Frequently Asked Questions

Please read prior to booking an appointment.

  • Micropigmentation, commonly referred to as permanent makeup or cosmetic tattooing, is the umbrella term for several methods of implanting pigment into the skin using different configurations of needles to give you that natural “I woke up like this” makeup look. Although it is a form of tattooing, permanent makeup does fade over time, requiring future touch ups to maintain the overall shape and color.

  • Microblading is a technique used in permanent makeup to achieve the look of natural, feathery looking eyebrows. Microblading is done by manually implanting pigment into the skin to mimic the look of natural hairstrokes, giving the illusion of fuller brows.

  • You cannot have permanent makeup if any of the following apply to you.

    — Currently pregnant or nursing. You must be at least 3 months postpartum and have finished breast feeding at least 3 months prior to having a permanent makeup service done.

    — Present cancer or currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. You must be off of chemotherapy or radiation for at least 7 months prior to the procedure.

    — Under legal age of 18. California does not allow minors to be tattooed even with parental consent.

    — Currently or have used Accutane within 9 months prior to your procedure.

    — Prone to keloids

    — Raised mole in treatment area. I can work around a mole, but not over or through it.

    — Required to take blood thinning medication. *You are not a candidate for the microblading technique, but may be a candidate for an alternative technique. Please email me to discuss options.*

    — AIDS (consult physician)

    — Diabetes type 1 (consult physician)

    — Lupus (consult physician)

    — Active skin disorders including but not limited to:

    • Psoriasis or Eczema in or around treatment area

    • Severe acne or active breakouts on treatment area

    • Severe Rosacea

    • Active Vitiligo

    • Cold Sores

      • Interested in lip blush? If you’ve ever had a cold sore (even if not active or it’s been a long time) you must get a prescription from your doctor prior to your procedure. For example, many doctors prescribe a 5 day course of Valtrex to take 2 days prior, on the day of, and 2 days after the procedure. The “stress” from tattooing the lips will trigger a cold sore to form, which can negatively affect your healed results.

    • Shingles

    • Conjunctivitis or pink eye

    • Sunburn

  • Microblading is ideal for dry and normal to dry skin types. Microblading does not always heal well in oilier skin types, resulting in a blurred look or very little pigment retention. Microblading is also not suitable for clients with very thin skin, rosacea or those who are on blood thinners. Microblading is not meant to replace makeup. It’s a great foundation for people that like to fill in their brows with makeup sometimes but don’t necessarily want them to look too “done” all the time.

  • A shaded, powder, or ombre brow are techniques that all mimic the look of having your brows filled in with eyebrow powder or makeup. This is the perfect look for someone who is sick and tired of having to fill in their brows with makeup everyday and would like as little maintenance as possible. An ombre brow is done with a similar technique, but has a lighter and softer beginning to the brow.

  • All initial permanent makeup services require at least 2 appointments before the process is complete, but sometimes a third appointment is needed to achieve the desired result depending on the client’s skin and how well they retain pigment.

  • Follow up appointments should be scheduled no sooner than 6 weeks and no later than 12 weeks following the initial appointment.

  • YES!!! It’s sometimes hard to believe, but you will love your microblading and permanent makeup EVEN MORE after the follow up. The second appointment allows us to perfect the shape and color and also go over any areas where the pigment may not have retained as well, while additionally filling in any areas if needed. We can also change techniques if needed in order to achieve the desired outcome. Brows specifically achieve more depth and dimension after the second appointment.

  • Healed results and the overall longevity of permanent makeup depends on a number of factors including but not limited to: age, skin type, aftercare, skincare products, general lifestyle, medications, sun exposure, amount of routine exercise, pigments used, and technique used to tattoo the skin. Most clients get touch ups every 1-3 years.

  • The majority of clients experience normal pigment fading at varying rates. The initial pigment color should get lighter, softer, or more muted as they fade out over time. If you initially had microblading or a hair stroke look tattooed, your brows will fade out differently depending on your skin type as well as other factors. Clients with tight, dry skin tend to retain the crispness of the hair stroke look, while clients with oiler skin tend to lose the hair stroke look over time, fading to more of a soft, powdered brow look which is still very natural.

    There are cases where pigment colors alter in tone or color as they fade over time. This can occur for a number of reasons including but to limited to the client’s age, lifestyle, skincare routine, sun exposure, medications, medical conditions, etc. Eyeliner pigments tend to ash out on the eyelids and become more of a blue/black if you initially had a black color. Think of body tattoos… black is never black once it’s tattooed in the skin and you’re seeing the color through layers of skin.

