Frequently Asked Questions

Microblading is a form of cosmetic tattooing that uses a manual handheld tool, with 12-18 needles to create a blade, that gives the effect of natural brow hairs. Microblading is suitable for dry to normal skin types ONLY, microblading oily skin will cause hair strokes to heal blurry and oil in skin causes hair strokes to fade faster.

Ombre brows, also known as powder brows, is a form of cosmetic tattooing that uses a digital tattoo machine or rotary pen to create shading and depth in the brows to give the effect of natural or bold brows that mimic makeup. It is also called Powder brows because of the powdery makeup-like finish that is achieved with healed results. Ombre Brows is suitable for ALL skin types, and retains color longer than microblading for oily skin clients.

Cosmetic Tattooing is perfect for anyone that wants to spend less time doing their makeup, anyone that wants the ease of waking up with their makeup on, anyone that wants to correct unevenness in their brows or facial musculature, and anyone that wants amazing brows 24/7 without having to worry about sweat or water ruining them!

Microblading lasts 1-2 years and Ombre brows last 1-3 years. A 4-8 Week Touch Up is highly recommended to achieve the longest lasting results and to add any color after the initial healing process. Annual Touch Ups are recommended once natural fading happens over time.

Cosmetic Tattooing is still a type of tattoo, therefore, all clients must tell me of any and all medications or medical concerns, and must not have any restrictions or contraindications. Clients must agree to follow all pre-care guidelines to ensure their skin and body is ready for tattooing. Read “How do I prepare for my appointment?” to know what medications and lifestyle habits must be stopped prior to your appointment.

RESTRICTIONS & CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Under 18 years old, Pregnant or nursing, Allergies to topical anesthetics, Prone to keloids or hypertrophic scarring, Keratosis, facial psoriasis, Skin irritations, rashes, sunburn, moles, or eczema NEAR TREATED AREAS, Uncontrolled diabetes (doc note), Uncontrolled high blood pressure (doc note), Transmittable blood diseases  such as HIV or Hepatitis, Viral infections/diseases, Currently undergoing chemotherapy (doc note), Epilepsy or seizures, Blood clotting issues, Hemophilia, Pacemaker or major heart problems, Organ transplant, Accutane in the past year, Medications, treatments, or illness that compromises the immune system, Sick with cold, flu, or any covid-19 related illness, etc…, Glaucoma, Herpes virus

Appointments usually take 3-4 hours. Roughly 1 hour is for a consultation and brow design, 20 minutes for numbing to activate, and 2-3 hours for the tattooing process. Taking a day off is recommended to ensure you can follow all aftercare.

2 different types of topical numbing agents are used before and during the tattooing process to help with discomfort. Pain and bleeding is typically minimal, some people actually fall asleep during the process. If certain medications are taken, or if you had alcohol or caffeine in the past 24 hours, then bleeding may be more significant.

Microblading and Machine tattooed brows have been around for hundred of years. Thankfully, we now have the technology for semi-permanent pigments and digital machines, which allows PMU artists to reduce the number of mistakes made compared to tattoo brows 50 years ago. The pigments used for PMU fades into the skin over a few years, which allows for the client to change the shape or color depending on their new desires. Tattoo machines are now smaller and allow for more precise pigment implantation, which causes little to no trauma to the skin. Proper sanitation and safety is the highest importance, and every client will be serviced using single-use disposable items, or items that have been properly cleaned and disinfected.

​We recommend taking a full day off in order to properly treat your tattoo afterwards

• Must stop taking Aspirin/Advil/Ibuprofen/Motrin/Painkillers/ Fish oil/Niacin/blood thinning medication 1 week prior to appointment
• Must stop all tanning 2 weeks prior to appointment
• Must stop taking Retin-A/Retinol, AHAs, and Glycolic products 2 weeks prior to appointment (Can continue use 1 month after tattoo)
• No facial waxing, facials, microdermabrasion, or chemical peels 2 weeks prior to appointment (can continue use 1 month after tattoo)
• If you’ve had Botox, you must wait 3 weeks to heal before getting a procedure (can continue 3 weeks after tattoo)
• If you’ve had filler, you must wait 1 month to heal before getting a procedure
• If you’ve had facial cosmetic surgery, you must wait 2 moths to fully heal before getting a procedure
  
