what you need to know before tattooing your face

How often will I need to touch up permanent makeup?

Permanent makeup may last up to five years years. Depending on your skin type and preferred look, this timeframe will vary from person to person. Once pigment from your procedure begins to noticeably fade, you’ll need to come back for a touch up appointment.

For ongoing touchups, coming back in too soon or too often may result in a “muddy” appearance, meaning your individual strokes will start to blend together. If the skin is still saturated with pigment, doing a touchup will have no affect on your healed results. The skin can only absorb so much and will simply push the newly implanted pigment right back out. It will only be a waste of your time and money.

Not sure if you’re due for a touchup? Send us a picture and we will happily advise the best approach for you.

AM I A CANDIDATE? 

Not everyone is a candidate for cosmetic tattoo procedures. The following list disqualify you from currently receiving a cosmetic tattoo. If you have an specific questions or concerns about your eligibility, please email: corinnefortuna.ny@gmail.com

You are not a candidate if you are:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding

• Under the age of 18

• Taking immunosuppressive medication/have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder

• Currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment, or have within the last 12 months

• Have any active infection

• Have an upcoming surgery within 4 weeks

• Taking blood thinning medication

• Noncompliant with aftercare instructions

• Have a sunburn in the area to be tattooed

• Commonly suntan

• Diabetic

• Currently taking painkillers

• Taking fish oil

• Have an undiagnosed/untreated heart issues

• Have taken antibiotics in the past 14 days.

• Have tendency to keloid

• Have had peels/laser/microneedling within the past four weeks

• Have taken Accutane in the past year

• Have had laser resurfacing in the past year

• Have had botox injections on the forehead within 2 weeks

• At high risk of infection/must take antibiotics during dental work

• Trichotilloma diagnosis

• Most people who have had their brows tattooed in the past will be turned away. Please contact me with a photo of your brows to see if I can take you as a client

WHAT FACTORS WILL EFFECT MY RESULTS?

• Oily Skin: Can cause hair strokes to blur or fade quickly. If you have oily/combination skin, opt for Combo Brows or Ombré Shading instead of hairs strokes.

• Sun Exposure: Causes premature fading. Use SPF on healed brows and reapply often, especially in summer.

• Excessive Bleeding: Can lead to poor pigment retention and ashy healing. Avoid blood thinners and alcohol 24 hours before your appointment.

• Pre & Aftercare: Following all instructions is key to great results! Your artist controls the procedure, but your care impacts healing.

DOES IT HURT? 

Everyone experiences and tolerates pain differently. We use a topical anesthetic to numb the area before and during the procedure to keep you comfortable, with most clients reporting a 2-3 out of 10.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY APPOINTMENT? 

4 WEEKS BEFORE

• No laser treatments, chemical peels, or microneedling treatments
  

2 WEEKS BEFORE

• Botox: If you regularly get botox or dysport, it must be done at least 14 days prior to your appointment. Botox takes two weeks to fully settle in the skin. Receiving botox within 14 days of your appointment will results in being sent home and rescheduled.

• Waxing, Threading, Tinting or Henna: I recommend coming to your appointment with your brows grown out! I will clean up any unneeded hairs at the appointment with a small brow razor. If you need to clean them up beforehand, please do so at least 3 days prior. If you tint your eyebrows, make sure this is done at least 7 days prior.

• Retin-A, Retinols, Tretinoin, Adapalene, AHAs: Please refrain from using any chemical exfoliants in the brow area for 2 weeks leading up to your appointment.

• No Antibiotics

24 HOURS BEFORE 

• To minimize bleeding during the procedure, please avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine the day before your appointment.

• Blood thinning medications such as Aspirin, Excedrin, Ibuprofen and Advil should be avoided unless prescribed by a doctor.

• Map directions to the studio! I have a strict 15 minute late policy, so please plan ahead to make sure you know how long the commute takes and plan for traffic if applicable. Sola Salons are located in a strip mall setting with ample parking available.

DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT: 

• Avoid exercise. Exercising increases blood flow and can cause excessive bleeding, leading to poor healed results.

• Makeup: You are welcome to come to your appointment with or without makeup on. We will be taking before & after photos so come how you’re most comfortable! If you normally fill your brows in with makeup, feel free to come with them filled in so I can see the shape you’re used to seeing.

• Make sure you have a valid photo ID with you! No photo ID means no appointment.

• RELAX! Feeling nervous is common and often the first thing someone says when we meet! We are going to work together to create your dream brows. Have inspiration photos ready and get excited!

I’VE HAD MY BROWS DONE BEFORE, CAN YOU DO THEM?

I assess previous work case by case. If you've had your brows done elsewhere, please email clear, makeup-free photos in natural lighting before booking. Include:
✔ One full-face photo
✔ Close-ups of each brow

Your previous tattoo should be at least 85% faded for the best results. If your brows are too dark, thick, or uneven, I may recommend removal/lightening first. My goal is to give you the best brows possible!

Touch-up pricing is for existing clients only. New clients with previous work book as an Initial Session.

📩 Send photos + a reference photo of your goal brows to info@browsbycm.com for approval before booking.

