You have thought about cosmetic tattoo for a long time now. Or you’ve been looking at someone else’s flawless makeup day after day and now it’s your turn, right? I hear this all the time! My clients often say to me, “I have wanted to do this for so long”….and later, “why didnt I do this years ago?” 

The following pre-care notes are valuable in helping with your decision to go ahead with semi-permanent tattoo as it is known in Australia.

First I’d like to say that  there are certain young people under 18yrs old out there who would like this specialised makeup, but unless there are special circumstances and you have your physician’s advice this is a no, no. For most other individuals, if you have a confident sense of self, are mentally and emotionally prepared, and really want this for you, then step right up!

Always prior to treatment, keep your skin free of skin medications. Skip Retin A, Glycolic Acid or other treatments prior to this work. Wait 48hrs before waxing, tinting lashes and brows, electrolysis or lash perming. Although I have eyelined a lovely client who is never without her eyelash extensions, I have asked her to come to her second appointment with bare eyelids, for maximum colour implantation close to the lash line. Clients sometimes prefer a good tattooed eye-liner or lash enhancement to continuing with lashes every few days or weeks.

Contact lenses are shelved for a couple of days or more  if possible…..bring along your specs for your first appointment. 

Need antibiotics prior to going off to the dentist? Chances are you may need them before these procedures too.  Be cleared by your doctor first please.

Are you regularly taking Vitamin E, Niacin, St. John’s Wort, Ginko biloba? It is advised to halt those for 3 or 4 days as well, if you can. Let me be aware of supplemented foods or if your diet is rich in certain fruits, vegetables or beverages.

It’s an idea to schedule your procedures after your menstrual period, that’s if you’re prone to extra sensitivity.  When you feel your best and are in good health that’s always the right time for colour implants.

An easy bruiser? Arnica tablets before eyeliner treatments are often swear-bys. Blood thinners are also not designed to make cosmetic tattooing easy. Again, talk to your doctor – it may be you are not  a suitable candidate. Asprin or Ibuprofen can promote bleeding, so choose Panadol or similar an hour before, if you feel you’d  like to. Remember we are able to advise.  Alcohol and any strong stimulants are hopelessly effective blood thinners

Medical conditions such as hepatitis, type1 diabetes, heart concerns, psoriasis or any blood borne communicable diseases – please advise, you may or may not be suitable for these treatments.

Wait until pregnancy and breast feeding are over. Believe me, the convenience is worth the waiting!

Lip blushing, lip-line and blending, or any lip tattoo can mean cold sores, fever or sun blisters. They will surely be activated by trauma or stress to the skin if you are prone to outbreaks. There are ani-viral medications such as L-Lysine which are taken for 2 wks before treatment, a double dose on the day and the following 7days. Alternatively there is Zovirax ointment or Vectavir cream which again counteract or minimise the occurrence of the above. 

Cosmetic tattoo is very safe and allergic reactions are rare. If you do suffer allergies however, we are able to perform a  test well prior to treatment.

As you read through the above, you’ll see the advice is common sense, but do take it seriously to be prepared.

See you soon!

 Question:  Hi Janey, I’ve been wanting you ask why would women want lip line and blend and others want a full lips procedure?

Answer: What the lipline and blending is about is the tapping in of a lipline first. People ask for this when they want change to their lipline, e.g if the lip line has faded away or the mouth is slightly crooked or too thin etc. Then the shading or blending into the natural lip takes place to give it a more completed look. The lips are still bare if you like, but the vermillion line and shape is more pleasing. From there you can use your own lip colour on a day to day basis or leave them bare. So, women often ask for this when they require adjustment to their natural lipline. Lipline and blend are designed to how full, wide, high etc. you want them, ready for the  colour choice you will apply on a day to day basis.

The full lips procedure is all of the above and the complete mouth finished in the colour suited to you.

To answer the question about whether the lipline and full lips procedure look more natural. Both procedures look natural because the pigment is in the skin. The full lips though has the added benefit of looking finished. So, the full lip is all the above and the colour blended right to the edge of the wet area which means you can keep them bare, or  use clear or tinted gloss or balm as you might now.

