COSMETIC TATTOOING FAQS

DOES COSMETIC TATTOOING HURT?

To some degree there can be (minor) pain during a procedure as everyone’s tolerance will be different. We do use numbing agents for most procedures. If you are a smoker or a natural redhead the anesthetic may not last as long. We highly recommend not having this procedure done during your menstrual cycle or under the influence of marijuana as this often decreases your pain tolerance. 

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M A CANDIDATE FOR COSMETIC TATTOOING?

You are NOT a suitable candidate for cosmetic tattooing procedures: 

• If you are under the age of 18 

• If you are currently pregnant or nursing

• If you have taken Accutane during the past year

• If you have a history of keloids or hypertrophic scarring

• If you are currently undergoing chemotherapy

We require a doctors note clearance before performing any cosmetic tattooing procedures: 

• If you are a diabetic.

• If you have epilepsy.

• If you have a pacemaker or major heart problems.

• If you’ve had an organ transplant.

• If you have any heart conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure, poor general health, or currently have any illness that compromises the immune system.

• If you have any skin irritations, Eczema, or Psoriasis near the treated area (rashes, sunburn, acne, etc.).

• If you have any viral infections and/or diseases. 

  Lip Blush: In cases where you are prone to cold sores you will be required to talk to your physician about taking medication (Valtrex) a cycle prior to your appointment or for the duration of your healing. 

CAN I GET TATTOOED IF I’M BREASTFEEDING?

No. We cannot perform any microblading, tattooing, or henna procedures if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

CAN I GET TATTOOED IF I’M ON ACCUTANE?

No. You must have discontinued Accutane for a minimum of one year before you are eligible for cosmetic tattooing. 

HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO I NEED?

Most people are sufficient with two sessions booked 8-12 weeks apart (with the exception of SMP where most people require a minimum of 3 sessions). In some cases, a third session will be required. The third session is not included in the initial price and will be an additional cost.

HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED A TOUCH-UP/HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

Everyone is different in how frequently they will require touch-ups. Everything from skin type to lifestyle will affect the longevity of your cosmetic tattoo. We recommend colour boosts approximately every 1-3 years. Fills are booked when the area is about 50%-60% faded or within 36 months of your last service, whichever occurs first. If you are unsure whether or not to book a Fill session you can send a clear photo to your artist for their recommendation. We do prefer to space out sessions as much as possible to protect the integrity of the skin, especially when it comes to hairstroke techniques.

WHY DO I NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AFTER MY INITIAL PROCEDURE?

This is a perfecting session. We will evaluate how you’ve healed and how the skin has held the pigment and make adjustments to ensure your cosmetic tattoo looks its best. Touch-up appointments are made no sooner than 6 weeks after the initial session and up to 12 weeks after the initial session. Anything beyond 12 weeks is booked as a Fill appointment.

WHAT IS THE DOWNTIME FOR COSMETIC TATTOOING?

There is generally no downtime however there may be swelling, redness, fluctuations of colour, flaking, peeling, or scabbing of the area for 3-14 days.

WHAT IS THE LONG-TERM CARE OF COSMETIC TATTOOING?

Applying an SPF daily is recommended, especially during the summer months as the sun and any type of tanning will prematurely fade or alter the colour of your cosmetic tattoo. Any type of exfoliants such as chemical peels, laser treatment, abrasive manual exfoliation, and serums or moisturizers containing retinol, glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acids (BHA’s and AHA’s) will also fade your cosmetic tattoos and should be avoided near the tattooed area.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I STOP GETTING TATTOOED?

In most cases, the pigment will start to fade and shrink away over time. It can take years to completely fade from the skin and in some cases, lightening/removal will be required. The more often you are tattooed the less it will naturally fade from the skin. 

WHAT IS THE COSMETIC TATTOO APPOINTMENT PROCESS?

• The first step is the consultation where we go over what you are looking to achieve (inspiration photos are welcome), assess your skin type and features, answer any questions you have, and review the post-care instructions.

• From there we will get to our pre-draw design. This process can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes to complete and we will not move forward until you approve the design (if each party cannot come to an agreement we will not move forward with the appointment). The pigment is determined by a few factors and is chosen by the artist however we will discuss the desired result/intensity with each individual.

• Once we have the green light on the design we will have you fill out any necessary paperwork and then it’s time to get started!

• Please note that we take before and after photos/videos of all guests for insurance purposes but we will not use your photos on our social media pages or for promotional use without your written consent.

WHY DO YOU NOT PRE-NUMB LIP BLUSH OR LINER PROCEDURES?

The tissue on the lips is different than anywhere else on the body and does not respond the same to topical numbing. Pre-numbing the lips creates a very hard surface resulting in difficulties implanting pigment and over-working the skin (more pain). Once we have done the first pass over the lips we can then use a secondary numbing agent (if needed) that will make the rest of the procedure very comfortable.

The use of pre-numbing for eyeliner can run the risk of pushing the capillaries to the surface which can cause bruising or the potential to migrate the pigment through the vascular path. Again, once we’ve completed a pass of liner we can apply a secondary numbing agent (if needed) which will make the experience more comfortable.

Please note that the use of any type of numbing on the lips or eyes can result in excessive swelling and bruising but usually only lasts a few hours to a few days.

WILL LIP BLUSH MAKE MY LIPS BIGGER?

Although it can give the illusion of fuller lips we cannot actually make your lips bigger with this technique. When the skin outside the border of the lip is tattooed is can heal differently and look like the lips have been overdrawn. Lip Blush can improve the shape and give a more defined border and can be combined with filler if more volume is desired (it is recommended to have the filler done first and a minimum of 4 weeks prior to a Lip Blush service).

WHAT IS LIP NEUTRALIZATION?

If your lips are multi-toned or darker in colour we can help neutralize them and give a more even and brighter appearance.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MICROBLADING AND POWDER BROWS?

There are different forms of brow tattooing that will depend on some factors such as skin type, lifestyle, age and personal preference. Microblading and Nano Brows replicate the look of hairs. It is by far the most natural looking and in most cases will not replace makeup for those who fill their brows in. Microblading will require touch-ups more frequently than any other style of brow tattoo. Microblading is also the most particular when it comes to eligibility for the procedure and does not age well on oily or mature skin types, Nano Brows are less finicky but does have limitations. Powder brows on the other hand can be done on any skin type and will last the longest. It replicates the look of soft powder in the brows and is fully shaded (no hair strokes). We also offer Hybrid Brows (or commonly referred to as Combination brows) which combines both techniques to achieve more density with hair strokes. When it comes to what method we will discuss your desired results and choose the style that works best for you and will have the most suitable long term results.