Essentially they are the same in the essence that they both puncture the skin and deposit pigment resulting in a “permanent tattoo.” But the method of deposit and depth of colour implanted do differ. Machines used are usually different to allow for more of a shallow pigment deposit. Cosmetic tattoos usually do not penetrate the skin as deep as body tattoos and colours used are usually more tailored to the face.
This is a very common question and one that is not easy to answer! Cosmetic tattoos generally last between 1-3 years however there have been cases where cosmetic tattoos have lasted for more than 20 years, however it will fade. So if you are considering a cosmetic tattoo under the misconception that it’s only temporary, think again. The permanence of a cosmetic tattoo depends on many factors; individuals skin type, medical conditions, skin care products used, colours used, lifestyle, etc. Colours do fade over time, and we usually recommend a touch-up every 18 months – 2 years.
We ensure all of our equipment used is 100% sterile. Most parts of the equipment used are disposable and prior to use you can view them in their original sterile packaging. We then carefully dispose of all of the disposable parts as required. We adhere to VIC Government health and safety regulations. It is up to the client to take care of the treated area appropriately post treatment to ensure the area is kept sterile and clean.
For colour, we take your natural eyebrow hair, complexion, eye colour and hair colour into consideration. We also suggest for you to bring your usual shade that you use to the appointment or any photos you like.
It is important that you are aware that colours do change post implantation. One same colour can be used on 20 individuals with all twenty resulting in different outcomes. This is due to the fact that many different things such as the following can affect the final colour.
– Medication and medical conditions
– Skin care products used
– Sun exposure
– Acidic based products
– Skins cellular composition
– Failure to adhere to provided aftercare instructions.
Immediately after the treatment the colour will be brighter, deeper, darker and more vibrant than the desired colour (also remember that the skin has been scratched too). Up to 60% of pigment can be lost within the healing period. As the skin heals, the colour will become softer and lighter. We recommend to wait at least 4-6 weeks before judging the colour. The colour tweaking can be addressed in your perfection session 4-6 weeks post treatment. * Please note lip session may require a 3rd session at an additional cost of $50 *
Before starting, the area being worked on is expertly measured / outlined to ensure balance, proportion and symmetry. Every face is unique and so are your eyebrows! We create a personalised brow shape that compliments your features. We consider this design process the most important step in creating your perfect brows.
Yes! A touch up session after 4-6 weeks is mandatory as everyone heals differently and outcome will vary. Certain areas may not pick up pigment during first session and will need to be refilled. Pigment colour may need to be adjusted. Individuals with oily skin often require a deeper shade during the touch up session as the oils tend to lighten the pigment. Most importantly, your touch up session is when we refine the shape to ensure it looks perfect and retains the colour. Cost of your touch up session is $50. * Please note lip session may require a 3rd session at an additional cost of $50 *
Prior to all procedures we will apply a topical anaesthetic to numb the area (20-25 min), this will also be reapplied during the procedure.
The pain level for most procedures is considered mild to none for most clients, the lips and the eyeliner is generally pain free as the skin is very soft and takes to the numbing cream very well – but everyone is different. For lip procedures, clients can look into getting a dental block if they wish, only some dentists offer this service and it is up to the client to locate dentist prior to their appointment, dental blocks usually cost between $40- $60.
We also use a machine for lips and eyeliner to make the process more comfortable. With the micro-balding of the brows we use tiny blades to create hair like strokes, the first pass over can be slightly uncomfortable as we are opening the skin, once more anaesthetic / numbing cream is reapplied this begins to subside.
Topical anaesthetics used may contain lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, tetracaine and epinephrine. After the procedure, redness and slight swelling in the area is normal, shape may appear distorted (particularly eye liner and lips) due to swelling, this will subside. Clients can take panadol but not aspirin or ibuprofen as this thins the blood.
There are a few important factors to take into consideration prior to undergoing your treatment. Please read carefully and should you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact us.
Cosmetic tattoos can last anywhere between 18 months to twenty plus years, dependent on the individuals skin and initial colours used. Retouch will be required at some point.
