A consultation is required before booking any brow tattoo services for new clients. This is for good reason! There is a lot of information floating around on the internet and social media about cosmetic tattoos…and it can be really confusing. This time is used to clarify any questions, to go over the tattoo process, and to ensure that the service in question is the right fit for you. Upon booking your consultation, an electronic form will be sent to you to fill out prior to our meeting time. The consultations can be done by phone or in person. In person consultations are required for clients with previous cosmetic tattoo.

At your first appointment, we will be spending a good chunk of time together! After the client arrives and puts away their personal belongings, the brow area is cleaned with alcohol wipes and we take our “before” photos. Then we get into brow creation! For the first portion of the service, the shape is created. This is done by 1.) analyzing the facial structure and movements and 2.) using a pigmented string to find where the brow naturally “hits” on the brow bone. This combination plus paying attention to strong facial muscles ensures that the final brow is undetectable and blends in with all the features of the face.

After the overall shape is determined, we are left with the “frame” of the brow. At this point in the process, this is not an accurate representation of the brows you will leave with. This is simply the boundary that the tattoo will be within. With the frame measured and outlined, we move forward and begin tattooing for Powder Brows, but for the other styles, this is the part in the process where hair strokes are drawn on. Hair strokes are drawn inside the frame to create the “hair stroke flow.” If the client has brow hair, it is imperative that this pattern is followed so the natural hairs and tattooed hairs do not compete.

Now it is time for the actual tattooing! A color is chosen based on undertones and hair color, the ideal choice being one that blends in with the natural brow hair (if the client has hair). Then the needle cartridge is chosen determined by the skin type, texture, and thickness. The tattoo machine and all surfaces that will be in contact with the artist during the procedure are wrapped and leg bolsters and pillows are provided to the client for maximum comfort.

During the “first pass” of the tattoo, we are implanting pigment on both brows. During this stage we are not using numbing. This is done because 1.) the tattooing technique is very superficial and it feels like scratching to the skin. Most clients find this extremely tolerable; some even fall asleep. And reason 2.) we want to limit the amount of numbing we are using. Applying numbing from start to finish can change the texture of the skin, ultimately resulting in “tougher” skin where the needle has to work harder to penetrate. Limiting the use of numbing avoids causing unnecessary trauma.

After the “first pass”, if there are no contraindications, a gel lidocaine and epinephrine is added to the brows. Because the skin was opened during the “first pass”, this numbing immediately penetrates the skin and takes away the majority of the tattooing sensation. Then a “second pass” is completed and the brows are saturated once more in order to achieve as much retention as possible. Following this, any areas that need more pigmentation are addressed. To wrap up, the “after” photos are taken, payment is completed, and aftercare products and instructions are sent home with the client.

In the first appointment, the color and density of the tattoo is lighter to avoid unnecessary shock and to familiarize the client with the process. At the second appointment, most clients want the brows a little darker after experiencing the fading process. Also, more detailing can be added. Before tattooing begins, the brows are cleaned and photos are taken to keep record of the healing process. Then we determine if we want to darken the brows, create more hair strokes, and add any more saturation to certain areas of the brows. Detailing is very specific to the type of brow service chosen.

After the tattooing is done, photos are taken, payment is completed, and aftercare instructions and products are sent home with the client. After a year, clients will receive an email to determine the level of fading for their brows.