FAQS

Micropgmentation or Permanent Make-Up is a term used to describe facial cosmetic tattooing. Color pigments are placed below the dermis of the skin for the purpose of creating definition to enhance natural beauty. This service is custom designed for each individual client according to their face shape, skin-tone, eye color, hair colour and most importantly, skin type. Semi-permanent make up as the name implies requires periodical maintenance to ensure the freshness of the look.

Cosmetic tattooing is designed to fade over time.

Many different factors play a role in the lifespan of the implanted pigment.
Clients skin type plays the biggest role in longevity and the general outcome of the procedure. Oily Skin types hair strokes may heal softer with a powder finish while drier skin types may heal more crips and defined.  Darker pigments tend to last longer.  Proper UVA/UVB protection will prevent color  from fading as quickly when in warmer climates
Aggressive skin treatments such as laser, chemical peel, dermabrasion etc. do not get along with micropigmentation.

*Please note that final results vary and cannot be guaranteed due to the nature of skin as it heals. A follow-up appointment is recommended at 4-8 weeks where we can assess your pigment retention and make any changes necessary.

This is the process of infusing pigment into the skin to simulate the appearance of natural hair. It is considered a tattoo, and permanent makeup. Although it is considered permanent makeup, it fades over time. Touchups are suggested once a year in order to keep the color fresh and shape precise.

Microblading is meant to be a subtle natural enhancement, and to create fuller more beautiful brows. It looks most natural on clients who already have semi full brow hair, and are wanting to perfect their shape. The more hair you have, the more natural it will appear.

Microblading heals best on young, healthy, and dry/normal skin.

Oily skin and aging/thin skin is not recommended for microblading. Results will not heal as well, or look as natural. If you are in this category, you would be a better candidate for the combination or ombre brow.

This is the process of infusing pigment into the lips to create perfectly shaped, natural pink lips.
It does not make lips fuller as injections would, but they will look slightly bigger as we enhance your vermilion border.

Please exfoliate daily and moisturize lips 1 week prior to appointment. If you have experienced cold sores in the past, you will need to be on valtrex before your appointment.

Two sessions are recommended.

Oily Skin: increased oil production can cause hairstrokes to blur and heal lighter and powdery.

Smoking: smokers may notice that their semi-permanent cosmetics will fade faster.

Anemia and Iron Deficiency: your body will absorb these iron based pigments more quickly.

Sun Exposure: increased exposure to the sun will cause premature fading. You will want to use a special sunscreen for your semi-permanent cosmetics; I recommend color guard. You can find it on amazon.

Age and Metabolism: The faster your metabolism the faster the pigment will fade.

Bleeding During the Procedure: excessive bleeding during your procedure will greatly affect how your body retains pigment. While this is not entirely in our control, it is important that you follow before care instructions to help minimize bleeding. This includes avoiding blood thinning medications, alcohol, and caffeine 24 hours before your procedure.

Every client has a new, single use needle.  At the beginning of the treatment  you can take a look at the needles being taken out of a sterile pre-packed casing.  On completion of the treatment, the needles are placed into a sharps container and then disposed of.  Artists at Ivey Artistry use the best tools available to give our clients optimum results. 

Ivey Artistry is fully licensed, certified, insured as well as North Carolina Board of Health Service inspected and approved, having met and exceeded all requirements for aesthetic and tattoo health services.  All artists are also certified in Blood Borne Pathogens.

Everybody has a different level of pain tolerance but most clients are completely comfortable and relaxed during the appointment. You may feel slight discomfort but the results will be worth it! You may take TYLENOL prior to the appointment but NOT ASPRIN.  A lidocaine based numbing solution is applied before and during the treatment to keep you feeling as comfortable as possible. Clients have compared the sensation to plucking  or threading your eyebrows. We also have clients who like to listen to music with their ear pods during the procedure. 

Appointments are booked on a 1-2 hour basis, allowing for thorough consultation and treatment. Tattooing time varies for each treatment.

We begin by talking before photos and mapping out your new brow design with a customized mapping techniques as well as use a makeup pencil to stencil and pre draw your desired look & create perfect symmetry.

We then choose the correct blade/needle size for each clients specific skin type as well as correct color choice for each skin tone.  We customize colors based on skin type and your natural brow hair. We can also test color choice against your skin so you can see it prior to the Micropigmentation.
A numbing solution is used during the procedure to ensure the appointment is as comfortable as possible for the client
​During the appointment we are extremely interactive to help keep clients nerves at rest. Our clients have access to a mirror throughout the entire appointment to check in and watch the process whenever they would like to.  

Healing is a simple process.  There is no scabbing, no need to hide or take time off work, no down time at all.  We send clients home with a moisturizing ointment to apply throughout the following 10 days.

Most clients leave the appointment with no redness.  The numbing solution used during the appointment helps to control any swelling or redness which means you can continue your day with no funny looks or questions.  Clients even come on their lunch hour and return to work directly after the appointment. Your results will vary depending on skin type, lifestyle and the immediate and long-term aftercare of your new tattoo. Once healed (after 8 weeks), the colour will reduce by 30-50 percent. Patchiness and lightness can be perfected during your second session.

Most clients require 2 sessions to have their brows perfected. Touch up appointments can be made 6-8 weeks after your initial appointment and are usually booked at the end of your first session. Clients with fuller brows may not need a touchup.  Annual touchups are highly recommended to maintain fresh looking results.

Your brow tattoo can last 1-3 years depending on sun exposure, lifestyle and skin type. Oily skin types tend to fade faster than dry skin types.