IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please read the following material thoroughly prior to your appointment.
This page will answer your questions about the process as well as inform you on whether this service is right for you, what to expect and how to prepare for your session so you have have the best results.
Am I a good candidate for PMU brows?
● If you have oily skin, hair strokes may not work as well for you. Powder or Ombré brows are recommended, with the option to add a few hairstrokes. The constant production of oil will cause the hair strokes to heal with a diffused, softer look. Your end result will appear more powdered than you would expect instead of crisp lines.
● If you are a frequent smoker, your pigment may fade sooner.
● If you are iron deficient or anemic, your pigment may fade sooner and bleeding/bruising may occur during and after the procedure.
● If you have been on prescription Accutane in the past, you MUST wait at least one year before considering this procedure.
● If you get botox/filler treatments you must wait 2 weeks from your last injectables appointment before getting PMU.
● If you have had your eyebrows previously tattooed and are interested in a cover-up/re-work, you must bring this to my attention and send me photos of your current brows and must be approved prior to booking. No guaranteed results for such cases, and in some cases where the previous work is too dark, dense, discolored, or thick, tattoo removal will be highly recommended before booking PMU services. I will be honest about what I think the best option for you is, even if that means referring to an artist who specializes in re-work.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
● DO NOT consume ANY alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.
● DO NOT consume ANY caffeine the morning of your appointment
● DO NOT use nicotine (cigarette, patch, gum, etc) for a minimum of 5 hours before your appointment
● DO NOT any blood thinning medication for a minimum of 72 hours prior to your appointment. This includes (but not limited to) Vitamin E, Aspirin, Niacin, and Ibuprofen. If you have a life-threatening condition that requires you to take any blood-thinning meds please let me know immediately.
● DO AVOID sun and tanning 2 weeks before (and after) your procedure. If you show up to your appointment with a new tan or sunburn, you will need to reschedule and will forfeit your deposit. As your skin exfoliates from sunburn, it will take the pigment with it.
● DO NOT use any retinoids or acids for 2 weeks prior to your appointment. (If you use prescription retinoids you must wait 6 months before getting brow PMU)
● DO NOT get Botox/filler/injectables done within 2 weeks prior and after to your appointment.
● DO PLAN around your the procedure. If you plan to go on a vacation, it is recommended to plan your trip a minimum of 14 days after the procedure. Don't book your session if you have any trips, events, or photoshoots coming up for at least 14 days after your appointment.
● DO EAT a full breakfast the day of your appointment
● DO STAY HYDRATED drink water frequently in the 48 hours leading up to your appointment.
● DO MOISTURIZE your skin with a gentle face moisturizer for at least 1 week leading up to your appointment. If you do not have a tried and true facial moisturizer try something very gentle like Cetaphil or Cerave. You don't want to start using any harsh new products that may irritate your skin. Avoid scented products.
● If you have an ideal shape and color in mind, bring or send few reference photos.
● You may fill in your eyebrows as you normally would so I can take into consideration the shape you desire.
● It is best to not wax or tweeze your brows prior to appointment. I like to see how your natural hairs
grow so I can determine the best shape for you.
● If you have been on prescription Accutane, you MUST wait at least one year before considering this procedure.
THE PROCESS & WHAT TO EXPECT
What are PMU microshaded brows?
Powder brows, ombré brows, and nano-strokes (or a combination of powder + strokes) are a form of cosmetic tattoo that is semi-permanent (despite commonly referred to as "Permanent Make Up") and lasts for about 1-3 years. The pigment is implanted into the skin, beneath
the surface of the skin, by means of a disposable needle which gives the appearance of a fuller brow and/or natural looking hair strokes.
How long do the brows last?
These procedure results are considered semi-permanent and will fade over time. They may need to be refreshed every year in order to keep lines crisp, otherwise they will fade after 1-3 years. Frequency of sessions depends on a number of factors including the color pigment used
(lighter colors fade faster), lifestyle (sun exposure), and if any form of exfoliators come into contact with the treated area.
What factors will affect my brows?
● Sun Exposure: The sun will soften the look of your tattoo. Once healed, sunblock should be applied daily to prevent brows from fading as quickly.
● The regeneration of skin cells: The longer the regeneration takes, the longer the pigment holds (consider age and exfoliating/AHA routines)
● The speed at which the skin absorbs the pigment: The slower the absorption, the longer the pigment will hold. This depends on the thickness level of the skin.
● The choice of color: The choice of lighter pigments will fade much quicker than dark
pigments.
● Bleeding during the procedure: Bleeding will reduce the pigment absorption as blood will push out the colors. Consuming alcohol and certain medications act as blood-thinners and should not be taken at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.
Does it hurt?
A topical anesthetic cream and gel are used for numbing during your procedure.
Pain levels vary from person to person and every effort is made to ensure you remain
comfortable during the procedure.
Having this service performed during your menstrual cycle may increase discomfort during your procedure.
Also, if you are a frequent smoker, the topical anesthetics used during the treatment will not last as long. If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, be aware that this may affect your sensitivity tolerance to the procedure.
What will my brows look like after my procedure?
The healing process can feel like a wild ride. Immediately, redness and swelling may occur. Your brows will appear much darker for the first 3-5 days. This will gradually lighten during the healing process as the scabs heal. During the scabbing phase your brows may look flaky and patchy, once the scabs naturally fall off (DO NOT PICK/PEEL OFF) the color will look lighter than you'd expect. As your skin heals over the next 1-4 weeks the color will re-appear and even out. For more info please see our AFTERCARE section.
What will be the end result?
Before the procedure, we will analyze your natural hair colors and match a pigment accordingly to ensure it blends well with your existing eyebrow and hair color.
The end result pigment stays true to color but will heal about 20% lighter than you see at the end of the session.
Your eyebrow tattoo will eventually look softer and have more of a “powdered” look. To keep the brows looking even, a touch-up appointment is suggested every 6-8 months. Results vary with each client.
If you are planning a chemical peel, laser treatment or other medical procedures, please inform the technician that you have had a cosmetic tattoo.
*Please note that final results cannot be guaranteed as each unique skin type will hold pigments differently and break down at different rates. You may book a touch up session 4-6 weeks after the initial appointment to fill in any areas that have faded after the healing process.*