  • Eventually overtime the actual pigment color will fade out naturally. This process varies from person to person and can take anywhere from 5-10+ years to completely fade. Some clients still have a hint of pigment left even after 20 years. It is impossible to determine how well a client will retain pigment and how long it will take for the pigment to fade.

  • Safety and sanitation are everything!! All procedures are safe and I use only high quality single-use, sterile needles.

  • Pain levels vary from person to person, but most clients experience very minimal pain and discomfort. I numb you using a topical anesthetic prior to the procedure which helps take the initial edge off. After the initial pass of breaking the skin, the topical anesthetics are extremely effective and I continue to apply them throughout the procedure, keeping you nice and numb! The more comfortable you are, the easier it is for me, so it’s a win/win!

  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours prior to your appointment. Avoid taking ibuprofen, aspirin, vitamin e, fish oil, or any blood thinners unless medically necessary for 3 days prior to your appointment. Other detailed pre-care instructions are outlined on the “policies” page.

    Brows - feel free to bring whatever makeup you generally use to fill in your brows and/or photos showing me how you are typically used to wearing them.

    Lips - please bring your favorite lip color(s) or any colors for inspiration so we can match them.

    Please note that any face makeup on or around the treatment area will be removed prior to the procedure.

  • Your permanent makeup will look the darkest and boldest immediately following the procedure and for the next day or so. You can expect that your fresh tattoo will more closely resemble a makeup look initially following the procedure, although it will heal much softer and more natural. If you’re used to seeing yourself with makeup, you shouldn’t be too overwhelmed immediately after.

    You can also expect some redness and swelling in or around the treatment area. Both redness and swelling vary from person to person, but are generally minimal. Any redness typically subsides within 1-2 hours following the appointment and swelling begins to go down on day 2 or 3. The area can be iced if needed.

  • It depends! It is required that you first email and send me a photo of the previously tattooed area before booking your appointment with me. This will ensure that I can meet your expectations. If you schedule an appointment without sending me a photo first, your appointment may be cancelled and you will forfeit your deposit if one was paid. Please email me at elicia.pmu@gmail.com and include the service you are requesting, about how long it’s been since you last had the area tattooed, and a photo of the tattooed area.

    I can work over a lot of old work and tattoos, but you may not be able to have a specific technique, for example microblading. If requesting microblading only, it is recommended that your previous tattoo be faded 70-80% to achieve the most natural results. Alternatively, you may be a better candidate for machine hair strokes and/or shading. If you’re unhappy with the work you’ve had done elsewhere, we may want to discuss corrective work or possibly removal.

  • Consultations are not required for initial appointments or previous clients of mine. There is already time allotted in each initial appointment to discuss techniques, pick colors, and draw on a shape. However, a separate consultation can be booked if desired. Consultations can be done virtually or in person and require a separate fee of $50.

    Consultations are recommended for clients who are requesting a correction or removal of their previously tattooed eyebrows, eyeliner, or lips done by another artist. If you have previously tattooed eyebrows, eyeliner, or lips and are requesting that I do your touch up, you must email me a photo first. I will then schedule a virtual consultation with you if I feel it is necessary. Feel free to email me with any questions.

  • I offer saline tattoo removal of permanent makeup only. This process is highly effective, but is a commitment because multiple sessions are usually needed and results are never guaranteed. However, we may be able to get the tattoo light enough to then work over. Also, the aftercare can be a challenge for people because you have to keep the area completely dry until the scabs fall off which can sometimes take up to 10 days. It’s not a pretty process, but can definitely payoff in the end if you can remain patient and trust the process.

    *Consultations are REQUIRED before booking a removal service.

  • Your tattoo will heal rather fast in 7-10 days, but will continue to go through many changes in regards to color for an additional 2-3 weeks depending on your skin. It’s also important to remind yourself that the procedure is not complete until you have fully healed after your follow up appointment! Note that results are not guaranteed and they vary based off of several factors. Some clients require a third appointment to achieve their desired result.

    I will provide you with an aftercare cream or balm that you will apply to the treated area 2-3 times a day throughout the healing process.

    Days 1-3 - Area will be the darkest and appear bold and resemble more of a makeup look.

