Cosmetic Ink // PERMANENT MAKEUP CARE & FAQ

Before , Aftercare & General Rules

Please respect the concentration needed and the time allotted for your procedure*

If you are late for your appointment, you will be rescheduled.

If you are traveling from out of town, please plan accordingly. Our scheduling is very structured and we cannot run behind. We ask that all clients arrive 10 minutes early for their appointment.

Thank you for your understanding.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION // PLEASE READ

Be aware that you cannot be tattooed with a sunburn or freshly tanned skin.
Botox should be performed 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after the procedure. Preferably after.
No chemical peels 30 days prior and you must wait 30 days after (avoiding the brow area is recommended).
Be aware that frequent chemical peels may make your brows fade more quickly.
Retinols/Retin-A's, other anti-aging creams or serums containing acids WILL fade your permanent makeup prematurely. Please keep all potions away from the procedure area.
You must be OFF all Retinols/Retina-A 30 days prior to your appointment. If not, the area will bleed and pigment will not heal properly.
If you bleach your eyebrows, it is not a good idea to have this procedure done. The chemicals WILL bleach the hair & possibly fade the pigment. There are other options to bleaching hair. There are many brow mascaras and gels that work great for this.
If you have had Permanent Makeup previously done in the area of procedure, and fail to tell us, we WILL be required to refuse service and your deposit will be forfeited.
If a client has undergone laser removal of the eyebrows, please note that there is now more scar tissue in the affected area. This can cause the pigment to fade prematurely or look blurry. There is also a chance that the area may be resistant to pigment uptake and may take more than one touch up.
If there are any blemishes, pimples, active cold sores, irritation of the skin of any kind, bruises or other skin imperfections IN or AROUND the area of the procedure, This may effect the procedure.
If you show up to the appointment and there is an area of concern, you may be rescheduled to the next available appointment .Please if you believe there is a questionable issue, contact Elizabeth right away to discuss.

Powder-fill and Hair-stroke Eyebrows

Elizabeth does not work on some clients with the following Contraindications:

Have eyebrow hair transplants
Eczema or Dermatitis in or around the eyebrows (Chronic shedding, bumps, redness, irritation or flaking of the skin in the eyebrow area)
Any type of organ transplant that requires anti-rejection medications
MRSA-Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
Severely Oily Skin an exception (Pigment will look more powdered and will fade more quickly )
Have Thyroid/Graves disease is an exception with powder-fill. (Medications may cause the pigment to turn ashy. Please tell Elizabeth before booking)
Super thin/vascular skin
Alopecia (Due to change in skin & follicles, not all types of Alopecia clients are candidates)
Sunburned or freshly tanned skin

Cosmetic Ink Permanent Makeup located San Diego, CA, specializes in natural looking cosmetic tattooing, with an attention to detail and superb customer service.

Only for Hairstrokes

You ARE NOT a good candidate if you have LARGE pores or Oily/Severely Oily Skin, your results WILL appear softer/solid or powdered looking.

Trichotillomania-pulling disorder (Due to scar tissue pigment) will not retain well & WILL blur.

In a nutshell, you must have the perfect skin to expect hairstrokes to keep crisp.

All hair-strokes will soften and enlarge once healed. Hair-strokes are another technique besides a powder-fill to create a natural looking eyebrow. Microblading is a cosmetic tattoo and yes it's permanent. Done right it can be delicate and pretty. In the wrong hands, it's very difficult to correct or remove. Be aware that anyone who only does Microblading has taken a 2 day course. The technique is slicing the skin as opposed to puncturing the skin. The body treats a cut or slice differently in the healing process. It does have more potential to cause scar tissue. Especially when your looking at every 8-12 months of touch ups of the years. This is why my choice for delicate hair-strokes is with a machine.

If you believe you want a hair stroke look, Elizabeth will discuss this with you and decide if you are a good candidate. She will discuss all aspect of this technique, how you can expect it to age over time with color refreshers and decide if this will work for you.

Eyeliner

If you have had any eye surgery, i.e.; Lasix….Cornea..Upper or Lower Blepharoplasty…..Lens repair….. etc. you will need to wait at least 6 months before I will do permanent makeup on your eyes and a Dr’s note may be requested. If you have tear duct plugs, I do not do the liner procedure. NO EXCEPTIONS.

*If you have known anxiety issues, or do not numb well at the dentist and are fully aware of this, then this procedure is not for you. If you decline to inform me and I find out I will refuse to continue with your procedure.

