+ WHAT IS COSMETIC TATTOOING?

Cosmetic tattooing, also referred to as semi-permanent makeup or micropigmentation, is the process of implanting colour pigment beneath the surface of the skin by means of tiny, sterile, disposable needles to produce the appearance of hair strokes, makeup, or to enhance the natural features of the face.

+ HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?

Appointments can only be made via our online booking system. We do not book in person, over the phone, or via email. Appointments are booked at least a month and a half in advance. Please note that a deposit is required to schedule and secure your appointment and is deducted from the total price. This deposit is to ensure that you are serious about your appointment and is non-refundable. If you cancel or miss your appointment, you will simply forfeit your deposit. If you need to reschedule or change your appointment, please email info@hoitattoo.com or call 403-813-8083.

+ WHAT CAN COSMETIC TATTOOING DO FOR MY EYEBROWS?

Whether your brows are sparse and uneven, or you’re looking for a low-maintenance, polished appearance, cosmetic tattooing can enhance your current arches. The benefits of cosmetic tattooing include:

• The look of full and even brows

• Sweat and waterproof

• Camouflages sparse areas for a natural look

• Hides scars

• Semi-permanent, which allows adjustment to your brow shape as you age or as beauty trends change

+ WHAT IS THE COSMETIC TATTOO PROCESS?

Pre Appointment: For best results, we recommend taking the following precautions prior to your cosmetic tattoo appointment:

• Stop using skin thinners (vitamin A, glycolic acids, exfoliation) 2 weeks prior to your appointment

• Do not consume alcohol, caffeine or blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, Niacin, etc.) 48 hours before your procedure, to avoid excess bleeding

• Avoid sun/ tanning bed exposure for 30 days BEFORE and AFTER your procedure. If you show up for your appointment with a new tan or a sunburn, you will need to reschedule and will forfeit your deposit. As your skin exfoliates from a sunburn, it will take the tattoo pigment with it

• Some cosmetic procedures should be completed prior to your brow tattoo: eyebrow waxing and shaping (2 days in advance), eyebrow tinting (1 week in advance), and cosmetic Botox or fillers (3 weeks in advance).

Appointment Day:

Consultation & Design: (30 min) Please bring any photos of that catch your eye. As artists, we will work with you to shape and design your cosmetic tattoo to highlight your natural features. From there, we choose a pigment match based on your skin tone and hair colour. Numbing: (30 min)

We want you to be as comfortable as possible! Prior to the procedure, a topical anesthetic (5% lidocaine ointment) is applied. We also layer an additional numbing agent during the tattooing.

Tattooing: (60-120 min) Your tattoo artist will carefully implant pigment to mimic the appearance of natural hair within the designed shape.

Post Appointment Healing: The full, deep healing process takes 6-8 weeks; however, your visible top layers of skin will heal after 2 weeks. Your cosmetic tattoo will experience a few normal mild side effects (slight redness, itchiness and peeling), which clients compare to the feeling of sunburn. Expect your tattoo to appear darker for the first 3 to 5 days. After day 4 or 5, light peeling will occur, revealing lighter and softer impressions. Long-term aftercare is crucial for the longevity of your cosmetic tattoo. More information is available on our After Care page.

+ WHAT WILL MY COSMETIC TATTOO LOOK LIKE?

Your results will vary depending on skin type, lifestyle and the immediate and long-term aftercare of your new cosmetic tattoo. Once fully healed (after 6 weeks), the colour will reduce by 30 to 50 per cent. Patchiness and lightness can be perfected during your second session.

+ WILL I NEED A TOUCH UP AFTER MY INITIAL APPOINTMENT?

The majority of our clients require 2 sessions to have their cosmetic tattoo perfected. Touch up appointments can be made 2-3 months after your first visit. Clients with fuller brows may not need additional touchups; however, clients with little or no natural brow hairs, or have corrected work, may need further density added. After we’ve achieved your desired brow, an annual touchup is highly recommended to maintain the tattoos.

+ HOW LONG WILL THE FINAL RESULTS LAST?

