Reach Us
Contact Us
Phone: 605-380-4490
Email: jkrussell84@gmail.com
Business Hours
9am – 5pm
Monday – Friday
Find Us
Address
Fabulips Studio
314 S Splitrock Blvd, Ste 6
Brandon, SD 57005
Please note that the salon location is on the second floor in the building.
Frequently Asked Questions
General PMU Questions
Is Permanent Makeup a Simple Tattoo? Tattoo artists and beauticians both practice PMU tattooing. It is a tattoo, whose purpose is to color certain parts of the face (eyebrows, lips, eyelids). It is subject to the same regulations as “classic” tattoos, but it is still a case apart.
Numbing cream is applied beforehand and during the procedure to keep the pain at a minimum. It is more of an uncomfortable feeling rather than painful.
PMU can last you anywhere from 3 to 5 years—it just depends on how fast your skin absorbs the pigment, and that differs from person to person.
Permanent makeup removal is definitely possible, but it takes 2+ sessions spaced out at least 4-6 weeks apart. So it can drag out for months. The most efficient PMU removal methods are laser, saline, and glycolic acid removal, and they sometimes need to be combined for maximum effects.
Some clients with preexisting medical conditions may find this procedure appealing. It can help them look their best while avoiding the physical challenges of applying makeup.
It can offer an option to those who have allergies to traditional makeup, or as a cosmetic solution for those who want to restore skin pigmentation; such as after breast surgery or hair loss due to an illness.
The initial procedure requires two sessions 8 weeks apart. The first session consists of consultation, drawing, application. The 8 weeks in between sessions will be for the layers of the skin to heal. In the second session, a light application will be applied to perfect your desired brow results. The focus of the session is to bring back symmetry, adjust any imperfections, and create a general blend of pigment that lasts.
Permanent make-up uses a traditional tattoo gun with a rotary and coil to draw on eyebrows. Because of this approach, it’s hard to get precise and small lines, which causes eyebrows to look thicker and less natural. Microblading, on the other hand, uses a small blade with many micro needles to create fine hair strokes.
Individuals with any kind of skin condition on or near the treatment area. Eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, psoriasis or any one of these skin conditions may compromise the surface and texture of the skin. Procedure performed on skin with these type of condition may have sub par results.
FDA has not exercised authority to regulate color additives in TI and PMU. Color additives in TI and PMU have not been approved by FDA.
Permanent makeup, also called a cosmetic tattoo or micro-pigmentation is done with the use of a pen containing iron oxide pigment that tattoos the skin to create the look of makeup. Cosmetic PMU procedures can mimic eyeliner or lipstick, or it can darken and create the look of thicker eyebrows. It can also camouflage scars and help with the look of an uneven hairline or thinning hair.
Getting Ready for a PMU Appointment?
Pain Tolerance
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake the night before, as well as, the day of your procedure.
- Some discomfort and increased pain sensitivity will occur during your menstrual cycle.
- If you would like to take pain medication, Tylenol is recommended as it will not thin your blood. If you are prescribed other medication’s that cause blood thinning such as aspirin or ibuprofen, please let your stylist know prior to booking your appointment.
Health & Beauty
- It is not necessary to have your brows shaped waxed or threaded prior to an appointment. Your stylist will prefer to see how and where your hairs actually grow. If you insist, 48 hours prior and at least 10 days after will be recommended.
- If you normally tint your eyebrows with hydrogen peroxide it is recommended that you do this at least 10 days prior. If you continue to do so after you’ve had this procedure it will cause premature fading.
- If your skin is constantly inflamed or acne-prone, please contact your stylist for a consultation to determine if this procedure is right for you. Your skin is the canvas from which pigment is deposited. If your skin is compromised, the pigment will not retain well and is more prone to an infection after each application. If you are on any type of acne medication (accutane) you are not a good candidate for this procedure. To be considered you have to be off the medication for at least 1 year.
- Reputable salons will not provide permanent makeup services if there is any type of facial break out, rash, inflammation, abrasion, blemish, bruise or sunburn. Please let your stylist know if you have any concerns with your skin prior to your appointment.
- Refrain from taking any supplements such as fish oil (omegas) or multivitamins a WEEK prior to your appointment. Multi-vitamins may increase inflammation or facial swelling during the procedure.
- Refrain from any skin treatments i.e. facials and skin care treatments i.e. lightening, resurfacing, anti-aging, anti-acne type products for at least 2 weeks prior to your appointment. Skin treatments will interfere with the healing process of your permanent makeup and may cause unpredictable results.
- Refrain from working out 24 hours prior your appointment. It is also highly recommended to refrain from working out at least 7 days AFTER your appointment. Increased blood flow will heal your brows prematurely and result in poor pigment retention.
- Eyelid Surgery or any type of face-lift surgery should be done at least 1 year before your appointment. It can slightly change the shape of your brows once all of the swelling subsides. Your shape can be adjusted but please consider that it will require more time and money spent.
- Facial treatments such as chemical peels or injectables i.e. Botox, fillers can be done 4 weeks before or 4 weeks after our procedure. These treatments can interfere with how your brows heal and can cause unwanted results. Please plan ahead accordingly.
- Have you previously had permanent makeup.
- Are you on any prescription medication that may thin your blood?
- Do you have a problematic skin-type that is constantly compromised (i.e. breakouts)?
- Are you pregnant or nursing?
- Do you have cancer and are you undergoing chemotherapy or radiation?
