PRE & POST care & information
pRE APPOINTMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Most permanent cosmetic procedures are multi-session procedures. We generally recommend to come back for at least one touch-up visit, before it can be determined that the procedure is complete. Touch-up visits are scheduled at least 6-12 weeks after the initial visit. Be prepared for the colour intensity of your procedure to be significantly sharper, brighter, or darker than what is expected for the final outcome. It will take time for this transition, based upon how quickly the outer layer of your skin exfoliates. Remember you are a living canvas, and in the field of permanent cosmetics there is a universal equation:
Your Skin Colour + Pigment = Result Colour
While these tattooed colours may initially simulate the exact colour and tone desired, they will not always remain a perfect match. Tattoo colour pigments are constant, while your own skin colour will vary depending on exposure to the earthly elements, lifestyle, beauty regimen, certain medical conditions and medications.
1. Since delicate skin or sensitive areas may swell slightly or redden, some clients feel it best not to make any social plans for a day or two following any procedure. In addition, it is always best to avoid these procedures prior to important life events such as weddings, vacation, or special life events.
2. For eyebrows please only wear your normal eyebrow make up, or bring your brow pencil to the office on the day of the procedure. For eyeliner please wear your normal eyeliner. For lips please bring your lip colour to the office on the day of the procedure. DO NOT WEAR ANY MASCARA OR FACE MAKEUP INCLUDING FOUNDATION AND/OR POWDER.
3. No tweezing, waxing, or shaving should be done at least 72 hours prior to the procedure; electrolysis no less than five days before. Do not resume any method of hair removal for at least two weeks.
4. No eyelash/eyebrow tinting or perming 30 days before or 30 days after procedure on treated areas.
5. No eyelash curling should be done 72 hours before, or two weeks after an eyeliner procedure.
6. No eyelash extensions or removal of extensions at least 72 hours before any eyeliner procedure.
7. You must be off ALL lash growth serums for a minimum of 12 weeks prior to any eyeliner procedure and remain off them for a minimum of 6 weeks after. NO EXCEPTIONS!
8. Do not wear contact lenses the day of your cosmetic eyeliner/eyelash-line procedure. Please remember to bring your glasses. You may resume wearing your contact lenses 24 hours after the procedure.
9. For all eyeliner and lip procedures, it is highly recommended to take Arnica pills for 10 days prior and 10 days after.
10. Following any eyeliner procedure, as a safety precaution, we recommend that you have someone available to accompany you or drive you home.
11. LIP TREATMENT - If you are having a lip procedure and have any history of cold sores/fever blisters/herpes simplex, you will be required to contact your physician to obtain the proper prescription to prevent such outbreaks. NO EXCEPTIONS! 1000mg of Valtrex for 7 days. You will take this for 3 days before the procedure, the day of, and 3 days after. You WILL break out with colds sores if you do not take this which is not only painful, but will affect the healing process and colour retention.
12. Refrain from the use of aspirin, aspirin-containing medications, ibuprofen, or other blood thinning medications, Fish Oil (omega supplements), Niacin, Vitamin E, Krill Oil vitamins, for seven days before and two days after any procedure. Tylenol is fine. No medication should ever be discontinued without first consulting your physician.
13. If you are on prescribed medication(s), please email the studio prior to your appointment with your list of medication(s). Some medications are a contraindication to the tattoo process.
14. If you have been on chemo or radiation, you must be off for a minimum of 6-12 months before any procedures are performed. You are required to bring a doctor’s note.
15. If you are told to be on antibiotics prior to dental or other medical procedures, a doctor’s note is required.
16. You cannot have a tan at the time of your appointment. Tanned skin bleeds, the pigment will heal darker and/or ashy, and will fade prematurely. It is also difficult for the artist to properly select colours for your skin undertones. (SIGNED ADDENDUM REQUIRED)
17. Avoid natural sun, tanning beds, and tanning products for 30-45 days prior to your appointment. NO EXCEPTIONS!
18. BOTOX & FILLER - No Botox 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after. Filler in any of the upcoming treated areas MUST be done a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the procedure. Failure to wait this amount of time may result in filler migration due to the stretching and pressure applied to the skin.
19. No chemical peels 30 days before or after.
20. You must be off all retinols, Retin-A, vitamin A skin care products for 14 days prior to appointment.
21. If you bleach your eyebrows, it is recommended not to have this procedure done. The chemicals will not only bleach the hair, but will alter the pigment colour as well.
22. No mood-altering drugs/medications the day of your appointment unless this is your regular prescription from your doctor.
23. You must be off Accutane for 1 year prior. NO EXCEPTIONS!
24. The desired procedure area must be free of pimples, blemishes, moles, irritations, or other skin imperfections. NO EXCEPTIONS!
25. Avoid alcohol or caffeine 24 hours prior to the procedure. If you do not comply with this, your skin may be overly sensitive and may have an impact on healed results. This will also help minimize any oozing/bleeding or swelling after the procedure.