Certain products and procedures, such as acid based (glycolics and AHA’S) products, Retinal, Peels, Sun exposure and laser treatments can fade tattoos. Colours change and fade over time. Even though the upmost care is taken in colour matching; taking all of the relevant factors into consideration, it can be hard to predict if one will have considerable complications with the colour.
This is due to the fact that many different things such as the following can affect the final colour:
– Client’s skin undertones
– Medication and medical conditions
– Skin care products used
– Sun exposure
– Acidic based products
– Skins cellular composition
– Failure to adhere to provided aftercare instructions.
Black pigment (which is only used for the eyeliner) in time, will often result in a bluey / grey hue in cosmetic tattoo just like body tattoos. The bluey /grey hue can come through over time or immediately. There is no way of predicting if or when this happens.
Colour bleeding in cosmetic tattooing is where the colour lightly spreads out of the designated area. Even though this rarely happens (in less than 1% of clients, in eyeliner or lips) it is important to be aware of this prior to the procedure. This is why we insist that clients should be calm and relaxed through procedure to ensure pigment is deposited at the correct angle.
If you suffer from cold sores (the herpes virus) you should be aware that often a lip procedure induces a re-occurrence. This is because the herpes virus remains dormant in the body and comes through once stress is exerted on the body (e.g. cold and flus, mental stress…. And tattoos!).
We suggest that you take preventative supplements a couple of weeks prior to treatment. You can also use your usual medicated treatment, upon recommendation of your GP (e.g. Zovirax, Valtrex) up to two days prior to treatment and continue use for up to 4 days post treatment.
The above should help prevent and also reduce the length of time a cold sore persists.Cold sores usually but not always result in loss of pigment in the affected area. On the perfecting appointment (4-6 weeks post treatment), this can be addressed.
If you are or suspect that you are pregnant, suffer from medical conditions or are on any medication, it is important that you notify us prior to treatment. In some cases a letter from a GP will be required.
Blood thinning medication, alcohol and diabetes are some of the reasons why we turn clients away.
Do not wax, tweeze, thread or tint your brows before the procedure, this may open the pores allowing pigment to enter where we do not want it to. Tinting you brows beforehand can distort the natural colour of your skin / hairs making it harder to work with. Your brows will be carefully groomed during your treatment.
No face scrubs or chemical peels at least two weeks prior.
Feel free to come in with your makeup on so we can see your every day look you prefer.
If you wish to send us a photo of your brows before your appointment you are encouraged to
Within 2 hours after the procedure, clean the area being treated using a q-tip lightly moisten with distilled or cooled downed boiling water. Gently wipe away the old healing balm and any lymphatic liquid (clear yellowish liquid, will usually crust over) that may have built up. Lightly pat dry with tissue and using a new q-tip, re-apply healing balm to the brows.
Make sure to apply a light layer of healing balm morning and night (or as often as required) to brows for at least 5-7 day.
Do not immerse tattooed area in water for 7 days. When showering, make sure to avoid face area. When cleaning or washing face, make sure to avoid brows and clean around it.
Do not put makeup on the area for a minimum of 7-10 days. Micro-bladed area is an open wound, using makeup may cause infections.
Avoid alcohol and aspirin/ibuprofen and any vitamins that may thin your blood for 72 hours. Area will feel slightly itchy as it heals and will start to lightly scab / dry / crust over. Do not peel or pick at the scabs as this can affect the outcome and pigmentation.
Do not go swimming, tanning or into saunas for at least 14 – 21 days.
Using Accutane (Acne medication)
Have heart conditions or using heart medications
Have diabetes (will require a physician’s note)
Have skin disease or irritations
Have had Botox in the last 2 weeks
Have gotten a deep tan or chemical peels in the last 2 weeks
Allergic to lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, tetracaine or epinephrine
Anyone who has any serious medical conditions may require a physician’s note.
Pregnant or nursing clients who want to micro-blade can be done at your own discretion. We suggest discussing with your doctor first. Micro-blading is still considered a tattoo, and just like with wine or sushi consumption, it is a personal choice to do so during this period.
