Frequently Asked Questions
There is no such thing as a stupid question.... ask away!
There are many things to consider when having permanent makeup or an aesthetic treatment. I am always happy to answer all of your questions. Researching your practitioner is imperative and ensures that you make informed decisions about the treatments you have.
These are some of the most frequently asked questions at Sinéad Laura Aesthetics...
If you have any more questions please get in contact and I will be more than pleased to answer them for you.
WHAT IS MICROBLADING?
Microblading is a form of permanent makeup. It is a cosmetic tattooing procedure, specifically used for the eyebrows. A small handheld tool is used, made up of tiny micro-blades, these are used to manually create or mimic hairstrokes in the skin using pigment. Hairstrokes are 'bladed' into the skin with the microblade. The effect this gives is a 'hairstroke' styled eyebrow. This can be combined with shading, to add more definition to the eyebrows.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MICROBLADING AND NANO BLADING?
The difference between microblading and nanoblading is the size of the blades used In the handheld tool, that is used to create hairstrokes in the skin. A nano blade is a smaller selection of blades and creates finer hairstrokes. However, the technique used in the procedure is the is the same whether a microblade or nanoblade is used.
WHAT IS PERMANENT MAKEUP?
Permanent makeup is a tattooing technique, specifically used to create a make up effect for the face. It is also known as cosmetic tattooing. Permanent makeup can be used on the eyes, for eyeliner, the lips for lip colour and the eyebrows to create a fuller or more defined eyebrow. Permanent makeup is also known as micropigmentation. A hand held digital machine with a fine needle or collection of needles is used to implant pigment into the skin to mimic makeup, or define or create eyebrows. The pigments used in permanent makeup come in a vast range of different colours that are matched and mixed to the clients skin tone. Different colours are available for the lips, eyeliner and eyebrows.
WHAT ARE PERMANENT MAKEUP PIGMENTS?
The term pigment is used to describe the coloured solution that is used to implant colour into the skin in a permanent makeup or microblading procedure. Pigments are made from a fine powder that gives the colour, this is mixed with a liquid solution that can be tattooed into the skin. Permanent makeup pigments are designed to be broken down in the body and absorbed over time.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEMI-PERMANENT MAKEUP AND PERMANENT MAKEUP?
The term used for cosmetic makeup tattooing was always referred to as semi-permanent makeup. Some practitioners still refer to it as semi permanent makeup or SPMU. Semi permanent makeup and permanent makeup (PMU) are the same thing. The same process during the procedure and the same types of pigments and needles are used. The pigments are designed to be broken down in the body over time and absorbed, hence the term 'semi-permanent'. However, some parts of the pigment could remain the skin for a longer time, hence why the term 'permanent makeup' is preferable when referring to the title of the procedure.
CAN PERMANENT MAKEUP BE REMOVED?
Permanent makeup can be removed, either by laser removal or salt saline removal. Usually,
a number of sessions are required 6-8 weeks a part. With each session the pigments are gradually broken down which fades the permanent makeup.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PERMANENT MAKEUP AND A BODY TATTOO?
The pigments used in cosmetic tattooing are designed to be broken down and absorbed into the body over a number of years. A body tattoo uses a different substance known as 'ink', which is tattooed into the skin, the ink is designed to remain in the skin and not be broken down, so that it will remain in the skin indefinitely, but the colour may change over time.
IS MICROBLADING A TATTOO?
Microblading is a form of permanent makeup and therefore a tattoo, in the sense that pigments are implanted into the skin that last a number of years, but a tattoo machine is not used, and instead a handheld tool called a microblade.
IS PERMANENT MAKEUP A TATTOO?
Permanent makeup is form of tattooing. The machine and needles used are the same ones used for body tattoos. However, the pigments used differ from those used in body tattoos, which use ink.
HOW LONG DOES PERMANENT MAKEUP LAST?
Permanent makeup can last a number of years. The pigments are broken down and absorbed into the body over a few years, so the area the treatment was in will gradually fade. The rate at which the pigment is broken down depends on metabolism, skin type and lifestyle. Certain factors such as exposure to UVA and UVB rays can fade permanent makeup as a quicker rate. Skin care such as those containing vitamin A, AHA’s or BHA’s can also impact on the longevity of permanent makeup. Most clients like to return for colour boost sessions every year to keep the colour fresh, without over saturating the area with too much pigment.
DOES HAVING PERMANENT OR MICROBLDING HURT?
The procedure can be uncomfortable, so topical numbing cream is applied to the area prior to the procedure. This can be bought by the client prior to the appointment and applied so that they arrive with already numbed skin. Advice can be given to the client on which brand to use. Topical anesthetic cream can be bought over the counter from pharmacies.
HOW LONG DOES MICROBLADING TAKE?
For all new clients the process involves a consultation, including health consultation and a set of skin tests to check or allergic reactions, which are very rare but are required at least 48 hours prior to a treatment. The consultation process takes approximately 30 minutes and from there the first microblading appointment will be booked in. When you attend for your first appointment , please allow 2 hours. The eyebrows are mapped out and checked by you before the treatment starts. The pigments that will be used are colour swatched on your forehead and checked by you before they are used in the treatment. Photographs are taken before and after the treatment, this is for insurance purposes and your consent will be gained for use on social media. You can decline this consent if you wish, but photographs will still need to be taken for insurance purposes.
