Some pearls of wisdom

A few home truths

Perfect symmetry is impossible (and unnatural)
Home Truth: Your face isn't symmetrical — and that's normal.
Even the most advanced mapping can't (and shouldn't) override your natural structure & muscle movement.
We aim for balanced and harmonious, not identical. Chasing "perfect" can lead to results that look less natural, not more.

PMU will not replace your makeup routine

Home Truth: PMU is a natural enhancement, NOT a makeup replacement! (and now repeat that)
So don't throw away your favourite brow pencil, liner or lipstick just yet! PMU gives you a natural, everyday base - not a full glam finish. It's designed to enhance, not overpower. It's meant for the days when you're not wearing makeup (like on hols, at the gym, or when you don't have time) You can still layer over it for bolder looks & it'll make life easier when you do.

Fresh work will always look bolder than the healed result

Home Truth: What you see on Day 1 will fade and soften. Whether you're happy about that fact or not differs from client to client. If you're chasing a look as bold as your immediate result, then I hate to break it to you; but your expectations are unrealistic. If you're panicking over the fact that your immediate look is more than what you were wanting; just take a chill pill and trust the process! When it's new, your PMU is sitting ON TOP of your skin. When it's healed, your PMU sits UNDER the skin. That is an inevitability.

Aftercare controls half of the result

Home Truth: What you do after your appointment matters! Not following your artist's aftercare advice can lead to poor healing, patchiness, or unnecessary colour loss. No sweaty workouts. No soaking your face. No skincare actives near the
area.

Pre-Care matters too

Home Truth: The result can only be as good as the canvas allows. What you do before your appointment can dramatically affect how well your skin takes pigment. No alcohol, caffeine, sunbeds, gym or intense skincare treatments beforehand.
Well-prepped, healthy skin = better healing, better retention, and better results.

The healing stage isn't pretty, and that's normal

Home Truth: Healing can be an emotional roller coaster. I often tell my clients that healing is the hardest part of your PMU journey. You can go from "OMG they're too bold" to "OMG where's it gone" in the space of 24 hours - but it's all normal! I promise. There can be uneven swelling, peeling, flaking & colour changes. True results only show after full healing and follow-up - so trust the process & speak to your PMU artist (not google or your mates) if you're concerned!

You get what you pay for

Home Truth: Bargain hunting your cosmetic tattoo WILL cost more in the long run! - Buy cheap, buy twice. A correction journey is ultimately more expensive. Not only that, but it can often be more painful, and not everything is fully fixable. We're talking about your faces here! Invest in expertise, not the cheapest price tag. You're not just paying for the treatment, you're paying for skill, hygiene, and safety.

One-size doesn't fit all

Home Truth: Your PMU should be bespoke - not copied from a trend or influencer. We design based on your natural features, undertones, and long-term goals - not what's trending this week. Face shape, undertones, skin texture, and existing features all matter. Oily skin? You might lose definition faster. Mature skin? We'll work more delicately. There's no one-size-fits-all - but a skilled artist knows how to adjust the technique for the best results.

Skin canvas

In permanent makeup, the skin itself plays a huge role in the final outcome. Technique of course matters, but the condition of the canvas - your skin, is just as important. Several factors can influence how pigment heals and lasts including:

Previous PMU: Old pigment underneath can limit colour choices and design adjustments as well as change the new pigment implanted.

Chemical treatments: Peels, laser, or strong skincare ingredients can leave skin more delicate or reactive and make the new tattoo unpredictable.

Medical or cosmetic history: Scarring, hair transplants, or other procedures can change the texture of the skin and how pigment holds and heals.

Sun damage and exposure: UV rays can break down pigment faster, causing fading, colour changes, and uneven healing as well as present us with a heavily textured canvas.

Because of these factors, results will vary from person to person. As artists, we always aim for the best possible outcome, but it’s important to be realistic, sometimes multiple sessions or adjustments are needed. This is not that our treatment hasn’t worked, this is entirely due to the canvas we are working on. It doesn’t happen often but it is a possibility.

Permanent makeup is not a one-size-fits-all service. It’s shaped by your skin’s history, your lifestyle, your health and the artistry behind the procedure. If you have previous permanent makeup that’s been removed and left remnants, if you have a textured or uneven skin type, if you have scar tissue and your old choices have dictated what we can do, you must be realistic in your expectations. We can only work with the canvas we have. We are brutally honest in what can and can’t be done and always upfront. We would love to have a blank canvas to create anything you like but if that’s not what we have, it changes the goalposts and limits the outcome.

