Cosmetic Tattooing FAQs

Are you a Registered Skin Penetration Clinic?

Yes, EMPIRE Cosmetic Clinic is a registered skin penetration clinic and we adhere to very strict guidelines.

What is Cosmetic Tattooing?

Cosmetic Tattooing and Microblading, are semi-permanent
procedures in which pigments are deposited beneath the surface of the skin with very fine sterile needles attached to a manual pen-like tool or digital machine to create the illusion of hair strokes, powdered shading and make up to enhance your look.

Cosmetic Tattoo is suitable for men and women of all ages, over the age of 18.

The procedure is a 2 step process that involves your initial appointment where the most of your shape is completed followed by a perfecting session(s) approximately 6 weeks later where we perfect any areas that need attention.

Our brow tattoo options include ‘Ombre Powder Brows’, ‘Feather Touch Brows’ and our signature method ‘Combination Brows’.

TATTOO RESTRICTIONS, DIFFICULTIES & PRE APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
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Contraindications - If any of the following apply, ​you're not able to proceed with any cosmetic tattoo treatment(s)

• If you are a hemophiliac

• If you are under 18 years of age

• Sorry, Cosmetic Tattoo procedures cannot be performed if you are pregnant.

• If you have active skin cancer, any skin diseases, symptoms, irritation, or inflammation at the time of treatment. Your skin needs to be healthy at your appointment.

• If you have keloid scarring in the area or have a tendency to keloid scar.

• ​​If you have hyper (over/darker) or hypo (under/lighter) pigmentation around the area. Working on these areas can actually make it worse.

• ​If you are taking any blood thinning medications or Omega 3 fish oil and Vitamin E supplements.​

• If you are diabetic and it is not under control. If you are taking medication to control diabetes, a doctors note may be required.

• If you have high blood pressure and it is not under control. If you are taking medication to control your blood pressure, a doctors note may be required.

• Clients unable to take a break from exercise are not suitable candidates.
  The aftercare requires you to stop any vigorous exercise or swimming for at least the first 7-10 days.

• If you suffer from any nervous or anxiety disorders please consider carefully if this is something for you as the healing process takes up to 6 weeks and can be an anxious wait as the treatment is not perfected until after healing of the touch up.

You can have a BROW TATTOO but must wait if:

• You've recently had a chemical peel / intense skin treatment. You must 2-3 weeks for your skin to settle down.

• You've recently had Botox. You must wait at least 2 weeks before having a brow tattoo to allow the Botox to settle.

• You're using Accutane, Isotretinoin, or other strong retinoids. You need to be off this kind of medication for 1 year.​

• You're undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Your treatments should have finished prior to your appointment and can only be done with a doctor's note.

You can have a LIP TATTOO but must wait if:​​​

• You currently have a coldsore. This must be fully healed before the treatment. If you have EVER had a coldsore you must be prescribed antiviral medication by your GP to take for a few days before and a few days after your your lip treatment. Not doing so can cause an outbreak and you may experience more sensitivity during the treatment and it can affect the retention of the pigment. Once the treatment is complete you can also use a topical coldsore cream to help prevent an outbreak.

• You have any kind of sore or open wound on your lip. This must be fully healed before the treatment.

• You have very thin lips, you may want to consider having lip filler before having the treatment to make this treatment more visible and effective.

• You have just had lip fillers. You must wait 4 weeks for the filler to fully settle and for the lip skin to heal. Once your lips have healed, you must wait 4 weeks before having lip filler. Having filler after the tattoo can make the tattoo lighter as you're stretching the skin.

• You've recently had an intense skin treatment (such as fibroblast) around the lips. You must wait for your skin to heal.

• You've recently had Botox or muscle relaxants around the mouth area. You must wait 4 weeks.

• You're using Accutane, Isotretinoin, or other strong retinoids. You need to be off this kind of medication for 1 year.

