Permanent cosmetics is a type of cosmetic tattooing (also known as permanent makeup / PMU, micropigmentation, and sometimes referred to as semi-permanent makeup) and is available to both men and women. The most common treatments are for eyes, brows and lips. The effects available can range from a natural enhancement to subtly improve the facial features, to the imitation of make-up, or the improvement of a visible difference that can cause emotional stress and lack of self confidence. Permanent cosmetics use pharmaceutical grade pigments which are implanted into the reticular layer / upper dermis of the skin, unlike body tattoos which typically use inks which are implanted into a deeper layer of the skin for a more permanent visible effect. For brow treatments, pigment is implanted either with a hand tool (often referred to as “microblading”) or with a digital machine which uses soft vibrations to “sew” the pigment into the skin (think manual car versus automatic!). I will advise on which method best suits your skin type and requirements. Sometimes I may combine the two techniques to achieve a particular effect. ​ I perform eye, lip, scalp and medical procedures with the digital machine.

Currently the micropigmentation industry is unregulated and as a result there are many inadequately trained individuals out there, with little knowledge or experience, offering cheap treatments to unsuspecting clients who may think they are getting a bargain. Therefore, always look for a technician who has been fully trained and assessed by a reputable, recognised provider in the industry, and who is licenced by their Local Authority to perform treatments.

Although treatments are usually suitable for all people of all ages, there are a number of exclusions and total contraindications that preclude some from being able to have treatment. The list below, while not exhaustive, covers many of these exclusions: Are under 18 years of age Have high blood pressure or a heart condition Take blood-thinners such as aspirin, warfarin or similar medication (unless you have written consent from your GP) Have diabetes Are pregnant or breast-feeding Have glaucoma Suffer from certain skin conditions in the area to be treated, e.g. rashes, blisters, psoriasis or eczema Take steroids such as cortisone, Accutane, Retin-A or Renova, or take Antabuse. (A 6-month gap is required after stopping these types of medication before treatment can proceed) Have an allergy to makeup Have acute acne in the treatment area Are susceptible to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation Have hypertrophic or keloid scarring Have spider veins or a birthmark in the area they want to be treated Have a blood disorder e.g. sickle cell anaemia, haemophilia or a platelet disorder Are suffering from an infectious or auto-immune disease Have HIV or Hepatitis Are using lash growth serums and want to have an eyeliner treatmemt. (You should stop using growth serums at least 3 months prior to your PMU treatment). Suffer from epilepsy and have had a seizure within the last 2 years Are undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy. (Treatment is usually possible 6 months post treatment with a doctor’s consent) Have had an operation within the last 3 months (including caesarean, breast augmentation or other cosmetic operation) Have previously had permanent makeup with a different technician and the treatment area is still heavily saturated with pigment or is scarred. There are also a number of “restrictive contraindications” that could also impact on whether someone can proceed with treatment, e.g. a current medical condition, or a specific type of medication being taken, presence of an infection or virus, etc. In most instances, it’s very likely that treatment can go ahead once the client has fully recovered or has stopped taking the medication. ​ As a rule, we require the client to be in general good health when they come to us for treatment so that we have the best chance of a good result and trouble-free healing afterwards.

A full assessment of your medical background will be conducted during the consultation. While there are some medical reasons why people are not suitable for permanent cosmetics, this is relatively uncommon. ​ I always send your consultation forms to you ahead of your appointment, together with a patch test kit where appropriate, so that you can read and complete the forms without being rushed. If you have any questions after reading the forms, such as whether an existing medical condition or any medication you are taking may affect your suitability for treatment, I encourage you to contact me immediately so I can discuss these with you. Ultimately, my priority is that treatment is safe and suitable for you so it is very important that you take the necessary time to read all forms and that you disclose all pertinent information to us so that I can determine your suitability.

This depends on a variety of factors. Some medical conditions, for instance infectious diseases, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, mean you cannot have permanent cosmetics or medical tattooing during this time. For other conditions, it will depend on the medical condition you are experiencing, its severity, the treatment or medication you are taking and so on. Please contact us immediately so we can determine the potential implications of any medical condition or treatment as they may relate to your suitability to have a permanent cosmetics procedure. In some cases we may require that you obtain your doctor’s consent prior to having treatment.

