As a permanent cosmetics procedure known as microblading has taken a rise in popularity, more and more people by the day are searching for how they can get their brows done, excited by the possibility of permanent, perfect-looking brows. But with the excitement, also comes a feeling of worry about finding a permanent makeup artist that is experienced and educated enough to provide the results the client is looking for. We have all in some way or another seen botched permanent cosmetics work, which can in some cases deter people from receiving permanent cosmetics altogether. How can we be sure that our permanent cosmetics will turn out the way we hope for? Through the proper research and consideration, you can find an educated and experienced artist that will meet your needs and permanent cosmetics goals correctly. Then it is the artist’s responsibility to ease your worries about the procedure, the aftercare process, and continual care of your permanent cosmetics procedure during your consultation. During this time, your artist will work to familiarize you with permanent cosmetics as a whole and what you will experience after you have received your procedure, but you will also be able to ask questions as well to ensure you are fully informed.
To begin to familiarize you with permanent cosmetics eyebrow procedures, I have detailed the basic brow procedure process used by the majority of permanent cosmetics artists. Before you arrive at your appointment, your artist will clean the entire procedure room with a hospital-grade disinfectant to ensure there is no chance of cross-contamination possible from any previous appointments. They will then proceed in applying protective film on the tattoo machine, machine cords, and procedure tray as well as using proper care to set up for the procedure sanitarily. Upon arrival to your appointment, you will be asked to complete client registration forms that will include questions about possible medical conditions you may have or medications you may take, contact information, as well as your emergency contact information. These questions are required to screen you to ensure that you are a safe candidate for your permanent cosmetics procedure. In the event that there is an issue with your client registration that would prevent you to receive a procedure, in many cases permanent cosmetics artists will ask that you receive written permission from your doctor in order to continue with the procedure. This ensures that whatever medical condition you have does not pose a risk of infection or complication as a result of your permanent cosmetics procedure. Your client registration forms will also contain a photography release for before and after pictures and a consent form that you will need to sign in order to proceed to your consultation. Once you have finished your client registration forms your artist will review them and begin your consultation. During this time you will discuss your expectations and goals for permanent cosmetics with your artist and you will be able to ask any questions you may have for your artist during this time. Then your artist will apply a pre-numbing agent that will be applied to the area for 20 to 45 minutes. While you are numbing, the artist will remain in the room with you in order to ensure that you are comfortable during your numbing process. They will most likely also continue setting up for the procedure and discussing with you what type of brows you are hoping to receive. Once your numbing timer is finished, the artist will remove the numbing product and begin mapping your brows based upon the vision you have previously discussed. The artist will ask for your continual input during the mapping process and when the artist has finished drawing the design they will ask for your approval. Once you have approved the design, the artist will begin the procedure by tattooing an outline around the design and beginning the shading or hair stroke process. During the beginning stages of the tattooing process clients most often the client is completely numb but in some cases, the client can feel a pricking sensation. As the procedure continues, the artist will check in with you to ensure you are comfortable and show you how the process is going. Most artists use continual numbing to maintain your level of comfort throughout the procedure. After the artist has completed the shading or hair stroke process, they will show you the final result and apply an aftercare cream to the area. You will then be advised to follow a specific aftercare process often consisting of applying aftercare several times daily and a once-daily cleansing. Artists advise that you receive an initial touch-up 6 to 8 weeks after your procedure to fill in any gaps caused by irritation to the procedure area during the healing process. Most artists recommend that you receive a touch-up once yearly or as needed to maintain the longevity of your permanent cosmetics procedure.
Familiarizing yourself with the process of your permanent cosmetics procedure is always the first step in getting more comfortable with your artist and the procedure as a whole. But as with all procedures, clients are concerned for the safety of the procedure and what the risks might be of a permanent cosmetics procedure. So how can clients be more informed before making a permanent cosmetics appointment with an artist in their area?
1. Safety of Permanent Cosmetics Procedures
For permanent cosmetics procedures to be safe, three things must be through. First, the artist must be trained correctly to use proper universal precautions when performing procedures to ensure every procedure is completely sanitary for each client. Second, the artist must use single-use, disposable products for each procedure and dispose of these items correctly, some of these items going in the sharps container and some being disposed of in the trash. And, third, the clients must fill out client registration correctly and honestly. The purpose of client registration is to screen the client to ensure that the procedure will be completely safe for you. When a client incorrectly fills out client registration the artist cannot accurately screen the client and the procedure will not be guaranteed to be safe.
2. Realistic Expectations
A client must consider what their goals are in receiving a permanent cosmetics procedure and discusses this with their artist during their consultation. As previously mentioned, during your consultation your artist will discuss what options are available to you, consider your permanent cosmetics goals and provide their expert opinion for which route will best meet your needs. Your artist will, at this time, also discuss whether or not your expectations for permanent cosmetics results are realistic. In permanent cosmetics, we specialize in producing a natural look that will enhance your natural beauty, but bold looks are achievable through additional touch-up procedures. Oftentimes if you are looking to have very dark and bold brows, an artist will advise that you will need several appointments to reach this goal. Your first appointment often looking dark in the beginning and fading to a natural result that will need more saturation of pigment in order to reach the bold results you hope for. Results are different from client to client, with some clients retaining more color than others from a single session, but on most occasions, you can expect to fade up to 50% during the first week to ten days after your procedure during the healing process.
3. Aftercare and Touch-up Requirements
As previously discussed, after your procedure is finished your artist will detail an aftercare process that you will have to follow to ensure the proper healing of your permanent cosmetics procedure. For most, the aftercare process consists of applying an aftercare balm or cream to the brows several times daily and cleansing the area in a patting motion once daily. Most permanent cosmetics artists also recommend avoiding sweating, saunas, refraining from swimming, avoiding getting the area wet for long amounts of time when showering or bathing, wearing a hat when outdoors, and ensuring to stay out of the sun when possible during the first week after your procedure. Taking proper care of your permanent cosmetics procedure is the only way to ensure proper retention of color. Those who seek to accomplish a bold and dark look should take extra care to follow these aftercare guidelines during their healing process. Gaps in permanent cosmetics procedures are often caused during the healing process accidentally when a client scratches the area or participates in any of the activities previously mentioned. Gaps are common, though, and easily fixed through touch-up procedures after your initial healing period. Most permanent makeup artists advise that all brow clients of any technique receive a touch-up 6 to 8 weeks after the initial procedure to fill any of these gaps that might have occurred. After your initial touch-up if you have received the results you were looking for you can opt to receive a touch-up once a year or as needed to maintain the longevity of your permanent cosmetics procedure.