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FAQ's
What is Permanent Make-up?
Permanent cosmetic make-up is the art and science of implanting color into your skin. It is putting the right color in the right place so you can look better naturally. Specialized instruments allow your practitioner to place color into the layer of skin known as the dermis. The outermost layer of skin, the epidermis, is always shedding and renewing itself, you are looking at the color through a thin veil of skin. When your procedure is completed, the color will first appear darker than the final result and fade slightly after you have healed. This is because the color is in BOTH in the epidermis and the dermis. It is a tattoo.
Is Permanent Make-up safe?
Your health and safety are my priority! I am a Blood-borne Pathogens Certified technician. This type of education enables me to keep you safe and healthy from the spread of disease like: HIV, Hepatitis and Herpes. All procedures are performed using disposable supplies that follow strict sanitation and sterilization guidelines as required by the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and OSHA regulations. I will provide you a clean, safe, and sterilized environment that has been inspected and permitted by the county Health Department.
Will I look like myself after the procedure?
Permanent cosmetic make-up helps replenish what time has taken away and gives back precious time you normally would spend by "putting on your face". You can save up to 100 hours in a single year that were formerly spent struggling to draw eyebrows evenly or eyeliner half-way straight. That's 2 1/2 weeks of your free time plus you will be saving money on expensive cosmetics that rub off, smear, smudge, and disappear during the day. Permanent make-up is not intended to replace cosmetics completely. This is because the color is placed "in" your skin and not "on" your skin which gives a more natural, softer looking result. You can apply as much additional make-up as you wish over the tattooed area to create different looks.
What should I do before my treatment/appointment?
The following recommendations apply: 1-2 weeks prior to your appointment.
Stop using any supplements or over-the-counter medications that can cause your blood to thin; fish oil, vitamin D, E, or A, diet pills, Aspirin products, Ibuprofen, anti-inflammitory medication, etc.
NO Alcohol 24 hours prior and NO Caffeine 3-5 hours prior to your appointment.
Do NOT schedule an appointment one week before menstruating due to increase sensitivities.
Are you required to take an antibiotic before you have a surgery or see a dentist? Tattooing is the similar, please follow the same protocol advised by your doctor.
As always, please check with your doctor if you are under medical care or have questions.
What information is important to tell my technician?
Let your technician know if you are a Diabetic, have an autoimmune disorder, or if you have discoloration due to scars or Vitiligo. It takes special advance training to work with these cases. Most unskilled permanent makeup technicians do not know certain techniques and should not work on you. I am an expert in the permanent makeup industry and skilled to work on you.
Does permanent make-up hurt?
New topical anesthetics have been developed especially for all permanent make-up procedures. These creams and gels are applied to the desired area before and during the procedure to assure the most comfortable experience possible. Some clients say the sound during microblading is weird or the vibration on the eye during an eyeliner unusual, pain is not usually a factor. Some people experience little discomfort while most say they were pleasantly surprised of how comfortable they felt. Common comments; "there was not as much pain as was expected, it was very tolerable, I fell asleep, or they barely felt anything at all." Cool packs are used and recommended after the anesthetic has worn off to help soothe the skin.
**Keep in mind that if you do permanent make-up one week before or during your menstrual cycle, your body is typically more sensitive.
How long will the procedure take?
Procedure times may vary depending on the area of application, the individual's case, how much work needs to be done, and their sensitivity level. Most procedure will take up to 2 hours. A touch-up session should be done four to six weeks later and can take up to an hour.
What should I expect during the permanent make-up procedure?
Prior to the permanent make-up procedure you will receive a comprehensive consultation during which you will have the opportunity to discuss the results you wish to achieve and how permanent make-up can enhance your appearance. If there is a specific look you want, wear your make-up in the desired style of your choice or bring your make-up and/or pictures, this will help communicate your preferences to the permanent make-up artist. As an expert in the field of color analysis and makeovers, micro-pigmentation ink colors will be determined based on the shades of your hair, skin, and eye color. The permanent make-up artist will create your desired look using cosmetics so you can approve of the enhancement before the pigment inks are infused into your skin. This ensures the finished result is exactly what you want. Immediately after the infusion process , your permanent make-up enhancement will display mild redness and swelling that may last from 24-72 hours. The enhancement will also appear a darker shade than the desired result for approximately 1 week.