Cosmetic treatments for new clients typically involve a three-part process: Part one involves an initial consultation during which your requirements and your suitability for treatment are discussed in detail. Everything from your medical history, lifestyle, image, hair, skin tone and facial features, together with what you hope to achieve from having treatment, will be taken into consideration. The treatment and healing process, as well as short- and long-term aftercare requirements are also discussed with you so that you fully understand the commitment you are entering in to. ​ Part two, the treatment itself, involves designing the brow, eye or lip shape and choosing colour, then gently implanting microscopic particles of pigment into the reticular layer / upper dermis of the skin using either a handheld tool or digital machine. ​ Although separate 45-minute consultations are available, most clients prefer to book their consultation and initial treatment together. I typically reserve a three-hour slot for consultation and initial treatment so that neither of us feels rushed, however, appointments are often completed in less time than this. ​ Part three comprises a retouch appointment which must be attended within 6-12 weeks of your initial treatment. During this follow-up, we look at the healed results and make any minor adjustments needed such as filling in any gaps, colour revision (e.g. darkening the shade), minor tweaks to shape. I typically reserve a two-hour slot for retouch. (It is the client’s responsibility to ensure they book their retouch no later than 12 weeks after initial treatment; failure to do so may incur a colour boost fee for appointments booked after this time). ​ Scalp micropigmentation involves an initial treatment which is spread across multiple sessions, usually spaced 4 weeks apart. For most clients, full treatment typically requires 3 or 4 sessions to achieve the desired results. As with other micropigmentation treatments, scalp colour boosts are required however, if ink is used rather than pigment, clients may find they can delay the need for a colour boost for several years. ​ All medical treatments also involve an initial consultation followed by an initial treatment. Most procedures involve multiple treatment sessions thereafter spaced over a number of week and months, to try and achieve the maximum effect. ​ Areola tattooing involves an initial treatment, a retouch appointment and a third appointment to review the final healed result. I usually recommend a separate consultation for areola clients so that I can fully discuss their journey, undertake an examination, and determine the best treatment plan. However, if the client is travelling some distance to see me, I am happy to schedule the consultation and first treatment appointments together on the same day. A retouch appointment is scheduled for approximately 4 weeks after the first treatment and any revisions to colour, shape and detail are added at this follow-up appointment. A third (and usually final) session is booked to review and photograph the final healed results. ​ For burns and scar rejuvenation and camouflage work, multiple sessions are typically required to achieve the best results. An initial treatment plan is discussed and agreed at consultation and is then assessed and revised at each subsequent treatment session. Consultation typically takes approximately 30 minutes and actual treatment time varies depending on the nature of the treatment. For example, first treatment on a small scar may take around 30 minutes whilst more detailed camouflage work, such as when treating vitiligo or larger areas of the body, may take several hours. For all treatment types that involve pigment implantation, regular maintenance is required to keep the treatment colour looking its best. These maintenance treatments, known as “colour boosts”, are recommended every 12-24 months. ​

My aim is to enhance your natural features to give you the most natural looking results. Although some chosen treatments such as ombré or combination brows and winged eyeliner offer a more made up look, we still want you to leave us looking your best, with a style / colour / design that suits you. Just as the name permanent cosmetics implies, the end result doesn’t just wash off and removal can be an expensive and sometimes painful process. Therefore, we don’t follow fashion trends and will typically not offer a treatment that we do not feel will be timeless, or one that we do not feel is suitable for a client. ​

