For definition of the eyes, lips or brows and to make the daily routine less of a chore, cosmetic tattoo is an obvious choice. The treatment can put some colour back in the lips, give you a more natural brow or even out features; it is also of use to those whose pigment has been compromised by scarring or for medical reasons.
Here Connor Birchall will go over what one should look for in a studio in Mooloolaba, Noosa, Melbourne or Brisbane, as well as the treatment options on offer and what to expect when it comes to healing. Put simply, one needs to find an artist with experience and have a proper consultation. Aftercare is not something to be treated as an afterthought but part of the procedure.
What is Cosmetic Tattooing?
In effect it is permanent makeup, with cosmetic pigment being put into the upper skin. But do not confuse it with a traditional body tattoo; the technique and depth are chosen with the face in mind and the eventual fading of colour.
Then again it is not entirely permanent in most cases. One’s skin, the pigments used, medications, sun and lifestyle will all have a bearing on how long the colour holds up. If someone says they can get the same result from every client, a raised eyebrow is warranted.
Traditional or Cosmetic?
Where a traditional tattoo is about making a statement that will last, the aim with cosmetic work is a softer line and some controlled fading so that adjustments can be made down the track as one’s features or tastes change.
There are the usual suspects such as eyeliner, lip and eyebrow tattooing or lip blushing. For areola changes or to improve the look of a scar there is paramedical or medical tattooing, though these are services that call for a certain degree of training and due diligence in the consultation.
Treatments On Offer
It is a matter of what suits your skin and the finish you want, and how much maintenance you will put up with. A good consultation will put suitable options in front of you and not try to sell everyone the same thing because it is in vogue.
Insist on seeing results that have healed. Fresh pigment has a way of looking sharper and darker than it will in the end, rather like a jacket bought under the bright lights of a shop only to find it is not quite the same come daylight.
Some of the more popular treatments:
| Treatment | What It Does | Best Suited To | Important Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feather touch brows | Fine strokes in the manner of hair for a natural softness | Clients wanting a soft, natural brow effect | Oily or heavily textured skin may see variable results |
| Ombre brows | A shaded brow with a lighter front | Those who prefer a defined, powdered look | It can seem a bit strong straight off |
| Powder brows | An even, make-up type of effect | The regular brow filler | Colour retention is down to aftercare and skin type |
| Lip blushing | Evening out the tone of the lips with a soft colour | Clients wanting more even-looking lip tone | Do not expect it to add volume or be a substitute for lipstick |
| Eyeliner tattooing | Pigment on the lash line for everyday definition | Those wanting daily eye definition | Condition of the lash line and any eye sensitivity are important |
| Paramedical tattoo | Camouflaging certain areas post-surgery or otherwise | Eligible clients after medical consultation | Healing tissue has to be appraised first |
Studios may put forward scalp micropigmentation as well, to give the look of a close crop or more density to the scalp. This is a specialist service in its own right and not to be put in the same category as your average brow or lip work.
Brows That Are Right For You
A cosmetic tattoo of the eyebrows means less time in front of the mirror in the morning and a shape that is consistent. It ought to flatter your face, not be a trend that is attractive on another person and rather peculiar on you.
The artist will take into account how you wear your makeup, your skin, any old pigment and the way your face moves before deciding between feather touch, powder or ombre.
Brows: Reality Versus Expectation
You may think you will be waking to perfect brows. In fact the fresh job could be warmer, more symmetrical or just plain darker than you had in mind, and some swelling can alter the shape for a while.
People are too quick to pass judgement. As the pigment softens in the healing process a touch up is sometimes called for once the colour has set. That is no indication the first round was a failure, merely the way things are done.
Those with a lot of old pigment or an oily complexion might find a different approach is needed. An artist of some care might put in for powder brows over fine hair strokes, or have you remove old pigment prior to any new work.
Softer Lip Colour
There is a subtlety to be had with lip blushing and lip tattooing; they will put a tint on the lips and even out an uneven tone. Do not expect the volume of a lip filler from such a treatment, nor will it make every lipstick in your drawer redundant.
What colour one ends up with is a matter of the natural lip, the pigment put in, how the skin heals and if there has been cosmetic tattooing before. A proper consultation will go over what can be expected in terms of colour as well as cold sore history, medical conditions and products that could impede healing.
Practicalities of a Lip Treatment
Expect some swelling or tenderness in the days after. It is best to plan a quiet time and not put a booking in right before something important. Adhere to the studio’s directions for aftercare products and cleansing.
Should you be prone to cold sores, let the practitioner know at the time of booking. There is no point in being reticent about medical details for fear of the appointment being called off; a few words will allow the practitioner to determine if medical advice is warranted first.
Eyes Defined With Discretion
Pigment is applied to or by the lash line in eyeliner tattooing for a more pronounced eye. Those who do not like the daily routine of eyeliner may find it to their liking, but the eyes are easily irritated so the consultation must be thorough.
Settle the placement and shape beforehand. An overly bold line is harder to put right than a conservative one at the first sitting. Mention any dry eyes, contact lenses or irritation you get.
Style Is Not Everything
One should see that the practitioner is observant of hygiene, employs sterile single-use needles and is forthcoming with aftercare. Put questions to them about the handling of pigments and tools and whether the studio can account for its registration or licensing.
Rules in Australia are not the same from one state or council to another. In Queensland, the Government has guidance on tattooing and piercing that clients would do well to read before they book through the Queensland Government guidance on tattooing and piercing.