We have full control of the tattoo - we have that perfectly covered. The canvas is the ever changing element.

PMU vs Tattoos

The difference between tattoo ink and cosmetic tattoo pigment

Cosmetic tattoo pigments are made up of smaller pigment particles that are suspended in a diluter – this allows for a more natural, softer colour in the skin that can be layered to create a much more realistic finish.

Traditional tattoo inks are much more concentrated which means that they are much more concentrated in colour. Traditional tattoos are often very bold and can also be very bright too. If you were to compare a traditional tattoo alongside a brow tattoo for example, you’d notice that the traditional tattoo is much deeper and richer and often has an abundance of bright, eye-catching colours.

We refer to cosmetic tattooing as permanent makeup because we can assume that some residual trace of any pigment ingredients will remain in the skin forever, even if you can’t see them. Some makeup artists refer to it as ‘semi permanent’ makeup because it gradually fades over time as the pigment breaks down in the skin. This can be slightly misleading as it gives an impression of being temporary – just because you can’t see it does not mean it is not there.

A lot of people also wrongly think that permanent makeup pigment is the same as tattoo ink. Body art tattoo ink is designed to be truly permanent and fades in a different way over time. Body art tattoos are made by implanting the ink into your dermis. When a tattoo needles puncture the skin, it creates a tiny wound to which the body responds. It kicks in the immune system and sends special cells, known as macrophages to the area in order to heal the punctured skin and swallow any ‘foreign bodies’. Other cells, such as fibroblasts will also suck up the tattoo ink. These ink particles are too large for macrophages to destroy, so they become lodged in the dermis.

Comparatively, permanent makeup pigment lacks the particle size which body art tattoo ink has and so the colour fades more quickly. This is why we recommend your colour boost at around every 12-18 months. If permanent makeup pigment molecules were bigger, the colour would be denser and more permanent. Also, permanent cosmetic pigments are designed especially to complement many different skin tones so that your results are as natural as possible.

The difference between PMU & body art tattoos are sometimes wrongly described by body art tattoos being deeper in the skin. This is not correct. Tattoo artists and permanent makeup artists both tattoo into the dermis layer of the skin. If the ink doesn’t go in deep enough to reach the dermis then it will only go in to the epidermis which will fade out as the skin goes through its natural shedding process over the course of a 2-4 week period.

Pre-care & Aftercare

The permanent makeup aftercare process can be a bit of an emotional roller coaster for clients - not only is it vital for avoiding infection, but it’s also paramount for creating long-lasting, well-healed results. How treatments heal can depend entirely on how well a client has followed aftercare instructions, with some PMU artists even considering the healing process to be the most important step of the entire treatment!

I take infection control seriously to ensure the safety of my clinic and my clients at all times, and this includes adhering to pre-care and aftercare. When embarking on a new procedure that involves needles and breaking the skin, looking after your treatment is vitally Important! YES, the work won't look how you had pre-meditated, and it will look a completely different colour and won't look its best. However we need to TRUST THE PROCESS.

When the pigment is implanted in the skin, no matter what procedure you are having, it will incite an inflammatory reaction and produce redness and undertones that will fade once the area has had time to heal (usually anything from 7-10 days depending on your own body's healing abilities).

So.... If we don't follow aftercare, or get it infected or mistreat it or decide that 'oh that one sunbed won't hurt'..... Guess what? It might! Not only will it affect the healed results, you're also taking a huge risk of infecting the treatment AND causing undesirable results. You are paying for a HIGHLY SKILLED PROCEDURE and being given advice and products to keep you safe and happy!

We have covered the key stages of the healing process below:

● Day 1-4: the area appears very pigmented in the days immediately after treatment.

● Day 5: as the skin begins to heal, itching sensations and a feeling of tightness may occur.

● Day 5-7: the area will begin to flake and itching or slight discomfort may be present during this stage.

● Day 7-14: flakes will begin to fall away naturally and the pigment may appear lighter compared to the initial colour.

● Day 14-21: healing is nearing completion, pigment has begun to return as the skin cells have renewed.

● Day 30: the healing process should be complete, and clients can return for a top-up appointment with their technician.

What can affect the healing process?

