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What is permanent cosmetics?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.
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How do I know I am choosing the right permanent cosmetics techinician?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.
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Can anyone have permanent cosmetics?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.
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What if I have medical issues?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.
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I am currently undergoing treatment for a medical condition. Can I have a micropigmentation treatment?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.
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What does treatment involve?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.
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Will it look natural?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.
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How long will it last?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.
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Why is it called permanent cosmetics if I have to have a colour boost to maintain the colour?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!
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Will having treatment hurt?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.
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How long does treatment take?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.
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What if I want to have cosmetic surgery at some point?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.
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Are there any risks involved?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.
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Is there any pre-treatment advice?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.
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BROWS: Should I bring my brow pencil to my appointment?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.
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BROWS: What type of brows do you offer?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.
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BROWS: can I have my brows waxed?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.
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BROWS: Can I have electrolysis on my brows and then have PMU?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.
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BROWS: Do I have to have all of my eyebrows shaved off?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).
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BROWS: Will my brows look very dark after treatment?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.
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EYES: Do I need to remove false eyelashes or eyelash extensions?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.
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EYES: I am using lash growth serum - can I have an eyeliner treatment?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).
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EYES: Should I bring my favourute eyeliner pencil?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.
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EYES: Will I need to remove my contact lenses?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.
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EYES: I have had my lashes tinted / permed - can I still have treatment?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.
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EYES: My eyes are sensitive. I'm worried about blinking and my eyes watering during treatment.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.
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EYES: Will my eyes swell alot after 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.
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EYES: Will I need someone to drive me home after treatment?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.
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LIPS: How long does a lip treatment take?If you are having your consultation at the same time as your treatment, I allow at least a 3-hour window so that there is plenty of time to conduct a thorough consultation, discuss your requirements, design your lip shape, choose colour and then finally perform the treatment. The actual treatment itself typically takes 50-60 minutes, sometimes a little longer if you are having a full lip blush. The retouch appointment is shorter and I typically block out two hours for this. This second treatment generally takes about the same amount of time as the initial treatment. The length of the colour boost / maintenance treatment will depend on how much pigment is left in the lips from the previous treatment. It will first be necessary to do a short consultation with you to ensure there are no changes to your medical history, and to discuss any changes you may require in shape or colour. Therefore, your appointment will either be 2 or 3 hours long but this will be confirmed with you at the time of booking.
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LIPS: Should I bring my favourite lipstick?The aim of a lip treatment is to give the illusion of fuller lips, or to restore a fading lip line. I would always urge my clients to aim for a natural look that will not look too dramatic for day to day. You can always wear a dramatic lipstick over the top of your PMU for those nights when you are going "out out"! I ask my clients to bring their favourute day-wear lipstick with them to their appointmenmt so I can colour match this.
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LIPS: Can PMU cause cold sores?PMU does not cause cold sores, however, if you carry the herpes simplex virus, it lays dormant in the body and a cold sore / breakout can be triggered by the treatment. If you have a history of cold sores (herpes simplex) I strongly advise you to contact your General Practitioner to obtain the proper prescription medication to prevent such outbreaks, or obtain and use your regular over the counter medication from your local chemist. You should use this for one week before and one week after your treatment. This can help to minimise an outbreak. Please be aware that even if you have not had a cold sore for months or even years, you do still carry the virus and the treatment is very likely to trigger a breakout. I therefore strongly advise that you DO follow all pre-treatment advice given to you in any consultation documents you are sent prior to your appointment.
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LIPS: I have a cold sore at the moment on my lips - can I have treatment?No. The outbreak must be fully healed before a permanent cosmetics lip treatment can be performed.
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LIPS: If my lips are dry, chapped or cracked, can I have a lip treatment?"No, your lips must be in a healthy / good condition before you can have a permanent cosmetics lips treatment. Use of a prescribed or an over the counter product should help heal chapped lips and restore the moisture to the lip skin. Even if your lips are in good condition, I recommend using a good quality lip balm / salve for at least two weeks prior to treatment. The more hydrated and smooth your lips are, the better!
