There is NO GUARANTEE’S made as to the final outcome. But Elsa has gotten a lot of fabulous results, hense her reputation and many 5 star reviews. Your skin, lifestyle and after care play a huge roll in YOUR results. EVERYONE heals differently. Not everyone is a candidate for the Hair Stroke procedure. There may be other contraindications not listed and your appt. may be canceled. This is left up to Elsa’s discretion and she will be totally honest with you.
Some residual swelling is normal for ALL procedures. Most swelling occurs on day 1-3. A needle was placed in your skin, there WILL be swelling, how much is individualized. Some clients may have minimal swelling, some may experience more.
The area may appear uneven, dry, itchy, tender, red & irritated, flake or scab unevenly. The areas may appear very light under the areas of peeling or flaking. They pigment will oxidize and become a little darker as the healing continues. The pigment then incapsulate over the 30 day cellular turnover period in which you see results roughly 4 weeks post procedure. Some more mature clients do not see results until 8 weeks post procedure. This is all 100% normal. DO NOT PICK. If you pick, you can cause scarring. The results vary person to person and some clients may heal quicker than others or could take longer. You need to be patient and let the procedure have adequate healing over the course of 30+ days.
It takes on average 28-30 days for our cells to turn over. Unfortunately, natural skin cell turnover slows as you age. A natural process that takes two weeks for babies takes three to four weeks for teens. Once past your teens, your skin generally renews itself once a month (about every 30 to 40 days or after a trauma/procedure) but gets even more sluggish after 50, renewing itself only 45 to 90 days. Essentially everyone heals at different rates therefore you cannot critically judge your treated area for 4-8 weeks after the procedure
Color WILL fade/soften anywhere from 10%-50% or more once healed. At the touch up we will fine tune any area that has faded too much. Even then, there is no guarantee that the pigment will heal better. Healing is specific to each client. It is important to realize that you will need a color boost every 2+ yrs to maintain it’s fresh natural appearance. Fading WILL happen after each procedure. We do not have control over your bodies healing process or skin. You may need still to powder and/or pencil even after the healed results. This is an enhancement to your natural brows, not a permanent one. Touch ups to maintain the look is required and at some point you may not be able to have permanent makeup done based on your skins condition. Each time a procedure is performed, scar tissue is made, causing retention to be less and less each time it is done. This is universal in all permanent makeup procedures. This is a fact.
Due to the build up of scar tissue, touch ups will not be done any sooner than 1 year after your last session with Elsa. Most Permanent Cosmetic Procedures are completed in 2 sessions 6-8 weeks apart. Some clients depending on their skin and/or if they are undergoing corrections may need a third touch up for final adjustments.
If you are out in the sun a lot, have oily skin, use anti-aging creams, retinA/retinol products, acidic cleansers, natural elements, regular chemical peels, or exercise frequently, your permanent makeup WILL fade prematurely. The better you take care of the treated area and follow the provided aftercare, the longer it will last.
Permanent Makeup is an art, NOT a science. Clients results will vary and using a pencil or powder will/may still be needed. We have no control over your bodies healing process and each time a procedure is done, the pigment will have less retention due to scar tissue.
As we age our skin changes. The permanent makeup WILL eventually look more powdered, this is universal with all permanent makeup procedures. At some point, we may no longer be able to do perform services.
Remember, no two sides of the face are the same. Improvement is our goal, but, note that nothing is PERFECT. We do not use the “P” word when doing Permanent Makeup. Sisters, NOT twins is used universally in this field.
Absolutely No Water on them, Sun, Sweating, Exercise or Exertion of any kind prior to the procedure or after the procedure for 2 weeks. If you are sweating please BLOT gently with tissue or rice paper to keep the area dry. NO SUN 30 DAYS PRIOR & 30 DAYS AFTER THE PROCEDURE. 1 DAY WILL RUIN THE RESULTS IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THE 2 WEEK AFTERCARE PROTOCOL.
Again- Do NOT have a tan/sunburn on your face prior to your procedure. The tan will exfoliate taking color with it as it fades & will also heal the pigment darker than expected. Tan skin bleeds. Can Heal darker than expected. If you show up to your appointment with a TAN/SUNBURN, you will be required to reschedule and your deposit will be forfeited. The determination if you are too tan will be up to Mary’s discretion.
