Health Clearance
Please review the health clearance information below to determine if you’re a good candidate for permanent makeup or fineline tattoos.
If you’re unsure whether it’s safe for you to receive a tattoo, consult with your doctor before booking.
You are not a candidate for permanent makeup or fineline tattoos if:
-
You are under 18 years old
-
You are pregnant or breastfeeding
-
You have diabetes
-
You are on blood-thinning medications (e.g., aspirin, warfarin, certain heart meds)
-
You have a history of keloid or hypertrophic scarring
-
You are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation (doctor’s clearance required afterward)
-
You have skin conditions in the area to be tattooed (eczema, psoriasis, severe acne, dermatitis, open wounds, etc.)
-
You are prone to seizures, fainting, or other conditions that may be triggered during a procedure
-
You are currently on Accutane (Isotretinoin) or have used it in the last 12 months
-
You have active viral/bacterial infections (cold sores, shingles, staph, etc.) in the treatment area
-
You have heart conditions or pacemakers
-
You have viral infections such as hepatitis or HIV
-
You have recently had Botox, fillers, or other cosmetic procedures in the area (wait at least 4 weeks)
-
You have hemophilia or bleeding disorders.
-
You have leukemia or other blood cancers.
Precare for Fineline Tattoos
Sleep
Getting a good night's rest will help you relax during your appointment. It also helps your body recover more quickly. You may also be more sensitive to pain if you're sleep-deprived, making your tattoo feel more painful than it would normally.
Shower
Keep your soon-to-be-tattooed area clean before your appointment. Dead skin cells, sweat, and dirt build up on your skin throughout the day. If you haven't showered, you could increase the chance of these particles getting into the tattooed area, causing an infection. Plus, showering will do everyone at the studio a favor—no one wants to sit next to someone who just returned from an intense workout for several hours.
Eat
Eat a balanced meal before your appointment. If you don't, you may become lightheaded during your session, which could lead to many other problems. It's also a good idea to bring snacks with you, especially if you're getting a detailed tattoo that may take several hours to complete. I do provide water and snacks, but just in case bring some of your favorites. If you can, avoid excessive dairy products or sugar, as these foods can make you feel bloated. Not only does bloating make you feel sick and tired, but it expands your skin and could affect how the ink adheres to your skin.
Tip: Take some extra vitamin C. It's great for your skin and will promote the healing process.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water before getting your tattoo. Hydrated skin accepts ink better, creating a sharper and more vibrant tattoo. It can also help your skin heal faster. Shoot to drink at least a half gallon of water within 24 hours of your appointment. You'll also want to avoid heavily caffeinated drinks like coffee, as these are dehydrating. Also, avoid energy drinks. They'll make you jittery, which will make it harder to stay still while your artist works.
Prepare Your Skin
Moisturize the area using an alcohol-free lotion once or twice a day for the week leading up to your appointment. If the place you want your tattoo is hairy, you'll want to shave it two or three times before getting work done. Also, protect the area as much as possible from cuts, burns, scrapes, or bruises. If you have a cut or bruise where you'll eventually want your tattoo, allow it to heal for at least a week before getting inked.
Avoid Alcohol
Avoiding alcohol should be bolded, uppercased, and circled on your "before you get a tattoo" checklist—whatever you need to do to remember not to do it. It isn't just about making a wrong design choice that you'll regret later. You could face serious health complications if you drink too much before getting your tattoo. Alcohol is a temporary blood thinner, and drinking could lead to excessive bleeding. Not good at all! If that wasn't enough, drinking might dilute the ink and make your body art appear faded.
Over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil have the same effect—don’t use them before your appointment.
Protect Area from the Sun
Getting a tattoo with a sunburn is not fun and makes the healing process take longer. Plus, tanning dries out your skin, which isn't great for you or your tattoo. Apply extra sunscreen on the area that will be tattooed if you'll be outside for long hours before your appointment.
Wear Proper Attire
A tattoo studio is not the place to show off your newest, skin-tight designer dress.
Wear loose-fitting clothing where your body artist can easily access the area you'd like tattooed. Keep in mind that you'll be sitting in the same position for a significant amount of time. Comfort is key! Wear something you don’t mind getting dirty, too. You’re creating an open wound that may bleed and ooze, which may get onto your clothing.
Precare for Ombre Powder Brows
Proper preparation is the key to beautiful, long-lasting results. Please follow these pre-care guidelines before your appointment. Failure to do so may affect how your brows heal and how well the pigment retains.
Four Weeks Before Your Appointment
• ❌ No Botox or fillers near the brow area (wait at least 4 weeks before/after your appointment).