Question:  How long does each procedure take?  

Answer:  Both procedures take approx. 2 hrs from being on the massage table to out the door (maybe a little longer depending on the initial discussion).

Question:  I’m still not sure about the colour – I still like the idea about a natural tone but more on the rosey side. May I decide when I see you?

Answer:   Yes of course! Bring in your normal makeup too and we will match as near as we can, taking into consideration though that we cannot and do not promise you the exact colour of your traditional makeup. This is because of many factors, the colour that is already in your lips and how the pigment colour will react with the unique  colour constitution of youskin.

Client’ comment:  I’ve never had cold sores or fever blisters.

Answer:  That’s fine, but if you have ever had cold sores in your life, that is, even when you were a teen, or fever blisters, through stress, let me know at least two weeks in advance, so we can prepare your lips for the procedure.  They are  common.

Question:  How long does the healing take? Can I go on my holiday after the first week of this micropigmentation? 

Answer:  The healing takes only a few days – that is the exfoliation of the outer colour on the skin sloughs off in that time. An ointment or similar is applied every day for a few weeks as they feel dry while the colour is settling in. Another procedure is done soon after the first. The new pigment in the lips changes at times and almost seems to hide for a short period and then comes true after about 3 months. That’s when the makeup feels and looks as if it has always been there. However, having said all that, you may go on your holiday and have little if any discomfort from your permanent makeup. As I said, they will feel extra dry for a time and a second procedure is usually essential for full lip colour saturation.

 Question:  So does this  mean I can be more casual about makeup while on holiday?

Answer:  That is what it means. Party time (beach party time?) means you can use a tinted or sparkling gloss or go all out with a lipstick. Full lips cosmetic tattoo changes colour as your skin changes temperature too, for example, if the body is warm it’ll be ‘fuller’ in colour than if it’s cold. Interesting isn’t it?

Question:  Do I have to use sun-block? 

Answer:  Permanent makeup needs your care and attention, right from the healing stage until years down the track. Like anything exposed to the elements without protection, fade takes place. Take care of your lips and your colour will serve you well.

 Happy holidaying! See you when you get back!

I hope you all had a very special and especially yummy Easter. I always forget when the Easter eggs are supposed to be given out, which means everyone gets more than they need, and sometimes more than they want. It’s hard to resist good chocolate but after all it’s a thankful and giving time of the year.

In recent weeks and over Easter, several ladies from overseas (if you call New Zealand overseas) and Interstate came into the clinic to have multiple colour inplant procedures done at one session. This is not at all unusual and it’s as if when the decision is made to have this semi-permanent makeup, it becomes all very exciting. One lady saw how the resulting top liner was taking shape and decided that her liquid liner she’d been using for years,  didn’t fit the elegance of the cosmetic work. It was either change the eyeliner makeup for the under-eyes to go with the  ‘mysteriously’  natural looking wide upper lines…or have the lowers cosmetically tattooed as well. After the  finishing touch was done on the lowers,  Grace walked out with hardly any swelling, and a pretty big smile.

Why do some people decide to make a holiday of it all? I feel that cosmetic tattoo is a decison that is very personal. Once made, it’s as though no-one is going to change the mind. The thrill of going away to an awesome place like the Gold Coast, lapping up the sun and sand (before the treatment that is) is fairly attractive!  After a few days, how great is it to emerge different, but the same! It’s quite fun to have others ask you, perhaps weeks or months later….”Is that cosmetic tattoo?”, or “I still haven’t  fiqured out why you look so good”. It’s even better when you emerge from the family swimming pool with all face makeup in tact.

Be mindful that lip procedures produce some skin trauma,  so if you are prone to cold sores, Herpes Simplex, fever blisters you may experience an outbreak sometime after the session.  Antiviral medication should be taken  well prior to an appointment.  Poor general health, heart conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure etc. could make you NOT a good candidate for Micropigmentation.

More on this important subject next time…….in the meantime,  we really are only a phone call or email away.  So until next time, stay well, calm and happy.  Talk again soon!