FAQ’s

+ Is it painful?

A numbing agent is applied during the procedure to maximize comfort. Pain threshold differs person to person however, you may feel more sensitive during your menstrual cycle. Please do not take any blood thinners such as Ibuprofen prior to your procedure.

+ How long does the procedure take?

The initial appointment can take up to 2 hours which includes the application of the numbing agent, mapping and outlining and the procedure.

+ How long does it last?

Depending on your lifestyle, beauty regimen (exfoliation, etc.), sun exposure and skin type (oily skin types have more trouble with pigment retention) brows can last from 1-3 years. To maintain your brows, touch ups are encouraged every 1-3 years. *Please note that final results are not guaranteed as everyone retains pigment differently and follow-up appointments are recommended at 8-12 weeks where we can evaluate your pigment retention and make any adjustments. Clients with fair hair, previous tattoos or thin to sparse eyebrows may require more than one appointment to reach their desired brow at an extra cost.

+ How will my eyebrows feel after the procedure?

Once the numbing agents have worn off, there will be slight tenderness, minimal swelling and redness though it usually disappears within 48 hours. You may take Tylenol to aid in swelling and discomfort but refrain from taking any blood thinners such as Ibuprofen. Some flaking and scabbing may occur within the first week of the healing process. Brows may appear darker at first, but the pigment will lighten and soften after your brows have fully healed at 4-6 weeks. If you prefer darker pigment or a bolder brow shape please let me know prior to the follow up appointment.

+ What if I have existing cosmetic tattoos?

We take corrective work on a case by case basis. Prior to booking your new appointment you must email photos of your existing tattoos to info@sanctuarydurham.com so we can determine if your tattoos can be corrected. We can not guarantee the results for corrective/coverup work. If the previous tattoo is too dark, large, discolored, tattoo removal is strongly recommended before booking an appointment with me to achieve the best results. Corrective/coverup work will generally require multiple sessions for best results and additional touch ups will be charged accordingly. *People with active skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and those with allergies to makeup or pigments are not good candidates for this procedure. I cannot perform this procedure on pregnant or breastfeeding women or anyone under the age of 18 years old.

+ How many treatments are needed?

2 sessions are recommended for maximum results - It is highly recommended to schedule a touch up 8-10 weeks after the initial procedure and every 1-3 years to maintain the brow shape and color. It varies, however, depending on skin type and pigment choices. Individuals with an oily skin type may have trouble with pigment retention due to quick skin cell regeneration.

+ How can I prepare for this procedure?

All waxing, threading or tweezing must be done a 48 hours prior to procedure. 
Do not have any type of facial or peel 2 weeks prior to treatment 
Avoid excessive tanning before and after the procedure in case of sunburn, which will cause your tattoo to peel and fade almost immediately. 
Avoid all blood thinning medications such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Vitamin E, Fish Oil, Retin-A, Renova, or Cortisone before the procedure. If you are currently taking the prescription drug, Accutane, you must wait one full year before considering the procedure. Written permission from your physician is required if you are taking Coumadin or Heparin. 
Please avoid drinking caffeine before the procedure. 
Do not consume alcohol the day before or day of your procedure.

+ Do you offer consultations?

Yes - consultations are complimentary and can be scheduled to meet either in person or via FaceTime/Skype.

+ Is the studio and equipment safe?

Absolutely! We pride ourselves on having an immaculate and sterile studio space. We only practice with single use, disposable needles and supplies. This means each set-up for a new client is safely discarded afterwards. Our stations are thoroughly disinfected before starting and after each procedure throughout the day. We are all blood borne pathogens certified and North Carolina Department of Health Services approved.

+ How do i know if i am a good candidate for cosmetic tattooing?

SKIN TYPE  Microblading works best on normal/dry skin types. Those with large pores, oily skin or thin/sensitive skin tend to have more difficulty retaining pigment. Moles, bumps/acne, piercing scars, and generally raised skin around the brow area will also not be able to retain pigment. Powder brows, which are performed with a machine, have better retention rates with those who have oily, thin, textured or sensitive skin.

SKIN CONDITIONS  If you have skin which is prone to complications with eczema, psoriasis, keratosis pilaris and dermatitis (i.e., your skin is constantly flaking, itching, or aggravated), chances are your skin is in a constant state of unrest and shedding, therefore won’t hold pigment well. The same goes for conditions such as chronic acne and rosacea. The imminent nature of this skin type causes easy bleeding, which once again means your skin will not retain pigment well.

MEDICATIONS  If you are taking acne medications such as Accutane or Retin-A within the last year, you have an altered skin condition that will not heal well after the procedure. It’s extremely important that you wait a full year before considering cosmetic tattooing. If you are taking Retinol and Vitamin A you should discontinue the use of each one month prior to their procedure.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Irregular State - If your body naturally runs hot or you have a bleeding disorder or if you are anemic, this will result in excessive bleeding and prevent pigment to deposit properly. 
Autoimmune - If you have an autoimmune disorder such as lupus or frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), you will be not a good candidate for cosmetic tattooing due to your compromised skin health caused by these disorders. 
Other Conditions - If you are pregnant, nursing, have hemophilia, a heart condition, , it is absolutely not recommended that you get any form of permanent make up done as this puts you in a high-risk position. People who have heart issues often are on medications that thin the blood which will cause excessive bleeding a poor results with cosmetic tattooing.  BOTOX  Please have your brow procedure done BEFORE Botox so your muscles will be in a normal state of movement. Alternatively, if you regularly use Botox, you will need to wait at 3 weeks after Botox before having your brows done in order to allow the Botox to settle in at its full effect.

SPECIAL EVENTS  If you have a special event or vacation coming up, please plan your brow procedure accordingly. If you are planning to go on a vacation involving sun exposure, sweating and swimming, make sure you give your skin at least two weeks to heal after your brow session. Same goes for a special event - we advise our clients not to apply makeup near or on the brow area for at least one week post procedure.

POLICIES & MORE

+ Deposits

A deposit is required to secure your appointment. Deposits are non-refundable but are transferable to reschedule your appointment. The deposit is used towards the final cost of the procedure.

+ Payment

Cash and all major credit cards are accepted - no personal checks.

+ Cancellations

Any cancellation or reschedule made less than 24 hours will result in a cancellation fee. The amount of the fee will be equal to 50% of the reserved services. If you are more than 15 minutes late for your service, we may not be able to accommodate you. In this case, the same cancellation fee will apply. We will do our very best to reschedule your service for another time that is convenient to you.

We require a credit card to hold your appointment. Cancellation fees will be charged to your card on file. In the event of a true, unavoidable emergency, all or part of your cancellation fee may be applied to future services.

+ Corrrective Work

Corrective/coverup work will generally require multiple sessions for best results and additional touch ups will be charged accordingly.