• ​You're undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Your treatments should have finished prior to your appointment and can only be done with a doctor's note.​

You can have an EYELINER TATTOO but must wait if:

• You currently have an eye infection, stye or conjunctivitis. This must be fully healed before the treatment. Having the treatment could also cause a flare up.

• You've recently had a lash lift. You must wait 2 weeks before having the treatment.

• You have eyelash extensions. These must be off and must be off for 2 weeks before having the treatment.

• Once your treatment is done, you must wait 4 weeks before having a lash lift or extensions to allow the skin to heal.

• You have hooded eyes covering your lash line, you may want to consider a treatment like fibroblast or brow lift before having the treatment to make it more visible.

• You've recently had an intense skin treatment (such as fibroblast) around the eyes. You must wait for your skin to heal.

• You've recently had Botox around the eye area. You must wait at least 2 weeks before having an eyeliner tattoo to allow the Botox to settle.

• You've recently had an eyeliner tattoo and want Botox. You must wait 2 weeks before having Botox to allow the skin heal.

• You're using a growth serum on your lashes. You must stop using this 2-6 months prior to having the treatment. Lash growth serums thin the skin so you will find it much more painful and bruise more easily.

• You're using Accutane, Isotretinoin, or other strong retinoids. You need to be off this kind of medication for 1 year.

• ​​You're undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Your treatments should have finished prior to your appointment and can only be done with a doctor's note.

What's the difference between Microblading, Ombre Powder Brows & Combination Brows?

No two clients’ skin and eyebrows are the same. For that reason, we provide a few cosmetic tattoo techniques for brows including; Microblading, Ombre Powder Brows and Combo Brows (Microblading + Powder Shading) to accommodate a variety of clients.

All brow styles are beautiful and can be adjusted to look super soft or more intense, it just comes down to which style you prefer, your skin type, lifestyle and various other factors.

Microblading / Feather Touch Brows
Let’s start with Microblading. Also known as Feather Touch Brows, the results are meant to mimic the illusion of real hair strokes, and can help improve symmetry, shape, and hair density.

Perfect for clients who want to fill out gaps in their eyebrows where hair is missing, or achieve very natural looking eyebrows. Microblading will not take the place of makeup for a client who prefer a powder-like filled in look. Hair-strokes alone, with no background, do require more re-touching than other methods. Please note, that this method is not suited to everyone, so a consultation is required prior to booking.

Ombre or Powder Brows
Unlike the dreaded old school green-tinged permanent makeup of the 80’s and 90’s, the latest trends are not as harsh and obvious-looking, nor are the incorrect pigments used!

A personal favourite, Ombre Powder Brows give a more defined appearance, and are usually a longer-lasting option. Powder brows are done by shading in the desired eyebrow shape with a machine. There are no hair strokes in a powder brow.

They look more like a misty, powder filled brow similar to the look of makeup meaning the tails of the brow are darker, and fade into a light start to the brow. A perfect option for clients who prefer a powder-like filled in eyebrow, and also for those with very oily complexions who do not retain hair strokes as well.

Combination Brows
A good, longer lasting option can be a combination of these, where a lighter powder-fill will be done at the first appointment, then hair-strokes over the top, to give texture and a realistic, hair like appearance.

Machine work does last longer than microblading, and some skin tends to accept pigment better with this application. During a consultation we would be able to make a custom recommendation for your eyebrows based on what hair we are working with, your desired results, as well as your skin type.

Do you tattoo those under the age of 18?

Cosmetic Tattoo is suitable for men and women of all ages, over the age of 18. If you are under 18 years old - even with parental consent it is illegal in AUS to tattoo someone under the age of 18.

Can I have treatments done if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

Sorry, Cosmetic Tattoo procedures cannot be performed if you are pregnant. The truth is, there is very little scientific research on the effects of anaesthetic and the pigments we use, especially on pregnant women.

Also during pregnancy, facial tissues can be distorted and stretch due to swelling and fluid retention. Plus hormones wreak havoc on our body and skin, so healing and results are unpredictable. It's not fun. We also do not recommend getting cosmetic tattooing while you are breast feeding, unless you express for 48 hours prior to the procedure.