Sleep: we recommend the clients try and sleep on their back or their side during the healing process. Clean pillowcases are also recommended to reduce the risk of bacteria coming into contact with the treated area.

Exercise: anything that may cause excessive sweating is to be avoided initially (usually for 10-14 days) as sweat getting into the area may loosen pigment.

Washing your hair/face: clients should avoid getting any soaps, harsh cleansers, creams, or shampoos on the treated area.

Swimming: clients should avoid submerging the area after treatment - no swimming, Jacuzzi or standing directly under the shower!

Make-up: there should be no need for makeup as you have just had it tattooed on, although a friendly reminder to avoid using cosmetics on the treated area immediately after treatment doesn’t hurt.

Pre-Care Basics

Here are 5 things you NEED to know before your appointment to get the best healed & lasting results:

Pause the actives - No retinol, AHAs, BHAS, or strong exfoliants 1 week before. They make skin sensitive & can affect pigment retention.
Skip alcohol & caffeine - Avoid 24 hours before. They can thin the blood & make it harder for pigment to retain.
Arrive fresh-faced - Clean, makeup-free skin is the perfect base for your PMU artist.
No waxing, tweezing, tinting (1 week before) or Botox (2 weeks before) - These can irritate or change the natural area we're working on.
Plan for healing time - Fresh PMU looks darker at first, then softens as it heals. Don't book right before a big event — allow at least 2 weeks.

Following these steps = better retention, smoother healing, and results you'll LOVE for longer.

Here's why pre-care instructions are so important and what could happen if they're not followed:

ENSURING OPTIMAL RESULTS

Skin Condition - Pre-care instructions often include keeping the skin healthy and hydrated. If the skin is in poor condition (e.g., dry, sunburned, or irritated), the pigment may not take as well, leading to uneven or faded results.
Accurate colour - Certain substances, like alcohol or caffeine, can affect your skin's receptivity to the pigment. Avoiding these can help ensure that the colour applied during your procedure comes out as intended.

MINIMISING RISKS

Infection - Pre-care instructions often advise against certain activities that could expose the treated area to bacteria (like swimming or using a sauna). Ignoring this advice can increase the risk of infection.
Swelling and Bleeding - Some guidelines, such as avoiding blood thinners or alcohol before your appointment, help reduce the risk of excessive bleeding and swelling, which can affect the healing process and final look.

What Could Happen If You Don't Follow Pre-Care Instructions

Poor Pigment Retention - Failing to follow pre-care advice can lead to poor pigment absorption, meaning your PMU might fade quickly or look patchy, requiring more touch-ups.
Increased Risk of Complications - Ignoring instructions could lead to complications like infections or allergic reactions, both of which can significantly affect your health and the appearance of your PMU.
Longer Healing Time - The healing process may be prolonged if the treated area isn't in optimal condition or if it's exposed to activities or substances that hinder recovery.
Dissatisfaction with Results - Ultimately, not adhering to pre-care instructions increases the likelihood of being unhappy with your PMU results, which can be disheartening given the time, expense, and anticipation involved in the process.

Signs of Infection

If clients follow the aftercare instructions, the risk of developing infection should be minuscule. However, keeping my clients informed of what to look for is still important! Symptoms may include redness, swelling, tenderness of the treated area, elevated temperature, any yellow/green discharge, feeling unwell.

If clients are aware of what to look for, they can seek medical attention immediately if these symptoms do occur. However, if the client follows aftercare guidance, they are much more likely to experience healthy healing with no issues.

What is Lymphatic Fluid?

Lymphatic fluid happens with all PMU/tattoo procedures - lips, eyeliner, nano brows, microblading, powder brows, areola work, paramedical work, body tattoos, SMP - you name it!

It will harden and what that looks like after it has hardened is an awful crusty scab! And that scab can pull pigment away from the skin, and it can be very tempting for clients to pick at it.

That's why it's imperative that the PMU Artist blots the client’s treatment area during and immediately after the treatment, and we always ensure the client continues to blot the area for the next few hours post procedure. I advise my clients to blot their treatment area once every 30-60 minutes for the first day until bedtime, with a damp cotton round. Be sure to press firmly and not just tap.

Myths & Benefits of PMU

PMU MYTHS

*You need to shave your eyebrows to have the brow treatment - FALSE

I will work with the hair you have to enhance your brows. In fact, the addition of hair can make it look more natural.

