Frequently Asked Questions
What is cosmetic tattooing?
Cosmetic tattooing, also called micro pigmentation or semi-permanent makeup, is the act of using an electric tattoo machine or other hand tools to implant semi-permanent pigment under the skin to give the appearance of makeup. The pigments used during permanent makeup procedures are made to soften over time. Permanent makeup eliminates the need for traditional cosmetic products used to add definition to your facial features - however does not completely replace makeup! (If you put on a full face of makeup you will more than likely cover up the tattooed pigment a little and have to add powder or pencil to give it some definition. The tattoos will give you guidelines to make it quick and easy and a safety net if your traditional makeup comes off!)
Is permanent makeup right for me? (And how does microblading heal on different skin types?)
Permanent makeup is for the person who is looking to make their makeup routine easier and minimal. It is good for those who are active or “on the go” and struggle with their makeup staying in place during the day! However there are other factors that play a part in the cosmetic tattoos and how they will heal from person to person. If you have excessively oily skin, large pores or have ever suffered from severe acne the hair strokes I create will heal softer or “blurred” leaving you with more of a soft powdered brow rather than the defined, separate hair strokes that it will look like immediately after your procedure. If you are in the sun or use tanning beds often the pigment will fade quicker. For those who bleed heavily or smoke you can experience more pigment "fallout" or excessive fading. You could also cause the pigment to fade quicker if you have chemical peels or have laser treatments done on or near the tattooed area. If you have taken Accutane in the past you must wait at least one year before receiving permanent makeup. Once the area is healed make sure to wear sunscreen (unless it’s eyeliner - don’t put sunscreen in your eyes! Wear large sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun!) and keep it moisturized! There are no guarantees with permanent makeup procedures. Results will vary from skin type to skin type and can only be predicted and cannot guaranteed because pigments will break down at different rates. This technique (microblading) heals the "best" on normal to dry skin types. Most clients will need at least one follow up appointment to add boldness and touch up any areas that the pigment has lightened in but some need more to reach the desired effect!
Note: Please remember to take into consideration that you must have realistic expectations. With cosmetic tattooing, I am only able to estimate how you will heal. There will be fading and areas that will need to be touched up. While we can always get close, at the end of the day it is impossible for me to create the exact same hairstrokes in the exact same places on each brow. Faces aren't symmetrical and all of us have features that are not perfectly balanced. I will always do my best to use techniques that are specific to your skin type to ensure optimal healing however you must have patience and understand that pigment and skin can be an unpredictable medium to work with. For more difficult skin types sometimes it takes 3 or so sessions before we reach your desired results! And remember - my consultations will always be free so if you are interested but have some questions after reading through this FAQ please book an appointment to come talk to me!
I have very sensitive skin and can have reactions to certain ingredients, how can we be sure that I will not react to any of the products you use during your procedure?
Don’t worry! The pigments I use are made of only the most reliable safe pigment powders available in the U.S. I offer patch tests to anyone who feels that it is necessary! I will use my anesthetics, pigment, and needles that I would use for your actual cosmetic procedure. I will hand poke tiny freckle sized dots into the edge of your hairline behind your ear so that they aren’t visible. I like to allow a week for your “freckles” to go through the healing process to ensure your body goes through the healing process without any reactions before deciding it is okay to go ahead and perform permanent makeup on you! :) If you have any further questions on ingredients or materials used during my procedures please contact me! If you would like to do a patch test you must tell me before booking a procedure appointment. If you come in on the day of your appointment and decide to do a patch test you will have to reschedule your permanent makeup appointment.
What makes your brow technique different from others?
The brow technique I specialize in is called microblading - it can also be referred to as hair stroke or feather touch. Instead of using an electric machine to tattoo solid eyebrows I use a hand tool to create small hair strokes in the skin to make the brows appear as natural and realistic as possible!
Does it hurt?
I use two different types of topical anesthetics during my procedures. The first goes on before the procedure to “pre-deaden” the area and the second goes on after the skin has been broken to numb even further! If you are a smoker the topical anesthetics may wear off quicker. Having the procedure done during your menstrual cycle can also result in heightened sensitivity. Everyone responds to anesthetics differently, and everyone has a different pain threshold so some people can experience a little discomfort but most of my clients experience little to no pain - especially after the second anesthetic!
How long does the procedure take?
For eyebrows and eyeliner the whole procedure (you walking into the studio to you walking out of the studio) takes right around 2 hours - with most of that time being us waiting for the anesthetics to take effect and drawing the stencils on! When booking an appointment I tell my clients to give themselves 3 hours just to make sure that neither of us feel rushed during the appointment.
What should I do before my procedure?
Before you come in for your cosmetic procedure make sure to eat and be well rested. For eyebrows, you are more than welcome to come in with your makeup on if you would like for me to see how you want the tattoo to look or you could bring in photo references! For lash line enhancements please do not wear any makeup! If you have regular maintenance done to your brows (waxing, threading, tinting etc.) I ask that you give at least a week before the cosmetic procedure to prevent sensitivity that could lead to difficulties during the healing process. I require my clients to avoid any type of blood thinning medication for at least 72 hours before your procedure which include but are not limited to ibuprofen, aspirin, niacin, fish oil supplements and vitamin e. Excessive bleeding will cause the areas to have “fallout” or small areas where there is no pigment once the skin is healed. (Remember! Any areas of fallout are easily fixed with a touch up!) I ask that my clients do not consume alcohol the night before or day of procedure and to also avoid having too much caffeine! It is HIGHLY recommended to avoid intense sun and tanning bed exposure for at least 30 days before AND after the procedure. Tattooing sun burned or otherwise traumatized skin can result in excessive sensitivity, difficulties during the healing process, fallout of pigment (especially if the skin is sun burned) and it can even cause the pigment to change colors. I also ask that you avoid using any type of sunless tanner or bronzers before the procedure because a lot of them contain water repellants. There have been instances where a client has used sunless tanner on their face the day of or a few days before the procedure and it will cause the pigment to ball up and roll off the skin making it almost impossible to make it work. I just ask everyone to make sure to show up to your appointment in a good state of mind and body!