- Do you have a bacterial/viral infection or are you on antibiotics?
- Have you had Botox/ Fillers and/or any chemical peels in the last 4 weeks?
- Do you plan to have Botox/ Fillers and/or any chemical peels in the next 4 weeks? (This also includes laser treatments of any kind).
DO NOT:
- Wax or tint your brows
- Sunbathe, tanning salon
- Drink caffeine or alcohol for 24 hours prior
- Take blood thinners such as aspirin, vitamin E, Niacin, Ibuprofen
- Exercise 24 hours prior
You should expect a consultation that will discuss your desired brow shape and color preference. Your bone structure and lifestyle will play a huge role in determining the best suitable shape and this will also be discussed.
Consultations usually take about 25-35 min.
A good rule of thumb is if tweezing hurts, then your skin will be sensitive to this procedure. A topical medical grade lidocaine can be applied to help with any discomfort.
It can offer an option to those who have allergies to traditional makeup, or as a cosmetic solution for those who want to restore skin pigmentation; such as after breast surgery or hair loss due to an illness.
Questions regarding Aftercare and Healing Process
Expect to leave your appointment with your brows looking solid and darker. Ointment has to be thin and consistently applied for 7 days. No swimming, sauna, HOT steam showers, excessive sweating, anything where you’re immersed in water.
Aftercare is very important for producing a beautiful and lasting result.
- Keep the area clean by washing with freshly washed hands and a mild soap. Do not use a washcloth or sponge to remove soap. Simply splash with water. Do not use cleansing creams, acne cleansers or astringents. Use a mild, natural soap.
- Apply aftercare ointment with a Q-tip. Use the ointment very sparingly. Wipe off excess ointment with a clean Q-tip. Never touch the procedure area without washing your hands immediately before.
- Do not scrub, rub or pick at the epithelial crust that forms. Allow it to flake off by itself. If it is removed before it is ready the pigment underneath it can be pulled out.
- After the 7 days healing period, always use a sun block after the procedure area is healed to protect from sun fading. Maintaining proper skin care is suggested to help keep your brows as vibrant and fresh as possible. This means cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing the brow area is recommended.
If you have any signs and symptoms of infections you should seek medical care. These include but are not limited to: redness, swelling, tenderness of the procedure site, red streak going from procedure site towards the heart, elevated body temperature, or purulent drainage from the procedure site.
Though there isn’t much downtime associated with semi-permanent makeup, you can expect your lips to be slightly swollen immediately after, your lash line to be a bit red (almost as if you’ve been crying, nothing too serious), and your brows will be pretty crisp and dark. Everything should fade by a few shades within five to seven days, where the effect is softened by 50%. Typically, the semi-permanent makeup should last anywhere from a year and a half to three years or longer, just be cautious of the ingredients in your anti-aging serums and moisturizers.
If you use retinol, vitamin C, or hydroquinone, those ingredients will fade the brows and lips faster almost by half, and of course sun exposure can shorten the life of semi-permanent makeup. It’s recommend to get them touched up every two years.
- Swelling, itching, scabbing, light bruising and dry tightness. Ice packs are a nice relief for swelling and bruising. Aftercare balm is nice for scabbing and tightness.
- Too dark and slightly uneven appearance. After 3-7 days the darkness will fade and once swelling dissipates unevenness usually disappears. The follow-up touch up is highly recommended as any concerns can be addressed.
- Color change or color loss. As the procedure area heals the color will lighten and sometimes seem to disappear. This is normal. The procedure area has to be completely healed before we can address any concerns. This takes at least 4-6 weeks.
- Needing a touch up months or years later. A followup touch up is recommended 8 weeks after the initial appointment. Thereafter maintenance may be needed every 6-18 months to keep the shape symmetrical and the color refreshed.
* Failure to follow aftercare instructions may result in infections, pigment loss or discoloration.
- Constant STEAM! This means HOT showers! Frequent hot showers will cause premature fading as well as premature AGING. Hot showers feel great but need to be taken with caution. Our suggestion is once or twice a month, not everyday or every other day especially not more than two times a day. It causes inflammation and cellular breakdown. You will save on all of the expensive skin care, facials, potential plastic surgeries if you can try to refrain from constant hot steam showers.
- An active lifestyle with swimming, constant sweating, and/or saunas will cause premature fading.
- Oily skin type
- Smoking
Please see the aftercare page for more information.
Week 1
Day 1-2: Color will turn darker. Within 3 to 4 days you will start to scab. After 7-days, 50% of the darkness will fade away and show through your new natural color! You should have not swelling or bruising. For 7-days apply the aftercare ointment. DO NOT USE NEOSPORIN. DO NOT SWIM OR USE ALCOHOL BASED WIPES. After 7-days, do not apply anything else as air needs to reach the skins to speed up the healing process.
Day 3-7: Exfoliation starts as the outer skin begins to heal. This will cause top layers of the skin to shed with excess pigment flaking away. DO NOT PICK at the peeling or scabbed skin. Lightly tap the area around the application to alleviate any itching. Do not scratch it. Note that your color may appear gray at this point.
Week 2-3
The healing of your inner skin will start now. After disappearing/reducing, color will start to reappear. The color and hair strokes start to soften.
Week 4-5
The healing of your inner skin will now have reached its final stage. There will continue to be a softening of your color and hair strokes continue to soften. You can now plan and book your 2nd Application for between 6-8 weeks