Q: Who benefits from Intradermal Cosmetics?

• Busy people with little time to apply makeup.

• People with allergies to conventional makeup.

• Anyone who desires freedom and convenience from daily makeup application.

• Those who are physically incapable of applying makeup.

• Athletic people and those with oily skin, who tend to shed makeup easily.

• Burn survivors and people with flaws in their skin.

• Men and women who seek correction of asymmetrical facial features.

• Entertainers, actresses, and models, spokespersons, etc.

• Men and women who wish to look their best all of the time.

Q: Is the procedure painful?

• Topical anesthetics are generally used to minimize discomfort.

Q: Do I have a choice of colors?

• Definitely! There is a wide spectrum of colors that you may choose from.

Q: Do I have a choice in the placement of pigments?

• Of course. Before your procedure, Anita will thoroughly discuss your desired results and desires. Additionally, you will be fully awake and aware during the entire procedure.

Q: What is involved in recovery?

• There will be slight swelling and redness in the skin, which will subside quickly. You may resume normal activities immediately after the procedure. Complete healing takes one to six weeks while the pigmentation matures and reaches its final color.

Q: Are permanent cosmetics really permanent?

• Permanent cosmetic procedures are considered permanent because the color is implanted into the upper reticular part of the dermal layer of the skin.  As a result, the iron oxides, or pigmenting components remain in the body regardless of the external visual appearance of the procedure.  However, as with any tattoo, fading can and often does occur due to many factors.  The predominant reason for the fading of the color of a permanent cosmetic procedure is decomposition of pigments due to exposure to the sun, however, your health, consumption of medications, and use of facial products containing exfoliating properties all contribute to the need for maintenance.  At some time in the future, the color in your procedure will in all likelihood require refreshing.

Q: How much does permanent cosmetic makeup cost?

• The average cost per procedure varies but usually averages between $400-$800.  Advanced work may be charged at $150 to $250 per hour.  Many of these procedures are commonly referred to as para-medical procedures.  Work performed from physician's offices or specialized clinics may be charged at a higher rate.  The cost of the procedures however should not be the most important issue when consulting a potential technician.  More important is the client's confidence in their technician's training and skills and compliance with health and safety requirements.

Q: How long does each procedure take?

• The initial procedure will generally take approximately 1 to 2½ hours.  Touch-up procedures usually require less time.

Q: Are the procedures painful?

• The answer to this varies, based on each individual's tolerance to discomfort, and the skills of the technician performing the service.  The permanent cosmetic industry now has the benefits of several methods available to assist with discomfort management.  For instance, there are various non-prescription and prescription level topical anesthetic preparations.  Anita will discuss these methods with you to determine which one(s) are offered and which method best applies to the procedure being conducted.

Q: Is it safe?

• If proper sterilization and sanitary guidelines are met (Contact the governing agency in your state for specific information), and your technician is well trained for the procedure being performed, permanent cosmetic procedures should be completely safe.  There have been so few reported reactions to pigments that many physicians suggest that a patch test is not necessary, especially since most allergic reactions do not occur immediately.  The possibility that you would have any serious medical problems as a result of a permanent cosmetic procedure is almost non-existent considering enforced health standards.  Clients’ compliance with post-procedural instructions is also an important element in reducing any associated risks.

Q: Can I resume normal activities after the procedure?

• This is unique to each client. Generally, there is some swelling of the treated area. While eyebrows may show little after effect, eyeliner and lip procedures may produce more swelling and it may last anywhere from two to seventy-two hours. During the procedure, there may be some bleeding and although rare, some bruising. There is usually some tenderness for a few days. The color is much darker than you may expect for the first six to ten days. It is recommended that you do not plan any special events for several days after your procedure.

Q: What's a touch-up and when do I need one?

• Most technicians will include a touch-up session with the initial application. The color or shape may require an adjustment after the initial procedure has had sufficient time to fully heal. Cosmetic tattooing is a process. Follow-up visits are scheduled anywhere from four to six weeks after the initial procedure.

• As previously discussed, after your initial and follow-up visit is complete, depending on many factors unique to you, the timing for the need for a future color refresher will depend on the sun and health factors.

Skin Conditions (Face Only)

• Skin Complications - If you have skin that is prone to complications with eczema, psoriasis, keratosis pilaris, and dermatitis (i.e., your skin is constantly flaking, itching, or aggravated), chances are your skin is in a constant state of unrest and shedding and is not suitable for permanent makeup and therefore won’t hold the pigment well.

