Question 1
Is it painful?
Answer
That's the most common question that I get asked.
The majority of clients when they come in and the first thing they say is, is this going to be sore?
The answer is, we've all got a different pain threshold, but no, it's not going to be sore, you're going to feel it may be a little scratchy, just initially, but I use a topical anaesthetic that activates quickly.
During the treatment as well if you start to feel it at all, then there's another anaesthetic that I use and again, it's instant, so no, the majority of clients once the anaesthetic has been applied, they actually just relax into the music and because it's quite a repetitive treatment, they find it quite relaxing No, anything at all is minimised with the topical anaesthetic.
Question 2
How does it all work?
Answer
Once we’ve done your patch test, you need to leave at least 24 hours before we can go ahead with treatment just to double-check that everything's okay, there are no allergies or allergic reactions.
It's a two-part process, we start with the first treatment when you come in, we will discuss different shapes, and different pigment colours by looking at your face shape, your eye shape, your skin tone,
you take that all into account and then I'll brow-map you.
We're using a brow string to design a template from where the head should start, your tail should finish, and really what's going to enhance your features the best for you. It's never a one-size-fits-all, it's unique to everyone.
My take on permanent makeup is it should never be to overtake your natural features, it should be to enhance them. I don't tend to follow the newest trends either. It's all about the eye shape, the face shape and really what enhance your eyes the best.
Question 3
What is Brow mapping?
Answer
We draw on a shape, and we'll map you so it's very accurate.
If there's any asymmetry in the brows, some people have maybe one eyebrow that's
slightly higher than the other, that's quite common.
So we're looking to balance the brows as well.
And then you give me the mirror. So we work together.
It's all about working together at that point and, the tattooing process for you is the easiest part.
Working together initially to get that perfect shape so that you feel comfortable and confident.
That when you lie back onto the bed and then I'm going to use the machine, you know where we're going with it.
Question 4
I have oily skin, does that make a difference?
Answer
Certain skin types will suit certain styles better. So if you have a slightly oily skin type, you’re best to go with maybe a soft, dusty powder brow. The hair strokes tend to blur a little bit quicker than normal.
Question 5
I’m taking medication, does that mean I can’t get them done?
Answer
Certain medications, certain skin conditions, and medical conditions, we must look at that.
So, for instance, if you were diabetic then your skin healing, it's not that we can't do the treatment, but we have to make you aware that the healing process might take a little bit longer.
For someone with thyroid issues as well, the retention of the pigment might not be as good as what you would see as the norm, so we look at all that.
We can tweak the technique slightly depending on the individual, but that's why the consultation is so important so that I'm aware of exactly what's going on with you and advise you from there.
Question 6
What if I don’t like them?
Answer
You're not going to is the answer because of the detail that we have in the consultation and we're working together, so when you lie back, you know where we're going with it.
I'll have already drawn on and used some colour so that you can see how the brows are going to look and you can ok that.
Worst case scenario, touch wood this has never happened, then there are ways to remove a tattoo, there's saline removal, there's laser removal, but here at the clinic that's never had to happen!
Question 7
Is it just one appointment?
Answer
Initially, you're starting off with a two-part procedure, you would have your first treatment, and then you allow four to six weeks before you go in with your top-up.
At top-up, that's what I call the perfecting treatment, I usually will slightly underwork on the first treatment that helps you get used to having a new shape to your brows and then at top-up when you come back, and then if you decide that you wanted to go a little bit warmer, a little bit cooler in the tone, maybe like do a few tweaks here and there, then that all can be done in your top up.
After that, the brows will just gradually fade to a lighter version of what they once were and you're looking about between 12 and 18 months on average for a top-up and that's just the one treatment for your top-up.
Question 8
Once my patch test is done and if everything's ok, what happens next?
Answer
For 24 hours after, hopefully, you'll have no reaction, it's highly unlikely and so then you're good to go.
Now we can start with your first treatment and we allow an hour and a half for your first treatment, where we do the full, mapping of the brows. We discuss the pigment colours, and then once we're both okay with the shape of the template, we'll do the actual procedure itself.
We then allow you between 4 and 6 weeks, it must be a minimum of 28 days because we've got to let the skin heal, seal and heal and it would be too delicate and sensitive to go back into the skin before then.
Then at 4 to 6 weeks, we do the all-important top-up session which I call The Perfecting Treatment so that we can have a wee look at how your skin has retained. If you want to make any tweaks, if you want to warm the colour or cool the colour at all, then that could all be done at your top-up.
Then again, you just allow the healing process to happen, and then annual top-ups 12 to 18 months are then recommended as maintenance, and then that's you, wake up with good brows!
Question 9
What do I need to do before my appointment?
Answer
If you're used to tinting your brows, you want to leave at least ten days before your treatment because peroxide can make the skin more sensitive. Avoid any retinol products again for, I would say, at least two weeks before, sun beds, they would be the same again, that's the biggies.
The day before don't have too much of a caffeine intake and limit your alcohol, just maybe one or two units, you don’t want too much as that can stimulate the nerve endings and then make you much more sensitive.
Question 10
What is the best way for me to maintain the colour?
Answer
Avoid salicylic and glycolic face masks and retinol on the brow area because that will lift the pigment out much faster. Also UV lights are the biggest culprit of premature fading of permanent makeup so sun beds in particular. If you do use the sun beds you want to either pop on an SPF, turn the facials off, and if you're in the sun or on holiday, the lip salves that you get with SPF factor 30 plus is really good just to keep that with you and then just swipe, and that helps to get the longest time from your brows.
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