*PMU is just for females - FALSE

It’s for all genders, and by the way, age is no barrier

*PMU is painful - FALSE

Pain varies from zero to very mild discomfort. Most of my clients fall asleep

*You need loads of brow hair - FALSE

I can work with loads of hair or no hair at all, e.g. clients with alopecia

*PMU affects the growth of your natural hair - FALSE

If anything, it can actually prompt the hair follicles to grow.

*It doesn't require maintenance - FALSE

It does. Retouches (perfecting session) and colour boosts are needed to maintain the look and life of your PMU.

This is because as well as skin type, external factors such a as sun exposure, face creams etc, contribute to the breakdown of pigment and the way it fades.

*You won't have to wear make-up in that area again - FALSE

Permanent Makeup doesn't mean it replaces makeup. Our aim is to give you an enhancement, so that when you don't have make up on, you look effortlessly glam.... we don't want to give you an ‘out on the town’ look all day, every day. If you want a full makeup look now and then, you'll just need to add some makeup to your beautiful PMU.

* PMU Artists do the same look for everyone - FALSE

Absolutely NOT - all my PMU treatments are completely bespoke to you, your skin tone and your face shape.

* Everyone heals the same - FALSE

We are all beautiful individuals, and we all can respond differently to a PMU treatment. This is why you have a first session, then a retouch/perfecting session 8-12 weeks later. This is because we then can see your skins true response to the pigment and add more if needed, or adapt technique to better suit your skin type.

WHY IS PMU BECOMING SO POPULAR?

The main reason is convenience - being able to wake up, get up and go. “Wake up with makeup”
Having a shape and style permanently there that is easy to go over with extra makeup if required instead of redrawing the shape every day which can take ages.
The ability to have makeup free days and still feel confident
Repairing gaps in the brow line from years of over plucking
Restoring colour in our lips which we lose as we age, or from using lip fillers
Restoring confidence

BENEFITS OF PMU FOR MATURE SKIN

ANTI-AGEING - PMU will create a more youthful appearance by enhancing and framing your natural features. This will cause a natural lift to create a more youthful and brighter appearance, filling you with confidence and that natural glow we all desire.

CONFIDENCE - As we age, some women may lose confidence with their appearance. This may be due to new makeup trends, fashion, or just how we feel about ageing gracefully. PMU can help ease your worries and give you a confidence boost. We can help create a more youthful appearance as well as smudge-free makeup, giving you the confidence you desire.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS - Unfortunately as we grow older, we also face new medical conditions that may cause us to struggle with hair loss, visual impairment and potential scarring. PMU can help you feel more confident within your own skin. We can look at easing your daily struggles with makeup and give you a confidence boost in areas which may make you feel insecure.

REASONS TO HAVE PMU

Quite often clients choose PMU due to suffering hair loss. This may be from over-plucking or a medical condition.

Powder/ombré brows create a fuller brow for those who suffer with sparse brows or hardly no hair at all brows, allowing them to be worry free about smudging their makeup.

Time tends to run away for all of us every day and we all want to save time where we can. On average, we spend 7-10 minutes per day trying to get our eyebrows to match each other. PMU helps my clients save an average of 49-70 minutes per week!! And they can wake up to stunning even brows that are good to go.

As a busy working or stay-at-home mother, sometimes you neglect yourself and end up feeling down.

Clients who wake up with makeup feel so much better in their own skin and they manage to save time in the morning, and always look and feel fabulous.

Clients who have an active lifestyle often worry about their eyebrows rubbing or washing off. For those who love going to the gym, swimmers, practising yoga, or just so busy rushing around, can feel at ease knowing their permanent makeup will not smudge or wipe off. They are completely smudge-free and waterproof leaving you worry- free during any activities or sports.

In summary:

Time-saving: It eliminates the need for daily application of makeup, saving time in the morning routine.
Long-lasting: Unlike traditional makeup, permanent makeup can last for years without the need for frequent touch-ups.
Convenience: It's particularly convenient for people with busy schedules or those who have difficulty applying makeup due to medical conditions.
Waterproof: Permanent makeup is resistant to water, sweat, and smudging, making it ideal for active lifestyles or humid environments.
Enhances features: It can enhance natural features such as eyebrows, lips, and eyeliner, providing a more defined and polished look.
Camouflage: It can be used to camouflage scars, uneven skin tone, or other imperfections, boosting self-confidence.
Saves money: While the initial cost may be higher than traditional makeup, over time, it can save money by reducing the need for purchasing cosmetic products.
Ideal for allergies: People with allergies to traditional makeup ingredients can opt for permanent makeup since the pigments used are hypoallergenic.
Natural-looking results: When done by a skilled technician, permanent makeup can achieve natural-looking results that enhance one's appearance subtly.
Boosts self-esteem: For individuals who feel self-conscious about their appearance, permanent makeup can provide a confidence boost by helping them feel more put together and attractive.