If you have extremely Deep-Set eyes I will only do an upper and or lower Lash Enhancement.
I DO NOT do big eyeliners, or extreme designs. They do not age well with the skin.
Skin tone, eye shape and amount of eye tissue will have an effect on your healed outcome. Those used to using a liquid liner or dark black cannot expect a tattooed liner to look the same. A good example is to use a black sharpie pen on your arm. Now take a pair of nylons and pull it over the mark. That is how your skin tone effects your tattooed color.
IF USING AN EYELASH GROWTH SERUM (Latisse) OR THERE LIKE, YOU MUST DISCONTINUE USE 6 months PRIOR TO PROCEDURE AND CAN NOT USE UNTIL 2 WEEKS AFTER PROCEDURE.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO INFORM ELIZABETH OF ANY EYE SURGERIES YOU HAVE HAD OR EYE CONDITIONS YOU CURRENTLY HAVE AS THIS WILL DETERMINE IF YOU ARE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LINER.

If you have hyper-sensitive eyes, watery eyes, tear duct plugs or severe allergies, refractive eye surgery etc. this may not be the procedure for you

Do not wear contact lenses to your appointment, bring your glasses

Come with your eyeliner on if you would like to show me how you want it. Otherwise come with no eye makeup on. No mascara.

You cannot use Saline to wet the eyes. Only Sterile Water…check that the wash is NOT SALINE..it will fade the liner out instantly.

No mascara for 1 week after the procedure.

DO NOT USE oily makeup remover, baby oil, mineral oil or heavy creams, especially glycolics around the eyes.

Eyeliner can and will have some residual pigment that may peel or flake off after a couple days(in most cases)..that is ok..eyeliner tends to fade more so than brows due to the moisture in the eye area. After the touch up the color stays better and lasts longer….Eyeliner can take 2-3 procedures.

LIPS

I want those lips in good condition when you come in. For 1-2 weeks before your appointment, use a washcloth to exfoliate your lips. Use Aquaphore to keep lips moist and no long lasting lipstick for 1 week prior.

Be careful as you pull on shirts or other garments over your face that you don’t brush the new tattoo accidentally. Also, don’t put any makeup on, particularly just after treatment. You might cause an infection or otherwise damage the tattoo. In the case of food, it may be challenging for a while to eat with tattooed lips, but it can be done. Avoid biting or licking your lips as much as possible, and make sure no food or drink stays on there.

Aftercare

Avoid Contact with Clothing, Makeup, Food and Sunlight. Take care not to expose your face to the sun for about two weeks after you get your tattoo. The sun will fade the pigment, which is still settling into your skin. Even after the tattoos have healed, be consistent with applying sunscreen to those areas of your face, to avoid fading. Lips can take 1-3 treatments for desired depth of color. Keeping lips moist daily will lengthen the time the pigment will last…everyone heals different.

Very Important

If you get cold sores or have ever had one in the past, you will need an antiviral prescription from your doctor before a lip procedure. Physicians usually instruct to take it 2 days before, the day of and 2 days after. As this procedure will bring out the virus if not medicated beforehand.

Lips are a process and will take 1-3 treatments to achieve the desired look.

Those who have variegated lips (one darker that the other, brown or dark lips are not a good candidate for a lip procedure).

Permanent lip color is inter dermal, meaning it will not cover any freckles or variations like lipstick. Sometimes it can hide them but I cannot guarentee it.

GENERAL RULES // FOR ALL PROCEDURES

Some residual puffiness is normal for ALL procedures. Some clients may have minimal swelling some may

have a lot depending of the area..this is individualized. Taking Arnica has been known to help residual puffiness.

The area may appear uneven, dry, itchy, tender, red or irritated. This is all 100% normal. DO NOT PICK. These symptoms will dissipate each day and vary on an individual basis.

Color WILL fade/soften anywhere from 10% to 50% or more within 5-8 days. At the touch up we will fine tune any area that has faded too much. Healing is specific to each client. It is important to realize that you will need a color boost every 2-6 yrs to maintain it's fresh natural appearance. Fading WILL happen after each procedure. We do not have control over your bodies healing process. You may need still to powder and/or pencil even after the healed results as they fade. This is an enhancement to your natural brows....not a permanent one.

I want the best possible outcome for your cosmetic tattoo. Some call it semi-permanent. The fact is even though it fades the pigment particles are still in your skin. Therefore it is called permanent.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION // All PROCEDURES

If you are out in the sun a lot, have oily skin, use anti-aging creams, retin A/retinol products, acidic cleansers, natural elements, regular chemical peels, or exercise frequently, your permanent makeup WILL fade prematurely. The better you take care of the treated area and follow the

provided aftercare, the longer it will last.

Permanent Makeup is applied knowledge and an art, NOT a science. Clients results will vary and using a pencil or powder may still be needed. We have no control over your bodies healing process. My work is only as good as my canvas.

Remember, no two sides of the face are the same. Perfection is our goal, but please note that nothing is PERFECT.

Absolutely no water on them, sun, sweating, exercise or exertion of any kind prior to the day of the procedure or after the procedure for 3 days

NO SUN bathing 30 DAYS PRIOR & 30 DAYS AFTER THE PROCEDURE. 1 DAY WILL RUIN THE RESULTS IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THE 1 WEEK AFTERCARE PROTOCOL.

