Frequently asked questions
Is it really a tattoo? Yes, although the pigments are not the same as tattoo ink, and the Virginia licensing process is different (I do not offer body art). For paramedical procedures, and for permanent cosmetics such as eyebrows, eyeliner and lip color, I use a digitally-controlled device which looks similar to an electric toothbrush; for very delicate skin, I have used a hand tool. The tiny, sterile needles are discarded after one use. Their penetration of the skin is to a depth equal to the thickness of a dime (.135”).
Will it turn blue over time? You may see this in work done elsewhere, especially when tattoo inks are used. Today’s permanent makeup pigments are formulated to match to your skin tones, and my work is fully warranted to fade in its original color, which should last at least two years, though I have done touch-ups on areas that are five years old. When the color has faded, touch-ups cost far less than the original work. During our consultation, I test the pigments for their compatibility with your skin.
Does it hurt? I use very effective topical anesthetics such as lidocaine (similar to novocaine) to make you more comfortable both during and after the procedure. The beginning sensation is a that of a pinprick; a short time later, you will only feel the slight pressure. The discomfort passes more quickly than for a cut or a bruise.
How much does it cost? The initial consultation visit is free, and carries no obligation. Eyebrows cost $345, eyeliner costs $300-$395, and lip color costs $445. Paramedical procedures for areolas and other kinds of losses are cost-adjusted for the client’s circumstances. My work includes a twelve-month warranty against discoloration or excessive fading, and my clients never have to pay full price again.
Permanent makeup should be considered a time-saving investment–putting on your makeup for ten minutes a day over a period of one year amounts to 48 hours. You can wake up in the morning with your eyebrow, eyeliner and natural-looking lip color already in place, and it will never streak during exercise. My work carries a 12-month warranty against discoloration or excessive fading.
How long does it take? I like to proceed slowly, beginning with a (free) consultation on my client’s present makeup design. We choose colors carefully, using digital photography to make sure I understand my client’s preferences. The process is highly collaborative. You should allow about two hours, so that we are not rushed, though the actual procedures take from 45 minutes to an hour. In the follow-up visit four weeks later, refinements and touch-ups will be possible, and I check to be sure that the color has settled in properly. Most procedures require two visits; lip color, because of the greater surface area and the character of lip tissue, usually takes three visits. The cost takes this into account.
What are the risks? I do everything I can to minimize the likelihood of allergic reactions—this is why the client profiles are so detailed. I use sterile needles and universal precautions against infection, just the way your doctor does. I also take your picture three times: before the procedure, without makeup, to show our starting point; with makeup, showing the desired result (in an effort to give you exactly what you want); and after the procedure. I have a wide range of colors to match individual skin tones and aesthetic preferences.
The pigments used for permanent cosmetics are different from tattoo inks. The FDA has not ruled on pigments for tattoos or permanent makeup; the ones I use are made in the US and have been accepted by the FDA for use in foods (where they are ingested in far greater quantities than for permanent makeup) and cosmetics. The Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals, of which I am a certified member, is vigilant on the matter of pigment safety. SPCP-approved pigments are comprised of ingredients which have been established as safe, and their manufacturers are required to list all ingredients and their batch numbers on the label.
In answer to the question of MRI safety, I am not aware of any actual cases of MRI difficulties. I quote from my professional organization’s website (www.spcp.org):
” According to Dr. Frank Shellock of Tower Imaging in Los Angeles, CA, a top expert in MRI safety, [out of the thousands who have had permanent makeup applied], only a handful of people have reported minor problems around the eye area and no problems around the lip or brow area. … Test studies have confirmed that the ‘iron’ particles in pigment are too microscopic to react as true metal pieces but rather are more accurately compared with ‘metals’ which already exist microscopically in the body.”
What are your qualifications? I have 15 years of experience as a technician; my aesthetic sensibilities developed in a prior career in photography and graphic design. For permanent makeup, which I have been doing 
for more than two years, I have been trained and licensed in a course of study approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia, as well as attending workshops with highly experienced specialists from around the world. I hold a professional certification from of the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (please visit their website, www.spcp.org), which promotes ethics, safety, and quality work, and I am affiliated with the American Academy of Micropigmentation.
What references can you offer? I have a portfolio of client histories, with before and after photos (used by permission). I receive referrals from the following: Charlottesville’s Signature Medical Spa; Charlottesville Skin and Laser; Richmond’s Dr. Michael Godin, a facial and reconstructive plastic surgeon; and Roanoke’s Medical Grade Skin Care. I also provide areola repigmentation for breast-reconstruction patients of the University of Virginia’s Plastic Surgery Clinic, referred by Dr. Kant Lin, Professor of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pediatrics Division Head, Division of Craniofacial Surgery.
