General Advice

PLEASE READ BEFORE MAKING A BOOKING.

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR COSMETIC TATTOO?

• Botox/ Injectables: it is recommended you wait 4 weeks after you have had botox or injectables. (Botox is a potent neurotoxin that blocks the neuromuscular junction (where the nerve end meets the muscle which is a site for diseases and bacteria) which takes some time after Botox to attach itself to the appropriate receptors in the body. If we disturb this attachment process during the tattoo treatment, toxins may spread and cause illness. As to filler/ injectables; it takes approximately 4 weeks post injectables for the filler to settle. If you undergo a lip tattoo whilst the filler is settling, you risk migration. Migration means change of lip shape and that means the filler won’t match the lip blush tattoo. Disaster!
• Pregnant or Breastfeeding: Whilst artists practice high quality infection control standards, there is always a small possibility whether it be during the process or post care of contracting an infection and consumption of antibacterial antibiotics can cause risk and harm to your baby.
• Chemotherapy Patients: (due to risk of infection and the possibility that chemotherapy can cause neutropenia (white blood cells which help your body fight infections caused by bacteria) which can effect the healing process.
• Diabetes: The risk of infection may increase when blood sugars are high which in turn can affect the outcome of healing. The appointment can take up to 2 hours which may cause stress to your body and cause blood sugars to rise. We ask that you consult with your health physician and gain a medical pass and a blood sugar test prior to your appointment.
• Keloid Scarring: Keloid scarring is a raised scar once the would has healed. Keloids are often lumpy and rigid. For obvious reasons, cosmetically this is not something you want to appear on your face post treatment.
• Epilepsy/ Seizures: Physical stress is one of the biggest triggers for epilepsy, as you can imagine tattoo’s can be stressful to the body and cause over-activation on the nervous system. Lack of sleep, alcohol consumption, menstruation, fever symptoms and sensory issues with lights also need to be considered before your appointment. Being in optimal health is of upmost importance!
• Accutane/ Topical Steriods: Accutane is a medication that is prescribed to patients to treat severe and cystic acne. It is an extremely potent drug, and taking it can cause your skin to become extremely fragile. If you have been taking Accutane, you should hold off on your cosmetic tattoo treatment until at least 6 months after you have stopped taking the medication. It is not safe to perform any procedure on your skin while you are taking Accutane because your skin will be too thin and it may not heal properly. This is also the case with retinol products like Retin-A, although the side effects aren’t as severe. You should hold off on using Retin-A and other harsh exfoliating products for at least 14 days prior to your appointment and for at least 30 days after the appointment. If you suffer from eczema or psoriasis and apply topical steroids like cortisone creams, ointments, cordovan lotion, or anything else to your face, you should not undergo cosmetic tattoo for the same reason
• Hemophilia/ Blood Thinning Medications: Hemophilia is an extremely uncommon disorder that prevents the blood from clotting as it normally would, resulting in excessive bleeding from even the smallest of cuts. In the event that there is excessive bleeding during your cosmetic tattoo appointment, the artist may not be able to see what they are doing, and the pigment may not be able to retain itself as effectively. Because it poses a risk to the client as well, people who have haemophilia should steer clear of undergoing cosmetic tattoo. In addition to this, you should not undergo cosmetic tattoo for the same reason if you are taking any blood-thinning medications, Vitamins A or E. In order to prevent excessive bleeding, please stop taking these medications at least 7 days before your appointment and only if your health physician gives you permission to do so.
• Skin Conditions: If you have skin that is prone to eczema, psoriasis, keratosis pilaris, or dermatitis complications (i.e., your skin is constantly flaking, itching, or aggravated), there is a good chance that your complexion is in a continual state of discomfort and shedding and is not suitable for tattooing and therefore won’t hold the pigment well. Rosacea and Chronic Acne both fall under the same umbrella of principles. This type of skin has an intrinsic tendency to bleed easily, which again shows that your skin won’t retain the pigment well and won’t give off the desired impact post cosmetic tattoo.
• Sunburn: Sunburnt skin is fragile, thin and damaged skin. Tattooing over a sunburn will only cause further damage and refrain from optimal healing.
• Age Requirement: You must be over the age of 18 to receive any tattoo service.
• THINGS TO NOTE PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT:

• Procedures may take up to (2) hours to complete depending on the task at hand. Some require additional time in rare circumstances as we do not necessarily know what the client requires until we consult at your appointment.
• You may experience swelling, redness and bruising. please keep this in mind when planning your appointment around social events.
• Allergic reactions are extremely rare, if you are prone to sensitive skin and feel unsure whether you might get a reaction, a skin patch test is available upon request.
• If you are undertaking laser hair removal, please advise your technician and request the area be avoided.
• GENERAL AFTERCARE:
• MOISTURE! For successful retention, give your skin the best chance by keeping the area moisturised at all times for 7-10 days as it assists in retaining pigment. We suggest a medical antibacterial cream like Bepanthen cream. Avoid paw-paw ointment or any fruit enzymes product as these can draw the pigment from the skin. Dry, scabby skin results in itchiness and the urge to pick or scratch causing loss of colour.
• Do not expose your healing skin to direct sun (wear SPF 30+/ 50+ and wear a hat), wind, tanning beds, hot water, saunas, salt water, pool water, hot tubs, creeks or lakes for at least 7-10 days following the procedure due to risk of intervention of the healing process and possibility of infection.
• Do not pick, peel or scratch your healing skin as you may cause uneven healing of pigment and patchiness in the work, or you may risk infection or scarring.
• Cold compress can assist with any swelling you may experience.
• Bathe as usual, however for 24 hours avoid harsh soaps on the treated area as this may be detrimental to the bonding process that must take place for the pigment to become stabilised in the dermis. Clean the area with a mild cleaner, warm running water using a clean cloth or make-up rounds, pat dry and apply your moisture aide.
• Do not use any cleansers containing glycolic, lactic, AHA, or any exfoliants.
• Treat your tattoo as a wound. To reduce possible infection, avoid make-up in the areas until healing is complete.
• Use a fresh pillowcase.
• Avoid hot/ sweaty exercise for 3-4 days post treatment in order to keep the area clean.