Frequently Asked Questions

Microblading is the process of  implanting pigment into the skin via a tiny, sterile needle to simulate the appearance of natural hair.  This is done with a hand tool. 

Nano Strokes creates hyper-realistic, hair-like strokes that mimic the natural brow hairs.  This technique is an advanced form of Microblading, but it uses a machine instead of a manual tool, allowing for more precision and versatility. This technique is less invasive than Microblading because the needle doesn't penetrate as deeply in the skin.

Powder Brow is using a machine to pixelate color into the skin and create the the look of makeup.  It gives the look of soft powder and has a beautiful, soft finish.  It's also referred to as Ombre brows.  

Hybrid brows are a combination of both hair strokes and powder brows.

*Assessing your skin and your ideal brow is part of the process.   We often decide on which type of brow while in your appointment, after mapping and consulting. Note: moderately sun damaged skin may not fair well with tattoos.

Please avoid aspirin, vitamins, Aleve, fish oil, or ibuprofen for at least 48 hours prior to your appointment.  Do not apply retinol to the forehead area for a month prior.  In addition, avoid ALCOHOL 12 hours prior.  This is important to limit bleeding.  If you are having eyeliner done, take an adult dose of Benadryl the night before OR -even better- the morning of your appointment.  This prevents the eyes from watering during liner.   For eyeliner or lip color procedures, it is great to have an ice pack made up of equal parts rubbing alcohol and water.  Leave this at home for later in the evening. 

 AVOID any lash serums on the lashes at least 1 MONTH prior to your procedure to prevent increased pain, bleeding, bruising, and swelling of the eyes.

8 weeks before:  Avoid laser tattoo removal, chemical peels

4 weeks before: Avoid tinting your eyebrows or using Retinols on the forehead.

2 weeks before: Avoid tweezing, waxing, tanning beds/sunburns.

72 hours before: Avoid ALL blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve), Alcohol, Fish oil, and Vitamins.

When you arrive for your appointment, our Assistant~ Anne~ will greet you and get you seated.    

After you are seated in our procedure room,  Anne will thoroughly clean the area, and then apply topical anesthetic.  She will go over the procedure planned and answer any questions you may have.   After 30 minutes of numbing,  Jenny will map the area, pick the proper shade of ink, go over any photos, and allow you to approve the shape.  Additional anesthetics will be applied throughout the process to help keep you as comfortable as possible.  Total time on each procedure is generally about 2 hours.  Bring a book, headphones, relax, or take a nap while numbing....you deserve it and are in good hands!

*If you would like a patch test, please call us ahead of time and we can book this a week before your  appointment.   Allergic reactions are rare. For your research,  we use Brovi, Monica Ivani, Mara, Permablend, and LI inks. ....these are amazing inks with extensive research behind them.

Cosmetic tattooing is considered semi-permanent as it does not wash away.  However, pigments do fade over time.  Factors such as skin type, iron deficiency, pigment color, skin care ingredients, and sun exposure can affect the rate at which these pigments are broken down.  

Can you do Permanent Brows?

All brow tattooing is "considered" permanent in the sense that they will almost always leave color behind.  Several factors can determine how long your new brows will last.  Skin type, the type of ink used, the age of the client, sun exposure, and the type of brow procedure done are all factors.  If you are oily or have younger skin, you will fade much faster than if your skin is dry or more mature.  Mature clients tend to have longer lasting color because the skin cells turnover at a slower rate.

Most all pigments will start to fade once you implant them in the skin.  Certain colors may fade first (such as yellow) and this may cause you to need a color boost within a year to three years.  We prefer your eyebrows to be faded by 50% or starting to look "see-through" before implanting new color in the skin.

Carbon vs Iron Oxides

The ink we use for doing some Eyeliners, Lip Blushing, and Nano Strokes tend to contain a blend of carbon and iron oxide pigments.  Whereas, the ink we use in Powder Brows, some Eyeliner, and Microblading contain only Iron Oxides.  This is determined by your skin and many other factors.  

Our goal is to give you a natural "Saturday morning" look, not a Saturday evening look. You can always add more color to your eyebrows, lips, or eyeliner- but as we age- TOO MUCH color doesn't look as fresh or as natural.  Permanent makeup is LOW maintenance, not NO maintenance. Adding a little eyeshadow or brow pencil to the brow for a night out is is considered LOW maintenance.  

Contraindications for Permanent Makeup?

Clients must not be pregnant, nursing, going through Chemo, have uncontrolled Diabetes, or any other acute health issues.  In addition, please refrain from retinols anywhere on the forehead a month before your eyebrow procedure. 

What about Botox before?

It is best not to have Botox or Dysport within a month prior to your eyebrow visit.  Sometimes neurotoxins can cause one brow to sit higher than the other brow, or worse, throw off your arch.  This in turn makes it difficult to map and find your correct shape.  You can, however,  have your Botox done 1-2 weeks after your Eyebrow visit!

Do I need my Brows waxed ahead of time?

No, we will clean up and shape your eyebrows at the appointment. We prefer you coming in with your brows in all their full and hairy glory!!!  This way we see how they naturally grow.

Following the procedure your tattoo will appear much darker and bolder than it will heal...this is due to oxidation in the surface layer of your skin.  Your tattoo will also appear thicker and warmer in color.  You may experience some redness and swelling in and around the area.  This typically disappears within 48 hours.  Within a few days you will notice some scabbing or flaking in the tattooed area.  Do NOT pick at these...doing so can result in loss of pigment in those areas.  You may notice that some areas may appear very light or even to have lost pigment entirely after the sloughing.  This is because the epidermis will be thicker causing muting, hiding or diffusing of the pigment underneath.  The epidermis will normalize over the next 6-8 weeks and softened pigment will resurface and "bloom" back into the surface of the skin.  At your touch up appointment at 8-12 weeks,  we will address any concerns, add more color or dimension, and  adjust the color if needed.  

EMERGENCY REMOVAL

This is a service offered for clients that have gone to a different artist and are completely unhappy with the results.  It is best to have emergency removal within 72 hours of the service.  We do charge an emergency fee if coming in after hours.  We utilize both Botched Ink or Lift saline removal systems.  Please text us at 479-200-6558 if you are in need of emergency removal.