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LIPS: Can I have a lip wax or bleaching treatment before having PMU?You should not undertake a lip wax or bleaching treatment for at least two weeks prior to your permanent cosmetics lip treatment. As with brow and eye treatments, a lip retouch is required 8-12 weeks after your initial treatment. Please bear in mind the timing of this follow-up session, and the associated healing period, when scheduling a wax or bleaching treatment.
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LIPS: What will my lips look like immediately after treatment?Immediately after treatment your lip colour will appear quite intense but during healing this will fade approximately 50% or more to a lovely natural hue. You may experience some swelling and redness immediately after the treatment but this usually subsides within 48 hours. After this you may experience tenderness, flaking and dryness for approximately 2-5 days after the treatment. If you are feeling less than 100% healthy it may take longer for your treatment to heal and symptoms may appear more prominent. You will be provided with aftercare instructions following your treatment and a balm to help keep your lips moisturised during healing. It is important that you follow these instructions to ensure the best possible healed result.
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EYES: Will I need to remove my eye makeup for the treatment?Eye make-up must be completely removed and I would prefer that you do this at home before coming for your appointment so that the eye area is completely free of all makeup, including mascara, prior to treatment. Please feel free to bring a photo / selfie so I can see how you like to wear your eye makeup.
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How long does treatment take?You can expect an average treatment to take around 30-45 minutes.
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Will the removal solution stay in my body?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.
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Is the treatment suitable for me?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. Darker skin types are at a greater risk of scarring and / or discolouration; it may be possible to conduct a test treatment on a small area to see how this heals before deciding whether or not to proceed with the full treatment.
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How many sessions will I need?This will depend on a number of factors, including whether you are just wanting to lighten / fade your existing tattoo or whether you are looking for removal. Other factors include the level of saturation of the pigment in your skin and the type of pigment(s) that were used. Black carbon-based pigments tend to lift the easiest, whilst pigments containing titanium dioxide require more sessions due to the larger molecule size. You should expect anywhere from 2-6 sessions spaced a minimum of 8 weeks apart. After your first treatment, you will be asked to visit the clinic after 4 weeks so that your specialist can assess the healing and see how well the colour is lightening. Sometimes the colour can appear to darken before it gets lighter. This is a good sign as it means the pigment is being drawn to the surface of the skin. Each subsequent session will pull more pigment to the surface and then out of the skin via the healing process.
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Which pigment colours can be removed with this system?Unlike laser removal, Li-Ft is not colour-specific and can lighten and re,moval all colours.
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How long must I wait between sessions?A minimum of 8 weeks between treatments is required to allow the area time to fully heal.
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How soon will I see the results?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. At this point, the pigment that is still in the skin may already look lighter and will continue to lighten with subsequent sessions.
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Can I have this treatment if I have already tried laser?This may depend on the number of laser sessions you have had and the condition of your skin. You will need to wait at least 8 weeks after the last laser session before a Li-Ft removal session can take place. Please be aware that laser can cause chemical changes to the pigments as well as dermal scarring, both of which can affect the results of Li-Ft removal and also future tattooing procedures in the treated area. That said, many Li-Ft removals have proven successful on areas where laser removal was not.
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Does Li-Ft work in the same way as laser?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.
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What does it look like immediately after treatment?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.
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Is it painful?You may apply a topical numbing cream to the treatment area prior to coming for your treatment. (For removal of eyeliner, we recommend you do not apply any numbing products yourself but instead bring the cream with you to your appointment so that your specialist can apply it for you). Typically, most people find lightening / removal no more uncomfortable than their original permanent makeup procedure. The last stage of the 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.
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Is there any specific pre-treatment advice I should follow?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.
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Is Li-FT removal expensive?Li-Ft is often less expensive than laser. Laser removal can often run into £££'s per session, especially for some of the more modern lasers which are often used when multiple colours need to be removed from the skin. Details of our prices can be found in our Price List at the footer of our website.
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What does the removal process involve?The treatment itself is very similar to your original permanent makeup procedure, the main difference being that instead of implanting pigment in the skin, Li-Ft solution is used. Your specialist will either use a single use, sterlie manual tool or a digital machine, applying the Li-Ft solution to the upper layer of the dermis until the area has been fully covered. 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 8 weeks between sessions.
