Permanent make-up (PMU) FAQ
What is Permanent make-up?
Permanent makeup is a form of tattooing, except it is semi-permanent and very natural looking. There are several different types of permanent makeup including Nano brows, Microblading, Ombré powder brows, combination brows, lip blush and eyeliner. Visit our services page to learn more about each individual type of permanent makeup that we offer.
How Long Does it Last?
Brows can last 1-3 years for most, this includes all types of brows. It is recommended to maintain them by getting a touch up once a year. Semi-permanent makeup gradually fades over time and will eventually be barely visible if never touched up. However, there are many factors that affect how quickly they will fade. This includes how closely pre care and after care instructions are followed, skin type (dry/oily), lifestyle, age, metabolism, medication and more. Sun exposure and tanning beds fade pigment quickly and can affect the color of the pigment. This is why it is important to avoid sun exposure and wear a medical grade sunscreen over healed microblading. Closely following aftercare instructions will give you the best healed results and help you retain your brows longer. Please know that touchups are normal and expected to keep your brows looking fresh.
*Please note that final results vary and CANNOT be guaranteed due to the nature of skin as it heals and many variables. A follow-up appointment is required 4-10weeks after your initial session where we can assess your pigment retention and perfect your brows.
Am I a Good Candidate for permanent make-up & What Are Contraindications?
Unfortunately, not everyone is a candidate for permanent makeup. I want each of my clients to have the absolute best results possible, but not every client is best suited for microblading.
If you have one of the following conditions, you will likely be disqualified from receiving permanent makeup.
What is a contraindication? A contraindication is a condition or circumstance that suggests or indicates that a particular technique or product should not be used on a person.
Contraindications include:
If you have excessively oily skin, there is a chance the pigment may not take in your skin and fading can occur faster. In these cases, clients do not wait for their annual touch-up and choose to come in sooner and more frequently. It is recommended to get either combination or ombré brows for best results.
If you have an existing tattoo in the brow area. Please book a video or in-person consultation to determine if they are faded enough for me to work on.
If you have had Botox, Dysport, Juvederm, or other aesthetic procedures to your face in the past 2 weeks.
If you are sick with a cold, flu, fever, etc.
If you are Diabetic, you must bring a Doctor’s note to your appointment. Microblading will not be performed without a Doctor’s note and you will risk losing your deposit.
If you are pregnant or nursing.
If you are allergic to nickel. A patch test can be done prior to your appointment, please call for more details.
If you have a predisposition to form keloid scars.
If you have Epilepsy.
If you have had a hair transplant in the brow area.
If you have a pacemaker or major heart problems.
If you have had an organ transplant.
If you have a viral infection and/or diseases.
If you are undergoing chemotherapy or have undergone chemotherapy within the last year.
If you have skin irritation such as psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, etc. in the brow area.
If you have used Accutane in the last year.
If you are on prescription blood thinners, you must bring a Doctor’s note and be off medication for 1 week. Microblading will not be performed without a Doctor’s note and you will risk losing your deposit.
If you have had a chemical peel or laser treatment within the last month.
If you have used retinols, glycolic acids, or aggressive exfoliation within the last week.
If you have moles or raised scars in the brow area, they can not be microbladed over. Microblading can be done around a mole. As long as the scar is not raised it can be microbladed over, but there is no guarantee the pigment will take.
Does It Hurt?
My clients report low to medium pain. I use the smallest diameter blade and needles on the market so which causes the least trauma to the skin. I also use two different numbing products to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
It is important to note that not everyone feels the effects of numbing the same way. Some factors may cause a little more sensitivity such as being on your period, red hair, and others.
How Long Will My Appointment Be?
Initial appointments take approximately 2-3 hours. Touchup appointments take 1-2.5 hours depending on the amount of work needed to be done. Please refrain from having caffeine, Tylenol or aspirin, or alcohol 24 hours before your appointment. Don’t worry, you can have your coffee immediately after!
What Can I Expect After My Appointment?
Immediately after getting your brows done, you may experience minor redness which typically goes away within 24 hours. Over the next few hours, the pigment in the skin will oxidize, making the brows look darker and warmer (red) than they were initially. This is normal and expected. Pigment typically fades anywhere from 20-40% once fully healed.
Around day 3-4, you may notice light flaking on the treated area. This is normal! Please refrain from picking at the brows. Doing so will result in loss of pigment in those areas and can cause scarring. Brows may appear spotty or patchy until the entire brow has finished healing. Once all the flaking is complete (usually around day 10), the brows will appear much lighter. The pigment will slightly darken over the next 4-6 weeks to your final, healed results.
At 4-6 weeks, your brows will be fully healed. Whatever pigment that does not return will be addressed at your touch-up appointment. At this appointment, we will assess your retention, touch up the spots that didn’t stick, and can adjust the pigment color to give you perfect brows! Once the brows have healed from your touch-up appointment, you will have beautiful, full brows for 1-3 years, but most people seek a touch-up to keep them sharp and defined every 12-18 months.
Before & Aftercare
To maximize your results, it is important to follow the procedures listed below prior to your scheduled visit.
Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, or over the counter medications that thin your blood for 2 days prior to appointment.
Do not take fish oil for 1 week prior to appointment.
Do not get a wax or tint during the 2 days prior to appointment.
Do not drink alcohol the night before or day of appointment.
Do not use retinols or aggressive exfoliation 1 week prior to appointment.
Do not get botox during the 2 weeks prior to appointment.
To ensure you have long lasting results, please follow the guidelines for aftercare listed below carefully.
During Days 1-10:
Absolutely no creams, makeup, or products on your brows.
Apply a thin layer of A&D ointment on your brows (provided after the appointment) twice a day for 7 days with a q-tip.
Do not get the brow area wet unless cleansing with clean hands twice a day with Cetaphil cleanser.
Keep the area clean & sterile.
No touching, picking, scratching, or rubbing your brows. Flaking and scabbing are expected.
No sweating: this includes working out, saunas, steam rooms, spicy foods.
No excessive sun exposure on the brow area. After 10 days, ALWAYS wear SPF on the brow area.
Avoid cleaning dusty areas or doing anything that may risk debris getting in the procedure site.
Day 11-30: After 10 days the surface of your skin is healed. At this point you can get your brows wet or use makeup as needed. Your brows will begin to fade in and out of color and will continue until about 4 weeks when your skin is completely healed.
Between 4-6 weeks, you must come back for a touch-up. During this session, your brows will be perfected. Altering the color as needed, going back over existing strokes, and focusing more on areas that did not hold the pigment as well.
Terms & Conditions
Sacred Ink PMU & Tattoo advises all clients to read and understand these terms and conditions prior to making an appointment.
Disclaimer
Permanent makeup is a form of cosmetic tattooing where pigment is placed in the epidermis. Retention of the pigment is out of my control, as it is determined by the clients skin type, how well they follow aftercare guidelines, as well as their immune system, therefore no specific result can be 100% guarenteed!
Maintenance
As a general rule, the client should expect to book a maintenance appointment every 12-18 months. With that said, some factors will affect fading more quickly for some versus others. These factors include, but are not limited to the following:
Not taking care of the Brow area after session.
Exposure to sun and tanning beds.
Using retinols, glycolic acids, AHAs, or Vitamin A.
Certain skin treatments such as microdermabrasion or chemical peels.
Specific medications that are known to cause fading.
Excessive use of alcohol.
Swimming in chlorinated pools