26. Getting a procedure while on your menstrual cycle can make you hypersensitive at the procedure site.
27. No exercising 24-48 hours before your appointment as body heat/sweat expands your pores. Skin with open or large pores are not a good canvas for permanent makeup. Oily skin with large pores, are not a good canvas for permanent makeup.
28. Relax. It’s one very last important detail, but it makes all the difference.
pOST cARE INSTRUCTIONS
Proper care following your procedure is important and required to achieve optimum results. Keep in mind that some intensity of colour will be lost, and/or the colour may heal unevenly. This is normal for some procedures, especially after the initial application. This is the reason for the follow up appointment – to fill in any light areas, to go a little darker or thicker if desired, and to adjust shape or colour if needed. Please read and follow the directions provided.
1. Wash your hands before touching any treated area.
2. Cool packs (not frozen) may be used to reduce swelling. Dampen paper towels or cotton pads with filtered/bottled water and place in the fridge for 30 minutes...10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. Cooling the area is the most beneficial the first 24 hours. Sleeping slightly elevated may also help in the reduction of swelling.
3. EYEBROW PROCEDURES - A thin layer of a barrier cream will be applied to your fresh tattoo prior to you leaving the studio. This will remain on for 48 hours after which you can wash off with the cleanser provided. During this time, try your best to avoid getting the treated area wet.
4. LIP PROCEDURES - FOR THE FIRST 48 HOURS. Take a wet cotton round and gently wipe the lips several times throughout the day. After you have wiped the lips, MASSAGE the ointment in. Doing this, you will prevent the lymph from drying and scabbing. If you do not follow these instructions, you risk heavy scabbing and poor colour retention. You will are advised to apply ointment as many times as you feel you need to.
5. Washing your EYELINER & EYEBROW procedure. Use only the cleanser provided for you. Using a very light touch, cleanse your procedure twice a day. Make sure you rinse off all cleanser. Blot dry with a clean tissue. Wait 15 minutes before applying ointment (eyebrows only) after getting the procedure wet. Never put ointment on a wet or damp tattoo. Showering – Do not take an exceptionally hot shower and keep bathroom doors open as to NOT cause a steam effect. Keep your face/procedure out of the water while you do your other shower “stuff” first. At the very end of your shower, wash your hair and rinse back away from your face. Wash your face either avoiding procedure area or (after the first 48 hours) over procedure area with a very light touch. Do not let the shower spray hit you directly in the face.
6. Ointment. ONLY USE THE OINTMENT I PROVIDE FOR YOU...NOTHING ELSE!
LIP procedures, you may start using your ointment immediately following the procedure and continue for 7-14 days, apply several times a day.
EYEBROWS, apply a thin, light coat of ointment (size of a grain of rice for each brow) 3 or 4 times a day for the remaining healing process (5-7 days). Always blot off any of the prior ointment and area before applying a new layer of ointment...this applies to all areas. Always massage ointment in.
EYELINER, wash morning and night. No ointment will be applied.
Although it is important to use ointment, using it excessively can starve the skin of air and can result in pigment loss during the healing period. So use but use sparingly - just enough to lightly hydrate. Always massage ointment in. ALLERGIC REACTION IS EXTREMELY RARE BUT POSSIBLE. IF YOU NOTICE ANY BUMPS OR RASH OR THINK YOU MAY BE HAVING A REACTION...STOP USING OINTMENT IMMEDIATELY, CLEANSE AREA, AND CALL THE STUDIO.
7. Absolutely no pet grooming, gardening, dusting, or anything that causes dust, dirt and dander for a minimum of 72 hours. Waiting 5 full days is best. Wearing glasses outdoors is a good way to protect healing eyeliner.
NO EXERCISING OR SWEATING FOR 10 DAYS...NO EXCEPTIONS.
NO HORSEBACK RIDING, NO CAMPING OR RIDING ATV’S (all of these are very dusty). NO LAKE ACTIVITIES OR BEACH. STAY OUT OF THE SUN! KEEP IT PROTECTED AND KEEP IT CLEAN! TLC FOR YOUR NEW PROCEDURE.
8. During your healing process, DO NOT expose your new procedures to chemicals, hot tubs, saunas, direct shower spray, hot water, salt water, chlorinated pools, lakes, or ponds. Direct sun exposure and tanning beds should be avoided indefinitely...both are counterproductive to the cosmetic procedure.
9. Absolutely NO topical makeup on the healing procedure(s) for a minimum of 5 days. Topical makeup is bacterial and your new procedure(s) need adequate time to heal to avoid irritation and/or infection. After any eyeliner procedure, please use a new mascara. DO NOT USE an eyelash curler for 2 weeks. This instrument pulls the eyelashes and the tissue containing the eyeliner pigment that surrounds the lashes. You must allow the eyeliner to heal before stressing the tissue in this area. No contact lenses for 24 hours. No tweezing or waxing the eyebrows for 2 weeks. NO FACIALS, PEELS, OR ANY FACIAL TREATMENTS FOR TWO FULL WEEKS.
