Frequency Asked Questions About Seattle Permanent Makeup
Permanent Makeup - a cosmetic tattoo also referred to as Micropigmentation.
Cosmetic tattooing is done with the use of a tattooing pen. This pen may contain anywhere from one needle to multiple fine needles in particular configurations.
While there are many types of tattoo pens, the main difference in tattoo pens would be the power source the pen requires for application. Manual pens require no power, often referred to in our industry as a manual pen or Soft Taps. All other tattoo pens require battery or electricity to generate the up and down movement needed to insert pigment into the upper most dermal layer of the skin. Regina Celeste uses Nouveau Contour Digital device and Soft Taps. Tattoo artists and permanent makeup artists may use both methods, but depending on your specific skin type, your artist may have a preference of tattoo pen to use for the best results on your skin.
Q: What should I not do before Permanent Makeup?
A: Avoid foods that you have food allergies to. Example: if you are sensitive to wheat and dairy your body will have inflammation even if you do not feel it. Tattoo procedures produce slight inflammation on the serviced area to everyone, so clients who eat foods which they are sensitive to will have greater inflammation in their tattooed area. Inflammation affects pigment implementation. Avoid foods you are sensitive to three days prior to your procedure for optimal results. Drink 8 cups of water each day prior to your service. And, avoid alcohol and caffeine 24 hours before your procedure. Do not take Coumadin, aspirin, ibuprofen, niacin, fish oil or vitamin E, 3 days prior to procedure, these have helpful benefits for other health reasons however, they are known to thin the blood.
When possible, avoid ingesting anything which causes your blood to thin as soon as you make your appointment. Coumadin, aspirin, ibuprofen, niacin, fish oil and vitamin E, these are known to thin the blood, so while these products may be healthy and apart of your daily diet, please avoid them and or anything which may make the blood a bit thinner prior to your permanent makeup procedure. With this said it is important to consult your doctor before discontinuing any of his or her recommendations for you!
Q: What should you not do after Permanent Makeup?
A: Avoid hot yoga, hot tubs, steam rooms, sweaty exercise, and submerging the tattoo in water for the first 10 days. Avoid direct sunlight or tanning beds for 2 weeks after the tattoo. Avoid putting makeup on the serviced area for the first week. Avoid facials, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion (over your procedure) for 4 weeks. Avoid heavy sweating and exercise which prompts sweat glands to secret perspiration for the first 14 days.
Q: How long does each procedure take?
A: The initial procedure will generally take approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours. Your technician has records to establish, photographs to take, a design to create and color choices to discuss with you. Your numbing time is no less than 20 minuets itself. The actual tattoo procedure is only a fraction of the total time you will spend with your technician. Retouches, follow up appointments or color refresher procedures usually take 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Q: How often do I need a retouch on Microblading?
A: Some skin requires more retouches than others. A yearly retouch is common on Microblading because the pigment is placed more superficially than any other tattoo service. Other services such as Lip Blushing, Eyelash Enhancement, Powder Brows and Eyeliner will last longer. However, it is important to note that if you let your permanent make up go without a touch up for an extended period of time, your procedure is not considered a “retouch”. If your skin has lost much of the definitive pigment, your artist will be designing a new creative design consequently the cost for your service will not be considered a retouch. For this reason you must be responsible to keep an eye on your serviced area if you are losing pigment and when need you need a retouch.
Q: What are the 5 most common food allergens?
A: Milk, Wheat, Peanuts, Shell Fish, Soy
What you need to know about Permanent Makeup
While Permanent Makeup is great for most people, some individuals are not suitable for these treatments. Please read the following Permanent Makeup contraindications carefully, to evaluate if you are an eligible candidate, as they apply to all Permanent Makeup procedures:
Ineligible Without Exception
1. Individuals under 18 years of age. We cannot Microblade or tattoo anyone under 18 years of age, even with parental consent.
2. Women who are pregnant or nursing. As the body is going through hormonal changes, it is more prone to infections. Your skin may change and results can be unpredictable.
3. Individuals with Pacemaker or major heart problems. We use epinephrine, as a numbing agent, that can increase your heart rate possible causing dysrhythmias.
4. Individuals with viral infections and/or diseases. The risk of developing an infection is higher in people with compromised immune system.
5. Individuals with Lupus. The risk of developing an infection is higher in people with compromised immune system.
6. Individuals who have undergone Organ Transplant. The risk of developing an infection is higher in people with compromised immune system.
7. Individuals who are allergic to metal and color. We use small needles and pigments that can contain some metals and colorant, so an allergy can be a show stopper.
8. Individuals prone to getting keloids. Since permanent makeup punctures the skin, there is always a risk for people that are prone to keloids to heal with keloids scaring.
9. Individuals who used Accutane. Accutane alters the skin and makes it thin, dry, and sensitive. It also weakens your immune system. For those reasons you'll need to one year after your Accutane treatment is completed and your skin is back to its normal state.
Eligible With Doctor Clearance and Note
1. Individuals with any kind of skin condition on or near the treatment area. Eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, psoriasis or any one of these skin conditions may compromise the surface and texture of the skin. Procedure performed on skin with these type of condition may have sub par results.
2. Individuals undergoing chemotherapy. Although permanent makeup is great for enhancing your look, we require a doctor’s note in order to perform the procedure for anyone undergoing chemotherapy. Once you're cleared from your oncologist we can book your appointment. Permanent makeup is a great solution for cancer survivors.
3. Individuals with Diabetes. It is important that your condition is stable and under control. Please consult with your physician and provide us with a doctor's note.
4. Individuals with Thyroid Condition. The color of your brows can fade faster when taken with certain thyroid medications.
5. Individuals with Glaucoma. The risk of developing an eye infection is higher.
6. Individuals with High Blood Pressure. Your blood pressure has to be at a stable condition. You may have slightly greater bleeding than the norm. Excessive bleeding during the procedure can dilute and expel the pigment color and lead to poor results.
7. Individuals that have any uncertainty regarding their pre-existing conditions, or are under the supervision of a physician, please consult with your doctor before booking an appointment and provide us with a doctor's note.
Eligible Based on Individual Cases
1. Individuals with a dark pre-existing eyebrow tattoo or permanent makeup. The tattoo or permanent makeup must be light enough for us to create your design. We ask anyone with a previous permanent makeup tattoo to send an email to regina@reginaceleste.com with a clear photo of their current eyebrows or tattoo, with no makeup on, so we can evaluate.
2. Individuals who are allergic to lidocaine or epinephrine.
3. Our most used anesthetic is lidocaine and epinephrine so if you are allergic to it, we will not be able to use it during the procedure; however, you will still have an option to proceed but without a numbing agent to reduce the pain.
4. Individuals with oily skin should consider Soft Fill Powdered Eyebrow Service instead of Microblading
5. Individuals that are prone to cold sores.
If you are prone to cold sores, lip blushing may result in an outbreak and cause loss of pigment. You must start taking antiviral medication, prescribed by your doctor and NOT over the counter, 48 hours prior to treatment to prevent an outbreak.
Book a consultation to speak with Regina Celeste about your specific circumstances. Consultations are the best way for you to have your questions answered and alternative recommendations may be available