• NO ALCOHOL or CAFFEINE 24 hour prior to appointment, this will prevent excess bleeding, oozing, and minimizes swelling
• Any open wounds, pimples, bruises, or any other skin irritations on the treatment area must be fully healed before the appointment, please contact us immediately if rescheduling is necessary due to this
• Exfoliation products are welcome to use 1 week prior to appointment for the skin to take pigment easily during procedure
• Please note that lifestyle and at-home products used may affect fading quicker for some

Mapping the shape of the brows is one of the first steps of the cosmetic tattoo process and takes 30 minutes to an hour for us to achieve your desired look that will flatter your facial features and musculature.

The color of your brows is determined by your natural hair color and your skin’s undertone. PMU Artists must take your skin’s undertone into consideration to ensure your final results do not heal too cool or too warm. Color theory is a huge art of the Artist’s process.

If you have had a previous eyebrow tattoo procedure done by a different artist, you must get approval before booking an appointment. If you book a correction service and fail to get approval, your appointment will be forfeited.
Please text 703-403-8441 with clear photos of your current eyebrows and your contact info for approval.

Correction services are a longer process to get satisfactory results. Only book if you are willing to work with me as correction services are a case-by-case service that vary based on the severity of pigment correction needed, previous scarring, and difficulty with pigment implantation/retention. Pricing may be increased due to these reasons.
I plan to learn saline removal techniques in the near future.

​You will be given an aftercare card with proper aftercare instructions and what to expect. You will also get contacted via text about aftercare instructions.

• DO NOT PICK, ITCH, OR REMOVE ANY SCABBING, please allow the skin to naturally heal itself and fall off. Picking at the area can cause loss of pigment, unsatisfactory results, and/or serious infection. (If itching, use a dry q-tip to GENTLY press on area)
• DO NOT GET YOUR BROWS WET FOR 7 DAYS after the procedure. After 7 days, carefully wash brows with antibacterial soap and warm water with fingertips (not washcloth)
• NO EXCERSIZE, SWEATING, SWIMMING, LOTIONS, CREAMS, OR OINTMENTS DURING THE ENTIRE 14 DAY HEALING PROCESS (this increases the risk of pigment loss, unevenness, and blurring of pigment)
• AVOID SUN EXPOSURE, SUNBEDS, TANNING, AND SOAKING IN A POOL, HOT TUB, OR SAUNA FOR 30 DAYS
• NO MAKEUP FOR 15 DAYS on treated areas, and ensure all makeup is sanitized before applying
• AFTER BROWS ARE FULLY HEALED, APPLY SUNBLOCK DAILY TO BROW AREA

Products with Retinol, Glycolic, Lactic, and AHA acids will fade the pigment faster over time.

Residual swelling, bruising, redness, or tenderness is normal following all procedures. The area may appear uneven, dry, itchy, red, tender, and irritated following the procedure and is 100% normal. The color will fade anywhere from 30%-60% and the size may shrink up to 40% during healing as well. This is why the Touch Up is recommended after the 4-8 weeks healing process to perfect any irregularities. Everybody’s body heals differently and is something that is out of our control. Cosmetic Tattooing REDUCES the need for makeup, it does NOT eliminate it. Using a brow pencil or powder / lipstick may still be needed.

If you experience any excessive swelling, bruising, blistering, or puss, discontinue using your aftercare products and contact a doctor. If you experience any excessive redness, tenderness, elevated temperature, or drainage from the brow, consult a doctor immediately as this may be an infection.

​One bad day of not doing aftercare will negatively affect your final results! Follow all aftercare instructions strictly for the best results with your cosmetic tattoo.

After 4-8 Weeks, the skin has fully healed and the color of the brows may have faded 30%-60%, which is natural. A 4-8 Week Touch Up is highly recommended to add any depth or darkness, and to correct any uneven color that occured from healing. If you do not think you need the 4-8 Week Touch Up, I offer a 2-11 Month Color Boost.

After about a year, brows tend to naturally fade 50% or more. An Annual Touch Up is recommended to refresh the brows and add any desired color or darkness.