Can I bring my child or a friend to my appointment?

Unfortunately our clinic is not child friendly. Due to OH&S and our insurance, it is recommended you come alone. It is in your best interest to have an uninterrupted treatment in order for our specialists to complete your procedure in a timely and professional manner.

What does the consultation involve?

During these consultations, we will discuss with you what looks and methods of cosmetic tattoo or skin treatments may be suitable for you.

We discuss shape, pigment colour, and answer questions you may have about the treatment.

We can also design and draw a brow shape for you, so you have a better idea of what cosmetically tattooed eyebrows would look like on you, and make suggestions regarding pigment colour, hair pattern and shape, and how any asymmetry may be corrected.

If you are unable to make an appointment for a consultation during business hours or are located some distance away, we offer free email and phone consultations also. No deposit is required for this.

There is a $50 consultation fee payable, which will be taken off your treatment price if and when you proceed to treatment. If you do not proceed, the amount is not refundable. The consultation will take approximately 15-30 mins.

What is involved in a cosmetic brow tattoo appointment?

Your brow artist will discuss with you in great detail the look you wish to achieve and provide recommendations on how to achieve this outcome. This is very much a two-way conversation, in which we will listen, respond and advise.

Once we know the look you are aiming for, we draw the brows on with a makeup pencil. These can be drawn on and adjusted as many times as necessary, until you are completely comfortable. We will not proceed with the tattooing process until you are well and truly happy with the shape that we have drawn. As tattoo artists, we aim to create as much symmetry as possible, but it is important to note that faces are not symmetrical.

The initial procedure/appointment will take approximately 1.5 - 3 hours, depending on the method of brow tattoo. This time frame includes a thorough consultation and numbing time, so you feel comfortable every step of the way. Before we start, we map out the shape on your face, taking into account how the brows will complement your face shape and facial features. Please bear in mind that your eyebrows will never be identical. Unfortunately, it is not possible to create perfectly symmetrical brows – especially with the Microblading procedure – as tiny hair strokes are being replicated.

Should I wax or pluck my brows before my appointment?

No need, FIGHT THE URGE! It is desirable to have as many natural hairs as possible to achieve a natural look. If you do get them waxed before your appointment please do so at least 48 hours beforehand.

What is a Perfecting Session and do I need one?

Cosmetic Tattoo treatments are a two step process.

As each person’s healing rate is different, a minimum of two sessions is almost always needed to achieve your desired look. These touch up sessions can occur at least four to six weeks after initial treatment. Depending on your skin type and how quickly your body heals, some areas might retain pigment better than others. A small percentage of clients might need 2-3 perfecting sessions.

As our cosmetic tattooing appointments book up weeks in advance, we highly recommend that our clients book in a perfection visit during their first appointment. It is always best to secure subsequent perfection visits, as they can be easily cancelled (with 72 hours’ notice) if you find that you do not require more.

Perfecting Sessions are $150 for touch ups completed within 6 weeks from initial treatment. If time lapsed between initial treatment and perfecting session is greater than eight weeks then the cost is $180.

Every person’s skin is different, and the healing process will be different for everyone. Some people’s skin will hold pigment much better than others, so every person will experience a different degree of fading. You could potentially find that one brow heals perfectly, while the other one heals slightly patchy. Although the exact same procedure is done on every individual, results can vary due to the skin and its ability to heal and hold pigment. We cannot guarantee how much of the pigment your skin will hold and retain.

Colours will appear to be darker and more sharply defined immediately after the procedure. After approximately 7-10 days, the colours will lighten by around 40%. It is entirely normal for tattoos to flake or for clients to lose some colour during this period.

How do I maintain my cosmetic brow tattoo? How long does it last?

Normally your Cosmetic Tattoo should last 1 to 3 years. Your skin type and metabolism, lifestyle, and proper care of the treated area, along with smoking, medication, iron levels, surgery or other procedures all contribute to fading.

