FAQ

Q. What is permanent cosmetics?

A. Permanent makeup is a type of cosmetic tattooing (sometimes known as micropigmentation or semi-permanent cosmetics). The most common treatments are available for eyes, brows, lips. The effects available can range from a very natural enhancement to the full imitation of make-up.

Q. What different treatments are available?

A. Whether you are getting your brows, eyes or lips enhanced, there are several treatment options available. Brows, eyes, lips can all benefit from permanent cosmetics.

Q. What does the treatment involve?

A. An initial consultation that is part of your first booking will be used to discuss your requirements and help you decide on the result that will best suit you. Everything from image, hair, skin tone and facial features will be taken into consideration. I will then custom blend colours to perfectly match your requirements.

The treatment itself involves gently implanting microscopic particles of pigment into the reticular layer of skin. Or in the case of micro blading, the use of a tiny blade to insert pigment into the skin creating extremely natural hair hairstrokes.

Q. Will it look natural?

A. Yes, the end result will look extremely natural indeed. But only if you want it to! If you want a more "made-up" or "heavy" look you can also have that.

Q. How long will it last?

A. This varies from person to person because skin type, diet, genetics and environmental factors can all help decide to how long the pigments will last. For example, sun bed use and sun exposure have a bearing on the pigment retention, although this can be prevented with proper protection.

As a guide, it could be anything between one to five years before a new treatment is required, although refresher colour boosts are recommended for maintenance during this time. Once the colour starts to change you will know that you are ready for your refresher colour boost.

I offer discounted colour boost rates and top ups from 6 – 18 months after the initial treatment. It is important to remember that permanent make-up is a “low” not a “no” maintenance treatment.

Q. What if I have medical issues?

A. You will need to contact me and let me know the details and then we can make an educated decision on whether treatment is possible for you. Sometimes a doctors permission is required with certain conditions.

Q. Are there any risks involved?

A. I adhere to the highest standards of health and safety. I have many years of experience. You can be assured that all risks are minimised and that you are in safe hands. However, because the treatment involves implanting pigment into the skin, that means it is invasive. While this is what provides permanent cosmetics with its long-lasting benefits, there are also some risks. As with any form of tattooing, these can include allergic reaction, undesired result or colour, misplaced colour, infection or scarring.

Q. Can I drink alcohol prior to my treatment?

A. No. It is advised that you do not drink alcohol the night before, or on the day of, your treatment. This can affect pigment retention.

Q. Should I bring my brow pencil?

A. Yes, it can be useful to see what colour tones you have been using for your brows.

Q. Do you do hairstrokes or block brows?

Q. Can I have my brows waxed, then have a brow treatment?

A. Waxing should be performed at least 48 hours before the treatment.

Q. Can I have electrolysis on my brows, then have a brow treatment? 

A. You should wait a minimum of five days between having electrolysis and permanent cosmetics for brows.

Q. Do I have to have all my eyebrows shaved off?

A. No. I prefer you to keep your own brows - don't even tweeze them before you come in as I like to work within your natural shape if possible.

Q. Should I bring my favourite lipstick? 

A. If your aim is to have your favourite lipstick recreated, please bring it with you to the treatment. This will enable me to custom blend an appropriate permanent cosmetics pigment.

Q. Can permanent cosmetics cause cold sores? 

A. Permanent cosmetics do not cause cold sores, however, if you carry the virus, it lays dormant in the body and can be aroused by the treatment.

Q. I already have cold sores, can I have a lip treatment? 

A. If you have a history of cold sores. I advise you to contact your Doctor to obtain the proper prescription medication to prevent such outbreaks, or obtain and use your regular medication from your local chemist. You should use for one week before and one week after your treatment. This can help to minimise an outbreak.

Q. I have a cold sore on my lip at the moment, can I have a lip treatment?

A. No. The outbreak must be fully healed in order for a permanent cosmetics lip treatment to be performed.

Q. Can I have a lip wax or bleaching treatment before a lip treatment?

A. You should not undertake a lip wax or bleaching treatment for at least two weeks prior to your permanent cosmetics lip treatment.

Q. Will I need to remove my eye makeup for the treatment? 

A. It is required that eye make-up is removed for any eye treatment. However, please wear your usual make-up for the appointment so I can see your style.  

Q. Should I bring my favourite eyeliner pencil? 

A. If you have a particular colour tone of eyeliner pencil that you would like to be replicated, please bring it with you to the treatment. This will enable me to custom blend an appropriate permanent cosmetics pigment.

Q. I’ve had my lashes tinted / permed, can I still have an eye treatment? 

A. Any eyelash tinting or perming should be carried out no sooner than one week before, or two weeks after, the treatment.

