There are many reasons for having your eyebrows tattooed; it might be that you want to restore the natural fullness and shape of your brow lost due to over plucking, ageing or illness, or it could be for convenience, and the joy of waking up every morning with those perfectly shaped brows.
Whatever clinic you choose to tattoo your brows, I can’t underestimate the importance of doing your research. Artistry is a huge part of selecting the technician you use, and the ability to create harmony, balance and colour on the face, in a flattering way, is of paramount importance. Your eyebrows not only frame your eyes, they also offer your face structure and can enhance your facial expressions.
With this in mind, and with more time on my hands than usual during this enforced lockdown, I wanted to share with you some details on one of my recent treatments with Katie Thompson-Ashton, The Beauty Editor.
I met Katie shortly after she opened her own Laser Skin Clinic in Bishop’s Stortford. Her treatments, including laser hair and tattoo removal and advanced Photofacial treatments are delivered using her state-of-the-art medical grade laser.
Since meeting, we have supported each other’s business by way of promotion and client referrals. I am responsible for creating beautiful brows, whilst Katie helps her clients remove their bad brows using her amazing laser – between us we’ve got you covered!
I hope this blog will give you an insight into the semi-permanent eyebrow tattoo process with Contour Blush and what to expect during your recovery. Katie and her laser can be seen in action on her YouTube channel ‘The Beauty Editor’, you can also read her laser semi-permanent eyebrow tattoo removal blog on her website at www.thebeautyeditor.co.uk.
THE PROCESS:
During your free consultation we will review your medical history and if suitable, complete a patch test to ensure you’re not allergic to any of the products used during the semi-permanent make up process.
Your first appointment is scheduled for two hours, and on arrival your brow area will be cleansed thoroughly, and a topical anaesthetic cream applied. While this takes effect, we’ll discuss your goals, brow shape and colour and look at a selection of blended pigments to enable us to choose the right shade for your brows.
I will then spend a good half an hour (sometimes more!) measuring your brows and drawing on the shape so they are perfectly symmetrical.
The brows are carefully measured against your facial features using precise measuring tools to discern the brow bulb (the start of the brow), the arch (where the brow lifts) and, where the tail finishes. Only when you’re happy with the shape of the brows will I start putting in the pigment.
For this treatment I use a digital machine that allows me to implant pigment into the upper layers of the skin using ultra-fine needles. It is different from a standard tattoo machine as it implants the pigment much closer to the skin surface which creates a more natural looking result.
The pigment is placed into the layer of skin known as the dermis, the outermost layer of your skin, (the epidermis) that is always shedding and renewing itself.
During treatment, most people report only feeling minor pressure or discomfort and less pain than a typical tattoo due to the use of numbing cream. Of course, this will depend on your own personal pain tolerance, but some level of pain or discomfort should be expected.
A common misconception is that semi-permanent eyebrow tattooing means just filling the entire brow shape with a block of ink, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, I use two different techniques, and often a combination of both; it all depends on the result I am trying to achieve for my client.
With 3D hair strokes for example, each stroke is meticulously placed to create individual tattoo ‘hairs’, bulking up those patchy parts in order to create a full and natural shape. Whereas the Ombre technique I employ uses a full fill for a very defined look with softer, shaded edges.
At the conclusion of your treatment, full verbal and written aftercare advice is provided.
Immediately, following the procedure you may experience some swelling or sensitivity, but the skin usually returns to normal within 2-3 days.
You will also notice that the pigment will initially appear darker and will continue to darken over the few days following treatment; this is completely normal. Over the course of the healing process this darker top layer will start to scab and flake off causing the pigment to fade to a more natural looking tone. It is important not to get your eyebrows wet during this time as the incisions need to fully recover, and to prevent the healing skin to scab off prematurely, taking excess pigment with them. When the scabs fall off naturally the remaining pigment will initially appear lighter although after a week or so the skin will start to re-pigment and the brow will appear darker.
As you can see from this before photograph, Katie already had some pigment in her brows from a previous treatment around a year and a half ago.
Check out these results!
When you return for your 4/6-week top up appointment we will assess how well your brows have held on to the pigment and make any minor adjustments to shape and colour as necessary.
Finally, lets check out the treatment in action!
If you are interested in getting this treatment, why not get in touch to arrange a free consultation.
Georgina King