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What to expect with Cosmetic Tattooing
1. Is Cosmetic Tattooing the same as body tattoos?
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.
2. Is Cosmetic Tattooing painful?
There is some pain involved in cosmetic tattooing but it can be controlled. The level of pain felt does depend on the individual’s pain threshold. Topical anaesthetic is used and these help soften the pain.
3. How permanent is Cosmetic Tattooing?
This is a very common question and one that is not easy to answer! Cosmetic tattoos generally last between 1-2 years however there have been cases where cosmetic tattoos have lasted for more than 10 years. So if you are considering a cosmetic tattoo under the misconception that it’s only temporary; then think again. The permanence of a cosmetic tattoo depends on many factors; individuals skin type, medical conditions, colours used, etc. Colours do fade over time, and we usually recommend a touch-up every 1-2 years.
4. Is Cosmetic Tattooing Safe?
We ensure all of our equipment 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. 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.
5. How do I choose a colour for my cosmetic tattoo?
We usually do recommend bringing in with you the colours that you usually wear on a day-to-day basis. We take your skin tone and desired result into consideration prior to choosing a colour and we try our very best to match your chosen shade. 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 colours. 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.
Immediately after the treatment the colour will be brighter, deeper 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 6 weeks before judging the colour. The colour tweaking can be addressed in your adjustment appointment 6-8 weeks post treatment.
6. What should I consider prior to the procedure?
There are a few important factors to take into consideration prior to undergoing treatment. Please read carefully and should you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact us. Cosmetic tattoos can last anything between one year to twenty plus years, dependant 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 tattoo on the face) often results in a bluey hue in cosmetic tattoo just like body tattoos. The bluey hue can come through over time or immediately. There is no way of predicting if or when this happens. Black pigment is never used on the eyebrows (for obvious reasons!).
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 such as Blackmores “L-Lysine” 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 routine adjustment appointment (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.
7. How long will my Cosmetic Tattoo take to heal?
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. It can be anything from 4 days to 14 days. The majority of clients resume work the next day and manage to keep their tattoos discreet. Dependant on the area tattooed, redness, dryness and minor swelling can occur. Swelling usually subsides within a couple of hours (except in full lip treatments where it can take up to 24 hours). Itchiness is the first sign of healing, please ensure you do not itch the area and keep the area moisturised as scabbing and itching will cause patchiness within the tattoo.
Eyebrow Tattooing
1. How do I decide on a colour for my Eyebrow Cosmetic Tattoo?
We take your natural eyebrow hair, complexion, eye colour and hair colour into consideration prior to recommendation. We also suggest you to bring your usual shade that you use to the appointment. We stay up-to-date with the latest trends, including microblading and the ombre brow technique.
2. How do I decide on a shape for my Eyebrow Cosmetic Tattoo?
Usually we try to stick to your natural flow of eyebrows with minor tweaks as this will give the most natural result. But in saying that a reshape maybe required, here we usually ask the client to draw in their usual shape on one eyebrow and we will draw an ideal shape recommended on the other brow. This way you can see the difference and decide. When recommending we take skin, face and feature shape into consideration
3. What will I look like immediately after Eyebrow Cosmetic Tattoo?
Eyebrows will immediately look more prominent, darker and more defined with a little bit of 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 6 weeks.
4. When can I go back to work and how long will it take to heal?
Most clients return to work the very next day, still managing to keep their eyebrow tattoo discreet! Eyebrow tattoos usually start to heal pretty quickly without any complications (within four days), they will completely heal within 6 weeks. It is important to stick to the aftercare instructions to ensure rapid healing.
Eyeliner Tattooing
1. Does eyeliner cosmetic tattoo hurt?
The pain threshold of each individual is different, but most clients are pleasantly surprised that the pain is minimal. Topical anaesthetic is used to help numb the pain.
2. What colours can I choose from for my eyeliner tattoo?
With eyeliner, we tend to recommend black, charcoal or brown. Just remember trends change and tattoos are permanent so we tend to advise going as natural as possible.
3. What will it look like immediately after treatment?
Immediately after a lash line or an eyeliner tattoo, eyes will be a little red, swollen and agitated (almost like hayfeverish eyes). The eyeliner will be quite an intense colour with a wet look finish. It will also look much thicker than the desired result due to the swelling. The swelling will subside within a few hours; an ice pack can be used to aid relief of swelling.
4. When can I return to work and how long will it take to heal?
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 6 weeks for the eyes to completely heal.
Lip Blush/Lip Lightening
With lip blush and lightening treatments the pain factor differs within individuals. We do offer either a topical anaesthetic however lips can we sensitive. The topical anaesthetic helps dull the pain, if you are experiencing more pain just let us know and we can apply more aesthetic.
2. What colour do I choose for my lip tattoo?
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 6 weeks of healing, pigment is lost and colour will be similar to lip. Lip tattoos will lose up to 60% of their pigment, this is important to remember as when it is initially done it will look much brighter, darker and deeper.
3. What will it look like immediately after treatment?
Your lips will be swollen. Swelling will only last for the first few hours where ice can also help reduce this time. Colour will be quite bright and the tattooed area a little sore (it’ll look and feel as though it has been scratched). Ice and ointment we provide will help relieve any discomfort.
4. When can I return to work and how long does it take to heal?
After a lip blush you can generally return to work the very next day. Most patients experience dry flaky 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.