Also keep in mind that facial tattoos aren’t as deep as ‘regular’ tattoos. Pigments are different to ink. Pigments are non toxic - so expect them to fade gradually.

Cosmetic tattooing procedures are semi-permanent, so brow tattoos will begin to noticeably fade after twelve months. To ensure your tattoos look their best, annual maintenance is recommended.

Maintenance needs will vary from person to person, and we find some clients will need more visits than others. The majority of our clients will have their brow tattoos touched up every 9-12 months. Please note that our Annual Colour Boost touch up prices are for EMPIRE brow clients only.

Can I change from Feather Touch Brows to Powder/Ombre or Combination method?

Yes, you certainly can! If you have previously had your brows tattooed by EMPIRE please contact us directly to discuss your options in more detail. A consultation is almost always recommended.

How long will it take to heal? Can I go back to work?

Yes, you will need to do some planning before your treatment. Everyone's skin is different and healing time may vary from this procedure. Depending on your skin type and how quickly your body heals, some areas might retain pigment better than others. A small percentage of clients might need two to three perfecting sessions instead of one.

There is no down time required after a microblading or Cosmetic Tattoo procedure. It takes approximately 7-14 days for the brows to heal over, and about 4-6 weeks for the colour to fully set in. We'll give you thorough aftercare instructions in your take home kit with more information.

During the healing phase, we do not recommend swimming in the ocean or a chlorine filled pool. Chlorine can bleach the healing brow, and the salt in the ocean will pull out the pigment. It is extremely important that clients do not get water (including sweat and steam) on their tattooed brows for 10 days following their appointment either.

Please be aware of this and consider any upcoming plans when scheduling your appointment.

How will my brows look after treatment?

After treatment, it is completely normal for the area to appear darker and more intense. This will only last a few days, until the skin naturally exfoliates and heals to reveal the true colour. The brows will likely look very sharp, but they will look much softer once they have healed. After treatment, the brows may also appear thicker than you might like, but this will settle after 7-10 days. While healing, swelling can recede the brows and as a result, will shorten their appearance slightly. Whilst swelling with brows is very minimal, it may happen.

What is the aftercare like?

It is extremely important that clients do not get water (including sweat and steam) on their tattooed brows for 10 days following their appointment. Saltwater and chlorine both bleach the brows and draw out the pigment, so do not swim in the ocean or a pool for 10 days. Following cosmetic tattoo procedures, you need to use the recommended aftercare ointment for the healing process.We will explain all aftercare instructions and provide you with a detailed information sheet at your appointment.

Is the procedure painful?

The process isn't as painful as you'd imagine. Firstly, anaesthetic is applied - phew! The sensation is similar to a little scratch but you should not feel any discomfort. Most clients find the procedure less painful than plucking or threading. We’ve even had clients fall asleep.

Most brow tattoo clients say that they almost feel nothing at all, however, everyone's pain tolerance is different. A topical cream will be applied 15-30 min prior to any procedure, as well as a liquid topical anesthetic during the procedure. We have also found that some clients will naturally feel more pain at times of menstruation.

If you are extremely sensitive to pain, you may wish to speak to your doctor or pharmacist beforehand and ask for pain relief advice.

Do you correct other people’s work?

We are asked very regularly to correct another artist’s work. Due to the popularity of brow tattoos, there has been a huge growth in the number of unqualified and inexperienced brow artists performing tattoos. Please note that we take on each brow correction case on an individual basis, and unfortunately cannot always resolve every case.

If you have had cosmetic tattooing or work done by another artist, we ask that you book in for a consultation first to determine asymmetry, cool correction, lightening or if complete removal is recommended. Price varies and will be discussed at your consultation as colour correction is difficult and requires at least 2 extra treatments. Please note, tattoo removal is not possible if you are pregnant or nursing, have a bleeding disorder or present with any other contra-indictors.

What method of tattoo removal do you offer or recommend?

