Permanent Makeup
Frequently Asked Questions 

What is Permanent Make Up?

​

Permanent makeup involves implanting particles of pigment into the skin using sterilized needles. It’s also known as cosmetic tattooing. Microblading, Powder Brows and Combination Brows are all considered types of permanent makeup. Although it’s considered “permanent”, permanent makeup fades over time. 

 

How long will my permanent makeup last? 

​

In general, most cosmetic tattoos last 1 to 3 years. Many factors determine how long your PMU will last. Skin type, lifestyle, excessive sun exposure and medical conditions are just a few of these variables. The permanent makeup technique used is also part of what determines longevity. Powder & Combination brows last longest while Microblading fades the fastest. Permanent makeup is low maintenance, not no maintenance. Touch-ups should be expected. Touch ups/color refreshers are recommended every 1 to 3 years. 

 

Am I a candidate for permanent makeup? 

​

Unfortunately, not everyone is a candidate for permanent makeup. The following is a list of circumstances that may disqualify you from receiving a PMU procedure. Should any of these apply, please consult your physician and contact marisa.a.rios@gmail.com with specific questions regarding eligibility.

 

Contraindications for permanent makeup include:

• Viral infections

• Active cold or flu

• Epilepsy

• Pregnancy & breast feeding Pacemaker

• Current chemotherapy or radiation treatment

• Skin irritations near or in the treatment area (rosacea, psoriasis, acne, eczema, sunburns, rashes, etc.)

• Accutane use within the last 12 months Retin-A & Retinol use within the last 30 days

• Thyroid conditions Diabetes Immuno-compromised

• Blood thinners & antibiotics

• Keloid scarring

• Organ transplant patients

• Botox and/or other injectables administered within the last 3 weeks Under the age of 18

 

​

Eyebrows

​

How should I care for my brows after the procedure?

​

After Care Instructions

​

First 48 hours: Gently cleanse brows using fingertips, mild soap and water. Rinse with water. Pat the area dry with a paper towel. Repeat every few hours.

​

Days 3 through 10: Resume your regular facial cleansing routine. Don't use your skincare products (moisturizer, exfoliants, serums etc.) on your brows. 

​

For normal or dry skin, apply a very thin layer of healing balm once or twice a day. Do not overuse. Do not apply on wet brows. Remove excess balm with a q-tip. For oily skin, no ointment is necessary. 

​

Day 1 through 10: Don't rub, pick or scratch the treatment area. Do not apply makeup on the treatment area. No sweaty exercise, heat exposure or swimming. Avoid the beach, pool, sauna and sun!

 

Prior to booking your appointment, ask yourself a few key questions. Do you have any events coming up? Can you avoid sweating? Are you able to avoid sun exposure? Following proper aftercare is crucial to achieve the best healed results! 

​

What is Microblading?

​

Microblading is a form of cosmetic tattooing. It is a manual technique performed with a hand tool that has a single row of tiny needles on one end. This small row of needles is dipped into pigment and etched into the skin to create hair-like strokes. This permanent makeup technique fades fastest and is not ideal for all clients. 

 

Ideal candidates: individuals with a significant amount of natural brow hair. Microblading is best for those with normal/dry skin, even texture, small pores and minimal sun damage. 

 

If you have little to no eyebrow hair, Microblading is not the best option for you. Also, Microblading offers very subtle results. If your goal is to forego brow makeup entirely, Powder Brows are a much better option.

 

What are Powder Brows?

​

A cosmetic tattoo machine is used to create soft shading throughout the brow. Hair strokes are not used in this style of brow. Initially, they appear more dramatic but soften significantly as they heal. When fully healed, they settle to a soft “powdery” finish. This technique lasts the longest. 

 

Ideal candidates: This technique is suitable for all skin types! It is necessary for thin, mature skin because it causes the least amount of trauma. Powder Brows are ideal for those who fill their brows in with makeup everyday and want the least amount of maintenance.

 

What are Combination Brows? 

​

Combination brows incorporate both hair strokes and shading. The amount of shading used is also customizable; we can add as much or as little as desired. 

 

Ideal candidates: Combination Brows are a great option for most skin types including those with oily skin or large pores.

 

Will it hurt? 

​

Everyone’s pain threshold is different. While some feel no discomfort, others are more sensitive. The treatment area is numbed with a topical anesthetic during the procedure to keep you as comfortable as possible. Please keep in mind that you may be more sensitive during or around your menstrual cycle. 

 

How should I prepare for my PMU service? 

​

• Avoid large amounts of coffee, alcohol or energy drinks 24 hours before your service. These substances act as blood thinners and will lead to excessive bleeding and poor pigment retention.

• Three days before your PMU appointment, discontinue waxing.

• No Fish Oil, Vitamin E, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Aleve or anything containing Niacin for one week. Do not discontinue use if these are prescribed by your doctor.

• No aggressive facials, chemical peels, suntans/sunburns on the face 2 weeks prior. No Botox for 3 weeks prior. You may resume Botox 3 weeks after.

• Discontinue Vitamin A, Retinol and Retin-A for 1 month.

• Must be off of Accutane for 1 year.

 

What does a PMU appointment entail?

Your permanent makeup appointment will begin with an in depth consultation. We will discuss your goals and answer any questions you may have. Photos of your natural brows will be taken and then we will discuss shape & color. 

 

Shaping: Clients are involved in every step of the process, especially shaping! Your goals, natural hair growth, bone & muscular structure all play an important role in brow design. Measuring tools, mapping techniques and my expertise combined help us to achieve your desired shape. 

 

Color: Pigment color is chosen based on natural hair color, skin tone, skin undertones and personal preference. 

