Frequently asked questions

​I am committed to giving you the best advice in order to determine your suitability for micropigmentation. As we are working with living tissue, ensuring the skin is in optimum condition is vital to our results. It is essential that this advice is followed in order to give you the best healed results. Please note that a patch test and consultation is advisable to ensure that there are no allergies to the pigments and numbing cream used during the procedure (unless waived by client). However, this is purely a precaution and is not compulsory. If you have had previous PMU or tattoos without any reactions, then there is no need for undue concern. It is important to give some consideration prior to the treatment regarding the results you want to achieve. You may if you wish, contact me to arrange a pre-treatment consultation, which should be carried out at least 2 weeks prior to the treatment itself. A full explanation of what it involves will be given so you are fully informed before consent is obtained and the procedure is carried out. This is not compulsory, and can briefly be done before the start of your treatment. We will fully discuss what your expectations are regarding the treatment outcome and the look you wish to achieve. Together we will design a shape that compliments you, and choose the best pigment to complement your skin tone, hair colour and to suit your individuality. It is always easier to darken a colour at the top-up appointment so this will be taken into consideration. I will also assess your skin suitability for the treatment. A full past medical history is required and a history of any medications you may be taking as some may be contraindicated to the procedure. General Advice before your treatment: Importantly there is pre and post procedure advice that must be followed to ensure the best outcome and to prolong the life of your new cosmetic tattoo. Timing is important.… are you going on holiday or do you have a wedding/party coming up? These have to be taken into account as they take about a week to heal. Everyone has to have a top-up 8-12 weeks after the first procedure, so you may have to factor this in when booking. Many clients like to visit with freshly washed hair, so that they do not need to worry about getting their new brows or makeup wet for a few days. Since delicate skin or sensitive areas may be swollen or red, it is advised that you do not make any social plans for the day. Arnica is a great supplement to take prior to the procedure to reduce any swelling. Please read the following advice carefully: • Permanent cosmetic procedures can require multiple treatment sessions. For best results, clients will be required to return for at least one top-up appointment. This will take place 8-12 weeks after the initial procedure. Those with oily skin may require an additional top-up (extra cost). Please be aware that colour intensity will be significantly darker and sharper immediately and a few days after the initial procedure, but the colour will reduce by 30-50%. • Permanent cosmetic procedures do not cause cold sores. However if you carry the virus, it lays dormant in the body and can be aroused by the procedure. You must understand that permanent makeup causes the reactivation of the herpes virus (Herpes simplex). However it is not the cause of the infection. • Hormone therapies can affect pigmentation and/or cause sensitivity. • The National Blood Service will not accept blood donations for 4 months after micropigmentation treatments. ​ Topical Anaesthetic Advice • Allergic reactions can occur from any anaesthetics used during the procedure. If you do suffer from an allergic reaction, you should contact your doctor immediately. Allergic reaction response may show through redness, swelling, rash, blistering, dryness or any other symptoms associated with an allergic reaction. If you have ever had a reaction to Lidocaine, you must inform me. • Numbness – I cannot accept responsibility if the area to be treated does not respond to the numbing gel. Each individual is different according to skin type. Some clients report the area to be completely numb, while others may experience some discomfort. • Procedure – For permanent cosmetic procedures, a numbing gel is used. The products are formulated to be perfectly safe and can be purchased over the counter from any pharmacy/chemist. The anaesthetic is placed over the treatment area after the skin has been broken. As a result of the treatment, combined with the use of the anaesthetic, you can expect to experience some redness/swelling that can last one to four days. You should always follow your post-procedure and aftercare advice for the best results. Please also refer to "What should I do before my appointment?"