Saline removal is a safer, less painful or invasive removal technique. We tattoo a highly concentrated solution into the skin which draws the pigment out externally instead of internally. This allows the pigment particles to be released from a scar rather than to be excreted through the human waste system. We cannot remove more than 1 square inch of tattoo on the skin per session. This is about the size of a full set of brows or a small sized tattoo. If you have had cosmetic tattooing or work done by another artist, we ask that you book in for a consultation first to determine asymmetry, cool correction, lightening or if complete removal is recommended.

I am about to undergo chemotherapy. Can I have my tattooing before my treatment?

Ideally, yes! It would be ideal to tattoo your brows while there is still hair in the area, however, we work with many cancer patients and alopecia sufferers who have no hair altogether. If you are currently undergoing chemotherapy, we will need a letter of approval from your Oncologist before we can complete the procedure. If you choose to have your procedure done before chemotherapy, we recommend having your top up after you have completed treatment, but this can be sooner if your Oncologist approves.

 Am I able to have minor surgical procedures around the time of my appointment?

We recommend having any minor surgical procedures at least 3 weeks before or after your treatment.For any surgeries where general anesthetic is required, we would recommend waiting at least 4 weeks before your appointment. If you are unsure, please consult with your doctor before making your appointment.

Am I able to have my brows tattooed if I am on blood thinners?

Clients who are on these medications must confirm with their doctor if they can proceed. In our experience, clients taking blood thinners will often require up to three to four visits to achieve their ideal result – this is because the pigment may not sit very well into the hairstroke made, due to thin blood flow.

Am I able to have my brows tattooed if I am taking fish oil or ibuprofen?

Fish oil and ibuprofen thin the blood, which causes the wound to reject the pigment and results in poor pigment retention. If you are taking these medications, it is best to discontinue use for a minimum of 7 days prior to your procedure. If you have been advised to take them for medical reasons, please consult with your medical practitioner. For optimal results, you may simply need to return for an additional perfection visit.

Am I able to get tattooing if I have recently had Botox or fillers?

Please ensure that you have your Botox, Dysport or Fillers procedure at least a fortnight before or after your cosmetic tattooing appointment. You run the risk of the relaxers or filler migrating affecting each brow and muscle differently, and the pigment of the tattoo ending up misaligned creating a lack of symmetry. The last thing you would want is one brow higher than the other or even being different shapes.

Am I able to have my procedure if I am taking Roaccutane?

If you take Roaccutane, Retina, AHA, Glycolic, Doxycycline, or other medications, you will need to wait 6-12 months from your last tablet before getting a cosmetic tattoo. We will also require a doctor’s note to ensure you are ready to go ahead with the treatment. All medications have an impact on the skin – if you take daily medications, you will almost certainly require a perfection visit.

Am I able to have my procedure if I am diabetic?

Diabetic clients and those with autoimmune disorders may experience poor wound healing. For diabetics, this is especially common if their blood sugar is poorly controlled. We ask diabetic clients to consult with their doctor prior to their appointment to ensure that cosmetic tattooing is suitable for them.

Am I able to have my procedure if I have a history of Keloid Scarring?

If you have a history of keloid scarring, we would not recommend cosmetic tattooing. If you still choose to go ahead with this procedure, we will require clearance from your doctor, as well as ask that you sign an extra disclosure form.

Am I able to have my procedure if I have a history of blood clotting problems?

If you experience blood clotting problems and are considered to be hemophiliac, we will require you to speak with us on the phone prior to booking your appointment. If possible to proceed with treatment we need a clearance letter from your doctor at the time of your appointment. 

Am I able to have my procedure if I take HRT/Thyroid Medication?

Hormonal imbalances and or medications/remedies may cause cosmetic pigment to fade more rapidly and can very rarely alter colours, due to pigment base tone. Please keep this in mind when booking your appointment.

Am I able to have my procedure if I have reactions to hair dye, henna and other dyes?

If you experience reactions to hair dye or henna, please ensure that you make our receptionist aware of this whilst booking your appointment. Even though our pigments are not made from the same ingredients, you may be required to come in for a patch test before your appointment.