Cosmetic tattoo treatments are considered semi-permanent and will not wash off, however, they will fade over time and may need to be refreshed every 1-2 years. Scalp micropigmentation can last much longer if proper care is taken. Frequency of sessions depends on a number of factors including: the pigment colour used (lighter colours fade faster), lifestyle (sun exposure), and if any chemical peels come into contact with treated areas. Please note that final results CAN NOT be guaranteed as each unique skintype will hold pigments differently and break down at different rates. We will re-evaluate how your skin has received the pigment at your second session and make any changes necessary. Multiple sessions are normal for cosmetic tattoo procedures, with each new procedure requiring a minimum of 2 visits. Your second session can be booked no sooner than 2 months after the initial appointment. Additional sessions will be charged according to our current pricing.

+ IS COSMETIC TATTOOING PAINFUL?

To ensure maximum comfort during the procedure we use a topical numbing with 5% lidocaine prior and during your procedure. Since pain tolerance and sensitivity varies individually, we can’t say exactly how it will feel for you. The procedure uses a smaller needle than traditional tattooing and should hurt significantly less. Clients have related the procedure with eyebrow threading, plucking multiple hairs at once or a light scratching of the skin. You may experience more sensitivity if the procedure is performed during or near your menstrual cycle.

+ CAN I GET TATTOOED WHILE I’M PREGNANT?

Although microblading is a safe and low risk procedure, for your own safety and peace of mind, HOI Tattoo will not tattoo any clients who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you discover you are pregnant and have an appointment scheduled, please notify us so we can reschedule and make future arrangements.

+ CAN I GET TATTOOED IF I’M ON ACCUTANE?

We will not tattoo anyone who is on Accutane, as the medication places you at risk for hypersensitivity, scarring and hyperpigmentation. Your skin needs 12 months to normalize prior to getting a cosmetic tattoo.

+ WILL COSMETIC TATTOOING WORK WELL FOR ME?

• If you have extremely oily skin, the hair stroke eyebrow technique will NOT work well for you. The constant production of oil will cause the hair strokes to heal with a diffused, softer look. Your end result will look more powdery than defined.

• If you have little to no existing hair, your tattoo will appear more two-dimensional than those clients who have more hair naturally.

• If you are a frequent smoker, your pigment may fade sooner.

• If you are iron deficient or anemic, your pigment may fade sooner and bleeding/bruising may occur during and after the procedure.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have had your eyebrows previously tattooed, we require photos to be submitted PRIOR to booking a first session appointment. We cannot guarantee results for cases such as these. In some instances where the previous work is too dark, dense, discoloured or large, tattoo removal will be highly recommended before our services will be considered. Previously tattooed areas will almost always require additional sessions and will be charged accordingly. Some special cases may be considered. Please contact us with any further questions.

+ HOW WILL MY COSMETIC TATTOO LOOK IN THE FUTURE?

During your appointment, we will analyze your skin's undertone to anticipate how pigment colours will fade in the future. We also mix pigments to ensure the colour blends well with your existing eyebrow and hair colour.

The majority of our clients' tattoos stay true to colour and lighten naturally over time; however, in some cases colours may fade to different tones according to the individual’s response to the pigments.

Many factors affect these changes, such as lifestyle and iron deficiencies. At your follow up appointment, we will re-analyze how your body has responded to the initial colour. Special formula alteration to correct the colour and to prevent further change is made at this time. Your eyebrow tattoo will eventually look softer and have more of a "powdered" look. This happens with all clients as the skin ages. To keep your hair strokes looking good, a refresher appointment is suggested every 1 to 2 years. Results vary with each client.

+ 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. Each of our stations are thoroughly disinfected before opening and after each procedure throughout the day. We are blood borne pathogens certified and Alberta Health Services approved.

+ DO YOU TRAVEL FOR APPOINTMENTS?

Our artists perform cosmetic tattoo procedures at our Calgary studio full-time, but we occasionally travel and offer our services in other cities.

Please note our rates may increase in the case of travelling, events or other special circumstances. Travelling does not guarantee your second appointment in the city you came to see us; therefore, please prepare to visit us in Calgary for future touch-ups. All appointments are non-transferable. If you receive your first session from a particular artist, that same artist will carry out your second free appointment. If you decide to visit a different artist at one of our other locations for your second appointment, you will have to pay the initial full price again.

If you’re considering eyebrow microblading in Calgary, contact us today with questions, or book an appointment online with one of our artists. We look forward to hearing from you!