Do NOT have a tan/sunburn on your face prior to your procedure. The tan will exfoliate taking color with it as it fades & will also heal the pigment darker than expected. Tan skin bleeds. Can Heal darker than expected. If you show up to your appointment with a TAN/SUNBURN, you will be required to reschedule and your deposit will be forfeited. The determination if you are too tan will be up to Elizabeths’ discretion.

Do not work out the day of the procedure as the body heat expands the pores. It is recommended not to sweat for the first 3 days after the procedure. Sweat is salt and WILL prematurely fade, blur or cause the pigment not to take at all.

Avoid direct shower water on the treated area after the procedure.

Do NOT take Aspirin, Fish Oil, Niacin, Vitamin E and/or Ibuprofen unless medically necessary, 1 WEEK prior to your procedure. Tylenol is fine.

Avoid sleeping on your face during the 1st 7 days after the procedure.

You have to be off Accutane for 1 year. NO Exceptions!

You may not be a good candidate if you have Severely Oily Skin, your results WILL appear softer (eyebrows can look more powdered instead of like hair strokes).

Dark Skin types please note that your permanent makeup will not appear as bold as lighter skin types. (Indian, African American, Filipino, etc.) It will look more solid/powdered due to having a darker skin color in the background.

Avoid alcohol and limit your caffeine intake the day before & prior to the procedure, this will minimize any oozing/bleeding or swelling after the procedure.

Smoking WILL cause the pigment to fade prematurely and anesthetics will not last as long.

Getting a procedure while on your menstrual cycle can make you hyper-sensitive at the procedure site.

No swimming until the area is completely healed, salt water/chlorine WILL cause the pigments to fade or change in color. It is recommended to apply a high SPF Chapstick to the treated area/s prior to swimming even after healed to prevent the chlorine water/salt water from penetrating the area.

Only touch the treated areas with clean hands during the healing process.

DO NOT RUB, SCRATCH OR PICK AT THE TREATED AREA. Let any scabbing, flaking or dry skin naturally exfoliate off. Picking can cause scarring or infection.

Plan on scheduling your touch-up within the first 3 months.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING YOUR APPTS. Confirmation calls are not guaranteed.

IF THE AFTER CARE IS NOT FOLLOWED PROPERLY, ELIZABETH WILL KNOW AND IT WILL BE UP TO HER DISCRETION IF SHE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON YOU IN THE FUTURE. THIS IS AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR FACE AND THE AFTER CARE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCEDURE.

EYEBROWS

If you are a client who had previous PMU (done prior to Elizabeth) or laser removal your touch up will be every 2 yrs. If they fade more than you like, it is ok to pencil or powder until your scheduled appt. This is an enhancement and will NEVER BE A PERMANENT SOLUTION.

As we age our skin changes. IF hairstrokes are done, it WILL eventually look more powdered, this is universal with all cosmetic tattoo procedures.

If you like, you CAN come to your appointment with your eyebrows penciled the way you like them. Bring your colored pencil of choice.

If you get your eyebrows waxed or tinted, please have this done at least 72 hours prior to your scheduled procedure. It is recommended to wait at least 10 days to have them waxed & 30 days for tinting after the procedure.

Regular makeup can be worn immediately after your procedure, just not on the treated area until healed. Absolutely NOTHING on the brows except what Elizabeth gives you...No Water...no makeup, lotions,potions,pencil....etc. for 1 week.

Vaseline to be used only when you shower then gently wipe off afterwards. If you can take a shower without getting your face wet, I prefer you do not use the Vaseline at all.

The eyebrows WILL appear bolder immediately after the procedure. This is common in all Permanent Makeup applications...it will begin to soften up typically within 5-8 days. When choosing a color, it is recommended to go lighter until we see the healed results... we can always go darker at the touch up....WE cannot go lighter.

Hair strokes WILL appear crisp and bold at first, but WILL soften up in appearance as the tissue heals. The area will shed taking some color with it...this is normal. The area will begin to oxidize and darken over the 1st month.

DO NOT PICK!!!!!

It is very common to have areas fade more so than others..this is part of the healing process and will be treated at the recommended touch up appointment. Previously done eyebrows may take 1-3 treatments to achieve the desired result. Scar tissue in the brow area of eyebrows done multiple times WILL require additional procedures and fees will apply.

Red heads, blonds & fair skin types WILL experience more swelling, redness and fading than darker skin types.

Clients with darker skin (Indian, African American, Filipino, etc.), Please know that Hair Strokes WILL NOT appear as defined or as dark as lighter skin types due to the skin color already being naturally darker.

Touch-ups on old corrections or clients that have had tattoo removal will need a color refresher every 2 yrs.

HAIRSTROKE CONTRADICTIONS