What is Micropigmentation?
    
     Micropigmentation, most commonly refered to as permanent cosmetics, dermapigmentation, tattoo makeup, and cosmetic tattooing, is a process in which tiny amounts of pigment are inserted into the dermis of the skin.  In the United States the pigments used in micropigmentation are subject to FDA regulation as cosmetics and color additives.  The needles used in micropigmentation are new, single-use, sealed and sterile, and all other instruments involved are single-use or sterilized according to medical industry standards.  The shop is regularly inspected by the Solano County Health Department and The California State Board.  Mel (the Permanent Makeup Specialist) is a Licensed Esthetician in the State of California, a Certified Permanent Makeup & Camoflauge Specialist, Certified in Blood Borne Pathogens and HIV Prevention Training.

     The depth of the needle insertion into the dermis is very minute, usually around .68 of a mm deep (about a third of the length of an earring stud).  The fast movement of the micropigmentation instrument in conjunction with the artist's technique produces designs that resemble makeup, such as eyelining and other permanent enhancing colors to the skin of the face, lips, eyebrows and eyelids.  It is also most popularly used to produce artificial eyebrows, particularly in people who have lost them as a consequence of aging, overtweezing, disease, such as alopecia, chemotherapy, or a genetic disturbance, and to disguise scars and light spots in the skin such as in vitiligo.  It is also used to restore or enhance the breast's areola, such as after breast surgery.

The Healing Process

     It can take anywhere from several days to a couple of weeks to completely heal.   After the day of the procedure you will be able to put makeup on as you usually would, but not on or too close to the area of Micropigmentation.  It is important to adhere to the healing guidelines so that your new you will last as long as possible.  When you come in for your visit you will receive special care instructions to take home with you.  These instructions are simple to follow and will have you on your way to healing the fastest and best that you can. 

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Frequently Asked Questions...

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"Does it hurt?"
We use a topical numbing solution that takes care of pain and discomfort so that your experience is comfortable and pleasant.

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"How long does it take to heal?"
It can take anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks to fully heal depending on the procedure.  Most people go about their activities that very day, but it's imperative to take it easy during the healing process.

 

"Do you use a tattoo gun?"
We use a specialized instrument that, like a tattoo machine, inserts small amounts of pigment into the dermal layer of the skin.  The Micropigmentation machine is slightly different in that it is much more specialized for the fine details of our permanent makeup procedures.

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"How long does it last?"
The lasting effect varies, depending on each individual, the chemistry of their skin and how well each individual cares for their skin.

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"How long does the procedure take?"
Depending on the procedure, each can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

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"How much does it cost?"
Please click on the "Procedures" link for pricing.

 

After-Care Instructions

Number one rule for healing: do not itch, pick or rub during any part of the healing process.  Let the scabs fall off on their own.

* A permanent makeup procedure is similar to a scratch you might get around the house.  It's an open wound and is subject to the entry of bacteria.  KEEP IT CLEAN!  Expect it to ooze a little, scab a little, and heal in a similar time frame.  Clean your sunglasses and eyeglasses with alcohol before wearing them.  Change your pillowcase to a clean one.  Keep your hair clean and out of your face.  Keep your cat off your bed for awhile.  Use common sense and keep everything you can think of clean.  You do not want to introduce any bacteria into your new permanent makeup while it's healing.  This can turn into an infection, and you are solely responsible for this.
* Healing ointment may be helpful to prevent itching as the area is healing.  Apply a thin layer of ointment twice a day for 5-6 days.  If a product stings or burns when you apply it do not use it.  Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) is the simplest and most benign ointment.  If you do not want to use a petroleum based product, you can use Vitamin E oil.  If you decide to use an antibiotic ointment such as: Neosporin, Bacitracin or A&D Ointment, use it at your own risk.  If you notice any kind of irritation, immediately discontinue use and resort to plain Petroleum Jelly of Vitamin E oil.  If irritation persists and you suspect either an allergic reaction or an infection, see a physician.
* Notify permanent makeup artist or physician at first sign of allergic reaction or infection.  If you suspect a problem is developing, the first thing to do is switch the type of ointment you are using. The ointment is often causing the problem.  An occasional slight healing itch is normal.  DON"T SCRATCH!  Constant intense itching, abnormal thick yellow discharge, yellow crust, hot burning pain, lumps, bumps, and blisters are not normal.
* Avoid strenuous activity for at least 2 days.  Increased blood pressure and dilated blood vessels increases swelling and oozing.  Also, sweat running into a wound stings and can lighten the pigment.  Drinking Alcoholic Beverages (especially heavy drinking), partying, and crying are expecially bad during the healing process.  The saline from crying and/or excessively watering eyes will surely lighten your eyeliner pigment.  This is YOUR responsibility.
* NO SCRUBBING. NO PICKING.  Do not rub, roll, wipe, or scratch area, especially the scabs.   Any scabbing prematurely removed will cause light spots in your pigment.  Leave it alone.
* Keep area clean.  For the first 3 days you can lightly splash water on the area.  If you need to blot it, blot around it with a damp paper towel.  Do not put anything dry on this area, as your pigment will adhere to it and be pulled out.  Soap/ cleansers may be used after first 3 days as long as they are not alcohol based and do not have anti-aging acids or acne acids in it.  Some cleansing chemicals might burn or bleach.  If you wouldn’t use a product on any other type of injury, don’t use it on the healing permanent makeup.  Rinse and pat dry with a damp paper towel around the area.

* Do not expose the area to full pressure of the shower.  You don’t want the water to beat on it, it could disrupt the healing.