• Chronic Conditions - The same goes for conditions like chronic acne and rosacea. The inherent nature of this type of skin causes easy bleeding, which once again means your skin will not retain the color very well and the intended effect of microblading. Additionally, excessively oily skin can cause those tattooed hair strokes to blur together and give off an unwanted solid effect instead of a naturally feathered look

• State of Skin - If your skin is sensitive, it is likely to be easily aggravated and bleed easily.  A good way to know if your skin is sensitive is if it turns pink very easily from a little scratch.  If your skin has large pores, specifically in the region of the eyebrows and forehead (aka the T-Zone), the color will blur and result in a powdered look. Along similar lines, tattooed hair strokes will not lay properly on skin with deep wrinkles, which can make the overall look appear uneven. Moles, bumps, piercing, and generally raised skin around the eyebrows will also not be able to retain color.

• Skin Type - If you are a redhead, have thin, translucent skin with light eyes, your skin is very likely to be hypersensitive and will not be able to tolerate microblading well.  The same applies if you just have generally very thin skin - it will bleed easily and not retain color.

• Sunburn - If you are hoping to get microblading done but have gotten a tan or worse, a sunburn, it’s best to wait until your skin has resumed its normal color and wait until your skin has healed before booking in for a procedure.  

• Previous Permanent Makeup - People who have previously had permanent makeup may want to change or fix what they have previously had done. Clients may have to consider laser removal prior to a procedure or ask the artist if they can work with their existing permanent makeup to incorporate the old design and colors into the new one.  Always disclose if you’ve had previous permanent makeup so the artist can treat you accordingly.   

Medications

• Accutane/Retin-A - Individuals who have been taking acne medications such as Accutane or Retin-A within the last year have an altered skin condition that will not heal well after the procedure. It’s very important that you wait a year before tattooing the skin. Similarly, Retinol and Vitamin A users should discontinue the use of each a month prior to their procedure.

• Latisse - Eyelash and eyebrow growth serum bring extra circulation (aka blood flow) to the area resulting in more growth of hair/lashes.  Do not underestimate the power of these products!  If you have been using Latisse or any other eyelash or eyebrow growth conditioners, the skin in that area is in a hypersensitive state and will bleed easily. Be mindful to discontinue using these at least 3-6 months before going in for a session otherwise you will instantly bleed profusely.

Medical Conditions

• Hair Transplant - A commonly unknown fact is that scar tissue will form within the eyebrow transplant site. If you've had a hair transplant for your eyebrows, microblading is not a suitable procedure for you.

• Irregular State - If your body naturally runs hot or you have a bleeding disorder, this will result in excess bleeding and prevent adequate color deposit.

• Autoimmune - Even more seriously, if you have an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, or frontal fibrosing alopecia, you will not be a good candidate for Permanent Makeup due to your compromised skin health caused by these disorders.

• Other Conditions - If you are pregnant, nursing, have hemophilia, a heart condition, it is absolutely not recommended that you get any form of permanent make up done as this puts you in a high-risk position.  People who have heart issues often are on medications that thin the blood which will cause excessive bleeding, a poor result with microblading.

Reactions to Treatments

Below is a list of medical conditions that often cause skin irregularities, making microblading an unsuitable procedure for you:

• Trichotillomania (i.e., the compulsive pulling of body hair) can causes scar tissue in the skin to be prominent, which does not allow the color to heal properly.

• Glaucoma -If you hope to get eyeliner tattooed, the use of glaucoma eye drops makes eyelash follicles and eyelids hypersensitive, causing excessive bleeding and poor color retention.

• If you have continued use of Accutane, Retinol, or skin-peeling acids, you may be prone to excessive bleeding due to your altered skin condition, therefore, microblading would not be a viable option for you.

Other Considerations

• Botox - Get Microblading done BEFORE you get botox so your muscles will be in a normal state of movement.  Alternatively, if you regularly use botox, you will need to wait at least 3 weeks after botox before microblading in order to allow the botox to settle in at its full effect.

• Vacationing - microblading is a tattoo and therefore is a mild injury to the skin which takes time to heal.  If you are planning to go hot vacation involving sun, sweating, and swimming, make sure you give your skin two weeks to heal post microblading before showing off your newly micro-bladed brows on the beach

• So, if you’re thinking you’re ready for a permanent makeup procedure, it is important to know that the results will be based on the health and quality of your skin. Results will vary from person to person, and if you have a pre-existing skin condition or are on medications, you may still be eligible for a procedure but should adjust your expectations based on your situation.  Like any procedure, every person is unique and will react differently. If all checks out and your skin is in good physical condition, you can schedule a consultation appointment at MaxManni.