* We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who we deem not suitable for this procedure or for any other reason. We make the decision to tattoo an individual based on our own discretion. *
We take all proper precautions for a safe session by using sterilised equipment, new needles and in a sanitised environment. Should clients follow our pre and post care instructions, there should be minimal risks or complications . Although allergic reactions to the pigments are rare, it could be possible for certain individuals. We suggest a pigment patch test for individuals who have high skin sensitivities or are sensitive to: Topical makeup products Gold, silver and nickel Hair dyes
Micro-blading / Feathering:
Microblading is a semi-permanent makeup procedure whereby hair like incision strokes are created along the eyebrow to attempt to either enhance, reshape or create a natural looking appearance on the brows. The procedure entails the use of a nanoblade, which is dipped into a pigment that has been matched to natural hair colour and skin tone and is then glided along a sketched outline of the brow that has been drawn on and scrutinized beforehand. Whilst only penetrating into the upper skin, the pigment is deposited simultaneously with the creation of the hair like stroke leaving a feathered outline
Ombre / Powder:
Ombre Powder Brows are a type of permanent make-up, where through the manual process of inserting pigment into the upper layers of skin, We create the desired fullness and design of the eyebrows. A small tattoo machine is used to insert pigment
Combination:
A combination of both micro-blading and the ombre effect
For the first session, the entire procedure should take about 2.5-3 hours (this includes 30 min of numbing time). During this session, we will shape and style your brows to your approval. We then follow with pigment colour selection/recommendation. Once you are satisfied with the choices, we will begin the procedure.
It is necessary for you to come in for a follow up visit in order to have any minor necessary touch ups. The second session takes place after 4-6 weeks after the initial session, this his session will take approximately 1.5-2 hours (including numbing time) to complete and will cost $50.
Eyebrows will immediately look more prominent, darker and more defined with a little bit of swelling and redness. Swelling and redness will subside within a few hours post tattooing. The colour will appear darker and stronger than the desired result; this will adjust over the healing time with up to 40% pigment loss experienced within the first 4-6 weeks.
Make sure the area that is going to be tattooed is healthy, hydrated and at its optimum best as this will ensure rapid healing with the least complications.
Healing time differs in individuals and area being tattooed. It can be anything from 4 days to 14 days. The majority of clients resume work that day or the next day and manage to keep their tattoos discreet. Depending on the area tattooed, redness, dryness and puffiness / minor swelling can occur. Swelling usually subsides within a couple of hours (except in full lip and eyeliner treatments where it can take up to 24 hours).
Itchiness is the first sign of healing, please ensure you do not itch / rub the area and do keep the area moisturised with your take home ointment that will be given to you
Eyebrow tattoos usually start to heal pretty quickly without any complications (within 5-7 days), they will completely heal within 4-6 weeks. It is important to stick to the aftercare instructions to ensure rapid healing. The eyebrow area will be slightly red after the procedure and colour will appear very dark! This is completely normal for the procedure and part of the healing process – don’t stress, even though you probably will. The colour will fade by up to 40% as it heals. In the following days, the eyebrows will continue to be dark and you will notice slight scabbing / flaking. DO NOT pick at the scabs as this may damage the skin / colour and the outcome of the micro-bladed area. The eyebrows colour will lighten up as it heals. No down time is required after a micro-blading procedure. It takes approximately 7-14 days for the brows to heal over, and about 1 month for the colour to fully set in. You’ll notice the colour is very light right after the two weeks after healing; the skin will have an opaque milky looking quality to it. This is known as the milk skin and is common in tattooing. This is due to the the tissue still healing from the inside out even though the surface of the skin is healed. True colour will reveal itself once healed.
Eyeliner tattoo will begin to heal within about 3-4 days after procedure. During your session your eyes will become puffy and a little heavy, generally they will feel as though you have had a good cry. Please be wary of this if you are driving at night time, as your eyes may feel quiet tired. Waking up the following day, your eyes are usually very puffy, this will start to subside after the 2nd or 3rd day. Continue to apply the take home ointment as often as you require.