The follow-up session usually is in 4-6 weeks later. The appointment will allow Michelle to add or make any changes to the design.
Are there any side effects during or after the procedure?
While eyebrows may show little after effects, eyeliner and lips may show slight to moderate swelling. This is very dependent upon the amount of work performed. As examples; an eyelash enhancement will show very little response to the tattooing procedure compared to a more moderate response when wider eyeliner is performed. The same philosophy applies to lip color procedures. A lip liner or blended lip liner will show less effects of the procedure than that of a full lip color. Also, some people swell more from minor skin infractions than others.
During the procedure there may be some minor bleeding. This again, is client specific. Many people take blood thinners on a daily basis so some slight bleeding would be expected. Others show little or no signs of bleeding. Bruising is rare but again, if a person is on blood thinners, bruising could occur. What is seen more often is that eyebrows rarely if ever produce any bruising; minor bruising during eyeliner procedures is possible if the skin being tattooed is very thin and close to the vascular system. This also applies to lip procedures in the event the client is more mature. If bruising does occur, typically it is minor and subsides in a few days.
There is usually some tenderness for a few days. The color is much darker than you may expect for the first six to ten days.
Other less often reported side effects are difficult to determine due to the individuality of each person’s biological system. This is why professional permanent cosmetic technicians require a client history profile be filled out to assess different factors that may contribute to your experience after the tattooing procedure has been completed.
What can I expect after the procedure?
Colors appear darker, brighter, thicker and unnatural looking in the beginning, and then lighten up 30%-50% over the week to a more soft and natural look. Healing usually takes 7 to 10 days, depending on the area, you may have swelling and redness anywhere from 24-72 hours. Typically clients are capable of driving after an eyeliner procedure, in most cases you will look like you have been crying. The thicker the permanent make-up is the more swelling you may have. Depending on the intensity of the procedure and your own body's healing ability, you may have drainage of lymph and/or blood anywhere from 24-72 hours. Michelle will give you after care instructions and supplies to take home.
Will I need a touch-up?
Often the client may find little things they may want to modify. Permanent cosmetic procedures are a process and at least one follow-up to the initial procedure should be scheduled. It is recommended that any required detail work to the original procedure be performed no sooner than four-six weeks after the initial procedure.
How long will my permanent make-up last? Is it really permanent?
Permanent cosmetics procedures are considered semi-permanent because pigment is tattooed into the upper reticular part of the dermal layer of the skin and cannot be washed off, but doesn't last forever. However, as with any tattoo or colorant (pigment) in general, fading can and often does occur, requiring periodic maintenance referred to as color re-enhancement or color refreshing. Permanent make-up is long-lasting. However, as you become accustomed to your new makeup it's not uncommon to want more. Your permanent make-up can last for several years depending on your skin. The enhancement will gradually fade over a number of years leaving a "barely-there" haze of color in the skin. Most people opt to refresh their permanent make-up enhancements every 12 months, low maintenance make-up. There are many factors that can influence the longevity of permanent make-up such as: sun exposure, hormones, immune system, topical products, chlorine in pools, medications, and hydration of the skin.
Can I remove my permanent make-up if I change my mind?
Tattoos can be removed in two ways: laser tattoo removals by a licensed technician or doctor and solution removals done by Michelle. Because it's easy to add color and difficult to take it away, I am conservative in the initial application of your new color. Take advantage of the consultation to discuss your wants and needs. It's also a time where you and your technician choose the right colors and discuss any special requests you may have. Your cooperation will largely determine the end result of your procedure (s). Remember it is a team effort
What if I want plastic or laser surgery?
Cosmetic surgery is desirable for many reasons as we age. It's best to complete your surgery before having your make-up applied. Laser surgery or resurfacing may result in color loss or darkening of your make-up depending on the laser and the colors in your skin. Advise your laser surgeon that you have permanent cosmetics so that he or she can perform a "spot test" before they proceed. If either cosmetic surgery or laser causes color loss, then it is a simple matter to have the color replaced. Your technician can explain more about complications of cosmetic tattoos.
Is it safe to have a MRI scan if I have permanent make-up?
Numerous studies have shown that people who have small or large body tattoos, there is little to no irritation resulting from an MRI.In the rare instance where discomfort resulted, it was localized and very temporary. However, it is advised to notify your MRI technician you have permanent cosmetics.
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