Do not work out the day of the procedure as the body heat expands the pores. It is recommended not to sweat for the first 14 days following the procedure. Sweat is salt and WILL fade, blur or cause the pigment not to take at all.
We use salt to remove permanent makeup and there is salt in your sweat.
Avoid direct shower water on the treated area after the procedure. Absolutely NOTHING on the treated area..no water, no makeup, lotions, pencil….etc. for 14 days….Avoid scrubbing the treated area for at least 1 month. Gentle washing ok after 2 weeks.
Do NOT take Aspirin, Fish Oil, Niacin, Vitamin E and/or Ibuprofen unless medically necessary, 72 hrs prior to your procedure. Tylenol may be taken instead of Ibuprofen before procedure. After procedure Ibuprofen and Benadryl are good to reduce inflammation if your Doctor Permits.
Also Avoid heavy drinking the day/night before or heavy consumption of caffeine 24 hours in advance of procedure because you will bleed more and retain pigment less.
Avoid sleeping on your face during the 1st 14 days after the procedure. (Or until scab or crust comes off)
You have to be off Accutane for 1 year. NO Exceptions!
Dark Skin Types please note that your permanent makeup will not appear as bold as lighter skin types. (Indian, African American, Filipino, etc.) It will look more solid/powdered due to having a darker skin color in the background.
Smoking WILL cause the pigment to fade prematurely and anesthetics will not last as long.
Getting a procedure while on your menstrual cycle can make you hyper-sensitive at the procedure site.
No swimming until the area is completely healed, salt water/chlorine WILL cause the pigments to fade or change in color. It is recommended to apply the Vaseline to the treated area/s prior to swimming even after healed to prevent the chlorine water/salt water from penetrating the area.
Only touch the treated areas with sanitized clean hands during the healing process.
DO NOT RUB, SCRATCH OR PICK AT THE TREATED AREA. Let any scabbing, flaking or dry skin naturally exfoliate off. Picking can cause scarring, loss of color, or infection.
PLAN on scheduling your second session touch-up within the first 6 months. (Typically 6-8 weeks post procedure- as instructed by Elsa.)
Permanent Makeup is an art not a science- but science plays a role in how well and long it will last. Everyone retains pigment differently, results are not guaranteed and do vary. I will be honest with you if I feel permanent makeup is not the best option for you, or if your skin is not in a condition that I can work on. Due to all the variables mentioned, plus the numerous others that are considered when doing permanent makeup or medical tattoos having a qualified artist is essential. It is important that you have realistic expectations, be honest during your consultation and on your medical history form so that we avoid causing more harm than good. Also so we can come up with the best plan of action specifically for you! I hope to meet all of your expectations, Permanent Makeup is a process not a procedure. It requires realistic expectations, following instruction, having patients, and trust in your artist for the process to go smoothly. Permanent Makeup is a process not a procedure. When done properly PMU and Medical Tattoos can look effortless, natural, and stunning.
Why is More than One Session Needed? When do I Come Back?
Permanent Makeup and Medical Tattoos are a process not a procedure. Many Cosmetic tattoos are a 2 step procedure. The skin needs to properly heal in between sessions to avoid scarring, poor retention, and skin damage. It takes 28-30 days for cells to turn over, skin goes through several stages while healing from any trauma. The skin has a cycle like our hair and other areas do. The skin on the face is thinner than skin on the body, and is more delicate and vascular. Scarred skin (Scar Tissue) reacts differently than healthy or virgin skin. Scar tissue is unpredictable- it either soaks pigment up like a sponge or is stubborn and rejects it. To maintain the integrity of your skin sessions are 6-8 weeks apart. A tattoo is essentially a scar of color. We create some scar tissue with every session which is why spacing out the sessions appropriately, keeping the area out of UV Exposure, and using Vitamin E or Scar Serums ect after the area has healed to mend the scar tissue formed is important. Healthy and hydrated skin takes and retains pigment better than dry comprised skin. Due to the different phases of healing you do not see results from Medical, Microblading, Cosmetic Tattoo’s, Needling, or Removal for 4-6+ weeks after the procedure. Medical Tattoos, Corrective Work, Needling Treatments, and Removal need a minimum of 2 sessions, they can range anywhere from 2-6+ sessions for maximum improvement of the area. We reassess after 2 sessions. Please have realistic expectations, Camouflage, Corrective Work, and Removal may improve the area, but not 100% be effective. 50%+ improvement is a more realistic expectation. Customized packages are available. Scalp Aesthetics are on average 3 sessions for completion. Brows, Lips, & Eyes are on average 2 sessions.
