QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Why is permanent makeup popular with so many people today? People choose permanent makeup for a variety of reasons. Professionals enjoy the fact that permanent makeup saves them time every day. With permanent makeup you look beautiful the moment you get out of bed and you stay that way all day long. Athletes and active people enjoy makeup that doesn’t run when they workout or swim. Individuals who work in laboratories or sterile environments in which makeup is prohibited enjoy the look that permanent makeup provides. Imagine dancing all night long and never having to worry about your makeup! As we age our facial features begin to fade. Our lips are not as defined, our eyebrows become thinner, and our eyelashes are not as full. Permanent makeup is an excellent way to enhance these beautiful facial features. Many clients tell us that they feel years younger after their permanent makeup procedures. Does permanent makeup stay on forever? No, it does not. It is required by law to call it permanent since we are placing pigment into the skin. However, due to the softer, more natural colors that are used it will fade over time. The length of time that pigment will remain is very individual. Body chemistry, skin pigmentation and exposure to the elements are just a few factors that affect fade time. How long do the procedures take? Procedure length varies from person to person. Eyebrow and eyeliner procedures generally take 60 – 90 minutes, lip liner and lip color procedures can take 2 – 4 hours. What does a procedure involve? Your first step will be to come into the office for a free consultation. You will meet with our knowledgeable technicians and discuss the procedures you are interested in and address any specific needs you may have. A patch test may be done at this time to determine sensitivity to pigment. On your procedure day you and the artist will select colors and discuss makeup application. Much time is spent drawing patterns for eyebrow and lip procedures. This pattern is very important and acts as a guide for the artist to follow while applying the permanent makeup. Each procedure includes a post-procedure visit that will occur 4-6 weeks after the original procedure. At this time, any areas that need to have some pigment added will be treated. Photographs will be taken before and after the procedure, then again after the final visit. Will I be sore? You will experience some discomfort after your procedure. Eyebrows swell minimally and remain red for approximately one day. Eyelids after eyeliner procedures can be swollen and red for 2-3 days. This is often alleviated with cold compresses. Lip procedures can result in swelling that lasts 4-5 days. This can also be relieved with cold compresses. What will my permanent makeup look like? Initially any pigment will look darker and harsher than it will be once healing is complete. Eyeliner will look almost black and lip color will be exaggerated. As your body goes through the healing process, dry skin will form along the areas where pigment was applied. This is what makes the pigment appear dark. As the layers of skin that were damaged during the application process start to flake and slough off, they cover the pigment so that it appears that the color is faded or gone. After those layers completely slough off, the underlying pigment can be seen. Are there any safety issues that I should worry about? We adhere to strict OSHA standards for safety and sterilization. Needles are NEVER reused.
PROCEDURES The process of placing pigment under the skin varies according to what area is to be covered. We like to see our clients, on average, two to three times before we feel that a procedure is completed. The visits are spaced approximately 4-6 weeks apart so that the tissue has time to heal and we are able to see how the underlying pigment looks. Since pigment is being placed under the skin, it is required by law to be called ‘permanent’. However, ALL pigments do fade in time. The amount of time depends on color used, exposure to elements, and body chemistry. Have you ever seen an aging sailor with a woman tattooed on his forearm? That woman used to be bright, colorful and bold but over time she has faded into a blue-green outline. The soft, natural pigments used on the face will tend to fade faster than the bright, bold colors used on the rest of the body. We understand and expect that this will happen so we offer ‘touch-up’ procedures at a fraction of the cost of the original procedure. Once a client receives an initial procedure, they are able to return for a ‘touch-up’ at any time, whether it’s one year or five years after their original procedure.
EYEBROWS	Properly shaped eyebrows will enhance your face shape and frame your eyes without dominating your features. Multi-colored hair strokes can be blended for a soft, natural look. How great it would be not to worry about sweating or wiping your brows off. You'll never have to match them again!!
EYELINER	Soft color can be applied as an enhancement or a thicker defined line for a more dramatic effect. Dimension is created by implanting more color to the outer edges and tapering to the middle. A smoky eye shadow look can also be an alternative. No more runny, smudgy eyeliner. Great answer for contact wears, too.
LIPS	Size, Shape and color can be altered. Accentuate the outer lip liner and blend color to the middle for a natural look. Correct a croooked lip line or just add definition. Lip enhancement helps prevent lipstick from bleeding and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles.