Aesthetic Infusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is it about?

Permanent makeup is a revolutionary method of applying pigments into the dermal layer of the skin. Permanent makeup is possible through a procedure called micropigmentation in which pigment is embedded into the dermal layer of the skin, to add permanent colour. Specialized pigments specifically produced for dermapigmentation is embedded into the skin by a hand-held device that punctures the skin with a very thin needle and pushes the pigment into the desired location. Permanent makeup can be used for a variety of cosmetic enhancements, including eyebrows, eyeliner, lip liner as well as lip colour.

Permanent makeup procedures can also be used for scar camouflage, aimed at improving the appearance of injuries such as burns, trauma scars, surgery scars, cleft lip etc.

Is permanent makeup for me?

Permanent makeup saves time and gives you freedom from daily makeup application.

Permanent makeup may be specifically beneficial for:

Busy professionals who need to look their best at all times
People with active lifestyles
People wearing contact lenses
People with visual impairment
People with allergies to conventional cosmetics
People with unsteady or arthritic hands
People with sparse or light brows and lashes

Does it Hurt?

Thanks to the availability of local anesthetics, in theory the procedure is no more painful than having your eyebrows tweezed. Discomfort levels may however vary according to each individual’s pain threshold. Topical anesthetic creams and/or gels are used to minimize discomfort.

Who decides on shape and colour?

The client is in control here. There is a wide spectrum of colors to choose from, it may be useful to bring along your favorite makeup pencils for color comparison.

Is permanent makeup really permanent?

Technically it is considered permanent because the colour is implanted into the upper reticular part of the dermal layer of the skin and cannot be washed off. However, gradual fading can and often does occur with all micro-pigmentatin procedures. This varies among people and is dependent on the specific shade used. Most colors last three to five years, although some may not fade for as long as 10 years.

Is it safe?

In the hands of a skilled therapist, who ensures that proper guidelines are always met, permanent makeup is considered very safe.

At EKO Infusion, all the procedures are performed under sterile conditions, using only disposable needle cartridges and with a digitally controlled implantation device.

The therapist always takes the utmost care in maintaining an hygienic environment and following proper sterilization and sanitation guidelines.

All needles used are new and sterile for each client. Unopened new and sterile needles will be opened in your presence.

The equipment used for permanent makeup is specifically designed for the fine detail needed for implantation into the eyebrow, eyelid and lip area. The permanent makeup pen is lightweight and easy to hold, which makes it especially appropriate for delicate procedures.

Allergic reactions may occur but is considered vary rare. If you have experienced an allergic reaction to local anaesthetic before, please mention it to your therapist.

How Long Does Each Procedure Take?

The initial procedure will generally take approximately 1 to 1½ hours. Touch up procedures usually do not require as much time.

What is a touch-up and will a touch-up be required?

A touch-up is a colour re-enhancement. An initial touch up may be required 4-8 weeks after the first procedure. Because gradual fading of pigment may occur, periodic touch-ups may be required to maintain the desired look. You can also choose to change colors of your permanent makeup.

What areas can be done?

Lip Liner/Colour

Can be used to change the size, shape and colour of the lips.

You decide; many prefer a very natural look, others may prefer a more dramatic effect.

Eyeliner

Eyeliner is the easiest way to enhance the natural beauty of the eyes. The choice is yours; either natural lash enhancements or a more defined line. This procedure is very popular for those with allergies to conventional makeup and for those who wear contact lenses. Never worry about using an eyeliner again.

Eyebrows

Eyebrows are one of the most important feature of the face. Eyebrows accentuate your eyes and emphasise facial symmetry.

With permanent makeup eyebrows, your brows will remain perfectly shaped 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you live an active lifestyle or are a busy mom or corporate executive, consider the advantages or a permanent brow. Not having to use a brow pencil in the morning saves valuable time. Never worry about your eyebrow smudging again after a hard gym session or when getting out of the pool.

Also ask your therapist about 6D microblading.

