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.  Microblading is meant to be a subtle, natural enhancement and to create the illusion of fuller brows.  Sometimes shading is needed to blend the existing hair and new strokes more efficiently but we will discuss the need for this during your appointment if it is necessary.  Note: microblading isn't for all skin types. Oily skin, thin skin, thick skin, sun damaged skin, large pores, or skin that bleeds easily are not ideal for microblading. 

Powder brow is using a tattoo machine to pixelate color into the skin and create the the look of makeup.  It works for ALL skin types and has a beautiful soft finish.  It's also referred to as Ombre brows.  

Hybrid brows are exactly as it sounds.  A combination of both.  This is dependent on the skin texture. 

Please avoid aspirin, vitamins, Aleve, fish oil, or ibuprofen for at least 48 hours prior to your appointment.  In addition, avoid ALCOHOL 3 days prior.  This is so 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 and all lash serums on the lashes and brows at least 2-3 MONTHS  prior to your procedure to prevent increased bleeding, bruising and swelling (only for eyeliner and brow procedures).

12 weeks before:  Avoid laser tattoo removal, chemical peels

8 weeks before: Avoid BOTOX, antibiotics

4 weeks before: Avoid tinting your eyebrows

2 weeks before: Avoid tweezing, waxing, tanning beds/sunburns, or retinol around the brow area.

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

When you arrive for your appointment you will fill out paperwork and a disclosure/consent. You are offered a patch test to determine if you are allergic to the ink. IF YOU WANT A PATCH TEST, WE MUST RESCHEDULE FOR AT LEAST A WEEK OUT to assess if you are, in fact, allergic.  FACT: allergic reactions are rare! We use Tina Davies I LOVE INK Monica Ivani, Brow Daddy, Brovi, and Fuzion Artistry Inks....these are amazing inks with extensive research behind them.  

After paperwork, one of our Team Members will seat you in our procedure room,  thoroughly clean the area, and then apply topical anesthetic and allow it to sit for up to 30 minutes.  Once numbed we will extensively map the area and pick the right shade for your brows, lips, or liner.  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!

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.  We do offer Powder brows or shading and this gives you a little bit more "time" with brows but your skin type determines more of the length of time.  If you are oily, you will fade much faster than if your skin is dry or more mature.  

There is no magic brow that gives you permanent  you'll-never-need-a-color-boost brows.  We have to think -not body tattoo- because it's misleading.  You rarely see a body tattoo that has the colors we want on our brows (i.e., browns).  You typically see cool tones (black,blue,gray) or bright tones (red, orange, yellow, etc....). Neither of these are what we want on our brows so color boosts are often needed every 1-4 years to maintain an ideal color.    We use a tattoo ink that fades slowly over time and is made to fade to a softer version than what we put in -over time.  We can control how we work on your brow and what inks we use, but we cannot control what your skin does with the ink overtime.

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?

Cannot be pregnant, nursing, going through Chemo, have uncontrolled Diabetes, or any other acute health issues.

What about Botox before?

It is best not to have Botox or Dysport prior to your eyebrow visit.  Sometimes botox 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.  Remember, we are putting a tattoo on your face.....we need a true representation of your face! Having Botox 2 months. prior to your eyebrow visit is advised against.  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 4-6 weeks and softened pigment will resurface and "bloom" back into the surface of the skin.  At your touch up appointment we will address any concerns, add more color or dimension, and can even change the color if preferred.