Frequenty Asked Questions

Patience is key when creating beautiful brows! Semi-Permanent Makeup is an advanced permanent makeup technique that requires patience on behalf of the client. To create a lasting brow with the correct depth of color will take at least two visits to perfect. Because semi- permanent nature is a very delicate form of tattooing, it is not uncommon to loose pigment after your first visit. However at your second appointment, the pigment will take much more easily. If you do not have much hair, up to three sessions may be needed in order to create dimension and fill out the brow properly.

What is semi-permanent makeup?

Semi-permanent makeup is the process of implanting color pigment beneath the surface of the skin by means of sterile, disposable needles to produce the appearance of hairstrokes, makeup, or to enhance the natural features of the face. Unlike tattoo inks, pigments are designed to gently fade over time. Fading is considered a positive occurrence as it allows the artist to make changes to color and shape over the years as clientʼs natural coloration and facial changes occur. Our pigments line contains a mix of iron-oxide based pigments, as well as pigments that are specially formulated without the use of iron-oxides. They are nickle and titanium free, making them safe for MRIs.

A highly-effective, medical-grade topical anesthetic liquid is used for numbing during your application. Sensitivity levels will vary from person to person, however every effort is made to ensure you remain comfortable for the duration of the treatment. If you are a frequent smoker or have consumed caffeine, the topical anesthetics used during the treatment will not last as long. If you are on your menstrual cycle or you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia you may be more sensitive.

Your brows will appear darker and more defined than they will when they are fully healed. Redness and swelling are quite minimal, and will typically subside within 12 hours. For more sensitive skin types the area may stay red for up to 72 hours.

At your first appointment we will create a full structure for your entire eyebrow. When you leave you will have beautiful eyebrows! However, during the healing process pigment can fade and can also retain more in some areas than others. For some skin types, you may notice dramatic fading. Pigment can fade dramatically because of the failure to follow Pre-Care protocol, excessive use of brow makeup prior to microblading which compromises the health of the epidermal layer in the skin, because of excessive oil production in the skin, general skin sensitivity, and in the worst case an allergic reaction to the pigment. For those who are traveling from a distance and have waiting a long time for session, please keep in mind that microblading does not provide instant gratification. Microblading is a gentle process that will involve multiple sessions to build color, dimension, and shape. Patience is the key to creating brows that you will love for years to come. At your 2nd session we will assess your
color retention and touch up the entire brow in order to create more depth and boldness, if desired. Some clients will enjoy the softer look, and opt to only have certain areas touched up. After the second session, pigment retention will be much greater.
A third session is considered a “perfection visit” and is reserved for clients who need small tweaks done to their brows to further perfect them to their liking. Fourth sessions are very rare, but most commonly needed for those who:

  1. have not followed Pre-Care and After-Care thoroughly
  2. have oily/problematic/ruddy skin
  3. have little to no eyebrow hair to start with.

Please refer to our Health Considerations page to determine if you are a candidate.

You must be 18 years or older to receive a permanent makeup service at our studio. You must provide a valid form of ID in the form of a driver’s license and/or state identification card. It is illegal to perform these services in Michigan without this information present at the time of your
appointment.

You must wait at until you are not pregnant and completely finished breastfeeding to have our services performed. As a precaution we will not perform cosmetic tattooing of any style on pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Yes. For women who are used to wearing heavy brow makeup, it will appear much softer appearing than what they are used to seeing with makeup. Many times, a brow make-under is better than brow make-over!

Your brows will fade over time and will need a touch-up every 1-2 years. Without a touch-up, the pigments will gradually fade away over the course of 3-5 years. Frequency of touch-ups depends on a number of factors including: the pigment color used (lighter colors fade faster), lifestyle (sun exposure),and if any chemical peels/acids/anti-aging and anti-acne products are used on the skin.

2-3 treatments are usually needed, spaced at least a-8 weeks apart. A third session may be desired by those who have oily skin or have no natural eyebrow hair. With most applications, the color looks dramatically lighter after the first week. Some clients prefer this, while others opt for a bolder look. At the second treatment, we will assess the color retention and make adjustments as necessary. Everyone heals differently and at different rates. If your cosmetic tattoo does not heal perfectly the first time, do not worry-we can always go darker and add more density at your next appointment.