Please refrain from the following treatments prior to your appointment: • Electrolysis - 7 days • Abrasive treatments e.g skin peel/microdermabrasion - 2 weeks • Chemical/Laser treatment - 6 weeks • Botox - 2 weeks • Fillers - 4 weeks • Do not tint your eyebrows 5 days before the procedure • Do not piok/tweeze/wax/have electrolysis one week before procedure • Do not take Fish Oil or Vitamin E one week prior (natural blood thinners) • Do not tan 7 days prior or come with sunburned skin • Do not have any type of facial 7 days prior to treatment • Discontinue Vitamin A/Retinol or Steroids skin care products 4 weeks prior • Do not have Botox/Fillers 2 weeks prior to treatment To avoid excessive bleeding and poor colour retention: • Do not drink alcohol 24 - 48 hours before your procedure • Do not consume coffee/tea at least 4 hours before your procedure • Do not take Aspirin or Ibuprofen for pain relief (blood thinners) 24 hours before your procedure • Discontinuing any mediation should be consulted with your doctor first PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT • Please drink plenty of water in the 2 weeks leading up to your appointment as hydration is key for skin healing. • Please avoid any AHA/Glycolic/Retinoid preparations around the area for a minimum of 7 days. • Avoid any blood thinning medications at least 72 hours prior to your appointment. This includes Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Vitamin E, Niacin, and fish oil supplements. • 1-2 weeks before your treatment, start gently exfoliating any dead skin cells and moisturise the area twice a day. • No tanning or sunbeds at least 4 weeks prior to your treatment. When your skin heals and sloughs off after a sunburn, your pigment will be lost with it. If you come to your appointment with a fresh tan or sunburn, you will be forced to forfeit your appointment and your booking fee. • If you've been on the prescription drug Accutane (or similar, please do your research!) in the past, you must wait 1 year after stopping the drug before getting this procedure. • BROWS - Please ensure any tinting, waxing or threading is carried out at least 7 days prior to your appointment. • EYELINER - Lash growth serums must not be used for a minimum of 3-6 months prior to your appointment. • EYELINER - Eyelash extensions should be removed a minimum of 2 weeks prior to your appointment. • EYELINER - Any lash lifts / lash tints should ideally be carried out at least 7 days prior to treatment. • LIPS - Start using a gentle lip scrub daily 1-2 weeks prior to your appointment. You can use a gentle salt/sugar scrub and lip balm for this. • LIPS - Keep the lips moisturised and hydrated every day with a good lip balm (avoid vaseline as this is just a barrier). • LIPS - Lip wax or bleaching treatments should not be undertaken for two weeks preceding your treatment. • LIPS - If you have a history of cold sores (herpes simplex), we advise you to contact your doctor to obtain a prescription for an oral anti-herpes medication to prevent such outbreaks. Alternatively, obtain herpes medication from your local chemist and use 5 days before and 5 days after your procedure. This can help minimise an outbreak. We highly recommend anti-herpes medication Acciclovir, even if you have never had a cold sore before. Herpes simplex / cold sores are a typical reaction in permanent makeup of the lips. ON THE DAY OF YOUR TREATMENT • You must be in good health and not pregnant or breastfeeding. • Do not exercise on the day of the procedure (neither before nor after). • Please eat before your treatment to help with blood sugar levels. • If possible, please arrive without any makeup on. • DO NOT DRINK ANY ALCOHOL WITHIN 24 HOURS OF YOUR APPT. • Eyeliner - Please remove any contact lenses, and just wear your glasses to your appointment. You may resume wearing your contact lenses as soon as your eyes feel comfortable. (This is normally 24 hours after the procedure). • Please do not bring children to your procedure appointment. We do not provide childcare nor will we be able to work with constant interruptions. • Any tattooing is illegal under the age of 18, therefore minors will not be allowed in the treatment room. • Please refrain from bringing guests with you to your appointment due to cross contamination and interruption (unless permission has been obtained in advance). The treatment room is small and does not allow for extra accommodation. Please also refer to "What is your Pre Treatment Advice?"

• If you normally fill in your eyebrows and want this style to be considered, please come to your appointment with them filled in. We want to take your preferences into consideration when deciding on a shape that you will be comfortable with. Alternatively, bring a decent photo of your chosen brow shape. • Map out your route to account for traffic or construction delays prior to your appointment. Re-visit the main page (http://www.boulderbrows.com/book-now/)to familiarise yourself with the driving directions provided if this is your first visit. • Make sure you have eaten, are well hydrated and well rested. • Wear comfortable clothing, and make sure you will be warm enough. • If your hair is long and on your face, it's best to tie it back or clip it out the way.

The appointment is approximately two to two and a half hours. When you arrive, we immediately numb the area for 20-30 minutes and discuss any questions or concerns, as well as any preferences you have regarding the final outcome. Then, we will draw an outline that will be our template during the procedure to stay within - you will also have the opportunity to request any changes to the stencil to meet your preferences. The colour we will use is intended to heal to match the colour of any existing hair, so there's a seamless blend between the tattooed strokes and your existing hairs. The tattooing itself usually takes around an hour and a half, but we recommend allowing for a full 3 hours to complete the procedure. Appointments can sometimes run longer if the technician deems it necessary, so we recommend not having any time-sensitive commitments immediately following your procedure. You should have no visibility issues driving home from the appointment.

If you want beautiful natural end results, then yes. Session 2 is highly recommended as we won't know exactly how your skin is going to heal. Some people end up with small patches where the pigment didn't take properly. If you want the final result to be perfect then trust me and book your top-up appointment! All new treatments are a 2 stage layering process. We want your treatment to heal soft and natural so the pigment has to be applied in stages. This also gives me a chance to see how the pigment will sit in your skin, and whether it needs and adjustments. In the 1st session we are laying the foundations. In the 2nd session, we are building on those foundations.

Your top-up appointment should be scheduled within 8-12 weeks of your first session. We recommend booking this asap after scheduling your initial session, in order to successfully schedule your top-up appointment within the 8-12 week window. Appointments that occur after 12 weeks will be subjected to an increase in price. We do not guarantee availability. It’s up to you to make sure you’re scheduling your top-up and additional colour boosts ahead of time, as instructed. Arriving to your initial session having not scheduled your top-up is against our recommendations - we possibly won’t be able to get you back in for your top-up within our 8-12 week window.