FAQ
WHAT IS COSMETIC TATTOOING?
Cosmetic tattooing is the process in which sterile hypoallergenic color pigments are placed under the dermal layer of the skin using single use sterile needles. The areas to be treated are numbed using topical anesthetics to make your experience
comfortable and pleasant. Cosmetic Tattooing is also known as Permanent Makeup or Micropigmentation.
WHAT IS THE HAIR STROKE EYEBROW TECHNIQUE?
The hair stroke technique, more commonly coined on social media as “microblading”, is done by implanting the pigment into the skin in fine hair-like strokes, giving the appearance of natural hair. Anna performs this technique manually (without a machine) to ensure each hair stroke is properly placed for the most natural healed look possible.
DOES A COSMETIC TATTOO HURT?
Before the procedure, a topical anesthetic cream will be applied to numb the area. A second topical anesthetic gel is also applied during your procedure to ensure you remain comfortable. There are certain factors that may affect your sensitivity to the procedure such as being a smoker, if you are on your menstrual cycle, or if you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. The client’s comfort is a priority and additional anesthetic may be applied for longer to ensure it is effective for the client’s sensitivity.
IS A COSMETIC TATTOO RIGHT FOR ME?
A cosmetic tattoo can make a big difference to a person’s life. It can greatly increase your confidence in your appearance and save you valuable time.
There are certain factors in individuals that may affect your cosmetic tattoo. If you have very very oily skin, the hairstroke eyebrow technique won’t be a good option for you. Increased oil production can cause the indivual hairstrokes to blur and turn into a more solid; powdered appearance. Anna is trained in multiple techniques to still guarantee you have a gorgeous set of natural appearing brows. Smokers will often notice their tattoo will fade faster than normal and they may require a Color Boost appointment sooner than a non smoker. Anemia or an iron deficiency can also cause your tattoo to fade faster and you may experience more bleeding and/or bruising.
Individuals must be 18 years or older to receive a tattoo.
The Hair Stroke Tattoo technique is not suitable for individuals over 65 years of age.
As a precaution, tattooing will not be performed on individuals who are pregnant.
BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE
If you have an idea of the look you would like to achieve, please bring in reference photos.
You can fill in your eyebrows as you normally would so I can take into consideration the shape you prefer. Be advised, your artist has the right to refuse service if she feels the look you desire is not fitting for your facial shape, completion, and or brow structure. Creating a natural look that will last and suit you as styles change is her goal.
Please avoid any blood thinning medication for a minimum of 72 hours prior to your appointment. This would include aspirin, niacin, ibuprofen, vitamin E and fish oil supplements.
Please avoid all eyebrow shaping, waxing, threading and tinting for at least 3 days before your appointment.
Do not consume alcohol the night before or day of your appointment.
If you have used Accutane by prescription, you will need to wait a minimun of 6 months before booking your appointment.
If you plan to go on a vacation, it is recommended to plan your trip for a minimum of 14 days after the procedure and avoid direct sunlight. Sun will significantly fade a new tattoo.
It is recommended that you avoid sun and tanning bed exposure for 14 days before your procedure.
AFTERCARE
The aftercare instructions provided have been refined over years of study to help the individual hair strokes of your tattoo heal as crisp and defined as possible.
Failure to follow the aftercare instructions can result in a blurred tattoo.
Your artist will go over aftercare instructions with you at the time of your appointment and you will receive a copy to take home with you.
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-Avoid all washing and contact with water for 24 hours following the procedure.
After 24 hours you may gently clean the procedure area twice a day with Dial GOLD Antibacterial soap and water gently with fingertips. Promptly apply a rice size amount of antibacterial ointment RecoverAll (Your artist will supply you with a tube to take with you. The same tube is to be used for follow up appt healing as well). Do this twice a day for 7-10 days following procedure.
– Most normal activities can be resumed immediately. BrowWorks recommends that heavy exercise and/or sweat inducing activity be delayed for 2-3 days following the procedure. Keep a towel nearby thereafter until fully healed (2 weeks).
– Keep bath and shower times short. Avoid direct shower spray on your eyebrows. Recreational water activities where your procedure area will become wet, such as swimming, should be avoided for 2 weeks.
– Avoid makeup and skin care products on the procedure area. After 2 weeks you may lightly pencil if needed before touch up.