After your eyebrow shape is mapped and agreed by you, along with the pigment choice the procedure starts. After the procedure your aftercare advice and products will be given to you and your follow up session booked for 6-8 weeks later. The second session follows the same process.
After this is, if a client would like a third appointment, then this will incur an additional fee which will be quoted on consultation.
HOW LONG DOES PERMANENT MAKEUP TAKE?
For all new clients the process involves a consultation, including health consultation and a set of skin tests to check or allergic reactions, which are very rare but are required for insurance and safety purposes, at least 48 hours prior to a treatment. The consultation process takes approximately 30 minutes and from there the first permanent makeup appointment will be booked in. When you attend for your first appointment for either permanent lip colour, eyeliner or eyebrows, please allow 2 hours. You can have more than one area treated in the same session, such as lip colour and eyebrows, so the time would then be around 4 hours for two areas to be treated. The eyebrows are mapped out and checked by you before the treatment starts. Lips are also mapped out with a coloured liner and depending on the style of eyeliner chosen, a mapping process might also be used. The pigments that will be used are colour swatched on your face and checked by you before they are used in the treatment. Photographs are taken before and after the treatment, this is for insurance purposes and your consent will be gained for use on social media. You can decline this consent if you wish, but photographs will still need to be taken for insurance purposes.
After the area being treated is mapped out and agreed by you, along with the pigment choice the procedure starts. After the procedure your aftercare advice and products will be given to you and your follow up session booked for 6-8 weeks later. The second session follows the same process.
After this is, if a client would like a third appointment, then this will incur an additional fee which will be quoted on consultation.
HOW TO CHOSE THE RIGHT PRACTITIONER AND WHAT QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD BE ASKING AND WHY..
Researching your permanent makeup practitioner is highly important to ensure the highest quality and safety of a treatment.
My advice is to ask your practitioner:
What credentials do they hold?
What training have they had?
Do they hold valid insurance?
Do they hold the relevant licenses?
What services they offer?
Do they offer skin tests prior to a treatment?
Do they offer a face to face consultation prior to the treatment?
Do they do a health consultation?
Do they have images of the clinic or can the clinic be seen prior to a treatment?
Do they have reviews or testimonials from other clients?
WHAT ARE OMBRÉ BROWS?
Ombré brows are a style of permanent makeup for the eyebrows. Ombré means the blending of one colour into another. The ombré style gives a soft blended powder style eyebrow, where the colour is softer towards the bulb of the eyebrow. This is achieved with a digital tattoo machine to give a light dusting of colour into the skin.
WHAT IS A POWDER BROW?
A powder brow is a style of permanent makeup for the eyebrows. The effect is a light 'dusting' of colour, as if powdered makeup was worn on the eyebrows, but tattooed into the skin. Depending on the look the client would like, a powder brow can be very soft and subtle or bolder in appearance.
WHAT IS A COMBINATION BROW?
A combination brow is a style of permanent makeup for the eyebrows, combining hairstrokes and shading, to give shape and definition.
ARE CLINICS LICENSED?
Any clinic offering permanent make-up need to have a licence from the local authority it is based in. The practitioner is required to have separate 'personal' licence in order to practice. A licence ensures that the clinic is safe and suitable to practice in, that an Environmental Health Officer has visited the premise and checked the certification and insurance of the premises and practitioner, and that the clinic has met the necessary safety measures in order to practice.
DOES HAVING LIP FILLER HURT?
A topical numbing cream is applied before having any form of dermal filler to make the treatment more comfortable. Many of the dermal filler brands also contain lidocaine, which is a local anaesthetic, which also helps make the treatment more comfortable.
CAN LIP FILLERS OR DERMAL FILLERS BE DISSOLVED?
The majority of dermal fillers are made from hyaluronic acid, which can be dissolved with in injection of Hyaluronidase enzyme, into the area where there is dermal filler. Dermal filler can be dissolved , in areas that have been over filled with filler, if the client no longer wants dermal filler or if the dermal filler has migrated or moved to other areas.
DO YOUR LIPS SWELL AFTER HAVING LIP FILLER?
It is normal to have some swelling after having lip filler or dermal fillers in other areas of the face. The lip area is particularly likely to swell after having dermal filler and they can take up to two weeks to settle. However, most clients find that after a few days the swelling subsides. Swelling is the body's natural reaction to any form of trauma and forms part of the healing process. Any client who is worried about swelling, has shooting pains in the area, or severe swelling should contact their practitioner for advice immediately.
WHY DOES SINÉAD LAURA AESTHETICS ONLY USE PREMIUM BRANDS OF DERMAL FILLER?
Premium brands of dermal filler can be purchased through safe and trusted pharmacies, so I know that all of my procedures are safe and high quality. this is reflected in the price, as the premium branded dermal fillers are more expensive than other brands. Ensuring client safety is imperative at Sinéad Laura Aesthetics no matter what the cost.