Cosmetic Tattooing, also called Permanent Makeup or Micropigmentation, is the process of implanting color pigment beneath the surface of the skin by means of a tiny, sterile, disposable needle to produce the appearance of cosmetic makeup or to enhance the natural features of the face.

With the sudden popularity and media attention to the term microblading, many are led to falsely believe microblading is not a tattoo process. THIS IS FALSE. Permanent cosmetics, "semi-permanent” makeup, micropigmentation, dermal implantation, microblading/microstroking, eyebrow embroidery, and long-time/long-lasting makeup, are all different names for the same procedure – cosmetic tattooing. Any time pigment is placed into the skin with any device, it is indeed a tattoo process. This is defined by many well informed regulators, the medical community, and dictionary sources. Denying this process is a tattoo can be problematic for those who would, for religious or other personal reasons.

The purpose of cosmetic tattooing is to enhance the natural features of a client. Cosmetic Tattooing is softer and more subtle – it is meant to be a natural-looking beauty enhancement. Body tattoos use ink while cosmetic tattoo procedures involve only iron-oxide or carbon based pigments. These pigments are designed to gently fade over time. Fading is desired as it allows the artist to make changes to color and shape over the years as client’s natural coloration and facial changes occur.

The discomfort is relative as pain thresholds vary from person to person, and everyone has a different level of sensitivity. A highly-effective, topical anesthetic cream and gel are used for numbing before and during your procedure. Every effort is made to ensure you remain comfortable for the duration of the procedure. Our clients are usually pleased to discover that it is no more painful than tweezing or threading! With any tattoo, mild discomfort and slight swelling should be anticipated.

Brow Pre-Care Instructions are designed and MUST BE STRICTLY FOLLOWED to limit bleeding and sensitivity during the service. Excessive bleeding and sensitivity during the procedure will dilute and expel the pigment color, leading to poor results.

* Having this service performed during your menstrual cycle may increase discomfort during your procedure.

* If you are a frequent smoker or "sun worshipper" anesthetics used during the treatment may not last as long and also can lead to poor retention and poor lasting results.

* If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, be aware that this may affect your sensitivity tolerance to the procedure.

Most definitely NOT! We do ask that you please do not wax/thread/tweeze your brows at minimum three days before your appointment. Your regular brow maintenance of tweezing, threading, waxing and/or tinting may continue once the brows have healed.

Most machine work lasts 1.5-2 years.

The treatments are considered permanent and will not wash off, however, it will fade over time and annual touch ups are recommended to keep color crisp.

*Retention depends on a number of factors including: the pigment color used (lighter colors fade faster), lifestyle (sun exposure, smoking, etc.), iron deficiency (your body absorbs iron-oxide as a supplement), and if any chemical peels or anti aging/brightening skin care products come into contact with treated areas. Please note final results cannot be guaranteed as each unique skin type will hold pigments differently and break down at different rates. We will re-evaluate how your skin has received the pigment at your touch-up appointment and make any changes necessary.

Excessive bleeding during the tattooing procedure will reduce the amount of pigment absorption. Alcohol and certain medications act as blood-thinners and should be avoided for 48 hours prior to your appointment. For a full list of what to avoid 48 hours to your appointment see the Pre/Post Care tab.

Sun exposure: The sun will severely lighten the look of your tattoo, and may also change the color appearance of the pigment. A physical sunscreen should be used (once healed) to prolong your enhancement. Whenever possible, we encourage our clients to wear a hat to protect their beautiful brows (and skin too)!

The choice of pigment: Some colors may fade quicker than others. For example, a blonde pigment may fade more quickly than a dark brunette pigment.

Lifestyle: Smokers, "Sun Worshippers", or anyone with skin that is in a state of distress (rosacea, acne, etc) may have less desirable results.

If you are iron deficient or anemic, your pigment will fade sooner and bleeding/bruising may occur during and after the procedure.

