Semi Permanent Make Up FAQ's

Many of my clients ask.. what is semi permanent make up? What is a difference between Ombré Powder, Microblading and normal Tattoo on your skin?

Ombré Powder Brows: (also known as Powder Mist or Ombré Shading, or Stardust Brows) is great for any skin type and fast developing in Asia. Ombré Powder Brows differ from traditional tattooing in that it is surface work - meaning the application is done on the epidermis layer and is LESS INVASIVE using a small machine. This disperses extremely fine dots of pigment evenly into and across the skin in an airbrush or shading technique using high-quality pigments. Ombre Powder brows can last on average 2-3 years.

Microblading: Natural perfect eyebrows are few and far between, however Microblading makes it possible to achieve super natural looking brows which are the nearest thing to natural perfection (also know as hair strokes brows). 
Micoblading is performed with a technique that uses an ultra thin blade. This blade is a grouping of extremely fine needles affixed to a handle to manually create clean and crisp lines that resemble eyebrows hairs. Microblading can last for 1-2 years, depending on the skin type and lifestyle (not suitable for those with oily skin).

Is this a Tattoo?
YES! Any procedure where pigment is implanted in the skin is considered tattooing.

Does it hurt? 
Everyone has different pain tolerances. The therapist will always try her best to make sure you are as comfortable as possible and manage any discomfort. 
*Please note that if you are on your cycle or if you have had alcoholic beverages, coffee, or energizing drinks the day of and/or the night before, you may be more sensitive to the procedure.

How long does it take? 
The appointment is typically 3 -4 hours or less depending on how long it takes for your approval of the eyebrow shape and drawing. Preparation, measuring and drawing can take up to 1 and half hours, Microblading or ombré itself may will take up to 2 hours. 

What should I do before my brow procedure?
⦁ If you have an ideal shape, bring a few reference photos with you to your appointment. 
⦁ If you are particular with your shape, you may fill in your eyebrow as you normally would so we can take into consideration the shape you desire. 
⦁ Avoid any blood thinning medication for a minimum of 72 hours prior to their appointment. This includes Vitamin E, Aspirin and ibuprofen as they are natural blood thinners. 
⦁ Do not drink any alcohol 24 hours before and limit the amount of caffeine you consume. This will affect the colour deposit and may make you more prone to sensitivity and/or cause more bleeding. 
⦁ If you have been on Accutane in the past, you must wait at least one year before considering this procedure. 
⦁ It is highly recommended that you avoid intense sun exposure and tanning bed exposure for 20 days before and after your procedure. If you show up to your appointment with a new tan or sunburn, you will need to reschedule. 
⦁ Avoid waxing the procedure area 2-3 days prior. 
⦁ Avoid getting any type of facial peel at least one week prior. 
⦁ You may want to shower ahead of time because you will need to avoid getting them wet and over hydrated after the appointment.

How will I look immediately after? What is the healing process? Is there any down time?
After the procedure, you will be provided with an aftercare product as well as very important aftercare instructions. These must be used and followed carefully to ensure the procedure area heals properly.
There is no down time for the treatment, however, the area may be red and swollen and we recommend that you do not plan any social activities afterwards. This is NOT a quick fix beauty treatment and you have to be prepared to endure all the healing stages of Semi permanent make up . Please note that your brows will appear darker and more intense than expected for the first few days (30-40% darker). They may also look thicker in shape. This is completely normal as the excess pigment is sitting on top of your skin. This will gradually fade during the healing process.
It will typically take 7-14 days for the brows to peel/flake. They may appear very light underneath after they peel due to the tissue still healing from the inside out, even though the surface has healed. Your skin heals over the top of the strokes and will naturally exfoliate itself. The true colour will reveal itself once fully healed after the touch up. Again, this all depends your skin. High quality pigments and equipment are used to ensure the best results but do not guarantee how your skin will react to the procedure.

If you have any of the following Semi Permanent Make-Up will most likely not be the solution for you:
⦁ Pregnant or Breastfeeding
⦁ Overly sensitive skin
⦁ Allergies to topical anaesthetics
⦁ Severe Acne
⦁ Keratosis
⦁ Keloid scarring
⦁ Facial Psoriasis or Eczema
⦁ Overly dry skin 
⦁ Iron deficiency 
⦁ Previous tattoo that has not faded
⦁ Diabetes 

There are also various contraindications that will determine if you are an appropriate candidate for the procedure.

WHAT IF I HAVE SCARS/MOLES?
One of the most common issues faced by Microblading are scars. If you have or are prone to developing raised scars (keloid) in the procedure area, you will be at risk of keloid formation from a tattoo. They form anytime you injure or traumatize your skin. In this case, Microblading is not appropriate and will not be performed.
If a scar is at the same level as the skin, the procedure may be performed. Please consult with the therapist beforehand.
Like scars, moles cannot be tattooed, however, we can go around it.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED?
Generally, two treatments are needed within a 6-8 week period, as a second touch-up session is usually needed after your brows have healed. Some require more than one touch-up (i.e. tattoo cover up, iron deficiency, active lifestyle, excessive sun, etc) and some none at all.

DO I HAVE TO ATTEND MY TOUCH UP APPOINTMENT?
It is strongly recommended unless you are satisfied with your brows after your initial appointment. Touch up appointments are important to achieve an excellent result with Microblading. Some may be discouraged with the results after the first procedure’s healing. The touch up allows the opportunity to adjust colour, shape and fill in gaps in areas that did not retain pigment. Everyone heals differently.
A touch up is recommended to be performed between 6-8 weeks after the initial appointment. Touch-ups are usually at a reduced rate.
Although some heal quicker than others, the skin is typically still healing below the surface up to the 6-8 week mark. Performing a touch up before then risks the results of the first application and the overall procedure.

WILL THEY LOOK FAKE?
No, soft Ombré and Microblading is a unique artistry that guarantees soft, natural looking eyebrows. The semi-permanent makeup pigment mimics your natural hair strokes for a more natural look than topically applied cosmetic makeup.

CAN YOU COVER UP PERMANENT MAKEUP DONE BY ANOTHER ARTIST?
Results are not guaranteed if you have an existing tattoo. Please consult with the therapist to determine if your tattoo can be covered. Again, results will vary. Achieving the highest degree of quality will be much more difficult and it may require more than one touch up to achieve the desired results. Various permanent makeup removal options are also available.

WILL MY BROWS BE 100% PERFECT?
No. And to expect perfect eyebrows is unrealistic. Semi Permanent Make-Up is a form of art and the best way to ensure that you will be satisfied is to find an artist with a ‘signature style’ that you can relate to. Ask for before and after photos.