Question and Answers about Cosmetic Tattooing
Step by Step
When you come in for your appointment we will start by having you fill out your consent form. You and I will sit down and go over after care and what to expect with the procedure. I would love to see your brow/permanent makeup goal. Feel free to send me pictures of your natural eyebrows before your appointment, what they look like when you pencil them in with makeup and what your end goal is.
I personally tend to start conservatively with my work, we can always add (bigger, darker, bolder) during touch up but we cannot take away! The procedure takes about 1.5-2 hours total, you will be a little tender but you should be pretty comfortable during. I use a topical numbing and then another numbing agent after the skin is broken to numb you even more…most clients say “THAT’S IT”. A lot of clients come in nervous and quickly realize its almost painless! It's my goal to make you as comfortable as possible and have some fun while doing it!
MICROBLADING IS A SEMI PERMAMENT TATTOO!
For those of you are wondering what the heck microblading even is, it’s a semi permanent tattoo.
The certified technician will use a tiny (or micro if you will) blade to cut lines into the upper dermis of your skin. Unlike a permanent tattoo microblading/cosmetic tattooing doesn’t go as deep into the skin.
MICROBLADING TAKES 6 TO 8 WEEKS TO HEAL.
The first 72 hours are very important…follow all your aftercare instructions for your best results. Your first two weeks will be essential in the healing process, but for the entire tattoo to heal it can take up to 8 weeks total. Make sure to keep the area clean, free of any kind of makeup and no exercising for the first 14 days.
LEAVE THE SCABS ALONE.
Because your artist cutting into your skin with pigment your skin will scab before it heals. It’s imperative to not pick or scratch at the scabs, as this can prematurely pull pigment and we don’t want that! Picking can also leave scars and I can tell if you pick (wink, wink)! This was the hardest part of the process for me personally, its my face and I want to touch it BUT I wanted pretty eyebrows so I left them alone.
THE MAGIC REALLY DOES HAPPEN AT THE FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT.
Your first appointment is sort of where you lay the ground work for the shape of your brows. And once they are fully healed (somewhere between 6 to 8 weeks) you will go back in for a follow up.
At the follow-up this where the magic happens. Your artist will be able to tell how your skin healed, adjust the strokes and you should speak up if there are any spots you would like to have a bit more added. Usually clients want to go darker and more bold because they have gotten used to the look of their new brows!
GET READY FOR AN EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER.
It is perfectly normal to have emotions about your new look it is a change to your face that you will have to adjust to! When you cut your hair, color your hair, get a new piercing- you tend to look at it A LOT! If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out, seriously don’t hesitate! Here is a little play by play of how your healing might go!
Day 1 – What the heck did I just do…
Day 2 – OH MY GOSH! I LOVE THEM!
Day 3 – Why the heck did she make them so dark?
Day 4 to 5 – Ok, these are perfect and beautiful.
Day 6 to 8 – The Crusty brow stage. (must stop myself from picking)
Day 9 to 10 – The eyebrow scabs are now flaking off non-uniformly.
Day 11 to 14– You will be convinced that the ink didn’t take and Google “Microblade Fails.” You will regret that more than anything else. FADING/DISAPPEARING ACT!
Day 14+ – You will love your brows and end up trying to convince your friends that the roller coaster is worth it.
*8 Week Touch Up- “Please make them darker and bigger” #thickbrows #bushyisbetter
KEEP THEM UP!
While this is probably the lowest maintenance beauty addition, you will still need to keep them out of the sun and use at least 30 SPF on them. Most people will want to come back around year 2 but it really depends on skin type and lifestyle and ultimately what YOU want/feel.
YOUR END RESULT MAY VARY.
Everyone’s skin is different so everyone’s result will vary! Mature, young, oily, dry – it will all affect how long your ink lasts. If you are really worried about your skin, I would talk to your artist first.
FINALLY…
Please be picky! This is your face, time, and money. I absolutely love the options of my clients and want you to leave happy and confident. Thank you all again for trusting me with your beautiful faces and please feel free to contact me with ANY questions.
-Alexandra West
Studio West
(503)-583-0445
Instagram: @studiowestcosmetictattoo