Sun exposure: The sun will extremely soften the look of your tattoo, so sunblock should be used (once healed). The regeneration of skin cells: The longer the regeneration takes, the longer the pigment holds. The speed at which the skin absorbs the pigment: The slower the absorption, the longer the pigment will hold. The choice of color: Some colors fade quicker than others, e.g. a blonde color will fade quicker than a dark brown colour. The area of treatment: Enhancements to the face, for example, fade more quickly due to constant exposure. Bleeding during the procedure: Any bleeding during the tattooing procedure will reduce the amount of pigment absorption. Alcohol and certain medications act as blood-thinners and should not be taken prior to and following your appointment. The use of anti-aging/anti-acne products on the face: These medications and acids travel in the skin, and can not be used for at least 30 days prior to a microblading service. Because of this, problematic skin is not always ideal for microblading. Please contact us before booking if you have concerns.

You must follow the Pre-Care Instructions which are provided to you via email upon booking your online appointment. Failure to do so will require you to reschedule your appointment and forfeit your deposit if had one. You can find these instructions here.

Your semi-permanent makeup will appear darker and more intense than expected for the first few days. If you feel slightly panicked by the darkness- this is normal! The color will gradually lighten during the 7-10 day healing process. Redness and swelling is not expected after 24 hours, however for sensitive skin this may vary. Please view our detailed aftercare instructions here.

The majority of our clients’ brows stay true to color and lighten naturally over time. There are some cases, however, where colors may fade to different tones according to the individuaʼs response to the pigments (like lifestyle and iron deficiencies). Many factors affect these changes. At your follow up appointment we will re-analyze how your body has responded to the initial color. Special alterations to the color formula can be done to correct the color and to prevent further color change at this time. As time goes on your brows will soften and have more of a “powdered” look. This happens with all clients as the skin ages. To keep your hair strokes looking nice, a re-touch appointment is suggested every 1 to 2 years. Results will vary with each client.

As with any tattoo, sun exposure will make the color soften faster, and a good sunscreen is recommended to keep damage minimal. The fading speed depends on your skintype, lifestyle (smoking, eating habits, etc.), sun exposure, pigment color used, broken capillaries, iron deficiency, and if any chemical peels were done after your procedure. If you are planning a chemical peel, MRI or other medical procedure, please check with us to see what types of pigments were used. We currently are using iron-oxide free pigments, however we sometimes use iron-oxide based pigments when necessary for certain skin types. Iron-oxide based pigments will negatively affect MRI scans.

Absolutely! We only use single use, disposable needles and supplies. This means that each set-up for each new client is discarded safely afterwards. Each station is thoroughly disinfected before opening and after each procedure throughout the day. We pride ourselves in having an immaculate and sterile studio space, where our artists are trained and certified by OSHA each year.

We require 24 hour notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. We understand things may occur that are uncontrollable so we provide a multitude of ways to contact us; phone, email, text, and online booking services. Our time is highly desired by many other clients, the cancellation policy provides us with the time to contact & accommodate another request. If you are more than 15 minutes late or failed to provide 24 hour notice, your total service cost may be charged to your credit card at the time you reschedule your next appointment. No Show fee $200. Touch Up cancellation within 24 hours $25

WHAT TO EXPECT

PhiBrowsTM Brow design is not determined by fashion trends. Instead, your technician will analyze your unique facial proportions, and from there the perfect brow will be measured onto your face for you to analyze carefully. With our specialized techniques, brow hair is NEVER shaven off. Instead, if there are hairs present they are used to blend the strokes for a natural appeal. We encourage everyone to use their natural bone structure as a foundation for building a brow that will be suited perfectly for their face. Adjustments will be continually made until we are sure that you are 100% happy with the shape we design for you. What does it feel like? A simple tool is used, which is placed on the surface of the skin and gently moved forward and up to flow pigment into the sparse areas of the brow. The sensation is likened to that of having your eyebrows tweezed or threaded. Rest assured that the very best topical anesthetics are liberally used to ensure your comfort for the duration of the treatment. What should I expect after my appointment? Immediately following your application your brow area will have some redness, which diminishes within a few hours. By this time, most women are comfortable going out in public. Depending on skin type and body chemistry, some may experience itching, tightness, mild scabbing, and exfoliation of the brow area. Within a week of your first treatment the color will fade significantly. This is considered an extremely positive occurrence as it allows you time to reflect on your shape and color. After a period of 4-a weeks, a second phase of microblading will be carried out in order to deepen and perfect the shape further. This touch-up session is crucial for a gorgeous, soft, and hassle-free brow. In certain cases, a third session may be necessary to further perfect your application.