Before the Appointment
It is well to be prepared. Have some reference images to hand, be open about any allergies, medications or past cosmetic tattooing and give an idea of your normal makeup habits.
Connor Birchall has a rule of thumb: do not skimp on time for questions. To rush into a treatment because of a last-minute opening near a shopping centre is poor strategy. You want informed consent, not just convenience.
A Checklist for the Day
- Verify the practitioner’s credentials and local compliance.
- See some healed examples from a client with the same skin type and aims.
- Talk through the colour, maintenance and the time it will take to heal.
- Get the complete cost of the cosmetic tattoo, touch-up included.
- Make no bones about any skin condition, pregnancy, current medications or existing pigment.
Be sure to allot enough time for the mapping, consent and the work itself. When you book, check on the length of the session; a hurried one does not leave room to alter the plan or verify symmetry.
Making Plans with the Studio
A search for a cosmetic tattoo nearby is only a start. Look at what is available in your vicinity, be it a Melbourne provider, a Brisbane clinic or a studio on the Sunshine Coast in Mooloolaba or Noosa.
Consider the logistics of getting home, parking, stairs and lifts. If you are on public transport, do not make a complicated journey of it after an eye or lip procedure; a straightforward ride is preferable to a three-bus excursion where one is loath to put a hand to one’s face.
Some things to ask
Is there a dedicated room for treatments? How are records kept? Can one have a consultation before parting with a deposit? For those coming from outside Melbourne, Brisbane or the Coast, accommodation and a return trip for a touch-up should be factored in.
Then there is the weather. On the Sunshine Coast the heat and humidity can be a trial for aftercare, as can the sun. Time the appointment so as to be out of the elements and away from the pool or strenuous exercise while the skin is still in the early stages of healing.
Aftercare and Healing
How the skin responds is individual. The pigment will seem strong for a while then mellow. Some flaking or redness is to be expected, but if symptoms become severe one should seek medical opinion without delay.
It is better to adhere to the aftercare instructions put in writing by your practitioner than to take your cue from some comment on social media. Heed the direction to keep the area clean, do not be tempted to pick or scratch and shield it from the sun. Put off any skin treatments that are not appropriate until healing is complete.
Healing can be compromised
Pigment retention will be at the mercy of things like sweat, swimming, friction, unapproved products or if one picks at the flakes. The same goes for the sun. You may have to put a hold on retinoids, exfoliating acids and certain professional treatments; the practitioner can offer guidance on this.
Should you notice an allergic response, fever, severe pain, pus, redness that is spreading or marked swelling, put in a call to the studio or a health professional. After all, cosmetic work is a procedure on the skin, no magic sticker put there by a fairy with determination.
Longevity And Maintenance
There is no figure that can be put on how long a cosmetic tattoo will endure for every client. Results tend to fade in time, subject to the technique, the pigment, your skin type and lifestyle as well as sun exposure and skincare.
With oily skin or much time spent outside, brows might need a refresh sooner than you would think. Lip and eyeliner colour can soften in an uneven fashion. Any good practitioner will make it plain that even long-lasting results are not without their future upkeep.
For balanced results
Once fully healed, employ sun protection and act on the advice given regarding active skincare. Do not go booking a refresh on the strength of a colour that looks odd in the first stage of healing; a photograph in the right light is a more dispassionate way to judge the change.
Surface colour may give way but old pigment can still be seen. Before having another treatment done, enquire as to whether the shape and colour on show can bear the proposed result. Sometimes it is wiser to be advised on correction or removal than to put on another layer of pigment.
The Cost Of A Cosmetic Tattoo
One finds the cost is a matter of location, experience of the practitioner, overheads at the studio, the amount of pigment work and consultation involved, and if a follow-up is part of the deal. What is charged in Melbourne or Brisbane will not be the same as on the Sunshine Coast. Paramedical specialist work is not something with a menu price, it calls for an individual assessment.
Have a quote in Australian dollars in writing before you put down a deposit. Make sure the price covers the touch-up, review, aftercare and the mapping and initial consultation. An inexpensive appointment can run up the bill when corrections are called for, so look at the hygiene, communication and the work once healed, not just what is advertised.
Some questions clients ask
What is the lifespan of a cosmetic tattoo? It varies according to the treatment, the pigment, how you live and care for your skin and so forth. Ask for a maintenance plan that is realistic, not a guarantee.
What is considered a cosmetic tattoo? Eyebrow tattooing, feather touch and powder brows, lip blushing and eyeliner are the usual examples. Some paramedical and medical tattooing may also be done with cosmetic pigmentation for particular concerns.
How much does cosmetic tattooing cost? Prices vary according to location, treatment and practitioner. Ask for a complete written quote covering the consultation, mapping, initial treatment, aftercare, review and touch-up.
Is it a regular tattoo? In that both put pigment in the skin yes, but the goals are different, as are the risks and the kind of maintenance. Cosmetic tattooing is of the face and the pigments are made to soften.
Can I have whatever brow shape or lip colour I like? Your preference is open to discussion but a responsible practitioner will factor in your facial structure, natural colouring and skin condition and might put forward a more conservative option in the course of a consultation.
Booking
If a lower-maintenance makeup routine or reliable definition is what is wanted, cosmetic tattooing has its merits. But the ideal client is one who will comply with aftercare and is in no doubt about the gradual fading.
Do your due diligence on pricing, hygiene and the artist’s healed work before you book. This holds true for a studio in Noosa, Mooloolaba, Brisbane, Melbourne or Cosmetic Tattoo Victoria. Clear communication and expectations are not as glamorous as an overnight miracle but they are far more practical.