Cosmetic Tattoos

WHAT DOES THE COSMETIC TATTOO PROCEDURE INVOLVE?

The Feather Touch procedure involves implanting very fine, strokes of pigment into the skin using a microblade to mimic natural hair. This process can create a full, fluffy, bold look, or can be used to simply fill in any sparse areas and refine the shape. Ombre and Powder Brows are created using a cosmetic tattoo machine and can be created as soft as natural or as bold and defined as you like. This technique is also more suitable for mature and oily skin. Lip Blush tattoos are also created using a machine with a very gentle technique.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO PRIOR TO THE PROCEDURE?

Prior to attending your appointment you must:

Eyebrows

stop any medications that cause blood thinning including prescription medications, multivitamins, fish oil and painkillers including Aspirin and Ibuprofen for 7 days
have stopped using prescription skin medications such as Roaccutane for at least 6 months
avoid alcohol and caffeine the night before and the morning of your appointment
avoid exposing the area to sun or fake tanners for 30 days
wait at least 3 days after waxing or tinting your eyebrows
wait at least 2 weeks after having botox or fillers
wait at least 30 days after having chemical peels or laser treatments

Lips

stop any medications that cause blood thinning including prescription medications, multivitamins, fish oil and painkillers including Aspirin and Ibuprofen for 7 days
avoid alcohol and caffeine the night before and the morning of your appointment
wait 4 weeks after having lip fillers
gently exfoliate your lips for the three days leading up to your appointment so that your lips are smooth on the day. Dry patches of skin will cause the pigment to not retain.
If you are prone to cold sores or have suffered from cold sores in the past, please contact your doctor for medication to take for one week leading up to your appointment and continue to take for one week after.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

The initial process takes approximately 2 - 2.5 hours, sometimes more and sometimes less depending on how much work is involved. As it is a 2-step process, a touchup appointment 6-8 weeks later is required. This appointment generally takes around 1 hour.

DOES IT HURT?

Bespoke Brows works with a compounding pharmacy which supplies high-grade, Australian approved topical anaesthetic to our clients to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. You must purchase your anaesthetic ($19.95 + $5 postage) at least 4 days prior to your appointment so that it arrives at our clinic in time. Instructions on how to do this is provided when you book your appointment. It's important to recognise that everyone has a different level of tolerance to pain, which can also be affected by personal circumstances including whether you are a smoker, are taking certain medications or even where you are in your menstrual cycle.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO I NEED?

Two treatments are required to perfect the tattoo, however some skin types may require a third. Depending on how your skin heals after the first treatment, there are often small patches where the pigment hasn't taken and a touchup appointment 6-8 weeks after the initial appointment is required to achieve the final result, and this second treatment is included in the price. Any additional touchups including those after a refresh are $100 and must be booked to take place in the following 6-8 weeks. Any later than this is considered a refresh.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PROCEDURE?

Eyebrows - Immediately after the procedure your eyebrows will be quite dark and intense for the first few days, and there may be minor swelling. However, over the following week they will gradually fade to a lighter colour as they heal. You will be able to return to work the next day.

Lips - Immediately after the procedure your lips may be a little swollen for around 24 hrs and will feel dry and as though they are a little sunburnt. The colour will also be more intense until they gradually fade to a lighter shade as they heal.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING THE HEALING PROCESS?

Eyebrows - Superficial healing takes approximately 2 weeks and the full healing process should be completed by 4 weeks. During the first week minor scabbing will occur and flaking and itchiness is normal. It is extremely important to avoid picking or rubbing the scabs as this can cause scarring and loss of pigment. Colour may also seem to disappear but will resurface around 4 weeks. Depending on skin type and how well the home aftercare has been followed, patchiness after healing can be expected, which is why the touch-up appointment is included in the price of the procedure as it is necessary for perfecting the end result.

Lips - Healing takes as little as 7 days. At around day 3 or 4 they will begin to feel very dry and chapped. It is important at this stage to avoid picking or peeling off the skin. By around day 7-14 the peeling should have stopped, and then by week 4-6 the true, healed colour will be seen.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY BROW TATTOO?

Avoid immediately after and during the first few days:

Exposing your eyebrows/lips to direct sun, tanning treatments, skin and laser treatments, face cleansers, hot water, steam, spas, saunas, salt water, chlorinated pools and direct shower spray.
Excessive sweating.
Makeup on and around the eyebrow/lip area.
Touching the eyebrows/lips, except only to wipe and apply the aftercare cream with clean hands and a clean applicator.
Kissing until lips have healed.

Avoid for 2 weeks:

Exposing your eyebrows/lips to direct sun, tanning treatments, spas, saunas, salt water, chlorinated pools and direct shower spray.
Eyebrow waxing, electrolysis or laser hair removal treatments close to the eyebrow area.

Long-term care:

Use a good sunscreen as sun exposure will fade your cosmetic tattoo.
Avoid glycolic acid, face peels and exfoliants around the eyebrow area.
If you are planning a chemical peel, laser procedure or an MRI scan, please inform the technician of your cosmetic tattoo.

HOW LONG WILL MY COSMETIC TATTOO LAST?

Cosmetic tattoos generally last on average1-2 years before they need to be refreshed, however this can be affected by how certain skin types hold pigment. We recommend refreshing your tattoo every 12-18 months to keep them looking their best.

WHAT FACTORS WILL AFFECT THEIR LONGEVITY?

A number of factors can affect how long they last including:

the colour of pigment used (lighter colours fade faster than darker colours)
skin type and how well it takes the pigment (oily skin can cause the microblading strokes to blur and/or does not absorb the colour as well and tends to fade faster)
how quickly your skin sheds and regenerates
lifestyle factors such as smoking and certain medications can cause the colour to fade faster
how well you follow the aftercare advice
exposure to sun and face products such as exfoliants

ARE YOUR PRODUCTS VEGAN FRIENDLY?

All cosmetic tattoo pigments, brow hennas and lash tints are vegan friendly and cruelty-free. Finishing makeup is vegan, cruelty-free, and made of natural minerals, oils and flower extracts to sooth and nourish the skin.

IS THE PROCEDURE SAFE?

Bespoke Brows adheres to strict hygiene standards and uses fully disposable tools and supplies to prevent cross-contamination. The studio is cleaned and disinfected before and after each client. The studio operates in accordance with state and local council requirements and Jem holds all necessary licences and certificates.

CAN I HAVE A PATCH TEST?

A patch test for allergic reactions to the pigment can be provided on request and must be conducted 48 hrs prior to your procedure. We use pigments that are vegan friendly and EU certified.

WHAT CONTRAINDICATIONS WILL PREVENT ME FROM BEING ABLE TO HAVE THIS PROCEDURE?

At Bespoke Brows we do not perform the procedure on those who are or have:

pregnant or breastfeeding
diabetes
cancer and chemotherapy patients
problematic skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis on or around the eyebrow area
sunburn on or around the eyebrow area
keloids
extremely sensitive and/or dry skin
very oily skin (oily skin can blur the microblading strokes and/or have difficulty retaining pigment. Additional touch-ups are sometimes required)
previous eyebrow tattoo in some cases (must be assessed first by sending a photo)
under 18 years of age