Pre-Procedure Information

Since delicate skin or sensitive areas may redden or swell slightly it is advised to not make social plans for a day or two following any procedure.
Refrain from the use of alcohol, aspirin, aspirin-containing medications, ibuprofen, or other blood-thinning medications for seven days before and two days after any procedure.
You may want to take an oral antihistamine (ie. Benadryl) one hour prior to treatment.
If unwanted hair is normally removed in the area to be treated, any waxing should be done at least 24 hours prior to your procedure. Do not resume any method of hair removal for a week after a procedure.
If you wear contact lenses and are having an eyeliner procedure, do not wear your lenses to your appointment and do not replace them until the day after your procedure.
Wear your normal make up or bring your brow pencils to your consult, but you do not have to for your procedure.
Please do not wear mascara to an eyeliner procedure.
Eyelash or eyebrow tinting should not be done 48 hours before procedure or for two weeks after the procedure.
If you are having a lipliner procedure and have ever had a cold sore/fever blister, chicken pox or shingles, the procedure may reactivate the virus responsible for the eruption. You may wish to ask your physician for a prescription of Acyclovir. This should be taken 2 times a day for 2 days before and 4 days after the procedure; a total of 6 days days (Or as prescribed by your physician). This protocol may prevent or minimize an outbreak. For those wanting an alternative approach, the amino acid L-Lysine is available at health food stores and the dosage should be increased to double the recommended and taken 4 days prior and 4 days after the procedure.

Permanent makeup is NOT recommended for any clients who are or have:

Pregnant or nursing
Diabetic
Chemotherapy (consult your doctor)
Viral infections and/or diseases
On any antibiotics that will keep the pigment from holding into your skin
Epilepsy
Pacemaker or major heart problems
Organ transplant
Skin irritations or Psoriasis near the treated area (rashes, sunburn, acne, etc.)
Sick (cold, flu, etc.)
Botox in the past 2 weeks
Accutane in the past year

What to Expect after the Procedure

Permanent makeup will appear extremely intense and thick immediately following the procedure. The excess pigment is shed off over the next couple of days. Colors will continue to soften over the next couple of months.

Colors for lips and brows may look strange for the first few days. Lips will peel for a week and it may seem like there is not much color or even no color left in your lips. It will start to show more after 3 weeks as the internal healing completes. This is normal!

The outcome of permanent cosmetic procedures is dictated by the canvas (your skin). The better condition your skin is in, the better the final result will be. Very oily, dry, or sun damaged skin can be very difficult to achieve a beautiful even result. Mature clients may need an additional one to two weeks healing for the final results to appear. The better you take care of your skin and protect it from UV rays, the better the outcome and lifespan of the permanent cosmetics procedures.

Eyeliner

Available at EKO Infusion

Simple Eyeliner
Advanced Wing Eyeliner
Advanced Shaded Eyeliner

What to Expect: This can vary from slightly puffy to swollen, heavy lids; light sensitive and possibly bloodshot eyes. It’s advisable to sleep in an elevated position to help reduce swelling at night.

Day 1: Eyes will be swollen and perhaps a bit ‘crusty’ upon waking. The swelling will reduce after being in an upright position and from blinking and increased circulation to the area. Avoid heavy lifting, physical exertion, and crying.
Day 2: Eyes will be less swollen, but will feel tight. The lash area will feel sore if touched.
Day 3-6: The top layer of skin will begin to flake off in little stitch looking lines, although some people do not notice the exfoliation. Do not pick: you will pull pigment out and end up with uneven color. Blinking helps eliminate the small pieces of pigment and epidermis that has detached. It is important not to pick at it or rub the eyes.
Day 7-9: All shedding should be complete. You are safe to put your face back in the shower spray. During this time, the tattoo may appear to have vanished, this is a normal part of the healing process, and the pigment will re-emerge.
Day 10: Pigment, if it faded, should have returned. What you see now is very close to the healed result. If it is not as you like, please wait the final three weeks and return for a touch-up procedure.

