felt I was not alone.

Even then, I faced challenges. English is not my first language, and when I took the CPCP exam, I failed the first time. I thought maybe it would be like other organizations, where eventually you pass, but SPCP was different. Their standards were high — and that’s what made me respect them more. I studied harder, worked harder, and when I finally passed, I knew I had truly earned it.

My journey has never been about overnight success. It has been built through sleepless nights with children, through months where nothing seemed to move forward, and through years of showing up when no one was watching. But the struggles shaped me, and SPCP gave me the tools and the confidence to keep growing.

When I look back now, I realize how much SPCP has given me:

Knowledge — real education that lasts.
Safety — sterilization and standards that protect our clients and our craft.
Professionalism — an organization that raises the bar for all of us.
Sisterhood — a community that holds each other up.

This is why I chose SPCP, and why I stay. It is not just an organization; it is my professional home. I am still working hard, and I am not yet at the place I want to be — but I know I am on the way. And my dream now is not just for myself, but for others. I want to bring other women with me, to help them reach their goals, and to remind them that with the right support, they can do more than they ever imagined.

CPCP & CPTP Exam Review

The CPCP Exam review has been a popular and successful class. It's designed to help candidates prepare to take the exam. To date, 100% of those who have taken the class and followed the suggestions have passed.

Those taking the CPTP will also find it very helpful.

It covers content on the exams, resources, study tips, and practice questions.

The upcoming class for the exam review is scheduled for:

Thursday, October 2nd at 6PM CST. *Covering CPTP exam also

You can find out more & purchase this class here: https://spcp.org/exam-review-registration

The class is led by our Exam Chairperson, Judith Culp Pearson, CPCP who worked in the industry for over 35 years and is a Lifetime member.

CPCP & CPTP - What's the Difference

Elevate your career and let your customers recognize your commitment to excellence and high industry standards. Meet State licensing requirements by earning Certified Permanent Cosmetics Professional (CPCP) designation.

The SPCP has developed the CPCP Certification Examination at the fundamental level so those professionals, having successfully completed training that meets the CPCP Candidate requirement, and have attended a bloodborne pathogens class, should be able to pass the exam studying training materials. This Exam is open to all qualifying professionals.

Certified Paramedical tattoo Professional (CPTP) is a board-certified examination for paramedical tattooing certification. It was created by the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP) to address the increasing demand for certifications tailored specifically to paramedical services.

CPTP stands for Certified Paramedical Tattoo Professional. This board-certification requires applicants to demonstrate a specified number of study hours and training that includes advanced techniques in paramedical, possess a current bloodborne pathogens certificate and successfully complete an industry-specific, board certified exam.

CPTP certification is like other delegations that must be earned and maintained. The SPCP requires its CPTP delegates to renew every two years.

When to Say No to a Procedure

by Nahid Farzinzad (Shihan), CPCP

For me, learning to say ‘no’ was not easy—it took time and experience. Early in my career, I sometimes struggled with it. But, over the years I realized that saying ‘no’ is often in the best interest of the client. Saying no protects the client's results. But it also builds trust and shows real professionalism.

As professionals in permanent cosmetics, we develop important skills. We understand what to do—and also what not to do. Saying ‘no’ is part of protecting our clients, our profession, and our own reputation.

Clients may sometimes push for procedures that aren’t in their best interest. It's our responsibility to guide them with honesty and integrity.

One time a client came to me asking for a touch-up on her brows. Yet, her last procedure had been done only two months before. She insisted they were already fading and wanted me to go over them again, this time darker and thicker. I could see her skin was still healing. I knew doing another procedure would have risked scarring and uneven color.

Instead of agreeing, I sat her down and did client education. I explained why her skin needed more time to recover and how going over the area too soon could permanently damage her results. At first she was disappointed, but later she thanked me for protecting her skin. She told me, she realized my ‘no’ wasn’t rejection—it was because I truly cared about her long-term outcome.

There are many situations where ‘no’ is the right answer.

For example, clients may request procedures that don’t suit their skin type, age, or lifestyle. It’s our duty to educate them on why it may not be appropriate.

A client with very thin or compromised skin may not be a good candidate for certain treatments.
Others may bring in photos of celebrities. They expect the exact same results as in the photos. They don't realize that bone structure, skin tone, and natural features play a huge role.

In these moments, it’s our responsibility to set realistic expectations and offer safer alternatives.

Saying no is never easy, but it builds trust. Clients may not appreciate it in the moment. However, they will respect us more when they see that our goal is their safety and satisfaction—not just completing a procedure.

Protecting our clients also protects the reputation of our entire industry. A well-placed ‘no’ can not only save a client from regret. It can show them that true professionalism means putting their best interest first.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We want to express our gratitude to Nahid Farzinzad (Shihan), CPCP for her commitment and willingness to share not one but TWO articles for this issue.