How old do I have to be to get permanent makeup?
You must be at least 18 years old with a valid drivers license or state issued I.D. to have permanent makeup done at Revolution Ink. To have any type of body modification done under the age of 18 a parent/legal guardian must be present and have proof of legal guardianship (birth certificate, legal documents stating proof of guardianship), their state issued ID, as well as some form of identification for the minor (Drivers license/permit, school ID etc.).
How do you determine the brow shape and pigment tone that will fit me?
When you come in the day of your procedure we will work together to create the perfect brow for you! I look at your face shape, skin and hair tone, facial muscle placement and will take into account any references you may have to create your desired brow shape and tone! This is the most crucial step of the brow process (and sometimes the part that takes the longest) and I make sure that we are both happy with the shape we come up with before starting the actual tattooing. I also custom blend pigment for each of my clients to ensure that when the brows heal the tone will blend perfectly with your natural hair tone!
Do you have to shave my eyebrow hair off?
Absolutely not! I actually prefer that those of my clients who have brow hair to leave it so I can blend the tattooed strokes I create with the natural hair growth pattern - sometimes during procedures on clients who have brow hair it’s hard for me to tell the difference between their brow hairs and the faux hairs I create when I go in for the second pass! The only hairs I end up removing are those that are outside of the desired brows shape that we create. But don’t worry! If you don’t have any eyebrow hair I create a natural growth pattern in the strokes for you!
Will I still have to wax or tweeze for maintenance?
You will have to maintain the hairs that grow outside of the shape we make your new brows if you wish for them to maintain the created shape. I always try to include as much of your natural eyebrow hairs inside the stencil to ensure that it's as low maintenance as possible.
As a precaution I will not preform permanent cosmetics on women who are pregnant or nursing.
What will they look like immediately after my procedure?
For eyebrow clients - most of my procedures have little to no redness or visible swelling however neither are uncommon! If you have a fair skin tone or if you have sensitive skin you will more than likely have some redness right around the brow area the day of the procedure but it will subside.
For eyeliner clients - swelling and minimal redness are common with liner procedures due to how sensitive and delicate eyelids are! Both will subside within the first few days after the procedure. I recommend bringing a pair of sunglasses to wear home, as your eyes may be light sensitive. I also ask you to not wear contact lenses to the procedure.
Within minutes after finishing the procedure the pigment in the skin will begin to oxidize and appear darker but as the skin heals it will soften and continue to do so for up to 6 weeks! Those who are anemic or have iron decencies may experience bruising after the procedure. Once your skin has gone through the “peeling” or “flaking” stage of the healing process there will be a shiny layer of healing skin that will cover the hair strokes and cause them to appear as though the tattoos have disappeared or fallen out. Within a week or two the strokes will begin to reappear as the lighter “desired” shade! Here is my detailed aftercare guide!
How long will my cosmetic tattoos last?
Although I will do everything to ensure an uneventful healing process for you - it is your responsibility to follow the aftercare guidelines provided to you and follow them to the best of your ability. Once your skin has healed you must make sure to limit sun exposure - the sun (and tanning beds!) will cause fading and discoloration. Once your skin has completely healed make sure to apply sunscreen to protect your new tattoos! You can purchase sunscreen sticks that are easy to toss in your bag and have readily available for touch ups during the day! Unless its eyeliner - don’t put sunscreen in your eyes! Wear large sunglasses for further protection. Face peels, laser treatments and microdermabrasion will cause the pigment to lighten quicker. If you plan on receiving any of the aforementioned treatments make sure to inform your technician. Any touch ups or additions to your new tattoo can be addressed at your 6-8 week perfecting appointment. Be aware that depending on the addition, there may be an additional fee. With eyebrows, after the first touch up your eyebrows can last anywhere from 1-3 years depending on your skin type, sun exposure, skin tone etc. Eyeliner can last as long as 6 years!
There are no guarantees if you do not take care of your tattoo. Please refer to my detailed aftercare guide here.
How often will I need touch ups (and are they necessary?)
Everyone heals differently. Cosmetic tattoos are considered semi-permanent due to the type of pigment used during the procedure. The pigment is formulated to soften as it ages. Most clients require a minimum of two procedures which is why your first touch up is included in the price, however some will need more depending on how their skin type takes the pigment. If your cosmetic tattoo doesn’t heal quite the way you want after your first procedure don’t panic! We can always go darker or add more density during your follow up appointment!
Will you touch up other artists work?
I will touch up other artists work as long as the shape and pigment color permit so. If the shape is too large or uneven or the color of the pigment is too dark I will not be able to fix them by tattooing over them - they’ll only get bigger and/or darker. I suggest having a few sessions of tattoo removal on the preexisting brow before I will begin the correction procedure. If you have previously tattooed brows and would like to know if you are a candidate for a “cover up” contact me and we can set up a consultation. Cover ups and corrections actually take more effort and creativity than creating an original brow so there are no discount rates.
How do I book an appointment?
The best way to get an appointment is to book online or call the shop at (812) 437-8282.
LOCATION
Revolution Ink Studio
117 S. Green River Rd.
Evansville, IN. 47715
REGULAR HOURS OF BUSINESS:
Tuesday-Saturday 12pm-10pm