Cosmetic Tattooing FAQ’s
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Consultations are only mandatory if you have had your brows/lips tattooed previously (regardless of how long ago it was). In saying this, we do highly recommend you attend a consultation prior to your treatment date. Every client is individual and has different wants or needs. With this in mind, we utilise the consultation time to establish these, and to ensure we can meet your expectations.
During your consultation, your brows can be mapped according to your natural hair growth patterns, bone structure and eye spatial measurements, followed by a conversation between you and the artist to tweak anything that you may want amended. You are also welcome to bring along any images that you like so we can discuss all the options available. -
You will require a minimum of 2 treatments. These treatments are charged separately at each appointment. All pricing is detailed in the online booking section.
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Covering previous work is decided on a case by case basis. Sometimes we can work over the previous work and sometimes we can’t. The previous tattoo needs to have faded quite substantially and needs to be a certain colour to ensure a good healed result. The previous shape also needs to be something we are happy to work with. In some cases, you may need to have laser removal before we will apply our work.
If you have existing tattoo (no matter how old it is), you must first come in for a consultation so we can confirm we can work over the area.
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Absolutely. Colour retention and overall results vary from person to person. Factors such as sun exposure, skin type, aftercare, lifestyle, immune system, and skin undertones determine how your cosmetic tattoo will heal.
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Cosmetic tattooing is designed to gradually fade over time and will need to be refreshed anywhere from 9 months - 2-4 years for brows, and 2-5 years for lips. The frequency of refresh appointments will depend on many features, including the techniques chosen, the pigment colour used, and the individuals skin type and lifestyle. For example, oily skin types tend to need a re-touch earlier than people with drier skin types.
Ideally, we want need to still be able to see the previous tattooing, but we do want it to be quite light in order to achieve a good healed result again. If you allow the pigment to fade out completely, this will not be regarded as a re-fresh. It will be charged as a brand new set again.
We ask our clients to get in touch once they feel like they have faded, and we will then have you come in for us to confirm if they are light enough. If we feel like they need to be a little lighter, we will advise you to wait a little longer before refreshing them. The integrity of your skin and the final outcome will always be our first priority.
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Immediately following your procedure, the tattooed area will appear to be bright and bold in colour and more sharply defined. This can last up to a week following the treatment while the initial healing process takes place. The treated area may feel a bit like sunburn afterwards but there should be minimal discomfort and minimal redness. Some slight swelling is to be expected if you are having your lips tattooed and is completely normal. Small superficial bruising is also something that can happen if you are someone the bruises easily or if you have mature skin. Again this is completely normal and will subside within the first few hours following the treatment. If in doubt, do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Within the first few days, the colour will darken, then up to 27 days following the procedure, your cosmetic tattoo will lighten up to 50% (depending on the treatment). The size of the treated area will also shrink very slightly and your tattoo will begin to look much more natural in appearance. The complete healing process takes about 10-12 weeks (age dependent), at which time the true colour of the tattoo is evident. During this process, your tattoo will soften and lighten. Be patient, even if you think too much colour has been lost, as your skin is still regenerating and naturally exfoliating.
Day 1 - Finely detailed, slight redness and possibility of very minor swelling.
Day 2-4 - They may become darker and more filled in looking as they form a light protective layer. This is only temporary - don't panic! The protective layer naturally exfoliates over the course of the next few days as your skin heals underneath it. The freshly healed skin is pale and may have a waxy coating, making it appear that they are now too light. Be patient!
Day 14 - After 14 days you may use make-up very gently if you need it. The colour will slowly come back to life and bloom back to the surface as the new skin settles in and heals. Wait at least 10 weeks to see the true colour, as it will take on new strength.10 Weeks - Your tattoo is now fully healed and you can now see the true colour of your new lips or brows.
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To avoid infection and ensure the best possible result, it is important to follow the post treatment aftercare as detailed to you by your artist. How you take care of your cosmetic tattoo greatly affects the healed outcome.
Ensure you wash and sanitise your hands prior to coming into contact with your freshly tattooed skin. Preventing infection is one of our main objectives following a skin penetration treatment. The treated area is essentially a wound and we need to treat it as such. Following the correct aftercare is vital to minimising the risk of infection and ensuring the best result possible.Your artist will go through some simple aftercare instructions with you on the day of your treatment and also email you all the details in case you forget anything, so you can reference back.
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You will need to avoid saunas, swimming pools, and high exposure to the sun during the healing process. You must not let water come into contact with the tattoo for long periods of time (standing under the shower with the water on your face for example). You will be unable to use any makeup, creams or exfoliants directly on the tattooed area, or have any massages, facials or skin treatments for at least 2 weeks following your treatment. You will need to avoid the use of any cosmetics with retinols, salicylic acids or AHA's for 30 days post treatment. Refrain from scratching or picking your freshly tattooed area, as this can cause pigment to be lost in this area. You must avoid excessive sweating for the first 48 hours as this can increase your risk of infection and cause pigment lose. Laser light therapy can also lighten, darken and distort the pigment, so please avoid this type of treatment.
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Yes, there are some contraindications that will prevent us being able to complete a cosmetic tattooing procedure on you. These are listed below.
- Prone to keloid scaring
- Sunburn or windburn
- Diabetes that is not controlled (Diabetics will require medical clearance from their GP prior to the treatment being performed)
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Under the age of 18 years
- Under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the treatment
- Know allergies to cosmetic tattooing (previous reaction)
- Currently undergoing treatment for cancer
- Certain bleeding disorders
- Acne, rosacea or dermatitis in the immediate area
