Frequently Asked Questions
Microblading Eyebrows
(from the Society for Permanent Cosmetics Professionals at http://www.spcp.org/3213-2/)
- If you have combination to oily or very oily skin, the hair strokes will often times heal to a blurred, almost powdery look. Crisp, defined hair strokes are not guaranteed on this type of skin.
- If your brows have been tattooed previously, because of color saturation and scar tissue, hair strokes may not be able to be obtained. The old pigment should be almost completely faded away. Please schedule a consultation FIRST and Tara will be able to tell you whether or not you are a candidate for the Microblading hair stroke technique.
- If you are a Fitzpatrick scale 3-6 (usually medium to dark skinned Hispanic or African American), the hair strokes may not be as visible as they are on lighter skin tones and another technique may better suit you.
FAQs for ALL procedures:
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- It is important you visit the site where the work will be done. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set standards for physical cleanliness and a sanitary working environment. Does the location you are visiting meet this outward criteria? Is there hot and cold running water on the premises other than in a rest-room? Is the work being done in a private room where other contaminants, such as acrylic nail dust, cannot circulate in the air?
- Is the technician registered with the county Health Department? Do they have their Body Art technician registration certificate on display in the work area? Remember that Body Art licensing is different from Cosmetology and Skin Care licensing, and just because someone is a licensed Hair Stylist or Esthetician under the CA State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology it does not mean that they have been properly licensed under the county Health Department for Permanent Cosmetics/Body Art! Health Department registration is a requirement under California state law.
- Is the facility or shop registered with the county Health Department? Is the facility registration certificate on display?
- Is the technician clean and neat? Do they use new gloves for every client? Do they use disposable coverings on the bed or chair and are they replaced after every client? Are surfaces to be touched during the procedure wrapped in barrier film to prevent contamination? Are the technician’s nails clean and short?
- Most importantly, do they use new sterile needles and equipment with each client? Are needles and equipment fully disposable? Are any metal handles Autoclaved or disposed of after use?
- Ask about the technician’s background. How long have they been in the industry and how many procedures have they done? Ask about certificates of training and continuing education. Since this field is rapidly evolving, regular continuing education is a must. For someone relatively new to the industry, ask how many hours of training they have had. How many hands-on procedures did they perform during training class? A one day or two-day training course, or internet training done remotely where practice is done on paper or latex and not real people is not enough and should disqualify the technician. Your prospective technician should have at least 100hrs spent in a Permanent Cosmetics Fundamentals course.
- Look at the technician’s portfolio and inquire if this is their own work (and not stock pictures from their training school or pictures of work done by their instructor). Does their work match your own personal style as it relates or relative to how intense the finished work is, how wide the eyeliner, how red the lips or lip liner.
- What does their healed work look like? Ask for photos. A red flag is when they have NO healed photos of their own work to show you. Fresh procedures and healed procedures (especially with Microblading/Hair Strokes) can look very different.
As you do your research into this industry, bear in mind Permanent Cosmetics are a form of tattooing and must be thought of as lifelong. You will need regular color boost touch-ups over the years. It is important you be comfortable with your technician before you start. You will have a special relationship with your technician. You must be confident he/she will give you a look you will be comfortable wearing for many years.
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- Heart problems such as Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Bleeding disorders (platelet, hemophilia, sickle cell)
- Uncontrolled Diabetes or insulin dependent Diabetics (subject to infections and delayed healing)
- Active cancer being treated with Chemotherapy or Radiation
- Chemotherapy or Radiation in the past 12 months (may require doctor’s clearance letter)
- Some Autoimmune disorders (may require doctor’s clearance letter)
- Regular use of blood thinning medications or steroids
- Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure
- Ocular issues such as Glaucoma or eye pressure, ocular herpes simplex, ocular rosacea (for Eyeliner procedures only)
- Any treatment, medication, or illness that compromises the immune system / healing
- Pregnant or Breastfeeding (increased chance of infection and complications due to hormonal changes in the skin – wait until finished)
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- Pregnant or Breastfeeding (increased chance of infection and complications due to hormonal changes in the skin – wait until finished)
- Upcoming vacations or major events (right before your wedding, family photos or plans to go snorkeling in Hawaii a week after your appointment, for example. Wait until after!)
- Current or recent Steroid usage (wait until 6 weeks after last dose)
- Antibiotic usage (wait until 2 weeks after last dose)
- If you are required to be on a prophylactic antibiotic before any procedures, such as dental work, you will need a letter of clearance from your doctor.
- Accutane (Isotretinoin – also known under brands such as Sotret, Myorisan, Amnesteem, Claravis, and Absorica). You must wait a full 12 months after the last dose before you can receive any Permanent Cosmetics.
- For Lip procedures, if you have ever experienced a cold sore or fever blisters (even in childhood) it will be required to obtain an anti-viral prescription PRIOR to the appointment to be taken at least one week before and one week after the procedure to help prevent viral outbreaks which can impact how your lip color heals.
- For Eyebrow procedures – If your brows have been tattooed previously, please schedule a consultation FIRST and Tara will be able to tell you whether or not you are a candidate because of color saturation and scar tissue, Microblading hair strokes may not be able to be obtained. Some clients may need to opt for Removal of the old pigment to lighten the pigment and improve the outcome. Some clients may not be able to obtain the hair stroke look at all and may need a color refresher as a powder style.
