Permanent Make-Up
Permanent makeup defined
Microblading Cosmetic tattooing, is also referred to as semi-permanent makeup or micropigmentation. This implanting process of color pigment beneath the surface of the skin by means of tiny, sterile, disposable needles to construct the appearance of hair strokes only to enhance the natural countenance of the face.
Vacations
If you plan to go on a vacation, it is recommended to plan your trip a minimum of 14 days after the procedure.
Supplements & medications
We require our clients to avoid any blood thinning medication for a minimum of 72 hours prior to their appointment. This includes Vitamin E, Aspirin, Niacin, fish oil supplements, and Ibuprofen. If you have been on prescription Accutane in the past, you MUST wait at least one year before considering this procedure.
Alcohol and caffeine
No. Do not drink any alcohol the night before and day of your appointment and limit the amount of caffeine you consume.
Sun exposure and tanning
If you show up for your appointment with a new tan or a sunburn, you will need to reschedule. As your skin exfoliates from a sunburn, it will take the pigment with it. It is highly recommended that you avoid the SUN and TANNING BED exposure for 30 days BEFORE and AFTER your procedure.
Healing and what to expect immediately after
Your semi-permanent makeup will appear darker and more intense than expected for the first few days. This will gradually lighten during the complete healing process. Redness and swelling is minimal. Please view our detailed aftercare instructions here.
Immediately following your procedure, the tattooed area will appear to be darker and bolder in color and more sharply defined. This can last up to a week after the treatment while the initial healing process takes place. The treated area may feel a bit like sunburn afterwards but there should be minimal discomfort.
During the initial healing period, there should be minimal scabbing or flaking of the skin. If there is some scabbing or flaking, do not pick, and allow the scab or dry skin to come off on it's own.
The complete healing process takes about 6-8 weeks, at which time the true color of the tattoo is evident. During this process, your tattoo will soften and lighten. Be patient, even lost, as your skin is still regenerating and naturally exfoliating. Wait at least 6 weeks to see the true color as it seems to take on new strength, and it is only after 6-8 weeks that your touch-up/ adjustment can be done.
How long does cosmetic tattooing last?
Permanent makeup last 1-3 years depending on your skin. Cosmetic tattoo treatments are considered semi-permanent and will not wash off, however, they will fade over time and may need to be refreshed every 1-2 years. Scalp micro-pigmentation can last much longer if proper care is taken.
How will i look immediately after? What is the healing process?
Your semi-permanent makeup will appear darker and more intense than expected for the first few days. This will gradually lighten during the complete healing process. Redness and swelling is minimal. Please view our detailed aftercare instructions here.
How many treatments are needed?
For most clients, a minimum of two treatments are usually needed, at least 6-8 weeks apart. With most procedures, the color looks dramatically lighter after the first week. Some clients prefer this, while others opt for a bolder look. At the second session, we will assess the color retention and make adjustments as necessary. Everyone heals differently and at different rates. If your cosmetic tattoo does not heal perfectly after the first session, do not worry! We can always go darker and add more density at your next appointment.
What if I had permanent makeup before?
If you have had your eyebrows previously tattooed and are interested in a cover-up/re-work, you MUST email us a clear photo PRIOR to booking your appointment. We cannot guarantee results for cases such as these and we must approve that your eyebrows are workable. In some cases where the previous work is too dark, dense, discolored, or large, tattoo removal will be
highly recommended before we begin the cover-up/ re-work. Previously tattooed areas and cover-ups will almost always require additional touch-ups for best results and will be charged accordingly.
Will I need only one appointment?
No. All semi-permanent cosmetic procedures are multi-session processes. An initial application is incomplete until after a follow-up appointment, which must be scheduled approximately 4-8 weeks after your initial appointment. There is no additional charge for the follow-up appointment after your initial application as long as it is performed within three months of the initial application.
Eyeliner: What should I know before?
DO NOT WEAR CONTACT LENSES DURING OR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURE. Remember to bring your glasses. You may resume wearing your contact lenses as soon as your eyes return to their pretreated condition. Do not use growth stimulants such as Latisse®, RapidLash®, or RevitaLash® for at least one week prior to and one week after your eyeliner procedure
Brows: What should I know before?