Lip tattoo will begin to heal after the 3rd day. The process for the lips to heal can be a little longer. During the procedure your lips will swell and become mildly puffy, the following day your lips will be very full and very puffy, this will start to subside by about day 3. Lips do take a little bit more effort to grasp the colour, which is why 3 sessions may be required. After 1st session, you will return for your 4-6 week “perfecting session”, after that if in 4 weeks time you need an additional session this will be at a cost of $50. For the end lip result to be a natural pinky tone, the colour applied will be a rich red pigment, this is due to the lips not holding colour as well as other areas – don’t worry, it will fade to a beautiful natural colour! Generally after a lip tattoo your lips will be slightly drier than usual, keep applying your ointment as often as required.
With eyeliner, we tend to recommend black, charcoal or brown. This depends on the individual; some people opt to choose a more vibrant colour (e.g. green or blue). Just remember trends change and tattoos are permanent and have varying ways of fading.
Immediately after a lash line or an eyeliner tattoo, eyes will be a little red, swollen/puffy and agitated (almost like hay feverish eyes or as though you have had a good cry). Your eyes will feel tired and may be a little blurry. The eyeliner will be quite an intense colour with a wet look finish. It will also look much thicker, maybe slightly distorted than the desired result due to the swelling. The swelling will subside within a couple days. Generally the first and second days are the worse in regards to puffiness.
Eyeliner and lash line tattoos usually cause a little bit of swelling and redness. This usually subsides in a few hours and clients return to work the very next day. Daily care is essential to ensure the healing is at its optimum best, it generally takes 4-6 weeks for the eyes to completely heal.
The pain threshold of each individual is different, topical anaesthetic is used to help numb the area before and throughout. Majority of clients find this area almost pain free due to the skin being so soft it takes the numbing cream very well, some describe the sensation as scratchy in some areas particularly the ‘cupids bow’, and only feeling the vibrations of the machine. After the pass over, the aesthetic is re-applied which is a little stingy as we have opening the skin, but this keeps the area numb throughout. Some clients that feel nervous or are very sensitive may opt to have a “dental block” which removes all elements of any pain. This must be organised by client before their session.
Usually colour consultations help solve this issue. We decide on a colour depending on the desired result, skin tone, complexion and original lip tone. If correcting lips shape without enhancement, we try to closely match your lip colour. Be aware that when correcting we usually tattoo other parts of the lip to help the colour blend and match. When undergoing a lip correction, the tattooed colour initially will differ from the rest of the lip, but within 4- 6 weeks of healing, pigment is lost and colour will be similar to lip. Full lip tattoos will lose up to half of their pigment, this is important to remember as when it is initially done it will look much brighter, darker and deeper than intended.
Your lips will be quite swollen think “duck look (more so on second day!), especially if you opted for the block. Colour will be extremely bright and the tattooed area a little sore. Ice and ointment will help releave any discomfort. After the first week your lips will become very dry and flaky, it is essential to keep applying ointment as often as required.
After a lip blend or a lip liner tattoo, you can generally return to work the very next day – however you will be very “ducky”. Full lip tattoos tend to require an extra day for the swelling to subside, and a small percentage of clients experience minor bruising. Most patients experience dry/itchy lips that can be aided with the after care ointment. Sun protection is essential. It generally takes 8 weeks for a lip tattoo to completely heal.
* Please note lip session may require a 3rd session at an additional cost of $50 *
If you suffer from cold sores (the herpes virus) you should be aware that often a lip procedure induces a re-occurrence. This is because the herpes virus remains dormant in the body and comes through once stress is exerted on the body (e.g. cold and flus, mental stress…. And tattoos!). We suggest that you take preventative supplements a couple of weeks prior to treatment. You can also use your usual medicated treatment, upon recommendation of your GP (e.g. Zovirax, Valtrex) up to two days prior to treatment and continue use for up to 4 days post treatment. The above should help prevent and also reduce the length of time a cold sore persists.Cold sores usually but not always result in loss of pigment in the affected area. On the perfecting appointment (4-6 weeks post treatment), this can be addressed.