    Days 4-7 - Area will get lighter in color as the skin generally tends to flake and peel. Do not panic if you feel like chunks of pigment are coming off and the color doesn’t seem visible in the skin. This is very normal! It’s also normal to feel like you don’t notice much flaking or peeling at all. The skin tends to act and heal as if it was mildly sunburned and the flaking and peeling can be minimal depending on your skin.

    Days 7-10 - Pigment and color may have seemed to disappear! Any pigment that is visible will most likely seem very ashy. Do not scrub the brow area, but let it heal naturally. You may begin applying makeup on the treated area if desired.

    Days 14-28 - Color will gradually start to reappear in areas and will also seem more vibrant and less ashy.

    *We will address any lighter areas as well as adjust the shape, darken, or thicken the area if needed during the follow up appointment!

  • Unfortunately due to space you cannot bring anyone with you to your appointment. Also, no one under 18 is allowed in the studio.

  • A lash enhancement is a tattoo within the lashes only, giving a "barely there" look. This look does not replace or mimic topical makeup, but instead creates density in the lash line which helps define the eyes. It can be done with or without a baby wing to give the eye a little bit of a lift.

    A traditional eyeliner tattoo is done generally where topical eyeliner makeup is applied and also includes the lash line. It can either be a defined line or a softer, shaded eyeliner look and can be done with a wing or a wedge. The size and length of the wing or wedge is determined based on client’s eye shape, lid space, and skin type.

    If you are unsure if what you want is considered a lash enhancement or natural design eyeliner, please email me first so we can discuss.

  • It depends. Cosmetic tattoos are not meant to replace makeup, but instead make your daily life a bit easier and provide you with a guide incase you want to add makeup. Some clients don’t feel the need to add makeup, while some still prefer the look of a little topical makeup to add some more texture to the tattoo.

    Brows - It is very common for clients with lighter brow hair to continue to dye their brow hair or use tinted brow gel to give the brow a more cohesive, fuller look. Also, clients with little to no brow hair are more likely to still want to add some makeup here and there.

    Eyeliner - Clients who love the very dark black shine from a liquid eyeliner, may still want to add eyeliner to get that texture. The tattoo in the skin will never be as dark as a color applied topically.

    Lips - Think of lip blush as a lip stain look. I always compare it to If you were to apply an opaque lip color and wipe it off with a tissue and have the residual stained color left, that is what healed lip blush is like. Please let me know if you prefer a more saturated lipstick look, as that can be done as well.

Pre & Post-Care Instructions

Please read prior to booking an appointment.

  • Please fill out the following forms before your appointment date

    Please avoid the following:

    • 24 hours before - No alcohol or caffeine.

    • 3 days before - No aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, or any blood thinners unless prescribed by a doctor or medically necessary.

    • 1 week before - No waxing or chemical exfoliation and discontinue use of topical retinol, retin-a, glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids on or around the treatment area.

    • 2 weeks before - No direct sun exposure as I cannot work on sunburned or tanned skin. Skill will bleed excessively resulting in poor retention.

    • 2-3 weeks before - No injectables (Botox, JuvaDerm, or fillers, etc.).

    • 60 days before - No chemical peels or laser treatments.

    *eyeliner only*

    • Day Of - Remove contact lenses and bring glasses with you for after the procedure if needed. You will not be able to wear contacts during or immediately following the procedure.

    • 5 days before - Remove any lash extensions. I recommend having them professionally removed if they have not all naturally fallen off within 5 days prior to your appointment.

    • 3 months before - Discontinue use of Latisse or any lash growth serum.

    *lips only*

    • If you have ever had one (or more) cold sore(s) in your life, you must get a prescription from your doctor prior to your procedure. For example, many doctors prescribe a 5 day course of Valtrex to take 2 days prior, on the day of, and 2 days after the procedure. The “stress” from tattooing the lips will trigger a cold sore to form, which can negatively affect your healed results.

    • It is paramount that your lips are well hydrated prior to having them tattooed. Begin exfoliating your lips with a sugar or any lip scrub every other day for the week leading up to your appointment and be sure to apply lip balm frequently for the week prior to your appointment.

    • Please wait outside or in your car until I text you to come into the studio for your appointment.

    • No friends, family, or children are allowed to accompany you inside the studio.

    • You will be asked to fill out paperwork including medical and consent forms before the procedure begins if the forms were not emailed to you or filled out virtually prior to your appointment.

    • Appointments range from 1-2.5 hours depending on service. Please plan accordingly.

    • If you are more than 15 minutes late, I may have to reschedule your appointment and you will forfeit your original deposit if one was paid. Please allow yourself extra time to find parking.