Is it a Tattoo? SHORT ANSWER YES!
All Permanent Makeup, Microblading, and Medical Tattoo’s are a form of a tattoo. Not Semi-Permanent! There is NO guarantee if, or when the pigment will completely dissipate, everyone retains pigment differently. Remember a tattoo is a scar of color, I am implanting customized pigment into the upper layer of the Dermis with needles. (Just like a traditional body tattoo is.) Each time I work on you I create more scar tissue, therefore we must give the skin an appropriate time to heal to avoid unnecessary, additional, or visible scar tissue. The pigment I use is designed specifically for each area and procedure, it is not the same as traditional body art ink. In many cases it fades more so than body art ink, requiring more frequent touch ups (depending on procedure.) That is by design, therefore I can manipulate the shape as your face ages and changes. Also PMU techniques slightly differ from techniques used by body art tattoo artists. Otherwise it is all tattooing, Semi-Permanent is a misleading term that is inaccurately describing Permanent Cosmetics. I have had several girls in my office requiring corrective work from another technician not aware that the procedure they had undergone was permanent, and extremely upset that it hadn’t “gone away” on its own after a year or two as they were told it would. If you never get a touch up your Permanent Makeup will fade significantly over time, but there is NO GUARANTEE that it will ever completely go away. The pigment encapsulates in the upper layer of the Dermis. In order to have this removed or lightened one must undergo either laser or saline removal sessions. Only then does the laser or saline solution break down the encapsulated pigment and pull it to the surface to shed away. If you want to redo your permanent makeup do NOT get laser, you will not retain pigment after having laser removal performed. Your best option is to get the saline removal if you plan to redo the area. If you do not wish to redo the area than laser would be a quicker removal option but be advised that it will create more scar tissue than the Saline Method. Also if there is any Titanium Dioxide in your pigment a laser will turn it a dark grey/black color under the laser. Back to PMU not being Semi-Permanent is because the Epidermis is the outermost, protective, non vascular layer of skin covering the Dermis. If we tattooed ONLY this layer of skin the pigment would completely come off with the dry skin/crust that forms over the tattooed area and sheds away like a sunburn within the 28-30 day skin cycle (on average.) The initial crust most people form within 24 hours of the procedure is commonly called the scab but in actuality if a true scab forms than we went to deep, this is more of a dry skin/crust. Another result of going too deep is discoloration and migration of pigment. Migration is when the pigment travels to undesired areas underneath the skin. The Dermis is located beneath the Epidermis and is connected to the Epidermis by a basement membrane. The Dermis harbors nerve endings, hair follicle, blood vessels, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands. Beneath the Dermis is the Hypodermis which is mainly used for fat storage.
Why Cosmetic or Medical Tattoos? Simple Look Your Best All Day- Everyday!
wokeuplikethis #flawless natural looking results to enhance your natural beauty, that stays true to color! I use only the best pigments, machines, anesthetic, and needles on my clients. Wake up everyday with your Eyeliner, Brows, and Lips ready to go! Or reconstruct an area after a surgery, accident, or disorder with a Medical Tattoo (AKA Paramedical Tattoo). Correct any asymmetry to better balance your facial features! Get instant hair loss camouflaging and/or hairline reconstructing results with Scalp Micropigmentation! A great alternative for those who do not want to undergo Hair Restoration Surgeries and wait the 6-12 Months to see possible results. Treat & blend in scars, hypopigmentation (skin missing pigment), and stretch marks. Permanent Cosmetics are for both men and women! There are options! Great for people on the go, suffer from poor eyesight or shaky hands, Athletes, busy Moms, Military, Doctors, Nurses, Law Enforcement the list goes on! Everyone wants to look their best but who has the time to tediously apply and reapply makeup daily? The solution is here! I’m proud to make the world a prettier place, one face at a time!
Will it Hurt
We use top of the line topical anesthetics to numb the area. For all procedures you may experience a little discomfort here and there, however if you read the reviews clients are often impressed with how little pain they experienced, if any.