AFTERCARE

You will receive an Aftercare goodie bag at your first appointment

WASHING INSTRUCTIONS

Wash your hands before handling tattooed area (remember, it’s open skin)

Wash the tattooed area 3-5 times a day for 3-4 days (or until the brows begin flaking). Usually around day 4, you can switch to washing only 2 times a day; morning and night. Using lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser, lightly massage the brows in small circles, pat dry with a soft tissue or cotton round, and apply a rice grain amount of provided aftercare cream to each brow every time they are washed. Begin washing your brows about 1-2 hours after your appointment. 

RECOMMENDED CLEANSERS

You will receive a small tube of cleanser in your Aftercare goodie bag. Other recommend cleansers like Cetaphil and Cerave can also be used. Avoid using cleansers that contain oils, acids, scrubs/exfoliants or charcoal. Avoid using bar soap and micellar cleansers as well. 

WHAT TO AVOID FOR 10-14 DAYS

• Increased sweating, exercise, strenuous activity

• Getting your brows/forehead wet outside of instructed washing in pools, sauna, jacuzzi, oceans/lakes, baths, etc.

• Tanning bed use at any time after having brows tattooed can cause discoloration and premature fading.

• Natural tanning. Once healed, use an SPF to avoid premature fading and/or discoloration due to UVA/UVB rays.

• DO NOT PICK at flaking or possible scabbing, this will cause pigment loss. Let all skin naturally exfoliate off.

• Avoid Retin-A, retinol, Vitamin A and oils on the forehead

• No makeup products or other skincare products should be applied to the brows until they are completely done flaking

*If having your brows down in the summer months, please be mindful of any vacations ☀️🌊🏖️🌴 or travel plans involving warm climates. It is best to avoid direct sun exposure, sweating, and the brows being wet outside of the instructed washing times. The beach, pools, lakes, hiking, boating, and other outdoor activities are best to be avoided for 14 days after your appointment. This applies to the Initial Appointment, the Perfecting Session and any Touch Ups in the future for Aftercare.

DO I NEED A TOUCH UP APPOINTMENT?

Yes! Cosmetic tattoo services are a two-step process and the Perfecting Session is highly recommend to get the best results. We book your Perfecting Session together at the end of your initial appointment. This session is booked 8-12 weeks later and is scheduled for 1.5 hours. The same Pre-Care and Aftercare instructions apply to this session. 

DO YOU RECOMMEND A YEARLY REFRESHER?

No. If your brows do not need a touch-up, I would recommend you wait as long as you can to avoid your skin from being overworked. We want to avoid your skin from being damaged or potential scarring. In conclusion, a touch-up is recommended when necessary, but definitely not yearly.

☀️🌊🏖️🌴Special occasions, vacations, tropical climates and having your brows done: What you need to know!

Having your brows done comes with some limitations and restrictions to achieve the best results with your investment. Please be aware the Pre-Care and Aftercare are important factors in your healed results. Please review the Pre-Care and After Care instructions to make sure your appointment date is at an appropriate time or to schedule accordingly.

Special Occasions: It is best to have your brows complete (your Initial Session and Perfecting Session 8-12 weeks following) at least 1 month before a special occasion like a wedding. This allows time for the Initial session and Perfecting session to be fully healed before your big day!

Vacations/Tropical climates: It is best to have your brows done a minimum of 2 weeks before a tropical vacation or trip to a warmer climate. By two weeks after, your brows will be fully healed on a superficial level - you then can wear SPF over them and don’t have and restrictions with swimming or sweating!

SHOP POLICIES

We are not responsible for failure to read policies before booking. 

CANCELATION POLICY

✶ Appointments must be cancelled at least 48 business hours BEFORE your appointment. Cancelling with less than 48 hours notice will result in loss of your booking fee.

✶ If you cancel the same day or do not show up to your appointment, your booking fee will be forfeited and you will be required to book online and place a new booking fee to secure a new date.

✶ If you need to reschedule your appointment, you may transfer your booking fee over ONE time, as long as you give more than 48 hours notice. After one reschedule, a new booking fee will be required to book a new date.

✶ I understand life happens, these policies are in place to ensure you are serious about your appointment as I set aside this time just for you!

✶ Please note that rescheduling your appointment can result in wait times of up to 12 weeks, depending on how far out my schedule is booked at the time of requesting a new appointment date.

ON THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT

✶ A valid ID is required at the time of your service. If you do not have your physical valid ID, we cannot proceed with your appointment and a new booking fee will be required to book again.

✶No additional guests or children are permitted to accompany you to your appointment; the studio does not allow guests under the age of 18. Please come solo to your appointment!

LATE POLICY

There is a 15 minute late policy. Being more than 15 minutes late may result in forfeit of your booking fee and cancellation of your appointment. A new booking fee will be required to book a new appointment.

FINAL PAYMENT

Final payment will be made the day of your appointment. All major Debit and Credit Cards, Zelle, Afterpay, and cash are acceptable forms of payment. We will NOT accept checks as payment. Your final payment amount will be the total cost of your appointment, minus your booking fee amount.

After the service is completed, there are no refunds permitted.

GRATUITY

Cosmetic tattooing is considered a service where tipping is accepted, much like your hair stylist, nail tech, massage therapist, tattoo artist, etc. Tipping is always appreciated, yet never expected and entirely at your discretion.

RESULTS

Please note that final results CAN NOT be guaranteed as everyone retains and breakdowns pigment differently. A Perfecting Session is necessary at 8-12 weeks where we can assess your pigment retention and make any changes necessary. People with lighter hair, correction work, sparse eyebrows, or oily skin may require more than one follow-up to reach their desired look at an additional cost.