    • Final payment will be taken the day of your appointment. Cash is encouraged, but I also accept all major credit cards, Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle.

    • Please avoid wearing any perfume or strongly scented body oils or lotions when coming in for your appointment. Certain fragrances can trigger allergies in both artists or other clients.

    • Your initial appointment will include:

      • A thorough consultation where I will answer any questions you may have. We’ll discuss the different techniques and their benefits in relation to your personal skin type and overall lifestyle. We will also discuss colors and draw on your desired shape or design before doing any tattooing!

      • I will pre-numb the treatment area with a topical lidocaine to minimize pain and make you comfortable.

      • The actual procedure itself, where I will continue applying topical anesthetic to keep you comfortable and pain-free throughout the procedure! The treatment area will most likely get sore and pain levels differ from person to person. That being said, the pain and discomfort is generally minimal for the majority of clients.

      • We’ll go over after-care instructions including how to clean and care for your new tattoo as well as what to expect during the healing process.

      • Finally, we’ll schedule your 6-12 week follow up appointment if one has not already been scheduled.

  • Please avoid the following:

    • No exercise and/or excessive sweating for a minimum of ONE WEEK. Sweating will result in premature fading and poor retention.

    • No sauna, steam rooms, or hot yoga for one week.

    • No direct sunlight or sun exposure to the tattooed area for at least two weeks.

    • No swimming in pools or salt water for two weeks. Do not schedule your appointment within 2 weeks prior to a water or beach vacation.

    • No injectables (Botox, JuvaDerm, fillers, etc.) for two weeks.

    • No chemical peels or laser treatments for 60 days.

    • Indefinitely - Apply sunblock on treatment area when directly exposed to sunlight. Avoid applying anti-aging products or over exfoliating the tattooed area. This will help to avoid premature fading or altering of the pigment color.

  • I will provide you with specific written instructions on how to care for your new tattoo when you come in for your appointment. General care is included below:

    • I will apply a cream to the treatment area immediately following your procedure.

    • *Brows only* Continuously dab the area with a fresh tissue or paper towel for the following 1-3 hours. This will help get rid of any lymph that might come to the surface and ultimately create a scab. Minimal scabbing is ideal, but all clients are different.

    • *Eyeliner only* You may ice your eyes with an eye mask, but first cover your eyes with cotton rounds in a solution of half witch hazel and half water. This will help with swelling. I generally recommend doing this the night of your procedure and the following morning.

    • Gently wash the tattooed area before going to sleep after your procedure. You do not want to drench the area with water, but you do want to keep the area clean. You can wash the brow or lip area gently with a mild soap (ex-dove unscented soap) and warm water. Eyes do not need to be washed with soap, but rinsed with water alone is just fine. Make sure to clean your hands before doing so. You can also wet a qtip and gently roll it along your brows, eyeliner, or lips to clean off any lymph. Do not be alarmed if you notice any pigment come off or transfer onto the qtip when washing the area. This is completely normal.

    • Apply the provided aftercare ointment onto the area immediately after cleansing the area.

    • Continue to apply the ointment onto the area 2-3 times a day for the next 7-10 days, washing the area each night before applying.

    • If you notice any flaking, peeling, or scabbing throughout the healing process, DO NOT PICK OR SCRUB IT!!! Let any dry skin fall off naturally.

    Your new tattoo is technically open skin so you need to treat it as such. Make sure you are keeping your hands clean if and when you are touching your face on or around the freshly tattooed area. Be a germaphobe!

  • Your tattoo will heal rather fast in 7-10 days, but will continue to go through many changes in regards to color for an additional 2-3 weeks depending on your skin. It’s also important to remind yourself that the procedure is not complete until you have fully healed after your follow up appointment! Note that results are not guaranteed and they vary based off of several factors. Some clients require a third appointment to achieve their desired result.

    I will provide you with an aftercare cream or balm that you will apply to the treated area 2-3 times a day throughout the healing process.

    • Days 1-3 - Area will be the darkest and appear bold and resemble more of a makeup look.

    • Days 4-7 - Area will get lighter in color as the skin generally tends to flake and peel. Do not panic if you feel like chunks of pigment are coming off and the color doesn’t seem visible in the skin. This is very normal! It’s also normal to feel like you don’t notice much flaking or peeling at all. The skin tends to act and heal as if it was mildly sunburned and the flaking and peeling can be minimal depending on your skin.