Avoid tweezing, waxing, electrolysis, and coloring your brows for two weeks prior to the procedure if possible. This will allow your practitioner the most flexibility to achieve optimal results.
If you have an ideal shape and color in mind, bring a few reference photos with you to your appointment. You may fill in your eyebrows as you normally would so we can take into consideration the shape you desire.
Lips: What should I know before?
If you have any history of cold sores/ fever blisters/ herpes simplex, you must contact your physician to obtain and take the proper prescription medication to prevent such outbreaks for at least 4 days before and after the procedure. Many physicians prescribe 12 capsules of 500mg Valtrex. Follow your physician’s instructions.
Finally: THE 3 FREAK OUTS!!!
FREAK OUT #1: It will look very dark the next few days. Do not worry! This is natural and normal. Know that it will get a lot lighter. Also it may look very harsh and strokes might not be very visible. This is also okay and once the healing process is over it will look a lot more natural. You might be disappointed at first but be patient they will look great!
FREAK OUT #2: After a few days of healing and scabbing the color will almost be gone. This is normal. Know it takes time for the color to come back. It can be a little scary because you think you went through all that pain and spent that money for nothing. Do not worry it will all come back and be the color you wanted!
FREAK OUT #3: Once the color has come back and the brows are all healed, there may be a few areas where there are patches with no color. It is impossible to make the brows perfect and fully colored the first time. This is what the touch up is for and why it's important to make sure to get a touch up for 4-6 weeks after the first procedure.
Since delicate skin or sensitive areas may swell slightly or redden, some clients feel it best not to make social plans for a day or two following any procedure. Wear your normal makeup and bring your lip or brow pencils with you the day of the procedure Two or three applications may be required to achieve the desired results. It is not uncommon to lose up to 70% of the color on the first application.
When you come in for your consultation with Nicole please wear your make-up applied as you normally would do it for day time. We will take a photo with your make-up on, then we will ask you to remove it and then take another photo. We view the photos out as they serve as an important reference point when discussing the brow shape which is most flattering for your face, or for discussing on how to best enhance your eyes.
You can also bring in a photo of yourself. Sometimes women will bring in photos of celebrities whose brows they admire. That is fine, but keep in mind that although the brow style works of that person, you have your unique features, such as the width of your forehead and shape of your natural brow bone to consider when shaping your brow. Nicole is well known for her natural brow work with 3-D hair-like strokes. She will not do an extreme, dramatic or solid brow shape, but will refer you to someone else for that type of work. You will be shown a portfolio of work and most likely you will get to see a client who has just had some work done so that you can see the work on a real client, up-close. This is important, as photos do not accurately reflect how nice the real work looks, you must see it for yourself! At least 30% of Nicole work is corrections. If you have had brows done by previous technicians keep in mind that the shape may be so asymmetrical, or too high on your forehead. Work may have to be removed before Nicole can begin creating a new, more natural, better-looking brow. This will be determined at the consult. Unfortunately, Nicole may find that there is scarring, which is problematic when redoing brows. Please see our FAQ page for more info. If you are considering eyeliner and using the Latisse product, it is mandatory to stop using that product two months before your service. In some cases, Nicole may have to refuse to work on a client who has been using Latisse, as the Latisse product will make the cell membrane of the eyelids more permeable, which could result in a pigment migration. If you have had work done by another technician it is necessary to send a photo of your brows via email (not text) before you schedule a consult. Nicole will look at the photo before determining if she wants to take on the project. Regarding the paperwork for your consult, please have a list of medications and vitamins with you as well as your physician’s information. While you are filling out your paper-work in the office you are invited to enjoy a cup of tea. The fee for the consultation is $50.00 which is non-refundable. A deposit of $200 is required to schedule your procedure. Should you decide to schedule your procedure, the consultation fee will be applied to your deposit.
We routinely schedule a block of 2 to 2 1/2 hours for your first appointment.