Before The Treatment

General Questions

Q. What is permanent cosmetics?

A. Permanent cosmetics are a type of cosmetic tattooing (also known as micropigmentation or semi-permanent cosmetics). The most common treatments are available for eyes, brows, lips. The effects available can range from a natural enhancement to subtly improve the facial features to the imitation of make-up.

Q. What is medical tattooing?

A. We believe that helping to rebuild someone’s body image is something very special. Medical tattooing is an advanced form of permanent cosmetics which has helped many people achieve just that. A range of treatments are available for people who have experienced a range of medical conditions such as hair loss, burns or scarring or breast reconstruction.

Q. What different treatments are available?

A. Whether you are getting your brows, eyes, lips or breasts enhanced, or if you require a medical tattoo treatment, there are various treatment options available. Brows, eyes, lips, breasts, scars can all benefit from permanent cosmetics or medical tattooing. See our case studies for more information.

Q. What does the treatment involve?

A. An initial consultation will be used to discuss your requirements and help you decide on the result that will best suit you. Everything from your lifestyle, image, hair, skin tone and facial features will be taken into consideration. The team will then custom blend colours to perfectly match your requirements –their skill as artists coming to the fore during the design stage.The treatment itself involves gently implanting microscopic particles of pigment into the reticular layer of skin.

Q. Will it look natural?

A. Yes, the healed result will look very natural indeed. Take a look through the portfolio images and you will see that the results can be tailored to whatever look, colour tone or strength best suits you.

Q. How long will it last?

A. This varies from person to person because skin type, diet, genetics and environmental factors can all contribute to how long the pigments will be retained. For instance, sun bed use and sun exposure have a bearing on the pigment retention, but this can be prevented with proper protection.As a guide, it could be anything between one to five years before a new treatment is required, although refresher colour boosts are recommended for maintenance during this time. Once the colour starts to change you will know that you are ready for your refresher colour boost.We offer discounted colour boost rates from 6 – 18 months after the initial treatment. It is important to remember that permanent make-up is a “low” not a “no” maintenance treatment.

Q. What if I want to have cosmetic surgery at some point?

A. Whether you have had cosmetic surgery, or are considering it at some point in the future, that is not a problem. Karen and her team will always work to complement your natural contours and features. Due to the healing process, you will need to leave some time between having cosmetic surgery and permanent cosmetics. Please call us for advice specific to your procedure.

Q. What if I have medical issues?

A. A full assessment of your medical background will be made prior to the treatment. While there are some occasions when people are not suitable for permanent cosmetics –due to medical matters –this is fairly uncommon.

Q. Are there any risks involved?

A. Karen and her Elite Team adhere to the highest standards of health and safety. They have many years of experience with clients from all over the world. You can be assured that all risks are minimised and that you are in safe hands. However, because the treatment involves implanting pigment into the skin, that means it is invasive. While this is what provides permanent cosmetics with its long-lasting benefits, there are also some risks. As with any form of tattooing, these can include allergic reaction, undesired result or colour, misplaced colour, infection or scarring.

Q. Can I drink alcohol prior to my treatment?

A. It is advised that you do not drink alcohol the night before, or on the day of, your treatment. This can affect pigment retention.

Brow Treatments

Q. Should I bring my brow pencil?

A. Yes, it can be useful to see what colour tones you have been using for your brows.

Q. Do you do hairstrokes or block brows?

A. We specialise in ultra-realistic permanent cosmetics. For brows, this means we can imitate natural brow hairs – whether you have any left, or none. Alternatively, if you do want a block brow style that can also be achieved. We will work with you to achieve the perfect brow style for you.

Q. Can I have my brows waxed, then have a brow treatment?

A. Any waxing should be performed at least 48 hours before the treatment.

Q. Can I have electrolysis on my brows, then have a brow treatment?

A. You should wait a minimum of five days between having electrolysis and permanent cosmetics for brows.

Q. Do I have to have all my eyebrows shaved off?

A. No. We prefer you to keep your own brows – don’t even tweeze them before you come in as we like to work within your natural shape if possible.

Lip Treatments

Q. Should I bring my favourite lipstick? 

A. If your aim is to have your favourite lipstick recreated, please bring it with you to the treatment. This will enable the artist to custom blend an appropriate permanent cosmetics pigment.

Q. Can permanent cosmetics cause cold sores? 

A. Permanent cosmetics do not cause cold sores, however, if you carry the virus, it lays dormant in the body and can be aroused by the treatment.

Q. I already have cold sores, can I have a lip treatment? 

A. If you have a history of cold sores (herpes simplex) we advise you to contact your General Practitioner to obtain the proper prescription medication to prevent such outbreaks, or obtain and use your regular medication from your local chemist. You should use for one week before and one week after your treatment. This can help to minimise an outbreak.

Q. I have a cold sore on my lip at the moment, can I have a lip treatment? 

A. No. The outbreak must be fully healed in order for a permanent cosmetics lip treatment to be performed.

Q. Can I have a lip wax or bleaching treatment before a lip treatment?

A. You should not undertake a lip wax or bleaching treatment for at least two weeks prior to your permanent cosmetics lip treatment.

Eye Treatments

Q. Will I need to remove my eye makeup for the treatment? 

A. It is required that eye make-up is removed for any eye treatment. However, please wear your usual make-up for the appointment so we can see your style.  

Q. Should I bring my favourite eyeliner pencil? 

A. If you have a particular colour tone of eyeliner pencil that you would like to be replicated, please bring it with you to the treatment. This will enable the artist to custom blend an appropriate permanent cosmetics pigment. 

Q. I’ve had my lashes tinted / permed, can I still have an eye treatment? 

A. Any eyelash tinting or perming should be carried out no sooner than one week before, or two weeks after, the treatment.