    • Days 7-10 - Pigment and color may have seemed to disappear! Any that is visible will most likely seem very ashy. Do not scrub the brow area, but let it heal naturally. You may begin applying makeup on the treated area if desired.

    • Days 14-28 - Color will gradually start to reappear in areas and will also seem more vibrant and less ashy.

      *We will address any lighter areas as well as adjust the shape, darken, or thicken the area if needed during the follow up appointment!

  • Please fill out the following forms before your appointment date

    Please avoid the following:

    • 24 hours before - No alcohol or caffeine.

    • 3 days before - No aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, or any blood thinners unless prescribed by a doctor or medically necessary.

    • 1 week before - No waxing or exfoliation and discontinue use of topical retinol, retin-a, glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids on or around the treatment area.

    • 2 weeks before - No direct sun exposure as I cannot work on sunburned or tanned skin. Skill will bleed excessively resulting in poor retention.

    • 2-3 weeks before - No injectables (Botox, JuvaDerm, or fillers, etc.).

    • 60 days before - No chemical peels or laser treatments.

    *eyeliner only*

    • Day Of - Remove contact lenses and bring glasses with you for after the procedure if needed. You will not be able to wear contacts during or immediately following the procedure.

    • 5 days before - Remove any lash extensions. I recommend having them professionally removed if they have not all naturally fallen off within 5 days prior to your appointment.

    • 3 months before - Discontinue use of Latisse or any lash growth serum.

    *lips only*

    • If you have ever had one (or more) cold sore(s) in your life, you must get a prescription from your doctor prior to your procedure. For example, many doctors prescribe a 5 day course of Valtrex to take 2 days prior, on the day of, and 2 days after the procedure. The “stress” from tattooing the lips will trigger a cold sore to form, which can negatively affect your healed results.

  • It is critical to follow all aftercare instructions to prevent complications, scarring, and to achieve optimum results. Please read carefully.

    Until all scabbing has naturally and completely fallen off...

    1. KEEP AREA CLEAN and open to air. Do not cover with a Band-Aid or anything else; leave open to air. Air/oxygen provides good and faster healing. You should not be touching the area at all but if you find yourself needing to, please make sure your hands are exceptionally clean.

    2. CLEAN BY BLOTTING AREA with saline 3 to 4 times a day using a paper towel or gauze. NO ICE.

    3. DO NOT SOAK the treated area in water. You can shower as normal but keep the area out of the shower sprayer the best you can and do not let the area stay wet for more than a few minutes. It is best to keep it dry but if you do get it wet, gently pat dry.

    4. NO BATHING, SWIMMING, SAUNAS, HOT TUBS, TANNING, OR EXERCISE. NO DIRECT SUN EXPOSURE. NO EXCEPTIONS.

    5. DO NOT disrupt the scabbing process (I.e. no picking, scratching, etc.) All scabbing needs to fall off naturally. If you force or pick a scab off you will disrupt the process and possibly cause scarring. It is critical to keep the scabs on as long as possible to achieve optimum results.

    6. TREAT AREA WITH TLC. Do not do anything at all that could cause issues or problems to the treated area.

    Once all scabbing has naturally and completely fallen off...

    1. APPLY 1 DROP OF VITAMIN E OIL 3 to 4 times throughout the day for a minimum of 4 weeks or until the next lightening session. DO NOT start applying the Vitamin E oil UNTIL scabbing has naturally and completely fallen off. It is our goal to keep the area as dry as possible until all scabs have naturally fallen off.

    2. *LIPS ONLY* Please drink all liquids with a straw until all scabbing has naturally fallen off. Brush with Toms of Maine or Classic Crest (no whitening or peroxide toothpastes). Cut food into small bites; no biting into sandwiches. Try to keep mouth expressions to a minimum.

    Other important information....

    It is important to the process and integrity of the skin that 8 full weeks of healing take place before another lightening session can be done. No exceptions.

    Lightening and/or removing unwanted pigment is a long process and patience is required. This is true whether you are choosing a lightening product service or laser. Please be patient and give the process a fair chance to work. Expect visible and wanted results in approximately 2 to 5 sessions. The number of sessions needed will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to how saturated the pigment is, how deep it was implanted, and how much needs to be removed for the desired result. In those cases where we have pigment misplaced or in an unwanted area, color correcting will not be an option and removing as much of the pigment as possible will be our ultimate goal.

    Results cannot be foreseen, predicted, or guaranteed.