10. Some tenderness, puffiness (even bruising), redness, and itching is quite normal for the healing tattoo process. DO NOT PICK, PEEL, OR SCRATCH the treated area as this could result in your colour healing uneven, as well as the risk of scarring and infection.
11. Lips – the first 3 days drink through a straw, avoid salty, spicy, or greasy foods. Use a natural toothpaste. DO NOT use toothpaste with bleach, peroxides, chemicals, and abrasives. These agents are not good for healing colour.
12. Lastly...relax. I understand these "rules" are a lot but try not to worry about a thing. Also realize, "brow shock" is completely normal and all tattoos will lighten, soften and heal in a matter of days. Do exactly as I have advised you to do OR what not to do and all will heal well. Complications are extremely rare.
Healing Agenda
LIPS
Day 1-2 Swelling, tender, heavy thick and bright lipstick appearance. You may experience discomfort in the lips.
Day 3 Less swelling, pigment appears as thick texture...crusty. Peeling process may begin on this day.
Day 4 Peeling begins or continues from the 3rd day. The pigment may peel all or most of the way by this day. The lips have gone without moisture directly on the lip tissue so they will feel very chapped. Keep moist with ointment at all times.
Day 5 Very chapped lips. You are almost finished with the first chapping state (there are two during the healing process).
Day 6 You will begin to see a soft version of the color to appear.
Day 7 Lip color may or may not disappear. They may appear to be “frosty”. This is the second chapping process. There may appear to be a grayish or whitish haze over the lips. This may continue for up to 13 days.
Day 14 Color starts to really bloom form within more and more each day. The lips are starting to re-hydrate allowing the color to show.
Day 30 The healing process is primarily complete. The color you see now can be considered your permanent lip color. Lips may remain dry for up to 2 months, use a good lip balm and sunscreen and they soon will return to normal. If a touch up is needed, 8 weeks of healing is required.
Some may not experience a prolonged frosting stage and will see lots of color by the 7th day.
Note...you may see changes in your lip color based on your body’s temperature. When your body is colder, you may see less color. When your body is warmer, you may see color is brighter and more vibrant.
EYEBROWS
Day 1-3 Your eyebrows are about 20 to 30% darker than what they will heal to be. They will also appear to be thicker than what we drew on. This is due to oxidation and swelling. Don’t be concerned with the darker, thicker appearance; this is part of the healing process. You may also have redness that will subside within the first 48 hours. Eyebrows will always appear darker on Day 2 due to oxidization. Do not panic!
Day 4 The peeling begins. The dark outer color will start peeling off revealing the softer lighter color. Keep moist but don’t overdo it.
Day 5 Dark outer color finishes peeling off. The color is lighter and softer, and the brows themselves are a little thinner. The color may have a grayish or ashy tone for a few days until the color clarifies. It could appear that you are missing color and have light areas at this time due to layers of dry skin over the new pigment. Give your eyebrows 3 full weeks to heal and for the color to fully bloom. Use ointment no longer than 10 days.
EYELINER
Day 1 You will have anywhere from slight to heavy swelling. This depends on the amount of histamines in each client’s body. You may have bruising. You may appear as though you have been crying or have allergies. The eyeliner will appear thicker and darker than what it will heal up to be. No contact lenses for at least 24 hours. No Visine.
Day 2 The morning of Day 2 is most likely when the swelling will peak. Plan to use your cool packs! The darker and thicker appearance lingers, and the area will feel tight and tender.
Day 3-4 Less swelling. The eye tissue still feels tight and somewhat drawn. The peeling process begins. Some feeling of pinching and itching is quite normal, the ointment will help relieve this feeling.
Day 5-7 Dark outer color continues to flake off and you will see softer, thinner eyeliner. Color may look grayish or ashy until the color clarifies.
Note: Wait 8 weeks before applying eyelashes or eyelash extensions, as well as using Latisse, EyEnvy or any other like products. Latisse, EyEnvy and other like products have been documented to lighten the tattooed color on some occasions.
All procedures are conducted in accordance with BC Health Tattoo Guidelines and blood borne pathogens standards. Once you leave my facility it is important to follow after care instructions to avoid complications. Tenderness to the area is expected. This is a wound that must heal.
Complications are extremely rare, however, if you observe any conditions that are not consistent with the healing agenda descriptions above, such as any sign of infection, pus, red streaks stemming from the treated area, eyeball irritation, or abnormal discharge or conditions, contact your doctor for treatment and advise me as soon as possible at 250-270-0525.
Thank you for choosing me as your cosmetic tattoo artist. I look forward to a long and wonderful relationship with you!