Semi-permanent makeup (SPMU) faqS

HOW LONG WILL SPMU LAST?

Depending on your skin, health and if you come for touchup refreshers, your semi-permanent tattoo will last from 2-5 years.

Here are some factors will cause your semi-permanent tattoo to fade faster:

  • Oily skin

  • Retinol or Vitamin C

  • Iron deficiency

  • Sun exposure

  • Exfoliants

  • Exposure to salt water

DOES IT HURT?

Getting semi-permanent makeup is slightly uncomfortable but completely bearable. The tattooing process lasts about an hour.  We use an excessive amount of numbing and our technique is very gentle. If you are nervous about pain, you may take 1-2 paracetamol before your appointment (absolutely no blood thinners i.e. ibuprofen)

DO YOU OFFER TOUCH UPS OR GO OVER EXISTING TATTOOS?
No, we do not touch up work done by other artists or go over existing tattoos. We believe in providing our clients with the best possible results, which starts with a clean canvas and our own work.

CAN I GET LIP BLUSH IF I HAVE DARK/COOL TONED LIPS?

Yes, however, before the first Lip Blushing session we would recommend booking a few Lip Neutralising appointments to cancel out the cool tones. This means the initial color we tattoo MUST be orange! If we are to tattoo any other colour you risk darkening your lips further or having absolutely no results at all. When healed at 6 weeks, most if not all of the darkness in your lips will be covered and your lips will have a nudey-pink even tone. Note that results cannot be guaranteed and lightening or evening out dark lips may take a few sessions. If you are unsure if you have dark or cool toned lips you can send us a picture of your lips in natural light.

DO I NEED AN SPMU TOUCH-UP?

Touchups are recommended for everybody. On touchup sessions, we can alter the shape and color of your tattoo, go bolder or fill in spots that didn't retain pigment as well as others during healing. Touchups will also add longevity to the life of your tattoo. A Touchup can be booked no sooner than 4 weeks of your last appointment. Touchups will be an extra charge and the touchup fee does go up after a period of time after your initial appointment.

CAN I GET LIP BLUSH IF I HAVE LIP FILLER?

Yes, you can have lip blush if you have lip filler. Lip filler does not interfere with the process of tattooing lips or the results in any way. Note that lip filler and lip blush appointments MUST be at least 4 weeks apart from each other.

DOES THIS PROCEDURE TRIGGER COLD SORES?

This procedure can trigger cold sores for carriers of the herpes simplex virus. To prevent cold sores from flaring up it is recommended to go to your family doctor and get Zovirax or another antiviral medication prescribed to take 5 days prior procedure, the day of, and 5 days after. Note that a cold sore outbreak can alter the healed results of the tattoo. This is very important.

CAN I DRINK COFFEE OR GO TO THE GYM THE MORNING OF MY APPOINTMENT?

No! This is also very important and something to take note of before booking your appointment. Plan your day so that it is a no gym and coffee day. Do not consume any caffeine or alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment. This includes coffee, energy drinks, pre-workout and tea. These act as a blood thinners, causing you to potentially bleed during the process. This will stop the cosmetic tattoo pigment from holding in the skin during the tattoo process and make you less likely to sit still.

 
 

AM I ABLE TO HAVE THIS TREATMENT?

You can NOT have semi-permanent makeup/tattoos if :

  • You are under 18

  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding

  • Have been on Accutane within the past year

  • Have HIV or Hepatitis or any other infectious or viral diseases

  • Undergoing Chemotherapy

  • You are Epileptic

  • You are taking medications that may affect how your skin responds to blood clotting and healing.

  • You develop infections easily

If your previous tattoo is too dark or thick (please email the studio: makeup@hollygarvey.com a photo for coverups)

HOW CAN I PREPARE?

  • Do not consume caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours prior to your appointment to prevent excessive pain and bleeding.

  • DO NOT TAKE ADVIL or other blood thinners such a Aspirin, Vitamin E and/or Ibuprofen unless medically necessary, 48-72 hours prior to your procedure. Paracetamol can be taken if you have low pain tolerance.

  • Avoid exercising the day of the procedure.

  • Do not take or get any chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, vitamin E, retinols, fish oil, at least 4 weeks before your appointment.

Please read the aftercare and arrange your schedule accordingly to the healing stage. There is downtime for every procedure.

FOR LIP BLUSH:

  • If your appointment is booked during an outbreak of cold sores on your lips the procedure may not be done.

  • Please be aware that if you carry the simplex virus herpes, you may awaken an outbreak following this treatment. It is highly recommended to take an anti-viral medication such as Zovorax 5 days before, then the day of the procedure. Then, continue on for the next 5 daysor as advised by your doctor or pharmacist.

  • Do not get lip injections 4 weeks before and after this treatment.

FOR EYELINER TATTOO:

  • Lash serums will cause sensitivity to your lash line. We recommend discontinuing use of lash serum 4 weeks prior appointment.

  • You must remove all lash extensions prior to this treatment

  • If you have an eye infection or stye on the procedure date you cannot have this treatment done.