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Am I suitable for Treatment?You must be over the age of 18 and not have any inflammation of the skin or open wounds within the treatment area,. If you suffer from any medical conditions or are taking specific medications, please speak to me beforehand to discuss if you are suitable for this treatment. If you are currently pregnant, breastfeeding or going through IVF treatments, you will not be able to have treatment. You will not be suitable to have treatment if you have an active outbreak of cold sores or acne. We are unable to provide treatment if you are suffering from haemophilia, HIV, or Hepatitis C. If you have melanin-rich skin, our Brightening Cherry Peel and Collagen Induction/Microneedling treatments may not be suitable for you due to the risk of hyperpigmentation. Please contact us to discuss suitable alternative products and treatments.
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SKIN PEEL: Will the treatment be painful?You may feel a slight tingling once the peel has been applied. All skin types can react differently to a superficial peel so our skin technician will be monitoring how your skin reacts.
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SKIN PEEL: How many treatments will I need?For the best results, I recommend having a superficial peel treatment every 4 to 6 weeks. This can be discussed on the day of your consultation/treatment.
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SKIN PEEL: How do I know which facial peel is right for me?I will help advise which peel and treatment will provide the best results for your specific concerns.
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SKIN PEEL & DERMAPLANING: is there any aftercare I need to be aware of?Your skin may be sensitive after a skin peel and/or dermaplaning. Apply a good quality, broad-spectrum SPF30 (or higher) daily to protect your skin from harmful UV light, even on cloudy days! Keep your skin moisturised as it may appear dry after treatment. Avoid extensive exercise for 24 hours as sweat can irritate your newly generated skin. Try to not use harsh products on your skin for at least a week, e.g. exfoliators, products containing retinols, etc. I can recommend a range of skincare products to help you treat and nourish your skin at home between treatments.
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COLLAGEN INDUCTION / MICRONEEDLING: Am I suitable to have treatment?You must be over the age of 18 and not have any inflammation of the skin or open wounds within the treatment area,. If you suffer from any medical conditions or are taking specific medications, please speak to me beforehand to discuss if you are suitable for this treatment. If you are currently pregnant, breastfeeding or going through IVF treatments, you will not be able to have treatment. You will not be suitable to have treatment if you have an active outbreak of cold sores or acne. We are unable to provide treatment if you are suffering from haemophilia, HIV, or Hepatitis C. A full pre-treatment consultation will be conducted to ensure that this is the right treatment for you.
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COLLAGEN INDUCTON / MICRONEEDLING: Will the treatment hurt?Micro needling is a very gentle treatment which is typically pain-free. Some areas of the face can be more sensitive, e.g. the forehead, and the sensation of the plastic needles gliding across the skin may cause mild discomfort. It may be possible to use a topical local anaesthetic in areas that are particularly sensitive.
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COLLAGEN INDUCTION / MICRONEEDLING: How many treatments will I need?For optimal results, a course of 3-6 treatments is recommended at 4-weekly intervals. Your skin will continue to improve for up to 12 months after treatment. As well as ensuring you following a good home skin care regime, we recommend you have 1-2 in-clinic treatments a year to help you maintain the results.
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ALL FACIAL TREATMENTS: Can I go about my day immediately after treatment?Absolutely! There is no downtime associated with dermaplaning, superficial ski peels, or collagen induction/microneedling treatments, other than slight redness which typically subsides withjin 72 hours. We will provide easy to follow aftercare advice for you to follow for 24-48 hours after your treatment.
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Is there any pre treatment advice?We ask that you follow the prescribed pre-treatment advice below before coming for your facial treatment: - Do not use Retin-A or any exfoliation products for at least 72 hours prior to treatment Avoid waxing, sun tanning, sun beds and face tanning for at least one week before and after treatment. (Be aware that if you have any fake tan products on your face, your treatment is likely to remove them!) If you are or have been taking Accutane, you will not be suitable to have treatment until you have been clear from medication for at least 6 months. Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks after chemical peels, and 21 days after having either Botox or fillers before having a facial treatment with us.
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