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Are there any pre- existing conditions that interfere with consideration for a Microblading treatment?

  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding (treatment is possible with doctors note required)
  • On keloids or if you have tendency to keloid, birthmarks or moles.
  • Diabetic, if issues with healing
  • Serious diseases such as cancer, epilepsy, autoimmune disorders (doctor’s note is required)
  • Circulatory disorders (doctor’s note is required)
  • Any bleeding disorders (doctor’s note is required)
  • You’re taking blood thinning medication, please notify technician
  • Currently on Accutane or other strong retinoids (must wait until a months after treatment ends)
  • If any skin diseases symptoms or irritation appears on the area.
  • You’ve recently had Botox must inform technician
  • Old PMU, must send pictures or stop in for approval
  • You have a broken capillary in the eyebrows area
  • If you have a sunburn.
  • After waxing (must wait 3 days)
  • After chemical peels (must wait two weeks)

Is there anything I NEED to DO to PREPARE for my service?

  • Do not drink alcohol or energizing drinks on the day of treatment.
  • Do not take Aspirin, Niacin, Vitamin E or Ibuprofen 24 hours before treatment.
  • Do not take omega3 (fish oil) 1 week before treatment.
  • Do not tan or have intense sun exposure 3 days before treatment.
  • No waxing 2-3 days before treatment.
  • No chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser or any other intense treatments 2 weeks before treatment.
  • Shower and fix your hair as you need to take extra care not to get your brows wet for several days.

What can I expect during my session?

Here’s a quick rundown of a typical service provided by an official PhiBrows artist: First, the artist will need to do a patch test on the skin at least 24 hours before the procedure, if never had a tattoo or sensitive or oily skin. Make sure to call and book a 15 minute consultation prior to! Before the appointment begins, the artist will provide a quick consultation to discuss expectations and results of the treatment. The artist then draws on the eyebrow shape according to the PhiBrows golden ratio measuring tool. Brows are measured perfectly to complement your unique face shape and size. Next, the artist chooses the perfect PhiBrows color. Initial strokes are placed, then anesthetic is applied to reduce any discomfort. Pigment is worked into each stroke to define the brow. After, a pigment mask is left to absorb into the skin. Once that’s finished, the artist cleans the area thoroughly. After the service, the artist will apply a specific ointment

Is there any after-procedure care?
Yes! Make sure to avoid all of the following:

  • Increased sweating, practicing sports, swimming, hot sauna, hot bath or jacuzzi, sun tanning or salon tanning.
  • Any laser or chemical treatments or peelings, and/or any creams containing Retin-A or Glycol Acid on the face or neck.
  • Picking, peeling or scratching of the micro pigmented area in order to avoid scarring of the area or removal of the pigment.
  • Performing tasks related to heavy household cleaning such as garage or basement cleaning where there is a lot of airborne debris.
  • Drinking alcohol in excess as it may lead to slow healing of wounds.
  • Driving in open air vehicles such as convertibles, boats, bicycles or motorcycles.
  • Touching of the eyebrow area except for when rinsing and applying the post-care cream with a cotton swab.
  • Before showering apply a layer of post- care cream to protect your eyebrows from moisture. During the shower keep your face away from the shower head. Itching and flaking may appear during the first seven days post microblading procedure, However, experience has shown that by following these aftercare instructions these symptoms may quickly disappear.
  • Once completely healed, always apply a layer of sunscreen SPF 30 on your eyebrows when exposed to the sun. Sun exposure might cause the color pigment to fade away more quickly.

What happens during the touch-up?
The touch up is recommended 4-a weeks after initial treatment. During your touch up, the artist will fill in missing hairs, add or make hairs longer or just achieve a darker color.