• ❌ No chemical peels, facials, microdermabrasion, microneedling, or laser treatments on or near the brows. These thin the skin and make it too sensitive to tattoo.
• ❌ Avoid tanning or sunburns. Freshly tanned or damaged skin cannot be tattooed safely.
One Week Before Your Appointment
• Stop using Retinol, Retin-A, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or any exfoliating skincare around the brow area. These thin the skin and can cause pigment to heal poorly.
• Discontinue use of growth serums (like Latisse or brow serums) as they make the skin more sensitive.
• If you normally wax, tweeze, or thread your brows, do it at least 5–7 days before your appointment. Do not do it the day before, as skin will be too irritated.
24–48 Hours Before Your Appointment
• ❌ No alcohol, caffeine, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other blood thinners. These increase bleeding and can push pigment out of the skin.
• Stay hydrated and get a good night’s sleep to keep your skin in its best condition.
Day of Your Appointment
• Arrive with clean skin and no makeup on your brows.
• Eat a good meal beforehand — this helps with comfort and keeps blood sugar stable.
• Wear comfortable clothing so you can relax during the procedure.
• Avoid heavy workouts or sweating before your appointment.
✨ Why Pre-Care Matters:
Following these instructions ensures that your skin is in the best condition to receive pigment. This means:
• Less bleeding during your session
• Better color retention
• Faster, smoother healing
• Longer-lasting results
What to Expect During Your Brow Appt
Getting your brows done is an exciting step! Here’s a breakdown of what happens from start to finish, so you feel fully prepared:
Consultation & Paperwork (10–15 minutes)
• We’ll review your health history and make sure you’re a good candidate.
• I’ll answer any last-minute questions you have about the process, healing, or results.
Mapping & Design (20–30 minutes)
• I’ll carefully measure and outline your brows to create the most flattering shape for your face.
• You’ll have the chance to review and approve the brow design before any tattooing begins.
• We’ll work together to make sure you love the shape and symmetry.
Pigment Selection (5–10 minutes)
• We’ll choose the right shade together based on your skin tone, natural brow color, and your desired look (soft and natural vs. bold and defined).
Tattooing Process (1–2 hours)
• Using a machine with a tiny needle, I’ll gently implant pigment into the skin with soft shading techniques.
• The process is gradual, allowing me to build color slowly for a smooth, powdery effect.
• Most clients describe the sensation as light scratching or pressure — not painful, numbing gel will be used to ensure comfort throughout the process.
Final Touches & Reveal (10–15 minutes)
• I’ll perfect the brows, making sure the shape and color look balanced.
• You’ll get to see your new brows right away! Keep in mind they will look darker and bolder at first — this is normal and will soften as they heal.
Aftercare Review (10 minutes)
• I’ll walk you through your aftercare instructions step by step.
• You’ll leave knowing exactly how to care for your brows during the healing process.
⏰ Total Appointment Time: 2.5–3 hours (first session)
✨ Important: Tattooed brows is a two-step process. A touch-up session in 6–8 weeks is needed to perfect your brows once the skin has healed.
What to Expect After Your Procedure
Healing is a process, and your brows will go through several stages before the final results show. Don’t worry — everything listed below is normal.
Immediately After Your Appointment
• Brows will look darker, bolder, and more defined than expected.
• The color may appear sharper — this is temporary.
Days 2–5
• Mild redness, swelling, or tenderness is normal.
• Brows will still appear dark, and the pigment may look more intense.
• Some clients feel mild itchiness as healing begins.
Days 5–10
• You may notice flaking or scabbing. This is part of the healing process.
• As scabs fall off, brows may look patchy, lighter, or uneven — don’t panic!
• Do not pick or scratch, as this can pull out pigment and cause scarring.
Days 10–14
• Most flaking will be done.
• Brows may look very light or faded — this is because fresh skin is covering the pigment.
• The true color will gradually resurface as the skin continues to heal.
Weeks 3–6
• Color begins to settle and even out.
• Brows soften into their final healed shade and shape.
• Any areas that healed too light or uneven will be perfected at your touch-up session.
Long-Term Expectations
• Ombré Powder Brows are low-maintenance, not no-maintenance.
• A touch-up is always recommended 6–8 weeks after your initial appointment.
• With proper care (especially sun protection), results can last 2–4 years.
✨ Quick Healing Tips:
• Avoid sweating, swimming, tanning, and makeup on the brow area until fully healed.
• Use SPF daily once healed — sun exposure is the #1 cause of fading.
• Trust the process! Your brows will go through a “rollercoaster” of stages before looking soft and natural.
