La Bellissima

Permanent Cosmetic Tattoo Q & A

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Q.   Does it hurt?

Everyone's pain threshold is different, so it's impossible to predict how you might respond. It's important to remember that cosmetic tattoo is tattoo, so some discomfort should be expected. To help minimize the pain, I apply three different anesthetics.  After you approve the final penciled design, I apply the first anesthetic and cover it with plastic wrap, a technique called "occlusion." This helps the anesthetic penetrate the skin, although not necessarily as much as after the skin is broken. I then let it sit while we choose your color and go over your aftercare instructions. I will use my machine on the lowest setting to gently open your skin and apply anesthetic again; this should completely numb you, and I will continue to apply anesthetic throughout the procedure.  You should feel little, if any pain (many of my cosmetic tattoo clients sleep during the process). Some clients find that eyeliner work tickles. Please see the Intake form at Policies & Forms for more info. Also, please note that natural redheads are difficult to anesthetize, so please let me know ahead of time, since your appointment may take longer. Also, if you are on your period at the time of your appointment, you may be more sensitive. This is not cause for rescheduling; just let me know so I can serve you better. 

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Q.   Who is a candidate for machine-based tattoo?

 Most people are good candidates for machine-based tattoo:

• Men, as well as women and nonbinary folks, over 18 years of age

• Anyone wanting to enhance or correct certain facial features

• Individuals who have lost pigmentation through chemotherapy, illness, or surgery (doctor's permission required if you're currently undergoing chemotherapy)

• Clients with prior tattoos from other artists, including brows at least 6 months old

  • This would be considered a corrective procedure and priced differently​

• Anyone not wanting to apply makeup daily

 

Q.   Who isn't a candidate for machine-based tattoo?

 The following individuals cannot be machine tattooed:

• Anyone under 18 years of age without a doctor's prescription - even with a parent's permission

• Anyone under the influence of alcohol or mind-altering drugs at the time of the procedure

• Anyone with a compromised immune system 

• Anyone prone to keloid scars (keloid scars are raised and occur most often on people of color)

• Pregnant women (nursing women should check with their doctor)

• Clients with diabetes or thyroid problems may need more time to heal and may require more frequent touch-ups

• Anyone with red, itchy, bumpy, scaly, or very dry or oily skin, as well as clients with large pores or deep wrinkles, psoriasis or eczema in the tattoo area should contact me directly via text at 503-706-8641 to discuss your particular situation; I will request that you send me photos (taken by someone else, well focused and in good light). Note: I may require an in-person consultation ($100 per hour)

• Anyone desiring lip tattoo who has ever had or possibly had - ever - canker sores, fever blisters, or cold sores will need to start taking an Acyclovir (or similar antiviral) prescription prior to the procedure and for as long as prescribed by your physician 

• Anyone desiring lip tattoo who has had lip filler within the past year will need 10 mg of prednisone the day of the procedure or as directed by your prescribing physician; otherwise, the lip tattoo procedure could cause your lips to swell ten-fold (temporarily)

• Please contact me directly via text at 503-706-8641 to discuss your particular situation

 

Please note: any client who has any of the above conditions and makes an appointment ​without consulting with me ahead of time will be charged the full service amount, even if I am unable to safely and carefully carry out the service.

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 Q.   How do I take care of my new look after my cosmetic tattoo?

Please click on the Policies & Forms tab on the menu bar and read through the appropriate aftercare instructions for the service(s) you desire. You will need to bring a copy with you, and we will go over the these during your appointment; you'll have a printed copy to take home. It's critical that you follow the instructions provided at your appointment, because failure to do so can lead to premature fading or, worse, infection or scarring.

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Q.   How will I look & feel immediately after the appointment? Can I resume normal activities right after?

Because the pigment has mixed with your blood and lymphatic fluid and exposed to oxygen, the effect will be quite intense, dark, and thick for the first couple of weeks. The area may be red and a little swollen, and there may be blanching from the anesthetic. These effects will disappear within a day. But the tattooed area should be considered a wound, so it will be tender for a day or two. The immediate look and feel doesn't interfere with returning to work or most activities. You will have some eating, drinking, smoking (and kissing!) restrictions after a lip service. And for all of the tattoos, you will be instructed to begin your aftercare shortly after your procedure and will need to continue with it for 7-10 days, most frequently during the first day. In addition, it is imperative that you protect your new tattoo from the sun, so you'll need to wear a hat when you leave my studio; also, you must refrain from any activities that could make you sweat, including but not limited to exercise or exposure to heat.  Lip tattoo clients should plan on taking the next day off work. All of this is detailed in your aftercare instructions.

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Q.   Will I be able to cover any scabbing or other healing side effects with makeup?

You will not be able to put anything on your new tattoos for two weeks other than as instructed in your aftercare instructions, but, fortunately, my clients do not scab. During the first 7 days, the only things you'll be able to put on them will be cleanser, cold compresses, and ointment as instructed. After the first 7 days, you must put sunscreen on your new tattoo every day. After the healing period, you can put makeup on the tattooed area if desired. If you do experience any scabbing, it's essential that you do not pick at the scabs. You will peel, however, and experience itching after the first 4-7 days or so of healing, but it's crucial that you don't scratch the area; cold compresses and the ointment provided in your care kit will help. 

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Q.   When should I schedule the touch-up session?

It's important to know that cosmetic tattoo is a two-step process. There may be asymmetries, patchiness, color issues, or other problems that become apparent only after the first session. First, the client must wait for the swelling to subside, the work to fade from its initial intense color, and healing to complete. Only then can we determine what needs to be done to correct and finalize the look, and that is done at touch-up. We will schedule your touch-up at the end of your first session. You will return no sooner than 6-8 weeks and no later than 10 weeks. If later than 10 weeks, you'll need to schedule a Color Boost appointment.