Lips

Eyeliner

Available at EKO Infusion

Lip Liner
Full Lips
Ombré Lips
Shaded or Tinted Lips

What to Expect:

Day 1: Swelling, tender, heavy, thick lipstick look with a reddish brick color effect.
Day 2: Slight, swelling, reddish and tender.
Day 3: Less swelling, thicker texture, sore, hot feeling before exfoliation with an orange color.
Day 4: Exfoliation begins, very chapped lips.
Day 5: Very chapped but almost finished with first chapping stage.
Day 6: A soft, rich color begins to appear.
Day 7-13: Lip color disappears and the “frosty” (2nd chapping) stage begins as a whitish/grayish haze on the lips~ The week after your procedure it may look like alot of the color is gone. This will slowly return as the inner healing shows through the newly exfoliated skin. Don’t panic.
Day 14: Color “blooms” from within more and more each day until day 21 (3 weeks post procedure).
Day 31: Healing complete. The color you see is the color you have. However, lips remain a bit dry for a month or two. Use a good lip balm and they will return to normal but with color!

Eyebrows

Eyeliner

Eyebrows

Available at EKO Infusion

Full Brows
Ombré Brows
Shaded Brows

What to Expect:

Day 1-2: The eyebrows are approximately 20-25% darker and bolder in width than they will be when healed. Your skin is red under the pigment which causes the color of the pigment to appear darker. There is some swelling, although difficult to actually see due to the thickness of the skin in the eyebrow area. This will subside. Exfoliation, which begins in a few days, will cause the excess pigment surrounding the eyebrow procedure to flake away and a more narrow appearance will result. Now skin will heal over the pigmented area and result in a softer appearance of your eyebrows. Don’t be concerned that your eyebrows initially appear darker and heavier in size than you desire. This is all part of the process.
Day 3: Your eyebrows may begin to itch and the pigment may appear somewhat raised. Don’t scratch them.
Day 4: The skin begins to flake and peeling from the outside edges first.
Day 5: Color finishes flaking off and appears softer and grayer for a few days until color clarifies.
Day 6: This color will be much lighter than the end result. Don’t Panic! The color under the skin will continue to appear light until the epidermis becomes more transparent.
Day 30-40: Your eyebrows have had a full cycle of cellular regeneration in which the tattoo has now become part of the dermis, seen under the epidermis. If you are not 100% happy, call and come in for your touch-up.
Shaded or Tinted Lips

Post Treatment Instructions

Observe the following for 5 days:

Your skin has just received a micropigmentation process. A color pigment has been placed into your recently broken skin. There will be an epithelial crust that will form in following days. This crust has dried pigment and plasma that forms externally. The crust will fall off naturally within a few days. Picking at the crust, rubbing or using cleansers on the area will result in a loss or distortion of color pigment.

Swelling is more noticeable in eyeliner and lip color procedures. Eyes will be slightly swollen for two to three days or in some cases longer. For the first few days following the procedures, the area will feel similar to that of a sunburn. A topical balm will soothe the area. As healing progresses, color will soften.

Apply ice if swelling occurs for the first day.
Use Q-tips to apply topical balm to keep moist. Use Vaseline only. (minimum 2x daily).
Use a blotting motion with cool water to cleanse. No soaps or cleansers with chemicals! (1 x daily- night time is best).
Avoid full pressure from shower and do not soak treated area in a sauna, hot tub or pool with chlorinated water.
Do not expose treated area to sun for two weeks!
Do not touch, scratch or pick at the treated area.

Aftercare For Lips

Drink through a straw and avoid spicy and salty foods for several days.
If required take medication advised to prevent outbreaks of cold sores.

Aftercare For Eyeliner

Please dispose of any old mascara and do not use eyeliner pencils due to contamination. Pencils should be sharpened prior to using.
No makeup around eye area for 5-7 days (including mascara).
Get a new mascara for use after the 5-7 days.
Use green tea bags the day of and the day after to reduce swelling.
Use ointment given to you for at least 7 days for comfort and minimize tightness around eye area.
You may wear your contacts a day or two after your procedure when the swelling goes down (some people swell very little).
Do not rub, pick or scrub your eyes until all crust flakes off.
No hot tubs, saunas, sweating, exercise for at least 7 days.
No cleansers around your eye area for 7 days.

NO MAKEUP ON AFFECTED AREAS. Colors will appear darker and more defined immediately following your procedure. It will lighten as it heals. Follow up visit is recommended in 4 – 6 weeks for perfection. Should you show any swelling or signs of infection after 5 days, please contact us.