Cosmetic tattooing is a multiple step appointment process. YOUR BROWS WILL NOT BE COMPLETED AFTER JUST ONE SESSION. For permanent makeup, at least two appointments are needed initially. Each of these appointments being at least 6 weeks but no more than 10 weeks apart. At the second visit, your Enhancement Session, we will assess the color retention and make any adjustments necessary. Everyone heals differently and at different rates. If your cosmetic tattoo does not heal perfectly the first time, do not worry! We can always go bolder and add more density at your next appointment.

-If you have an ideal shape and color in mind, please bring reference photos with you to your appointment. You may fill in your eyebrows as you normally would so we may take into consideration the shape you feel most comfortable with. If you regularly get your eyebrows shaped, waxed, threaded or tinted, please refrain from doing so within at least one week of your appointment. If there are any stray hairs that fall outside of our final shape, we promise to remove them.

-If you plan to go on a vacation, it is recommended to plan your trip a minimum of 30 days after the procedure.

-We require our clients to avoid any blood thinners for a minimum of 48 hours prior to their appointment. This includes Vitamin E, Aleve, Niacin, Fish Oil supplements, and Ibuprofen.

-Do NOT drink any alcohol or caffeine 48 hours prior to your appointment. (Yes, that includes decaf coffee, teas, and kombucha!)

-NO Botox for 2 weeks prior to permanent make up. (We recommend that it's best to wait until after your Enhancement Session heals to get Botox, as an educated injector will take your new brows into consideration when choosing where to inject.)

-If you have been on prescription Accutane in the past, you MUST wait at least one full year (12 months minimum) before considering this procedure.

-Doxycycline users are also encouraged to wait up to 6 months before receiving permanent make up.

-Please avoid SUN and TANNING BED exposure for 30 days BEFORE and AFTER your procedure.

-If you arrive for your appointment with a freshly tanned or a sunburned skin, you will need to reschedule and will forfeit your deposit. As your skin regenerates from a sunburn, it will take the pigment with it. Sun exposure can also cause excessive bleeding and sensitivity leading to pool healed results.

*Please review our detailed Pre & Post Care Instructions. You MUST strictly follow these instructions to ensure a comfortable, safe healing process and also to achieve the best possible results! We have the right to refuse service for any clients who do not follow Pre & Post Care Instructions.

-It is normal to experience minimal swelling and tenderness immediately following your procedure. This usually subsides within a couple days.

-The first few days following your permanent makeup procedure, your brows will appear darker and bigger. This will gradually lighten during the complete healing process.

-As the area heals it will become dry and itchy.

-As the pigment starts to flake off DO NOT pick, scratch, itch or pull off any of the areas which are peeling.

Choosing to pick at flakes and peeling areas will pull out pigment, and result in spots left without any pigment or in some cases scarring.

-As the area continues to heal, a softer more natural result will be revealed underneath

Please note that within the first 4 weeks the amount of pigment that you see can seem very faint. It may seem like the pigment has been lost; please be advised that as the skin regenerates the new skin can in some cases hide the hair strokes completely. You must allow the full healing time of 6-8 weeks to see the true color and result.

-A good sunscreen applied daily AFTER healing on the tattooed area(s) is needed to help keep color true. As with any tattoo, sun exposure will make the color fade faster.

-The pigment color will change and fade over time. We recommend an annual touch up to keep your brows looking their best.

-Fading greatly depends on your skin type, lifestyle, sun exposure, pigment color used, broken capillaries, iron deficiency, and if any any aggressive skincare products or services were completed after your procedure.

-When using acidic or brightening skincare products or services (chemical peels, Retin-A, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, etc) please fully cover your brow tattoo with Vaseline, prior to product application on your skin.

-If you are planning to have an MRI, please inform the technician that you have had an iron-oxide cosmetic tattoo.

-If you are planning to have laser treatments, you must fully cover your brow tattoo with 20% zinc oxide. Laser may cause pigment prematurely fade or change color.

As a precaution, we will not perform any service on pregnant women.