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Q.   Are there things I need to do or to not do before and after my appointment?

Yes, to safeguard against problems with the procedure, infection, or premature fading, ​there are important things you need to do both before and after your treatment. The before-service info is indicated below and also in the aftercare instructions and intake forms found on the Policies & Forms page from the menu bar.

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Q.   Is the work guaranteed?

While I can guarantee that I am properly licensed and certified; trained and certified in the handling of bloodborne pathogens, CPR, and first aid; and that I use sterile equipment and  appropriate, safe pigments, the work itself is not guaranteed. This is because all tattoo work is an art, not a science, and because there are so many variations in client skin, history, and aftercare. That said, you may feel that there are asymmetries, patchiness, or other problems after your first session.  It's important to remember that a cosmetic tattoo is a two-step process and clients are advised to wait until the initial work heals and settles; I will do my best to correct any issues at your touch-up appointment. Please note that I do hold an A+ accreditation with the Better Business Bureau, a recognition reserved only for invitees who respond to a thorough interview process. Learn more about my credentials by visiting the About Martha page.

Before Your Service

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Read through this information as well as the aftercare instructions carefully so that you know when to schedule your treatment before or after various activities (parties and other events, vacations, anti-aging treatments, etc.). Failure to observe these requirements can make the appointment difficult (for instance, excess bleeding) or interfere with healing.

 

In general, for all cosmetic tattoo, you will need to limit exposure to UV rays (daylight and tanning beds), heat (so you don't sweat; this includes working out and being in a warm climate), and chlorine and salt water (e.g., pools and the ocean; you'll also need to avoid fresh water like rivers and lakes for up to two months). You also will need to commit to frequent aftercare during the first 24 hours. For these reasons, book your appointment accordingly, not immediately prior to a summer vacation, exotic getaway, or special event; plan your tattoo session at least 3 months prior.

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Morning of:

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• No caffeine, which includes not just coffee, but energy drinks like Red Bull, cola, and even certain root beers. In addition to making it difficult for you to fully relax, these can cause you to need to use the restroom frequently, which cuts into our service time and exposes you to nonsterile conditions.

• NOTHING TO DRINK, except a small sip to take prescription meds. Beverages can cause you to need to use the restroom frequently, which cuts into our service time and exposes you to nonsterile conditions.

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24 Hours Prior:

 

• No working out or other activities that heat the body (this can cause your pores to expand; sweat brings salts to the surface, which interferes with pigments)

• For eyebrow and eyeliner procedures, please do not wear any makeup above your cheekbones at the time of your appointments

• For eyeliner procedures, do not use an eyelash curler 24 hours prior

• For lip tattoo procedures, begin prescription medications (Acyclovir, Prednisone) as directed by your physician (see intake & aftercare forms for lips)

 

****Do not discontinue any medications without the approval of your physician****​

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48 Hours Prior

• No alcohol. Alcohol is a blood thinner and can cause you to bleed & bruise more during the treatment; try to avoid for 48 hours prior - and definitely for 24 hours)

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72 Hours Prior:

• Please exfoliate the treatment area thoroughly but gently with a dry washcloth

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Less than 72 Hours Prior:

• For brow & lip tattoos, no waxing, tweezing, threading, sugaring, or tinting (so skin isn't irritated)

• No exposure to sun (so skin isn't burned or even slightly tanned)

• Do not perm or tint your eyelashes for 72 hours prior to eyeliner procedures

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1 Week Prior:

• No aspirin, ibuprofen, or Aleve (all blood thinners, which may cause you to bleed and bruise more during & after the procedure; Tylenol/acetominophen is okay)

• No Vitamins A or E, niacin, or fish oil (all blood thinners, which may cause you to bleed and bruise more during & after the procedure)

• No prescription blood thinners if authorized by your physician.

• For eyeliner procedures, please have any eyelash extensions removed a week prior to your service

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****Do not discontinue any medications without the approval of your physician****

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2 Weeks Prior:

• For eyeliner procedures, please have any eyelash extensions removed a week prior to your servic

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Less than 1 Month Prior:

• No chemical peels

• No Retin-A

• No dermaplaning or microneedling

• No laser hair removal

• No botox, fillers, or other injectables (3 months at least after lip filler before lip tattoo)

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Less than 2-3 Months Prior (for Eyeliner & Eyelash Enhancement Tattoo):

• Discontinue use of lash serums 6 weeks before your service

• No lash lift & tint service 6 weeks before your service.  

• No eye or eyelid surgery, including cataract, Lasik, and blepharoplasty procedures for 2-3 months prior

  • Please consult with your physician to ensure how long you should wait after a surgical procedure before eyeliner tattoo

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Less than 3 (preferably 6-12) Months Prior (for Lip Tattoo)

• No lip filler of any kind prior to a lip tattoo procedure less than 3 months prior, preferably longer; your lips would swell otherwise at least four-fold

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At least 6 months before:

• No chemotherapy or radiation treatment

• No Accutane

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For Your Appointment, You Will Need:

• Your ID showing you are at least 18 years of age (required by law)

• Your physician's name and phone number (required by law)

• A hat to protect your tattoo from daylight or UV exposure

• Sunglasses if you are having an Eyeliner or Eyelash Enhancement Tattoo procedures

• Eyeglasses instead of contacts for Eyeliner or Eyelash Enhancement Tattoo procedures 

• Intake form and aftercare instructions (see Policies & Forms on menu bar)

• Please be prepared and on time!

  • Clients who are more than 15 minutes late or who have not satisfied the requirements on the Intake Form will need to reschedule and will need to pay all fees for both scheduled appointments
     

Please note that, by law,  no one may accompany you​ into the treatment room.