* Avoid smashing your face in a pillow while sleeping, especially the first couple of days.  CHANGE YOUR PILLOW CASE TO A CLEAN PILLOWCASE!
* Do not expose to sun or tanning bed while outer healing progresses.  Use of sunblock after healing is completed will help prevent premature fading.
* Do not swim in fresh, salt, or chlorinated water for 2 weeks.
* Avoid environments that would cause dirt or germs to contact area while healing.  Keep used makeup away from the area.  Used makeup, especially mascara, contains bacteria.  You do not want to introduce this to the area.
* Ibuprofen or your favorite pain reliever may be used to reduce swelling and discomfort AFTER your procedure. 
* Final healed result is at about 2 months. Touchups should be performed after ample healing time has occurred.  Performing a touchup too early could cause scarring and may not take.  Some colors (especially eyebrow colors) take that long or longer to see how they are going to settle in and look.

* Many anti-aging products and services containing acids, lighteners, and exfoliates cause premature fading of pigment.  Avoid pigmented area.  Stay about 1/4 inch away from permanent makeup, even after the area has healed.
* Do not use laser hair removal or foto-facial too close to pigmented area to avoid an accidental hit.  Most laser operators know how to protect a permanent makeup tattoo from the light by placing a tongue blade perpendicular/ 90° right angle against the edge of the brow or lip.
 

 

Specifics For EYELINER

* Do not wear contact lenses during the procedure or for 24 hours after.  You can get scratches on your Cornea from trapped debris under your contacts.
* Have sunglasses available. Eyes may be light sensitive or even dilated immediately after.  You can burn your corneas if you get too much sun while your eyes are sensitive.  Make sure your sunglasses have been cleaned with alcohol or disinfectant wipes before wearing them.

* Do not dye, perm, or use eyelash curler for 2 weeks.
* Do not use mascara until healing is complete.  Most clients return to work immediately and are noncompliant about this, so at least begin with a new tube of mascara due to risk of bacterial presence in used tubes.  Stay a little farther out on the lashes, not too close to the liner.  Remove with vaseline or baby oil without rubbing it into the liner.  This is at your own risk.
* Eyes will be swollen for a few days.  Eyes may feel dry or irritated.  Lubricating refresher drops may be used, but not too much.  The saline from excessive tears/drops can lighten the pigment.

 

 

Specifics For EYEBROWS

*Peels, Microdermabrasion (or anything that removes the top layer of skin) will quickly fade your new brows.  Make sure you tell the technician or esthetician to put a thick coat of Vaseline on your brows before doing a procedure like this.

*Keep eyeshadow, facepowders and other makeup off of your healing brows.  Failure to do so will introduce bacteria into your brows and possibly cause infection.

* Do not dye, wax, tweeze, or use electrolysis for 2 weeks in the cosmetic tattoo area.  You can tweeze outside / around the permanent makeup, but keep your tweezers disinfected.

* The brows will be much darker the first few days after the procedure- Don’t Panic.  It can take a little time for the eyebrow tattoo to soften up, and to see how the color is going to settle.

 

Healing Time
Permanent makeup will appear extremely intense and thick immediately after the procedure.  The color may not look right the first few days. Other factors are added to the permanent makeup pigment bottles to counteract the undertones of facial skin.  Browns can look orangish-brown.   Blonde brows may look too yellow, lip colors may sometimes be shocking or too pale!  Some colors initially look too bright and others look too dark.  But don't worry - it changes.  Excess pigment sheds off over the next 2-3 days, and then the skin starts healing over.  A layer of healed skin on top of the pigment masks and tones it down considerably.  As swelling goes down the lines will be thinner.  After about a week you are close to looking normal and no one notices anything.  Colors will continue to soften over the next few weeks.  It will look very natural in 2-3 months.

OUTER HEALING completes in about 3-6 days for eyes, 7-10 days for lips.  INNER HEALING completes in about 2 months.

Swelling may migrate as it resolves.  Dispersion into a larger area aids dissipation of swelling.  In addition to on-the-spot absorption of swelling by the lymphatic system, excess fluid travels down with gravity through the fatty tissue.  Anyone who has had breast implant surgery may remember having edema in the lower abdominal skin a few weeks later.  Or, if you have watched someone heal from a bruised eye, you noticed that by the time it is almost healed the last little bit of swelling and discoloration is an inch or two lower at the cheekbone. Swelling from eyebrows can drain to the top eyelids.  Swelling in top eyelids have a little movement out and down from the sides over the outer half, but fluid over the inner half is mostly trapped there until absorbed.  Swelling in the bottom eyelid drains down to the cheekbone. Swelling drains out of the bottom lip faster than in the top lip.  Fluid from the bottom lip can drain down the chin and neck to speed removal.  Since the top lip doesn’t have anywhere to drain below it, other than a little movement out to the sides, fluid is stuck there until the lymph system can remove it.

How easily a person swells and bruises may be affected by age, genetics, medical conditions, food, medications, and hormonal cycles.  I have seen everything from no noticeable swelling to slight bruising.  Brows have minimal swelling, but the wet paint look may linger for a few days.  Eyes have moderate swelling, but can be easily hidden with sunglasses.  Generally speaking, younger women’s eyes swell less and the swelling goes down faster after eyeliner procedures.  Older women have loose skin that provides a greater water holding pocket.  Additionally, circulation and cellular turnover slows with aging.  Lips can swell four times their normal size, and there is no hiding them.
How quickly a client returns to work depends on which permanent makeup procedure she/he had performed, and what type of occupation she has (greets the public, or works more privately in office).  Eyes and brows are a breeze.  Clients have eyes and brows done on Friday or Saturday and usually return to work Monday.  Lips take a bit longer to calm.