Difference Between a Medical & Cosmetic Tattoo?
Medical or Paramedical tattoos are to help with reconstruction of an area post surgery, accident, or disorder. They are meant to camouflage or reconstruct an area. Medical Tattoos are: Scalp Micropigmentation; to camouflage hair loss, Areola Micropigmentation; reconstruct Areola/Nipple post surgery or Breast Cancer, Skin or Scar Camouflage; to camouflage scars or skin that have lost pigment (hypopigmentation) in with the healthy or normally pigmented skin. Cosmetic tattoos are designed to enhance facial features or mimic cosmetic makeup. Cosmetic Tattoos are: Brows, Microblading, Eyeliner, Eyeshadow, Lip Liner, Full Lips, or Beauty Marks.
Am I Good Candidate for Microblading?
If you have oily skin you are not a good candidate for microblading. Other brow techniques are better suited for your skin type. If you have previous Permanent Makeup Microblading also may not be the best option for you. Microblading is most ideal for clients with normal to dry skin, and virgin skin. (Never been tattooed before.)
What Does the Price Include? What Should I Expect?
The initial price for Permanent Makeup is for the procedure itself performed at your first session, the second session which is the “perfecting session” is complimentary. Eyes, Lips, & Eyes are typically completed in the 2 sessions, however occasionally a client will require a third session. Corrective Work, Needling, Scalp, Camouflage, Removal, and other Medical Tattoo’s number of sessions required and prices vary on a case by case basis. A free consultation is required for the services presently listed prior to coming in for the procedure. When you come in for your free second session for Microblading or PMU this is when the artist alters any color or shape issues if needed, and adds more detail and dimension. I want my clients to have the best possible results, many PMU & Microblading procedures require 2 sessions for optimal results, therefore I decided not to charge for the second session. You have up to 6 months to use your free touch up session. Some people depending on their skin my need an additional third session at an additional fee. Medical Tattoo’s, Corrections, Needling, and Removal are reassessed after 2 sessions. Everyone’s skin reacts, heals, and retains pigment differently. After an assessment at a consult prior to procedure or same day as procedure she will customize every clients color, shape, placement, size, and package. Number of sessions needed may change during treatment depending on how your skin reacts to treatment. Artist will make measurements and draw the design on you prior to tattooing, once you select your shape/design she simply fills it in with pigment. Just like a traditional tattoo you must approve size, shape, and placement before beginning. Once you approve your design she simply fills it in with pigment, she does not deviate from her stencil/ guide. Artist also will show you the color before beginning, there are no surprises. The goal of skin toned pigment AKA Scar/Skin Camouflage pigment is to blend with your skin, which is transparent and has many layers. Therefore Scar/Skin/Stretch Mark Camouflage requires anywhere from 2-6+ sessions to achieve proper blending. For Eyebrows the goal is to match the eyebrow hair color with the pigment. For lips please bring in your favorite favorite lip sticks, and let artist know if you like a more sheer or opaque look. She will try to match the lipstick color. Although you will see the color pigment on the skin looks different than in the skin- you will heal more muted and lighter than how the color appears. Auditioning colors from the bottle can be misleading because pigment always look darker, more vibrant, and warm from modifiers than how it will heal in your skin. While you heal from lip PMU your lips will take on a brick red or darker color than how they will heal- this is because lips tend to heal very cool and without any warmth or orange added to the formula or target color to neutralize this there is a good chance that you will heal blue, grey, or purple. Eyeliner or Eyeshadow color: Black, Black- Brown, Brown, Grey, Dark Purple, Dark Blue, or Jade. Artist does not recommend white eyeliner because it will turn into a chalky looking texture/yellowish color over time- not pretty. She also does not tattoo the wet line because it has a high risk of causing dry eye. Less is more “I rather you heal too light oppose to you coming back too dark.” To lighten color requires removal, color does not lift color. Color on color can tone the color but not make it less saturated. “I will always advise my client to be conservative at your first session, we can always add more.”
All Permanent Makeup, Microblading, or Medical Tattoo’s are a form of a tattoo and take 4-6 weeks to see results and heal. It will go through different stages during the healing process- trust the process. You cannot judge the work until it is healed and have completed the necessary number of sessions and followed the aftercare instructions. Everyone heals at a different rate, there is no one size fits all. Some may see results quicker and have better results than others. Genetics, lifestyle, health, sun exposure, skin type, and skin care all play a role in how well or fast you will heal.
