Permanent makeup

Before, during and after permanent makeup.

Your eyes and brows are the most noticeable features on your face. Permanent makeup means waking up with your brows done, and no smudging, no sweating them off at the gym, no filling them in on holiday. Microblading is the more natural form of cosmetic tattoo: fine hair strokes blended with your own. The powder brow, also called the ombre brow, is done by machine and suits anyone who wants more density or a more defined look.

Deposits and touch-ups

A non-refundable deposit is required to secure any permanent makeup procedure. The cost of the procedure does not include the touch-up, and touch-ups must be done within 8 to 12 weeks. Book a consultation first, by phone or online. Permanent makeup is not performed on anyone who is pregnant, nursing, currently receiving chemotherapy, or who has received chemotherapy in the last six months.

Before your appointment

• No aspirin or blood thinners for 72 hours before.
• No alcohol for 72 hours before.
• No caffeine or stimulants on the day: they work against the numbing, raise pain sensitivity and increase bleeding.
• After any course of antibiotics, wait a full two weeks after the last dose before the appointment; otherwise it is rescheduled, no exceptions.
• No Botox or fillers for two weeks before.
• No retin-A, retinols, alpha-hydroxy acids or vitamin A derivatives for one month before.
• No chemical peels or microdermabrasion for one month before or one month after.
• No tanning beds for one month before or one month after, and no sunburn or fresh tan: tanned skin does not take or heal the pigment well, and the colour turns grey and fades faster.
• Brow waxing no less than four days before the service.
• No exercise or heavy sweating for ten days after: sweat is the enemy of healing brows and of the retention of the pigment.
• An active breakout on the brows means rescheduling until it clears.
• For permanent brows, feel free to arrive with your makeup on. Before and after photos are taken, and the treatment area is cleaned before the work begins.

Aftercare

For the first ten days, no sweating and no sun on the brows. This is what decides the healed result and how much pigment stays, so that means no workouts. After ten days, back to normal. Brows that are sweated off in that window have to be started again: instead of the perfecting touch-up at 8 to 12 weeks, a first session is charged again, because the brows are mapped and designed from scratch. Sun exposure can turn the pigment an ashy grey.

• Day 1: blot the brows with sterile gauze and distilled water every two hours to lift the lymph before it dries and scabs.
• Days 2 to 10: wash the brows twice a day, pat dry with a paper towel, apply the healing ointment.
• Keep the brows out of the direct spray of the shower.

The full aftercare is explained at the appointment. It is easier than it reads.

Please do not book a cosmetic tattoo appointment if

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding: a full six weeks after giving birth, or six weeks after you stop breastfeeding. Hormone changes affect the healed colour, and a wound with anaesthetic is not something to introduce for a mother or a baby.
• You are undergoing chemotherapy.
• You have a pacemaker or a heart condition.
• You are allergic to lidocaine.
• You are prone to keloid scars.
• You have taken Accutane in the last year.
• You have used retin-A, retinol, alpha-hydroxy acids, rosacea medication, vitamin A derivatives or any skin medication in the last month.
• You have eczema or dermatitis on your face.
• You have previous permanent makeup on your brows and have not sent a clear photo for Melissa to examine first.
• You are under 18.
• You have a viral infection or disease.
• Diabetes that is under control does not rule you out, but healing takes much longer, so bring a note from your doctor with permission.

Questions about a medical condition: email Melissa before booking.