Although pigment molecules stay in the skin indefinitely, the colour can remain visible in the skin for 1-5 years. After this time, colour will gradually start to fade. Please note there is no guarantee pigments will completely disappear over time, so even if you never have a colour boost, pigment may still be visible in the skin. Colour retention varies from person to person. This can depend on your age, skin type, diet, genetics, colour choice, environmental factors and lifestyle. A hair stroke eyebrow on one client may need boosting in 12 months, while someone else may be able to wait 2 years. ​ Generally, a colour boost is recommended every 12-24 months to keep your permanent makeup looking its best. We offer discounted colour boost rates to our clients, applicable for up to 23 months after their last treatment with us. (For clients who had their last treatment elsewhere, new client pricing will apply). ​ Permanent makeup results can be less successful on some skin types, including clients with oily skin and large open pores in the treatment area. Alopecia and chemotherapy patients tend to have uneven healing and poor colour retention. In these instances, an additional retouch may be required for a small charge. ​ We never guarantee results or longevity of a treatment, but we will always use our professional best judgement to obtain the best possible result. We will always advise if either we don’t feel a client is suitable for treatment, or if we feel we are unable to meet their expectations and therefore will not proceed with treatment. ​ Please note that we strongly advise against having an area tattooed more than three times during a 12-month period due to risk of scarring. ​ It is important to remember that permanent make-up is a “low” not a “no” maintenance treatment. You still need to look after your new brows, eyes or lips to ensure they last as long as possible. Please see “Long Term Aftercare” later in this document for more information.

If you have a permanent cosmetics treatment and then never have the area re-tattooed again, although the skin’s natural renewal process will cause the pigment to fade over time to the point where it may be barely visible to the naked eye, there is likely still pigment left in the skin, albeit the smallest amount…hence why the treatment is referred to as “permanent cosmetics”. By the same token, the term “semi-permanent” is often used due to the fact the pigment does actually fade, rather than staying as visible as a normal a body tattoo would. Remember, whether called permanent or semi-permanent, the treatment is the same – it’s cosmetic or medical tattooing which implants pharmaceutical grade pigments into the upper dermis. It does not just wash off!

Topical anaesthetic is normally used before and during most permanent cosmetic treatments. Most clients don’t feel any discomfort at all during treatment, in fact some clients even fall asleep! Some liken having a brow treatment to being no worse than having their eyebrows tweezed. ​ Of all the treatments, I found the eyeliner to be THE most comfortable of them all (and I'm a real baby when it comes to pain!). Although the thought of having a tattoo needle so close to the eye may seem scary, you will have your eyes closed for most of the treatment. You don’t need to worry about blinking or being able to lay still…. I take care of making sure you are as comfortable and as relaxed as possible. ​ Obviously everyone tolerates discomfort at different levels. Our own bodies can even react differently to stimuli at any given time depending on whether we are fit and healthy, or feeling tired and rundown, stressed etc. With advanced new equipment and techniques, discomfort during treatment will be minimal and I will ensure you remain comfortable at all times.

Treatment times vary depending on treatment type and on how advanced or detailed the required result is. I set aside 2-3 hours for your appointment, sometimes longer (e.g. for a full head scalp micropigmentation treatment) so that neitrher of us feels rushed or pressured due to time constraints. Typically, your appointment will include time to conduct a detailed consultation (unless a separate consultation is recommended or requested). The actual treatment itself can often be the quickest part of the whole process, especially for hairstroke brows or a simple lash enhancement eyeliner. Your actual appointment slot will be confirmed at the time of booking.

Whether you have had cosmetic surgery or are considering it at some point in the future, due to the healing process you will need to leave a period of time between having cosmetic surgery and permanent cosmetics. I recommend that you speak to your cosmetic surgeon for their advice as to how long you should wait after surgery before having permanent cosmetics.

I adhere to the highest standards of health and safety. You can be assured that all risks are minimised and that you are in safe hands. However, the treatment involves implanting pigment into the skin and is therefore a minimally invasive procedure. As with any form of tattooing, risks can include allergic reaction, undesired result or colour, pigment migration, infection or scarring. The following information explains how we minimise most of these risks: ​ I require that a patch test is performed at least 48 hours prior to a permanent cosmetics treatment, affording us the opportunity of assessing the likelihood of an allergic reaction to either pigment or topical anaesthetic product. Note that a negative patch test does not guarantee that there will not be a delayed reaction either during or after a procedure. During consultation, colour choices and design are discussed with you and I will not proceed with treatment unless you are happy with both the chosen pigment colour and the brow / eye or lip design template I have drawn. I will always offer my suggestions for the most appropriate colour choices based on your skin type and desired effect. Whilst I cannot guarantee what the healed result will look like for each individual, my recommendations are based on thorough training and experience. Any risk of infection or scarring is minimised with the correct aftercare, so it is important that you follow the instructions provided to you after your treatment.

