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Frequently Asked Questions
Who cannot have cosmetic tattoos done?
When considering booking PMU, please read the contraindications thoroughly. If any one of these apply to you, you are no longer a candidate for the service. No exceptions can be made.
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CONTRAINDICATIONS
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Non-compliant to pre-care and after-care instructions
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You are pregnant
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You are under 21 years old
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Have been knowingly exposed to COVID within 14 days of appointment
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Planning to or have received a COVID-19 vaccine dose within 2 weeks before and after your appointment
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Have any active infection
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Taking blood thinning medications
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Have any undiagnosed or untreated heart issues or conditions
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Have had any exfoliating treatments less than 4 weeks prior
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Have hypersensitivity or a auto-immune disorder that is not under control with medication
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Prone to keloid scarring, hypertrophic scarring, or any other excessive scarring condition
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Known allergy to any topical or local anesthetics (i.e., lidocaine)
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Have any form of surgery within 4 weeks before and after your appointment
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Have had any form of radiotherapy or chemotherapy within 6 months of appointment
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Known allergy to any ingredients to tattoo pigments or needles, regular makeup, essential oils, any preservatives, hair dyes or other dyes
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Do cosmetic tattoos hurt?
To ensure your comfort, Mariah uses two numbing agents during the procedure. For brows and lash line, a primary topical numbing cream is used for 10-15 minutes to prepare the skin for the procedure. For lip blush, we will only use a numbing cream once the initial tattoo outline has been completed. During all procedures, a secondary numbing solution to further minimize discomfort. Everyone experiences pain differently, and it’s common for one brow to feel more sensitive than the other. Mariah is committed to making you as comfortable as possible, and most clients describe the sensation as very tolerable, often comparing the blading portion to a mild cat scratch. Please note that sensitivity may be heightened during your menstrual cycle.
No caffeine prior to my session... why not?
Caffeine has a blood-thinning effect, which can lead to excessive bleeding during your procedure. This makes it harder for me to apply the pigment effectively, as the bleeding pushes the pigment out. Additionally for brows, when the pigment mixes with the cool-toned blood, it can result in ashy, uneven retention. My goal is to give you the best cosmetic tattoo possible, so avoiding caffeine before your appointment is key to achieving optimal results.
Why can I not work out the morning of or 10-days post my session?
Just like caffeine, working out increases blood flow, which can lead to excessive bleeding during your session and interfere with the pigment application. Now, let's talk about the 10-day post-care period: the issue here is sweat. Sweat is almost entirely water, but that small amount of salt—just 1%—acts like saline, which is the number one remover of permanent cosmetics. After going through the pre-care, the payment, and seeing your gorgeous new brows/lash line/lip blush, you definitely don’t want to sweat them away! So, for the best results, give yourself a 10-day break from intense workouts. Take it easy, enjoy a walk outdoors, and focus on self-care to ensure your brows last beautifully long term.
Do I need to purchase anything to care for my tattoo?
As part of your initial session, I provide an aftercare goodie bag with everything you’ll need for proper healing, tailored to each service I offer. Your role in aftercare is essential to achieving the best possible healed results, and I do everything I can to ensure you’re fully prepared to take care of your tattoo.
Why is the 6-12 week perfecting session highly recommended?
I always remind my clients that the initial session is just the foundation, and full healed results aren’t visible until about four weeks after the procedure. Several factors, including skin type, age, the end goal, and your dedication to aftercare, can influence the healing process. Some areas may heal perfectly, while others might need minor touch-ups. Or, you may decide to adjust the shape or color—both of which can be addressed during the perfecting session. During the initial session, I take a more conservative approach because we can always add but not take away. If you’re completely satisfied with your healed results, you’re welcome to cancel your perfecting session. However, if your tattoo heals perfectly and you’d like to come back, I offer additional services discounted like brow or lip waxing, or a lash lift & tint, so I can capture your beautiful healed results.
When is a annual refresher recommended?
The ideal timing for an annual refresher session depends on the type of cosmetic tattoo. •For brows, I recommend coming in between 18-24 months after your initial session, once your tattoo has faded by about 50-70%. Coming in too early can lead to over-saturation of pigment, which won’t look as natural over time and could cause unnecessary trauma to the skin. •For lip blush, you can schedule a refresher as early as 6 months post-session, but I recommend waiting at least 12 months. Lips naturally exfoliate faster, causing quicker fading, and factors like sun exposure or lip biting can contribute to premature pigment loss. If you're aiming for a lipstick effect, you may choose to come in sooner depending on your maintenance goals. •For lash line tattoos, because the skin on your eyelids is thin and retains pigment longer, I recommend coming in around the 2-year mark. If you're unsure whether it’s time for a refresher, feel free to text me a photo, and I’ll advise you on what I think is best.
What if I have received the same type of service but by another artist and I am now wanting for Mariah to be my artist?
If you’ve had your brows, lash line, or lip blush done by another artist, I require a consultation beforehand or a set of clear photos once you request an appointment. This helps me assess the existing work to determine whether I’m comfortable working over it. If I’m not confident in proceeding, I may recommend waiting for more fading or suggest pico laser removal. Please note that any new clients coming from a previous artist will be considered an initial session, as annual refreshers are reserved for my current clientele.