FAQs

What is cosmetic tattooing?
How many visits are needed?
How long does cosmetic tattooing last?
Does cosmetic tattooing hurt?
How long does the procedure take?
Why do cosmetic tattoos fade?
What equipment is used to complete procedure?
What is the healing process?
How is the tattoo designed?
Is it possible to work on existing tattooing?
How is the saline removal process performed?
Is saline removal painful?
Can you remove pigment elsewhere?

What is cosmetic tattooing?
Cosmetic tattooing is the art of placing specifically designed cosmetic tattoo pigments into the designated facial area. Cosmetic tattooing is more superficial than body tattoos and the pigments used are extremely different to inks used on the body.

 
Although it is known as semi permanent because it fades, as your skin will never go back to its original state it could be considered permanent.
Kerri provides cosmetic tattoo treatments to the eyebrows and lips.

How many visits are needed?
2 visits are generally required to complete your cosmetic tattoo procedure, although some clients are happy after their first visit. If a client books in for a second visit, it must be completed within 8 weeks of the first visit.  The second visit is used to perfect your new eyebrows. At this appointment small tweaks can be made to the colour and shape. A third visit may be required for some clients and charged accordingly.
Some clients who have oily skin, are taking medications, are extremely active, require a change in design, colour or want to go darker or lighter may require an additional perfection visit. Please see price list for additional visit  pricing.

How long does cosmetic tattooing last?
Most clients get between 8 – 23 months out of their cosmetic tattoo before needing a maintenance visit, however this changes vastly from one person to another. No exact time frames can be guaranteed nor should you compare your longevity to that of another.
 
Kerri makes every effort to ensure the longevity of every tattoo by providing the most up to date techniques and aftercare.

If a client chooses not to continue with cosmetic tattooing their initial design will get lighter and lighter, however your skin is unlikely to return to its former state.

Does cosmetic tattooing hurt?
Numbing creams are used throughout each procedure to ensure the comfort of client. Most clients do not feel any discomfort. If you have a low pain threshold, you may experience some discomfort.

How long does the procedure take?
Please see individual treatment times under the Treatment  page.

Why do cosmetic tattoos fade?
There are a few reasons why cosmetic tattoos fade, these include but are not limited to:

  • Pigments are used for cosmetic tattooing which are different to tattoo inks and are designed to be broken down by the body. 
  • The depth of cosmetic tattooing is more superficial than the depth of a body art tattoo.

Factors which affect cosmetic tattooing retention includes but is not limited to; vitamin and mineral levels of client, medical circumstances, sun exposure, facial exfoliation, activity levels, skin type (oily, dry, combination), aftercare procedure. 
Kerri provides each client with the best possible treatment and post care advice to ensure the longevity of each and every tattoo.

What equipment is used to complete procedure?
Kerri uses a digital machine specifically designed for cosmetic tattooing to complete the shading procedures. A manual tool called a ‘microblade’ is used for the hairstrokes.
Using a microblade is not suitable for every client and therefore a soft powder brow using the machine would be more suitable for these clients.

What is the healing process?
Kerri recommends keeping the brows dry for 14 days using an ointment given at your appointment. Therefore you will need to organise your daily schedule to accommodate not getting your eyebrows wet, including no sweating and light exercise only for 7 days.
Your eyebrows will go through a 4 week healing process which will involve them initially being dark for the first week, they will then flake and appear lighter underneath. Revealing the final healed colour around 4 weeks after the treatment.

Clients should understand the final healed result will look different to the initial tattooed treatment where they will be softer and less defined. 

If aftercare is not followed, it is often noticeable as your healed results will not be as good and may result in needing a third visit. This will be charged at the rate displayed.
All results vary per person.  A detailed aftercare leaflet is given to every client after their treatment.

How is the tattoo designed?
Kerri works with you to discuss and draw in the right shape based on your face shape, natural eyebrow or lip shapes and your desires. No tattooing starts until both you and Kerri are happy. 

Kerri will refuse any shape that sits completely different to the natural shape. 

BROWS – Anything that sits outside of a clients natural shape is generally not advised. More maintenance is required, more frequent visits and the difference between the hair and the tattoo can be seen more obviously. 

LIPS – Around the lips are tiny pores and hair follicles and the skin on the lips and the face are very different. Therefore your lips cannot be tattooed onto your facial skin.

Symmetry 
No ones face is symmetrical, therefore it is impossible to make your eyebrows 100% symmetrical. Although every effort is taken to create the illusion of perfectly symmetrical eyebrows, actual symmetry is never going to happen.

Is it possible to work on existing tattooing?
It is never easy to work on top of existing cosmetic tattooing done by another artist and every client will be assessed on a case by case basis. 

Kerri may refuse to work on any clients face that has existing work from another artist if the tattoo is too deep, dark or the shape is too far outside the natural brow shape. Before booking an appointment, please be sure to contact Kerri with a clear picture of your brows from each side and the front.

Kerri will instruct your further about whether she is able to work on top of your existing work, or whether you are best having it removed first. This can be done using a saline solution by Kerri or laser by a laser technician. Either option can be lengthy and you may need multiple session.

How is the saline removal process performed?
Kerri uses a machine with a needle to implant a saline mix solution into the brow pigment. This solution lifts the pigment closer to the surface of the skin. Safely removing it over time. This is very different to laser removal where the laser breaks down the pigment and it is secreted out by the body.

Is saline removal painful?
Numbing creams are used to minimise discomfort. The solution can cause a stinging sensation when in the skin. Unfortunately no removal process is completely pain free.

Can you remove pigment elsewhere?
Kerri does not offer removal for any other area of the face or body. For a normal tattoo, Kerri would advise researching a reputable laser technician.

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