Yes! It is vey important that you follow ALL pre-treatment advice appropriate to the type of treatment you will be having. Failure to do so may mean I cannot proceed with your treatment. The below list applies to ALL micropigmentation procedures. Please also see the question "Can anyone have permanent cosmetics?" for additional information regarding suitability for treatment. (Additional treatment-specific advice can be found under the separate Q&A's for brow, eye, lip, etc). Patch testing is required before your permanent makeup treatment – a patch test kit will be posted directly to you.Note that a negative patch test does not mean that there will not be a delayed reaction after a procedure. Refrain from using sunbeds and avoid natural sun exposure for two weeks before treatment. Alcohol must not be consumed in the 24 hours prior to treatment. Do not take any aspirin, ibuprofen, coumadin or similar analgesics or any anti-inflammatory medication for two days before and two days after your treatment.NOTE: Do not stop taking any medication that has been prescribed by a medical professional without first consulting your doctor. If you are planning to have Botox and / or fillers, please wait 14 days before scheduling your permanent makeup treatment with me.

It can be useful to see what colour tones you have been using for your brows so please feel free to either come with your brows made up , or bring a photo / selfie and your usual brow makeup items, so I can see how you usually like to wear your brows.

I specialise in natural, realistic permanent cosmetics. For brows, this means that for most clients I can imitate natural brow hairs – either enhancing your existing brow shape, or creating a new shape if you have very few or no natural hairs of your own. Alternatively, you may prefer a powder brow style (e.g. ombré or a combination of hair strokes and shading) for a more “made up” look. I will work with you to achieve the perfect brow style for you. Your skin type may determine which type of brow treatment is best for you. For example, oily skins do not hold microblade hair strokes very well, and even when a digital machine is used, on oily skin hair strokes may “blur” on healing to give a more soft, powdered look. For clients with oily skin, we may discuss alternatives to hair strokes as an option for treatment.

Any waxing should be performed at least 48 hours before the treatment. Post-treatment, the area needs to fully heal therefore, I do not advise that you wax your brows until at least 6 -8 weeks after your permanent cosmetics procedure. Bear in mind that for your first ever treatment a retouch is required so waxing should not be performed until after the retouch treatment has fully healed.

You should wait a minimum of five days between having electrolysis and permanent cosmetics for brows. As with waxing, bear in mind the timing of your retouch appointment when scheduling any further electrolysis.

Definitely not! I prefer you to keep your own brows – don’t even tweeze them before you come in as I like to work with your natural shape, keeping as much of your own brow hair as possible in the agreed brow design. I may recommend a brow design that I feel enhances your features and which involves changing your natural brow shape, e.g. giving you a higher tail to “lift” your face and eyes. In this case, I would show you our proposed design using pencil to draw in the brow shape, highlighting any areas where any removal of your natural hair would be required to achieve the proposed shape. I would also discuss with you how to maintain the shape long term to ensure you understand the commitment required and then, only with your full agreement, would I proceed with the discussed style and remove any hair (usually by tweezing).

You should be prepared for the colour intensity to be significantly sharper and darker (35-50%) immediately after the treatment. This will subside and become lighter as the skin heals. This process can take up to 10 days. Complete healing can take up to 6 weeks for the pigment to mature in the skin and the true colour to emerge. ​ As part of your aftercare pack, I will provide you with a postcard outlining the healing process and what to expect from week to week. If at stages of your healing it looks like the pigment has disappeared, do not panic – this is part of the natural healing process. Please bear in mind that I can only assess the results once your brows have fully healed, i.e. at around 6-8 weeks after your initial treatment. Any adjustments, such as adding hair strokes in areas where pigment did not hold, or adjusting the colour (e.g. making it darker), will be taken care of at your retouch appointment.

Yes, any false eyelashes and / or lash extensions must be removed one week prior to your treatment. We will not be able to proceed with treatment if you arrive to your appointment wearing lash extensions or false eyelashes and you will forfeit your booking fee.