What’s the Microblading healing process like?
Your new eyebrows will go through several phases during the healing cycle. True reflection of healed color can only be assessed 3-4 weeks after treatment. Touch- ups and/or correction of the shape/design is recommended at least 4 weeks after initial treatment. It will go from too dark, to too light, to just right! Immediately after the procedure, the pigment will appear very sharp and dark. This is because the pigment is still seating on top of your skin and has not yet settled in completely. The color of the pigment will soften gradually (do not be alarmed if you see some pigment on the cotton swab as this is excess pigment and/or body fluid that is naturally exiting your skin). Once the healing of the skin starts taking place it will look like dandruff flakes or dry skin. This might give you the impression that the color pigment is fading too quickly. However, this is just superficial color and dry skin being naturally removed from your eyebrows. Your eyebrows will be the lightest tones during days 5-12 because the color is absorbed in the deeper layers of the skin. Later skin cells push it back to the upper layers. Once the healing is completed, you will enjoy a pair of beautiful, new, natural looking eyebrows.

PRE-CARE FOR MICROBLADING

The skin must be free of all irritations including ingrown hairs, blemishes, eczema, and psoriasis. Absolutely no alcohol or caffeine 24-hours before application. Do not exercise for 24- hours before application. No intentional tanning 2 days before or day of application. If you get a sunburn on your face, you must allow at least 2-weeks for it to heal. Do not take Aspirin, Advil, Aleeve, Niacin, Vitamin E or Ibuprofen 2 days before application. Do not take fish oil for 2-weeks prior to application. No brow waxing or tinting one week before application. (Let your brow hair grow out for as long as you can stand it!) No Botox for at minimum of 3-weeks prior to your application and 3 weeks after. No chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or facials for 4-weeks prior to application. No Accutane for 1-year prior to application. No Antibiotic use for 30 days prior to appointment. (Message me type of antibiotics) If you have had permanent makeup done in the past, you must email a photo of your brows to determine your candidacy. On the day of your Appointment: Please arrive on time. I offer each client a 10- minute grace period, however clients who arrive later than this may need to reschedule. Please wear your makeup as usual so I can get an idea of where your comfort zone is with color and shape. I will then proceed to take you through a measurement process which will correct the shape as needed. Please be well hydrated and eat a light meal. Come with the mindset that this is a process that takes multiple steps! After your initial application heals, you will need to come in for 1-2 touch-ups to correct areas that have faded. You will need to reschedule your appointment if you: Have not followed the Pre-Care protocol Arrive with a sunburn on your face Arrive sick with a viral or bacterial infection In the instance you are ill, please call me as soon as possible to reschedule. Aftercare for Microblading Healing time is a standard 7-10 days. You will be supplied with a light ointment and Baby soap to apply to the brow each day. Let any scabbing or dry skin naturally exfoliate off. Picking can cause scarring. New skin forming causes the area to appear lighter at first during this period of time. Do not rub, pick at or scratch the area. Absolutely no makeup, skincare products, or sunscreen on treated area for two weeks. Avoid brow makeup for 14 days after application. Avoid direct sun exposure or tanning for 4 weeks after application. Absolutely no excessive sweating (from work/ exercise) for 7-10 days while healing. No facials, chemical treatments, and/or microdermabrasion for 4 weeks after. Try to avoid sleeping on your face for the first 2 weeks to protect area. Avoid washing your face directly in the shower head for 2 weeks to protect area. Eyebrows will appear darker and bolder due to natural scabbing and healing for the first two weeks. Most feel comfortable going about their daily lives and not taking time off from work during this period. Excessive fading may occur in sensitive skin types and for reasons we can not forsee. Multiple sessions may be necessary to determine causes of fading and to find the best approach for your skin.

Precare Instructions are designed and must be strictly followed to limit bleeding and skin sensitivities during the service. Excessing bleeding and sensitivity during the procedure will dilute and expel the pigment color and lead to poor results. Having this service performed during your menstrual cycle may increase discomfort during your procedure. If you are a frequent smoker or “sun worshipper” the topical anesthetics used during the treatment may not last as long and also can lead to poor retention and poor lasting results. If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, be aware that this may affect your sensitivity tolerance to the procedure.