- For Eyeliner procedures – You must NOT have eyelash extensions on when you arrive to your procedure appointment. They must be removed by your extension technician PRIOR to the procedure appointment. Your eyelash extensions can be reapplied after you are healed from your six-week Touch Up visit.
- Unsure about the maintenance involved in getting regular color boost touch-ups over the years. Just like you can’t color your hair only once, you can’t expect to get permanent cosmetics and not have the needed future touch-ups. Colors WILL shift and fade and require maintenance, that is the nature of the procedure.
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Micropigmention is a process and always requires multiple visits to achieve the final result. The second ‘touch-up’ appointment must be scheduled within the first 8 weeks from the first appointment. The procedure work is not considered complete without this second visit. No credit is issued for missed or non-scheduled 2nd appointments.
If you fail to schedule this appointment or cancel your scheduled appointment with less than 48 hours notice or you do not arrive to your scheduled appointment, there is a $75 dollar charge to reschedule. You will forfeit the second appointment if not scheduled and completed within the first 12 weeks.
Sometimes a 3rd appointment is required to complete the work. This can not be predicted in advance.
There are many reasons for this and include poor retention of pigment for any reason. This can be because of skin texture, age, skin condition, the picking of the tattoo during healing, rubbing during healing, sleeping with face in a pillow and rubbing out the healing pigment, improper post-care, medications, age, bleeding during the procedure, sweating, exercising, skin’s rejection of pigment, health issues, accidental picking off the healing tattoo, etc.
The reason does not matter, it happens sometimes.
No two persons’ skin is the same.
All third appointments are charged regardless of the cause or reason for retention loss without exception.
This covers the cost of supplies and operating costs. The technician’s time is minimally charged.
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- When you book your appointment, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to download, print and fill out the necessary client intake questionnaire and forms. If you don’t have access to a printer you can complete the forms when you arrive which takes 5-10 minutes.
- You’ll talk with Tara about how you normally wear your makeup, the look you’re going for (size, shape, color) and review any pictures you may have brought or browse through Tara’s gallery for examples.
- ‘Before’ pictures will be taken for your file.
- Your skin will be cleansed in the area receiving Permanent Makeup and a topical anesthetic will be applied. During this time you can relax on Tara’s comfy treatment bed, play on your phone, ask questions about the procedure or just chat about life and the weather!
- The topical anesthetic is removed and Tara can begin to measure out the design and placement of where your Permanent Makeup will be applied. This is done with temporary markings and the size and shape is adjusted based on your feedback. Tara will swatch several pigment colors on your skin to custom blend a color that suits your skin tone and desired result.
- Once you OK the design the procedure will begin. Tara will check with you to ensure that you’re comfortable during the procedure, and a second application of topical anesthetic is applied throughout as she works.
- Once the procedure is completed, you’re able to take a look at your beautiful new Permanent Makeup! Tara will take some ‘After’ photos and discuss in detail the After-Care instructions on how to care for your procedure as it heals and what to expect from the healing process.
- You’ll schedule your 6 week “First touch-up” appointment before you leave. This is included in the cost of your procedure.
- Do a happy dance!
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- If you are sensitive, you may take an over the counter pain reliever approximately one hour prior to your procedure. Do not take aspirin or any other blood thinners (including herbs and supplements such as Vitamin E, Fish Oil, St John’s Wort) as these can promote bleeding.
- Do not consume alcohol 24hrs before the procedure.
- Do not consume caffeine the day of the procedure (coffee, energy drinks or even Excedrin for migraines).
- It is recommended to discontinue to the use of Retin-A or retinol containing skincare products two weeks prior to the procedure and during healing.
- Avoid getting a Sunburn or tanning outdoors or a tanning bed for a least two weeks prior to the procedure.
- For Eyeliner procedures, remove your contact lenses (bring your glasses with you!) and eye makeup before the appointment, as conventional eye makeup may leave residue and make the procedure more difficult. Eyelash extensions MUST be removed by your extension technician prior to your appointment, and can be reapplied after you are healed from your six-week Touch Up visit.
- For Lip procedures, if you have ever experienced a cold sore or fever blisters it will be required to obtain an anti-viral prescription PRIOR to the appointment to be taken at least one week before and one week after the procedure to help prevent viral outbreaks which can impact how your lip color heals.
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Permanent Makeup is not recommended for people:
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- Pregnant or Nursing (schedule after you’re done with this)
- Major heart problems or a pacemaker
- Hemophilia/Bleeding disorders
- Epilepsy or Seizures (Doctor’s clearance/note may be required)
- Autoimmune disorders (Doctor’s clearance/note may be required)
- Uncontrolled Diabetes (Controlled Diabetes may be OK – Doctor’s clearance/note may be required)
- Skin conditions in the treatment area – such as Psoriasis, Eczema, Rosacea, rashes, severe acne
- Known allergies to anesthetic products containing “Caine” – Microcaine, Lidocaine, Tetracaine
- Currently using Accutane or discontinued Accutane (Isotretinoin – also known under brands such as Sotret, Myorisan, Amnesteem, Claravis, and Absorica). You must wait a full 12 months after the last dose before you can receive any Permanent Cosmetics.
- Received Botox in the treatment area within the past month (schedule after a month)
- Recently sunburned or actively tanning (indoor or outdoor – schedule two weeks after)
- Antibiotic use in the past two weeks (schedule at least two weeks after last dose)
- Flu, colds, generally not feeling well (schedule two weeks after you’re feeling better)
- Unsure about any of the above? Call or email Tara.
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