Please stop using lash growth serums at least 3 months (ideally longer) prior to having an eyeliner treatment. Lash serums cause the skin to thin which tends to make the area far more sensitive, making having a PMU eyeliner treatment very uncomfortable. You should not start using serums again until your PMU treatment is complete and fully healed (i.e. including your retouch treatment).

By all means, if you have a particular colour tone of eyeliner pencil , please bring it with you to the treatment. During consultation we will discuss colour choices and I will recommend pigments which I feel will emphasize your eyes and together we will agree a final choice.

Yes, you will need to remove any contact lenses prior to treatment starting. Please bring your glasses with you to wear when you leave. You should ideally avoid wearing your lenses again until at least 72 hours after your procedure so that you are not having to touch the treatment area until healing is well underway.

Any eyelash tinting or perming should be carried out no sooner than one week (but ideally 2 weeks) before treatment. I recommend you wait at least 6-8 weeks for your treatment to fully heal before having a lash tint / lift / perm.

This is a normal concern for first time clients and nothing to worry about. It’s my ob to make you feel comfortable and relaxed throughout your treatment.

Swelling is relatively minimal (you may just look like you have been crying) and usually subsides within 12 to 24 hours after the treatment. Ice packs can be used to minimise this.

It’s possible that your eyes could be a little watery after the treatment. As a precaution, I recommend that anyone having an eye treatment should ensure that they have someone to drive them home.

You can expect an average treatment to take around 20-30 minutes.

The Li-Ft solution works by attracting the pigment to the surface of the skin via a process called osmosis. Both the solution and the pigment leave the body via the epidermis during the healing process, therefore it is very unlikely that it will remain in the skin after the treatment area has fully healed. Li-Ft does not camouflage or replace the pigment within the body.

A thorough consultation is required prior to initial treatment. During the consultation, your specialist will discuss with you your expectations, assess your medical history and your current health, and also examine the area(s) that you wish to lighten / remove. The treatment process will be fully explained to you, together with the required aftercare so that you are aware of what you need to be prepared to commit to. Note that the success of the treatment is dependant on having the removal done within 48 hours of your permanent makeup procedure. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee results . This treatment is not suitable for removal of pigment from lip membrane tissue but can be used where lips have been overlined and pigment has been implanted into the surrounding facial skin.

Unlike laser removal, Li-Ft is not colour-specific and can lighten and re,moval all colours.

After treatment, as part of the body's natural healing process and epithelial crust (scab) is formed. Any pigment that has been drawn to the skin's surface gets trapped in the crust; when the crust comes away at around 10-14 days after treatment, trapped pigment goes with it. We cannot guarantee that all pigment will successfully be lifted from the skin however, this form of emergency removal can be very effective

No. Laser uses wavelengths of light to shatter and disperse the pigment into smaller particles which are forced down into the body to be carried away by the body's lymphatic system. Li-Ft works in the opposite way, drawing pigment particles to the skin's surface by a process called osmosis, and causing them to exit the body via natural healing.

Following your treatment, the area may look red and inflamed. Swelling is not uncommmon but should subside within a day or so. As part of your body's natural healing process, the area will begin to crust over. As the skin under the crust / scab starts to heal, the surface scab will start to exfoliate, (typically at around day 10-14 post treatment). Once the scab has completely come away, the "new" skin may look pink for a few weeks - months more.

After application of a warm compress, treatment requires that the area is left to soak in Li-Ft solution for 10 minutes. This may sting but the sensation is usually short-lived.

Yes. The pre-treatment advice is the same as that which you should have followed prior to having your permanent makeup procedure. You will be provided with a copy of our pre-treatment advice ahead of your appointment. It is very important that you follow this advice. Failure to do so may result in your treatment being cancelled. Please refer to our Booking Terms for further details.

The treatment commences with the application of a warm compress to the treatment area so soften the skin and make it more receptable to the LiFT solution. Once this has been done, the area(s) are left to soak for 10 minutes to get maximum pigment withdrawal, after which the skin is cleaned gently with a soothing antibacterial solution. You will be provided with aftercare instructions which you must carefully and strictly follow throughout the healing period.