– The sun DRASTICALLY affects the lifetime of your art between refreshes. Fading is quickened with sun exposure. Stay out of the sun, if you must be out wear a hat and sunscreen. Sunscreen your brows!!!
– Your procedure will begin to oxidize (begin to turn darker and darker) immediately after and during the next 3-4 days. Do not be alarmed. The color will lighten as the skin heals.
– Fading and loss of pigment may occur after your procedure while healing. Some flaking off of the pigment may occur on some skin types. This is NORMAL, it is a requirement of this permanent makeup procedure to have a follow up/ touch up procedure within 5-6 weeks. Your artwork is NOT complete until both procedures have been performed and healed. Trust the process!
– Judgement of your final results should be deferred until one month following your touch up procedure. Avoid Sun and skin exfoliants directly on your brows for the life of your brows.
Some residual swelling is normal for all procedures. The treated area may feel similar to a sunburn for 24-48 hours post procedure, but discomfort should be minimal. Dry skin/itching/tenderness are common during the healing process. These symptoms will dissipate each day and vary on an individual basis.
Following the procedure, the tattoo will appear to be darker and more bold. This is normal and the tattoo will
lighten/soften 30-50% as it heals.
The full healing process takes approximately 7-8 weeks. During this time, your tattoo will soften and lighten. Be
patient. You may feel as though too much color has been lost, but your skin is still regenerating and naturally
exfoliating. During week 3-6 of healing you will see the color in your tattoo take on new strength and will start to reappear and settle. After 6-8 weeks (no earlier), you will come in for your follow up appointment (included with your initial procedure cost) and we can make any final adjustments that may be desired to perfect your brows.
ONCE HEALED
Over time, exposure to sun can cause fading and discoloration of the pigment. Once fully healed, you should always apply sunscreen to the tattooed area.
Anti-aging creams, retinol products, proactive acne products, glycolic acid, and face peel products must be kept away from the tattooed area as continued use could fade/discolor the tattoo.
Always inform your laser technician if you are having laser treatments around the tattooed area. Continue at your own discretion as laser procedures may darken, lighten, or discolor the pigment in your tattoo.
TYPICAL HEALING STAGES:
(time frame may differ for each client)
Day 1-2
The tattoo will appear dark and more bold. Don’t be concerned that your eyebrows may
initially appear darker and heavier in size than you desire, this is all part of the process.
You may experience some swelling – this is normal.
The treated area may feel similar to a sunburn.
Day 3-5
Eyebrows will start to itch and will appear a bit thicker in texture. Natural exfoliation begins.
Do not pick or scratch the tattooed area.
Day 5-7
The skin begins to flake, peeling from the outside edges first.
Do not pull off any flaking yourself.
Day 7-10
The tattoo finishes flaking and the color underneath appears softer and less visible for a few weeks. Color will slowly reappear during weeks 3-6 of healing.
FACTS ABOUT THE HEALING PROCESS
After the pigment is implanted, the body needs to do it’s job and repair itself. Tiny flakes of excess pigment will form on top of the skin. The pigment underneath the skin will be retained. When the flaking finishes, the skin underneath may look light and milky leaving you to wonder where your tattoo went. Please keep in mind this is normal and as the cells regenerate, the color will start to reappear.
POLICIES
A deposit is required to book each new appointment. This deposit will be deducted from the total cost of your session on the day of your appointment.
Deposits will be processed at the time of booking by credit card and are non refundable.
48 hours notice is required to reschedule your appointment.
Should you decide to cancel, your deposit will be forfeited.
No Shows and day of cancelations without a reschedule will be charged a $200 penalty and will forfeit their deposit. Please respect the artist’s time and let them know if you cannot make your appointment.
Healed results will vary for each individual client. Final results are not guaranteed as each individual will hold and break down the pigment differently. To obtain optimal results, additional sessions may be required (not common). Additional charges will apply.
All appointments include a free follow-up session to perfect your tattoo. Follow up appointments will be booked after 6-8 weeks from your initial appointment depending on your skin type and within 6 months from the initial appointment.
To book your follow up appointment if not done at initial session, simply email BrowworksPMU@gmail.com.
Individuals who fail to follow the aftercare procedure, have difficult and/or compromised skin, or a previous eyebrow tattoo may require an additional follow up appointment.
