• Client consultation choosing an eyebrow shape and color
• 45 minute numbing process using lidocaine topical
• Measure and mark brow shape using a waterproof pencil
• Pigment is applied with a manual tool and chosen pigment color
• Pigment is left to absorb
• Cleaning of the area and apply numbing gel
• Repeat steps 4-6 one to two more times
• Entire treatment normally takes 120-150 minutes

As a rule, it is a very gentle treatment and feels like a light scratchy feeling, however if required you can purchase numbing from any compounding chemist, this cream is applied to numb the area before your appointment. It is essential to recognise that everyone feels pain differently and levels vary from person to person, your comfort throughout the entirety of the procedure is of utmost importance. Personal circumstances such as the timing of a menstrual cycle may increase discomfort throughout the procedure.

A multitude of individual and lifestyle factors will affect the longevity of your cosmetic tattoo including the following:

• The time it takes for your body’s skin cells to regenerate will affect how the skin grasps the pigment. The longer this process takes, the longer the pigment will hold.
• The time it takes for the skin to absorb the pigment will also affect how the skin grasps the pigment. The slower the process, the longer the pigment will hold.
• Lighter pigment colours such as blonde will fade faster than a dark brown pigment.
• Bleeding during the procedure reduces the amount of pigment absorbed. It should be noted that substances which cause blood thinning such as alcohol and certain medications should not be consumed prior to or following an appointment.
• Thyroid medication may cause pigment to fade faster.
• The constant exposure to the environment of the facial area promotes a faster fade in comparison to covered parts of the body.
• Sun exposure will decrease the appearance of the pigment. Once healed, sun screen is to be applied to the area to reduce the risk of fading.
• Smoking causes faster fade.

As a precaution, we do not perform cosmetic tattooing if any of the below apply:

• Pregnant/breastfeeding
• Epilepsy
• Cancer
• Blood thinners
• Diabetes

You must be 18 years or older to receive a tattoo service from Artist Debbie Labes.

Cosmetic tattoo treatments generally last for one – two years as each unique skin type holds pigment differently. It takes two appointments for your eyebrow treatment to be complete. I recommend clients revisit the clinic approximately 4-6 weeks after the initial appointment for a retouch. In most cases there will be areas in the brows that haven’t taken to the pigment as well which is what we address at the follow up appointment. The areas that need addressing are generally very minor, resulting in a short appointment. In some cases, it only takes one appointment for brows to be complete, but for flawless results we recommend booking the follow up appointment. It should be acknowledged that fading occurs due to increased sun exposure, contact with facial chemical peels and also when a lighter tattoo pigment is used.

Eyebrows will be filled during your session so it’s not necessary to do this yourself. Make sure you have had a good night sleep the night before something light to eat and low stress levels. It is imperative that medication which causes blood thinning is avoided for a minimum of 72 hours prior to a session. If you are unsure, please check with your doctor but these generally include medications such as Vitamin E, Aspirin, Niacin (vit B), fish oil and Ibuprofen (found in Advil and Nurofen). As well as certain medication, alcohol and caffeine is to be avoided the night before and day of your session. Exposure to sun as well as UV tanning bed exposure should be avoided for 30 days prior and following your procedure due to the risk of skin exfoliation. Your appointment will be rescheduled and the deposit will be forfeited if you show up for your treatment with a new tan or sunburn. PLEASE NOTE: If using prescription Accutane, you MUST wait a minimum of six months before considering undertaking a cosmetic tattoo procedure. The procedure cannot be performed whilst on Accutane.

As each person’s healing rate is different, a minimum of two sessions is needed which occur at least four weeks apart. As mentioned, a second session will determine how each skin type retains the colour of the tattoo pigment as well as the skins healing rate. During the first week of healing, colour will appear dramatically lighter. Any desired adjustments can be made in this session to create a darker or bolder tattoo.

PLEASE NOTE: If you require a previous tattoo re-worked, consultation or a photo MUST be emailed to us PRIOR to booking an appointment as results on such cases cannot be guaranteed. We must assess whether previous work can be covered up or re-worked and will almost always require touch ups or removal. Removal will be necessary if previous work is too dark, dense, discoloured or large. This service will be charged accordingly.

In the first few days following the procedure, pigment will appear dark and intense and redness and swelling is rare, but might also happen. During the healing process, the pigment will gradually appear lighter in the first week.

Long-term care for your cosmetic tattoo is imperative in sustaining bold pigment. Factors such as individual skin type, pigment colour and lifestyle choices will affect your tattoo in the long term. It should be acknowledged that increased exposure to sun will contribute to a faster pigment fade so sunscreen application after healing is highly recommended. Chemical peels, laser treatments or other medical procedures to the facial area should be cautious of the tattoo area. You must advise your technician as care must be taken around these areas.

To achieve natural looking eyebrows, a thorough skin analysis will be undertaken. This will predict how the skin will hold the pigment, and will analyse the skin’s undertone to ensure a perfect colour match to your existing eyebrow and hair colour. Four weeks after your initial procedure, the second session will determine how the skin has responded to the pigment and any alterations can be made if necessary. As mentioned, individual and lifestyle factors will affect how the tattoo will fade but the majority of our client’s tattoos stay true to colour and fade naturally over time. It is recommended that clients return every one – two years for a top-up appointment as fading will generally create a lighter and softer look to your eyebrow tattoo.

There are some cases where cosmetic tattooing will not work depending on skin type, existing hair and/or lifestyle choices. Iron deficient or anaemic clients should be advised that increased bleeding may occur during the procedure as well as a faster fade of the pigment over time. This is also the case for frequent smokers. Clients with oily skin types should acknowledge that microblading for eyebrow tattooing will not work well as the constant oil production will gradually soften the look. For clients with little to no existing eyebrow hair, the results will appear much less natural and will give a less 3D look to the eyebrows.