Frequently Asked Questions
Need help? Be sure to visit our support forums for answers to your questions!
Permanent Makeup is a form cosmetic tattooing. Using specialized techniques often referred to as micro-pigmentation, micropigment implantation or derma pigmentation, colored pigment is strategically placed into the upper reticular layer of the dermis by the use of needles. Permanent Cosmetics can be applied to Eyebrows, Eyes, Lips and on the face-beauty mark.
Procedures are performed using various devices, including the traditional rotary machine and the non-machine or hand device known as Microblading. Francesca has over a decade of experience in Permanent Makeup and does not perform Microblading as it easily causes scar tissue. Francesca is able to achieve hair strokes using an alternative method called Micropigmentation, which is less invasive on the skin and gives long term results.
Permanent cosmetics procedures are generally considered permanent because pigment is tattooed into the upper reticular layer of the dermis and cannot be washed off. However, as with any tattoo or colorant (pigment) in general, fading can and does occur, requiring periodic maintenance referred to as a refresh or touch up.
So why does it need maintenance if it is considered permanent? Let's see why
It is very important that you understand that Permanent Cosmetics is a commitment; it needs maintenance, just like your lashes, nails, botox, facials and any other beauty treatment. The huge mistake that some clients make, is that they want this to be a one time, lifelong lasting result! If this is your expectation, the best advice I can give you is, DON'T DO IT.
Our face is the only part of our body that is continuously exposed to sunlight; therefor, permanent cosmetics applied to the face will need color boosts to refresh the brilliance of the pigment implanted. Think of colored clothes exposed to sunlight, will they keep the brilliance of their color when exposed to sunlight for months? NO, the color will gradually loose intensity, just like your brows, eyeliner, lips or beauty mark will, and this is why permanent cosmetics needs maintenance to look its best at all times. Besides sunlight exposure, there is other factors that interfere with color longevity such as: skin type, autoimmune diseases, use of skincare products, skincare treatments.
Generally we recommend a touch up every 1 or 2 years to maintain optimal results.
Want to know the cost for touch ups? Click here
Note: Touch up pricing applies to returning clients only; if you had your permanent makeup done elsewhere and want to have it touched up by Francesca or her staff, a first time client fee will apply in addition to any correction fees that may be needed.
We pride ourselves on being one of the cleanest facilities you'll ever visit! We use medical-grade needles, tools and equipment. This is to ensure that you will receive the safest, most sterile form of cosmetic tattooing available!
Our pigments are considered Vegan, and provide the option of LED red light therapy after services to promote healing.
Most people experience some discomfort. This will vary according to each individual’s pain threshold. Topical numbing is used as needed to help numb the areas to be treated to alleviate any minor discomfort you may experience during the procedure. We will go over the entire process with you before hand to ensure that you are both safe and comfortable.
While eyebrows may show little after effect, eyeliner and lips may show slight to moderate swelling. This is very dependent upon the amount of work performed.
Other less often reported side effects are difficult to determine due to the individuality of each person’s individual body. For your safety, we require a client history profile be filled out to assess different factors that may contribute to your experience after the tattooing procedure has been completed.
If you have life threatening allergies we DO NOT recommend permanent makeup
There is many factors that interfere with the cost of the procedure: experience of the artist, quality of equipment and products used, type of service performed.
Remember, good work isn't cheap and cheap work isn't good! Don't shop based on price when it comes to your face, because the cost you will have to face to fix it will be much higher than doing it right from the beginning.
Please see our procedure page for our full range of prices!
We offer a wide arrange of procedures that produce beautiful results!
Permanent Cosmetics Eyebrows, Eyeliner, Lips, beauty marks, Procell Therapies and Holistic Skincare/Supplements.
Visit our Services page to view everything we offer!
All the following have been listed as contraindications because they might interfere with the procedure, the healing process and the outcome. If you have any questions or concerns, email info@francescapmu.com
- NO sunburn on your face (it will make it hard to read you true undertones)
- Limit caffeine drinks the day of prior to your procedure
- NO Alcohol starting 24 hrs prior to your procedure
- NO medications (ibuprofen, aspirins) starting 48 hrs prior. Tylenol is fine.
- NO antibiotics: must be off at least 2 weeks
- NO accutane medications: must be off 6 months.
- NO facials, wax, starting 7 days prior to your procedure.
- NO chemical peels, laser treatments in the past 60 days
- NO retinol/botox/fillers in the past 4 weeks (8 for lip fillers) and for 4 weeks following the procedure
- NO lash extensions, lash growth products in the past 4 weeks (for eye-liner procedures only)
- NO outbreaks, open wounds on the area that will be treated (lip procedures, brow procedures)
- NO pregnant or breastfeeding
- NO blood thinners (aspirin-consult your doctor, Ibuprofen, Vitamin E, Fish Oil)
Brows
- Day 1: Brows will appear slightly thicker than the initial template, color looks darker and warmer due to the redness of the skin.
- Day 2-4: Brows are darker than what you've expected, about 2 shades darker than what they will actually be once healed. Some redness may still persist on some clients.