 

Once we’ve agreed upon shape & color, a topical anesthetic is applied to the treatment area. After a few minutes, the procedure begins! When complete, final pictures are taken and clients are given an aftercare kit. 

 

Initial appointments are 2 to 3 hours. Touch up appointments take 1 to 2 hours. The initial appointment has set the foundation for the touch up. At your touch up appointment, we will assess pigment retention and make any necessary adjustments. The healing process & aftercare instructions are the same for both initial & touch up sessions.

 

Will my brows be symmetrical?

​

No ones face is perfectly symmetrical! Therefore, no pair of brows can be perfectly symmetrical. Permanent makeup is excellent for creating more balance & harmony between your brow shape & facial features; however, 100% symmetry is impossible to achieve. 

 

What can I expect during the healing process?

​

• Immediately after procedure: Slight redness and tenderness of the skin.

• First few days: Brows will appear darker and thicker than they will be once they’ve healed. The skin may feel tight, dry and itchy.

• After approximately 5 days skin will begin to flake and peel. Allow this skin to shed on its own! It is normal for it to appear as though some or all of the pigment has disappeared but there is still pigment under the surface! Also, it’s normal for pigment to appear warmer than what it will be. Healed results aren’t visible for about a month. Trust the process!

• Two to Six Weeks Post-Procedure: Color may appear patchy and may need to be darkened. This is completely normal and it’s the reason why permanent makeup is often a two part process (first appointment and touch up appointment).

 

Please note, healed results vary from one individual to the next. For the Love of Brows LLC does not guarantee healed permanent makeup results for anyone. 

 

How often should I receive touch up/refresher? 

​

Once your first PMU session is complete, you can expect to return in 6 to 8 weeks for your touch up. After this appointment, you can expect to return in 1 to 3 years for your next touch up. 

 

Although clients are encouraged to maintain their permanent makeup long term, it’s important not to have touch ups more frequent than necessary. Excessive cosmetic tattooing can cause over saturation of pigment in the skin. This is most noticeable with Microblading. If touch ups are performed too often without allowing original hair strokes to fade, then Microbladed hair strokes begin to blur together and appear more powdery.

 

Should I have a pigment patch test? 

​

A pigment patch test involves implanting pigment into the skin to assess whether or not there will be any adverse reactions. Several small strokes can be placed in either the brow area or behind the ear. After one week, the skin is analyzed for allergic reactions or sensitivities. 

 

If you’re prone to skin allergies or highly sensitive, please inform your artist. A pigment patch test may be a good option for you. Not all clients require or request this. If you have tattoo pigment in your skin, it’s very likely that you are not allergic to cosmetic tattoo pigment.

 

Are there any possible side effects?

​

Permanent makeup procedures are safe to perform if no contraindications apply to you. Risk of infection is alway possible in any treatment when the skin is broken. Clients are given specific after care instructions after their procedure to help minimize any risk of infection.

 

Do you offer consultations? 

​

Yes! I love getting to know every single client before their procedure. Consultations are available in person or over the phone. 

 

Do you offer corrections on work done by other artists? 

​

Yes; corrections are handled on an individual basis. Clients must provide a clear photo of previous work or come in for an in-person consultation prior to scheduling a PMU service. If you are a new client to For the Love of Brows, it will not be considered a color refresher/touch up. New clients are charged for a new service regardless of previous work. 

 

How do I book? 

​

To book a permanent makeup appointment, call or text 480-586-7827. A non-refundable $100 booking fee is required for booking all permanent makeup services. 

 

What is your cancellation policy? 

​

Please allow at least 48 hours notice prior to cancelling or rescheduling your PMU appointment. PMU clients are able to reschedule their appointment once if necessary. After one rescheduled appointment, an additional booking fee of $100 is required to reschedule again. All booking fees are applied to your service total.

 

No-shows will result in the loss of your deposit. Clients who fail to show up for appointments without prior notice will be declined from future bookings and services.

​

Lip Blush

What Is Lip Blush?

 

Lip Blush is a permanent makeup procedure that softly enhances your natural lip color! The healed result mimics the look of a subtle lip stain. Lip Blush can bring more symmetry to irregularities to your natural lip shape. If you’ve lost color in the border of your lips, Lip Blush can redefine those edges with natural pink, coral and red tones. 

 

This procedure is completed in two sessions with the second session following 6 to 8 weeks after the initial session. The color of the lip pigment is always much more vibrant when the lips have been freshly done. You can expect the color to fade 30 to 50 percent after they’ve been tattooed. The lips can become swollen when freshly tattooed but they will return to their natural size in 24 to 48 hours. The final result of Lip Blush is intended to be a natural enhancement of your natural lip color. Lip Blush alone cannot/may not entirely replace lipstick. Results vary depending on the client, their skin type, after care, etc. 

 

In most cases, Lip Blush is fully healed in 4 to 7 days; however, every individual is different. Light flaking, peeling and fluctuations in the color are expected and normal. 

 

Important Pre and Post Care Information

If prone to cold sores, fever blisters or herpes – YOU MUST obtain a prescription for Valtrex or Zoviraxfrom your doctor. Clients usually take 2 pills two days before, 2 pills one day before, 2 pills day of and 2 pills the day after. A total of 8 pills. Cold sore outbreaks can occur even if you’ve never experienced them before. Please consult with your physician.

 

Proper hydration is EXTREMELY important if you’re considering Lip Blush. In the days leading up to your appointment, be sure you are hitting your daily water intake goal! Avoid alcohol, caffeine and any other substances that may dehydrate you. Prior to your procedure, lip balm and lip scrubs are HIGHLY encouraged. The better condition your skin is in, the better your Lip Blush results will be! After your procedure, generously apply a hydrating lip balm on the treatment area throughout the day.