Permanent
Make-Up 
FAQs

Pain:  We use a topical lidocaine anesthetic that provides pain relief during the procedure.  Many clients do not feel any pain, while others may feel slight discomfort towards the end of the service.  There will be a small minority who may find the process painful even after anesthetic is used, but this is not the majority.  As pain tolerance varies in every individual, some people responded better to anesthetics than others.

 

Infection: Infection is very unusual. The areas treated must be kept clean and only freshly cleaned hands should touch the areas. You will receive specific aftercare instructions after your appointment. 

 

Uneven Pigmentation: This can result from poor healing, infection, bleeding or many other causes. Your follow up appointment will likely correct any uneven appearance.

 

Asymmetry: Every effort will be made to avoid asymmetry but our faces are not symmetrical so adjustments may be needed during the follow up session to correct any unevenness.

 

Excessive Swelling or Bruising: Not typical for permanent makeup (brows).  Minor if it occurs, and subsides within a few days.

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Anesthesia: Topical anesthetics are used to numb the area to be tattooed. Lidocaine, Prilocaine, Benzocaine, Tetracaine and Epinephrine in a cream or gel form are typically used. If you are allergic to any of these please advise your technician prior to your appointment date.

 

Keloid Scarring – occurs when a wound scar grows excessively producing fibrous protein (collagen) after the wound has healed, beyond normal boundaries. Although keloid scarring is more likely with deeper wounds, persons with this tendency may have problems with tattooing also. If you are prone to keloids, you may not be a good candidate. 

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) - dark skinned individuals have a higher predisposition for this, and permanent makeup lip procedures are higher risk (larger area, more swelling, longer healing time) than permanent eyeliner or permanent eyebrows. If your skin becomes highly pigmented from a simple cut, you may not be a good candidate for permanent makeup.

 

Foreign Body Granulomas – nodules that form around material that the body perceives as foreign. This is rare, but is possible with tattoo pigment, body piercing jewelry, splinters, or any foreign material that is too large to be ingested and removed by macrophages.

 

MRI: Some pigments used in permanent cosmetic procedures contain inert oxides, a low level magnet may be required if you need to be scanned by an MRI machine. You must inform your MRI technician of any tattoos or permanent cosmetics. In some cases especially with large tattoos, some heat and/or tingling may be felt in the area of the tattoo. 

 

Allergic Reaction: There is a small possibility, although rare,  of an allergic reaction to tattoo pigments.  However, this may show up many years after your procedure.  You may take a 7 day patch test to determine this.  However, it is up to you to seek advice from a Medical Professional to diagnose an allergic reaction should an adverse reaction occur.  Even if your patch test shows you are not allergic, this does not rule out a reaction showing up many years later. Allergic reactions to pigments are rare, however, it can occur.  If you are allergice to certain types of pigments (ie hair dyes, cosmetics, etc.), you may not be a good candidate. 

 

You may also be allergic to other products used during the procedure.  This is why it is important for you to disclose all information in the medical questionnaire.

 

The alternative to these possibilities is to use cosmetics and not undergo the Permanent Cosmetics procedure.

 

GENERAL PRE AND POST CARE INSTRUCTIO NS - BROWS, EYELINER, LIPS

 

If you have any medical issues, on medication, or any general concerns, it is very important you discuss this with your technician prior to your procedure.

 

In order to achieve the best results, please follow the pre and post care instructions as outlined on this page as well as the post care document specific to your procedure emailed to you after your appointment.  If you are unable to follow these instructions at the time before and after your appointment, it is best you re-schedule. 

 

PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT

 

GENERAL:

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To ensure best results, make sure your health is in good condition. Get enough rest, eat well, exercise. 

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FOR BROWS:

• Two weeks before: discontinue use of face creams that have anti-aging and acne-controlling ingredients.  Stop Retin-A products at least 4 weeks prior (forehead area only). 

• NO regular facials, tinting, botox one week prior

• NO anti-aging treatment (peels, invasive laser treatments) at least 4 weeks prior to your appointment

• Stop using brow growth serums for at least 4 weeks prior to your appointment

• Arrive to your appointment with NO makeup on your forehead and brows.  This includes foundation!!!

 

FOR EYELINER: 

• you must discontinue use of any Eyelash growth serums ( Latisse, Eyenvy, etc) at least 6 months before your appointment.  Do not continue until 4 weeks after your TOUCH UP appointment. 

• No eyelash extensions!!! Please have them removed before your appointment, we will not do this for you at the appointment - it takes up too much time!

• NO eye makeup, mascara, etc on the day of your appointment please

• NO coffee on the day of your appointment

• NO alcohol, ibuprofen 24 hrs before your appointment

• No contact lenses during appointment or for 2 days after. Please wear/bring your glasses

 

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AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT

 

WHAT TO EXPECT-

Your new cosmetic tattoo will begin to darken by the end of day and may continue to appear darker and larger (thicker, bigger) than you would like.  This is normal and part of the body's natural healing process.  DO NOT PANIC!  This is expected.  Swelling (if any) should subside within a few days. You must follow the aftercare instructions provided to you for best results.  DO NOT PICK OR PEEL YOUR SCABS! Doing so may result in scarring, uneven patchy colour, and prolong redness that can last for several months.

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You may feel a little sore from the procedure and this is normal.  You may take Tylenol, but NOT aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).  You will receive oral instructions after the procedure as well as an email detailing post care instructions after your appointment. 

 

General aftercare until your peeling is complete:

 

Until scabs have fully completed peeling (typically 10-14 days for brows, 5-7 days for lips and liner):

• Do not immerse the area in water or have shower spray directly in area

• Do not exercise where your heart rate is elevated and you will be sweating

• Do not wear make-up on your forehead or eyebrows (for eyebrow tattoo), eyeliner ( for lash enhancement/eyeliner tattoo) or lips (for lip blush tattoo). 

• Avoid direct sunlight (wear a hat)

• Keep area moist with aftercare ointment provided with a Q-tip

• Never touch the area with your fingers

• Keep area clean as instructed

• Never pick, or peel or rub your scab.  Doing so may cause scarring and prolonged redness

• Eat a well-balanced diet, get enough sleep for best healing

• Use a clean pillow case

• Make sure your new cosmetic tattoo is fully healed (healing time brows 10-14 days, eyeliner and lips 5-7 days) before using makeup on the area and surrounding.  

• Make sure you begin applying sunscreen on your brows once healed 

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NO WORKING OUT including any activities where you will be sweaty FOR 5-7 DAYS until your peeling is complete.  You may resume regular activities once you have completed the peeling phase. 

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NO FACIALS, MASSAGE, STEAM ROOMS, SAUNA, TANNING, SPRAY TANNING until your peeling is complete.

 

AVOID IMMERSING IN  WATER. This means no swimming.  You will given detailed instructions at your appointment on how to keep the treatment area clean and yes, you will be able to shower and wash your face/hair during this period. 
 

KEEP IT CLEAN! Your new cosmetic tattoo  is an open wound, which requires healing from your body.  Use common sense to ensure a good environment for healing - get enough rest, eat well, avoid public areas that may be very dusty or polluted.  

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The complete healing process (from inside out) can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks to heal.  You will see many changes throughout this time.  Sometimes, colour may appear light once peeling is complete.  It will slowly darken in a month's time.  You will see final colour in 6-8 weeks.  This is part of the body's healing process.  

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