Q. Will it hurt?

A. Permanent cosmetics is far gentler than you might imagine. Additionally i use a numbing cream on all customers before the treatment. The specialist equipment that I use is refined, quiet and gentle. Many clients comment that the treatment is no more painful than having their eyebrows waxed or threaded. 

Q. How long will the treatment take? 

A. Treatment times vary depending on how advanced or detailed the required result is. Although some treatments may take as little as 1 hour, you should set aside around 2 hours for your appointment.

A second appointment to review the final healed colour is not included in the price. This usually takes place around 4 -6 weeks after the initial treatment and takes around 90 minutes. 

Q. Will you need to remove any of my natural brow hairs?

A. I will work with whatever brow hairs you have. It’s a common myth that brow hairs need to be shaved off for permanent cosmetics treatments. This is not the case at all. The only time brow hairs may need to be removed is if there is any errant growth which needs tidying up, either through tweezing or plucking. 

Q. Will it hurt?

A. Lips can be a little more sensitive than brows or eyes, due to the larger surface area and greater blood supply. I do my very best to reduce discomfort by using topical numbing cream throughout the treatment.

Q. My eyes are sensitive. I’m worried about blinking and my eyes watering during the treatment. Is that a problem?

A. This is a normal concern for first time clients and nothing to worry about.  It’s not a problem if you are prone to blinking or your eyes water.  

Q. What will I look like straight after the treatment?

A. Brows and eye treatments tend to look darker in colour immediately after the initial appointment, while lip colours can look more intense. This softens in a few days. Lips are likely to have some residual swelling and can scab. There may be some slight swelling after eyeliner treatments but this is usually limited. 

Q. Can I wear make-up after the treatment?

A. You can wear mineral cosmetics immediately after the treatment, however, you need to wait until the treatment area has healed before wearing traditional cosmetics. 

Q. Do I need to do anything special to look after the treatment whilst it’s healing?

A. I will provide you with aftercare instructions and a special aftercare balm for after your treatment. Looking after your permanent cosmetics treatment as it heals is not difficult or time consuming –all you will need to do is follow my simple steps.

Q. How quickly will it heal?

A. Everyone is different, but as a general rule the surface skin generally heals between 3-7 days after the treatment, and 10-14 days below the surface. 

Q. Will I need to take time off work after my treatment?

A. Some people think that they may have to take time off work after the treatment, in fact, this is not the case unless you choose to do so. You should be able to get straight back to work immediately after your treatment. 

Q. Can I donate blood after my treatment? 

A. Current guidelines from the National Blood Service require anyone with permanent cosmetics to wait for 4 months after their treatment before giving blood. 

Q. Can I have anti-aging injections or cosmetic surgery after my treatment? 

A. This depends on the treatment you are considering and it’s location. You will need to take advice from your therapist or surgeon. It is important to remember that some of these procedures can alter the shape of your lips and eyebrows. 

Q. Can I have laser hair removal after a treatment?

A. Laser hair removal can fade and change the shade of your lip and brow treatment if you are having the hair removal in that area. Simply inform your laser technician that you are wearing permanent cosmetics prior to the treatment and they will act accordingly to accommodate for this. 

Q. Is there anything I will need to avoid doing after the treatment? 

A. I recommend that you do not apply make-up, expose the skin to extreme heat, cold or moisture, kiss, apply certain petroleum-based ointments etc immediately after your treatment. I will explain these requirements in full and provide you a printed copy of these aftercare requirements.

Q. Can I go on a sunshine holiday immediately after my treatment?

A.Strong sun can impact on the success of the result during the immediate healing phase. I recommend that you leave 4-6 weeks between your final re-touch procedure and your holiday.

Q. Will my brows look very dark after the treatment? 

A. You should be prepared for the colour intensity to be significantly sharper and darker immediately after the treatment. This will subside and become lighter as the skin heals. This process can take up to 10 days.

Q. What will my lips look like immediately after the treatment?

A. You may experience some swelling and redness immediately after the treatment. After this you may experience tenderness, flaking, dryness, swelling and redness for approximately 2-5 days after the treatment. If you are feeling less than 100% healthy it may take longer for your treatment to heal and symptoms may appear more prominent.

Q. Are there any foods I should avoid after the treatment?

A. If you have had a lip treatment, you should avoid eating spicy and salty foods until the area has healed. You should also drink liquids through a straw.

Q. Will my eyeliner look very dark after the treatment? 

A. You should be prepared for the colour intensity to be significantly sharper and darker immediately after the treatment. This will subside and become lighter as the skin heals. This process can take up to 10 days.

Q. Can I apply mascara after the treatment?

A. You should wait until the treatment area has healed before applying make-up. If you have had an eye treatment, a new mascara is recommended.