Following the aftercare instructions is key!
If you do not follow the directions you can create adverse effects, retention issues, fading, discoloration, scarring, and ruin the work the artist did. If you aren’t sure about something please call, text, or email before taking action. Sessions are 6-8 weeks apart depending on procedure. Take home kits and written instructions are provided for every procedure.
Is “Organic” Pigment Better? Why Do Some People Heal Weird Colors?
People often think of produce being chemical free when they think of “organic.” Some Pigment lines pray on this to be the misconception of their pigment line when they refer to it as “organic.” Marketing that their pigment is better because it is “organic.” It is not, this is simply a marketing ploy. In actuality there is no such thing as a pigment designed for implanting that is chemical free. Organic does not mean better, healthier, or chemical free in PMU. Organic pigment differs greatly from what consists of organic produce. Organic Pigment simply means that there is Carbon, Toners, &/or Lakes/Dyes in the formula; that are either soluble or insoluble. Organic pigment typically is more vibrant than inorganic, however has a smaller molecule, migrates easier, not very stable, and fades quicker than inorganic pigments. Carbon can turn a blue-ish color over time- therefore we do NOT want to use any brow pigment that contains Carbon in it for this reason! If Carbon is implanted too deep it will turn blue. Due to each color having a different molecule size we metabolize yellow, than red, than blue. Blue & green are the gifts that keep giving. Black is all of the primary colors mixed, and Brown is a Primary color and its Complement mixed. Carbon is commonly used for Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) and is also great for some Eyeliners, but an inexperienced Artist using a Carbon based Eyeliner Pigment has a higher risk of causing migration than if she/he uses an Inorganic pigment. Inorganic pigments are insoluble Iron Oxide, Titanium Dioxide (White), Manganese Violet, or Ultramarines. They are actually more stable than Organic pigments, have larger molecules, are duller in color but out live Organic pigments. Organic lip colors tend to be more sheer and vibrant, while Inorganic lip colors tend to be more opaque. Many manufacturers create pigment colors that are a mix of Organic and Inorganic to seek the benefits of both, while also containing Additives such as; Alcohol, Glycerin, and Sterile Water. Inorganic and Organic pigments are both good in there own ways, and sometimes even good together. The colorants added to pigment must be approved on the FDA’s Approved Color Additive List. It is important to have an Artist well versed in color theory, because we are not working on a white canvas. Our canvas is multi-colored, dimensional, and alive. We need to take in to account each clients undertone, complexion (overtone), skin condition, skin type, and other features that may affect our work. We must neutralize the undertones to eliminate the color that we implant healing undesirably. “I don’t know how many times I have had to correct blue, grey, purple, salmon, red, green eyebrows, or blue, violet, grey lips, or blue or green/black eyeliner, or peach/orange Scar Camouflage from another Artist.” Scales I use to help understand each clients skin, in addition to having each client fill out a Health History Form is: the Fitzpatrick Scale, Glogau Scale, and the Lancer Ethnicity Scale (LES.) To find your undertone I look at the color of your veins, under your eyes, and may even put a white piece of paper up to your face or area that I will be working on to find your undertone temperature (cool, neutral, or warm.) Skin is our canvas.
Some PMU Color Theory Rules of Thumb|
Lighter the color, the quicker it fades. Darker the color, cooler the color, grayer the color, longer it lasts. Yellow fades the quickest, then red, then blue. Blue in pigment is the gift that keeps on giving. White is the largest molecule and tends to age a cream color and appear to float on the surface of the skin, we use white carefully. Pigment + Skin Tone = Outcome Color. 75% of people have a cool (temperature) bias undertone. Many people have a cool undertone in their lips regardless to their overall undertone/complexion and a small amount of orange or yellow-orange must be applied to formula to avoid lips healing blue, purple, or grey. There is no such thing as a warm dark brown in PMU. Hydrated skin takes pigment, and shows pigment better than dry skin. The goal for many procedures is for clients to heal as neutral as possible to avoid unwanted color shifts and needed color corrections over time. The sun WILL fade your pigment prematurely and can shift the color of your pigment.