- Day 6-10: Brows normally start peeling around day 5-6. Some clients slightly peel, while some others may experience some scabbing. Once they start flaking, some areas of the eyebrows will fade more than others and as the skin heals, it will start to darken up again over a 3-4 week period
- Day 28-40: At this time you'll actually start seeing the final result. Usually the final result is visible by the 4-5 week mark, while on subjects with mature skin, the healing process takes a little longer and takes about 6-7 weeks for the cell turnover to be completed.
We have no control over your body healing process, so please, be patient!
Eyes
Whether you have had an eyelash enhancement rather than eyeliner, your eyes will appear puffy for the following 2-3 day.
For the most natural lash enhancements, sometimes one session is enough; thicker eyeliners may need 2-3 sessions.
Skin should never be overworked; the eye tissue is super sensitive and very thin; if your eyes start bleeding or become swollen we prefer to complete the work in multiple sessions.
- Day 1-3: You may experience puffy eyes, heavy lids.Try to sleep in an elevated position to help reduce swelling at night.
- Day 4-6: some scabbing may occur; keep the area clean and no makeup on your eyes until completely peeled.
Eyes usually heal within 1 week. NO MAKEUP during this time.
Eyes permanent makeup lasts longer compared to other areas and doesn’t require yearly touch ups such as eyebrows or lips due to the thinner tissue.
Lips
Be prepared for bright colored lips and swelling immediately following your procedure. The fuller the natural lip the more swelling occurs.Lips do not look nice while healing! If you are not prepared to put up with how they look in the healing process do not have them done.
- Day 1-2: Lips may be swollen and the color is very bright.
- Day 3-6: They will go dry and flaky! Be patient, because lips heal relatively quickly. So you may have 4 to 7 days of them looking dry and chapped but the healed result is so worth it!
A Yearly color boost recommended after first touch up.
Procell Therapies
Within two days following your Procell treatments, you will notice skin dryness and flaking. This is due to an increased turnover of skin cells. During this period, you may apply the skin moisturizer provided. If we used the roller around the eyes, or on bone areas, you may have a little micro bruising that may persist for 3/4 days. It can easily be covered with makeup (Osmosis mineral powder or foundation is a great and clean choice). A few days later, your skin may feel dryer. You may experience light peeling during the healing phase.
!!!Your body's function and overall health are reflected in your skin; maintain good hydration, which will aid in the skin's ability to heal and maintain a proper balance. If your body is not getting sufficient amount of water, the lack of hydration will present itself by turning your skin dry, tight and flaky. Dry skin has less resilience and is more prone to wrinkling. Catalyst Vitamin C and Stemfactor MD are KEY products to stimulate collagen, which gives our skin its firmness and strength.
Microneedling is a great non-invasive cosmetic treatment to prevent and slow down aging of your skin; however in order to achieve the best results, we strongly recommend to start following a great skin care regimen.
Shop Osmosis skincare here
Unsure on what products you need? Email Francesca info@francescapmu.com to schedule an appointment for a skin analysis and see how we can help you achieve your desired results.
When shopping for Permanent Makeup or skin care services, unfortunately you will face many unprofessional technicians with lack of experience and very low work ethics; any service or products sold by Francesca and her staff are services we are highly trained on and any product we sell has been tested before retailing it.
It is extremely important that you listen to our professional opinion; Permanent Cosmetics aren't meant to replace your daily makeup, but to enhance your natural beauty. Improving without transforming, this is the foundation of what we do. Makeup is meant to be washed off of your face at night, you won't be able to just wash of your permanent makeup if you dislike it at some point; this is the reason we highly recommend to those who like dramatic looks, to use makeup, as in this case, permanent makeup isn't in our professional opinion, the best solution for you.
if you have any questions, email us info@francescapmu.com
Passion is our Motivation!
Have you ever looked at your friend and noticed her brows were green/blue or purple?
Unwanted colors are more common than what you think.
Being a Professional in the permanent makeup field involves having a thorough understanding of color theory. Also the quality of pigments used, is very important.
The color choice is based on 2 important factors: skin undertones and hair color. While you can change the color of your hair any time, and change the appearance of you skin by tanning, you cannot change your skin undertone because you are born with it. The undertone or Fitzpatrick scale, is what gives color to your skin; it can be extremely fair, fair, olive, or dark. Your skin is the filter of the color, so the color choice is highly influenced by your skin undertones.
This is another reason why you should always look for a reputable artist for your permanent cosmetic procedure, and never base your decision on price.
Check out the "is it really permanent" section; you can read more about how and why pigment fades.
Hair strokes VS Powder
Lets start by explaining the difference; both techniques are performed by the use of a rotary machine.
Hair Strokes are fine and crisp lines that simulate your natural hair growth. This technique is done by machine and single needle. This is NOT microblading, but micro pigmentation. Microblading is done with the use of a hand tool that is manually dragged in the skin to simulate hair strokes; pigment is then rubbed on the open micro cuts to allow it to soak in the skin. With micro pigmentation instead, the pigment is pushed in the skin through the needle, which in moved in and out the skin thanks to the machine power supply. Francesca does no longer offer microblading due to the risk of scar tissue following the procedure.