Some more FAQs

DOES IT HURT?

Sensation can vary from area to area (lips, brows, eyes). You may feel the pressure of my hands and or the vibration of the machine, but you will not be in any pain. A medical-grade topical anaesthetic is used both prior & during treatment and lots of clients actually fall asleep!

Top tip: No caffeine 48hrs before your appointment. Caffeine is a stimulant & can counteract the effects of numbing products used.

WHAT IF I DON'T LIKE THE RESULT?

Your treatment is built gradually. Shape, colour, and intensity are discussed and agreed during consultation and mapping. This way, nothing will be a surprise. Subtle enhancement and refinement is the goal. Remember PMU is for when you're NOT wearing make up. It's a natural enhancement and not a makeup replacement. That being said, your immediate result will be darker than what you may have had in mind for yourself, but l promise this is temporary.

I GET BORED, DO I NEED TO SIT STILL?

Tattooing is a nuanced and intricate process that relies heavily on multiple factors. Some of which are implanting at the correct depth, applying a good stretch and tattooing at the correct angle. If any of these are off, then it can affect the finished result.

So yes, you need to be still and if we move your head into a certain position, we need you to keep it there (not move back where you were as soon as we turn to dip our needle).

WHAT'S THE HEALING PROCESS LIKE?

Healing = Team work

All we can do is tattoo you (that's our bit), once you leave the studio - it's on you babe! (You've got this!) Follow OUR aftercare advice to the T, (not your nosy friend's input) and you'll be fine.

Day 1-3: darker & sharper
Day 4-7: flaking/light scabbing
Week 2-4: colour settles & softens

DOES THE PRE-CARE REALLY MATTER THOUGH?

What you do before your appointment can dramatically affect how well your skin takes the pigment.

No alcohol, caffeine, sunbeds, gym or intense skincare treatments beforehand (tretinoin, retinols, roaccutane) .

• Well-prepped, healthy skin = better healing, better retention, better results. Scarring & skin complaints will affect your final look.

The result can only be as good as the canvas allows. I'm looking at you! We are not magicians, robots, surgeons or human printers..

ANYTHING I SHOULD AVOID ONCE HEALED? HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

Skin is a living organism, so again, multiple factors will have an effect on how long one person's PMU lasts to the next (lifestyle, sun exposure etc) however, here are some top tips:

SPF is non-negotiable
Avoid acids/retinoids on treated area
Keep up with maintenance

Gradual fading is expected and is a sign of high quality work.

I'M VERY FUSSY THEY MUST BE PERFECT!

The idea of 'perfect' is subjective. A lot of clients think that 'perfect' means symmetry, but actually perfect symmetry does not exist in your facial features. Your right side, absolutely differs from your left; this is normal & natural. If we stray from what your bone structure allows, it's going to look VERY weird. Even the most advanced mapping cannot (and should not) override your natural structure & muscle movement. We aim for balanced & harmonious, not identical. Chasing ‘perfect' can lead to results that look less natural, not more.

WHY DO I NEED A TOP-UP?

Skin is a living organism & it can reject pigment unpredictably. How you heal from your first session gives us important information based on your individual needs from the procedure. Do we need to adopt a different technique, use a different type of pigment or even colour for example.

First session = implantation
Second session = perfection & longevity

CAN OLD PMU BE FIXED?

Cover-ups are a skill, not a guarantee & sometimes with all the skill in the world - there's not a fix for everything. That's not to say that all work done elsewhere is a problem. To put it simply, we cannot take away what's already there, so if you're unhappy with the current shape, position, colour, etc, then you may need to seek removal first. Removal is normal, especially if you've been getting your PMU done for years. If removal is recommended, it's with your best interests in mind. It's often the case that before we can put more ink in, we need to create room in the skin first. The skin can only hold so much.

If you still have any questions about the treatments, please visit our FAQ page or get in touch!

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