FAQ

Before Treatment

How do I choose the right color?

• Match the color in advance to the client's natural features. Take skin tone, pigmentation, and hair color into account.
• Advise the customer on color selection.
• What does the result look like immediately after the treatment?
• What color results can the customer expect after the tattoo has healed?
• Show the customer the available color options (it's best to limit the selection to no more than 3 different shades) and apply the colors to the customer's skin to find the right shade and see the result on the customer.

The client comes in with existing permanent makeup and would like to have it improved or altered.

First, make sure that a cover-up is possible. The existing PMU should be faded enough and in a condition that allows for a cover-up or touch-up.

Demonstrate a change or improvement in the customer's appearance and provide them with the best possible advice.

If a significant improvement cannot be achieved because the existing design is outside the optimal outline or the existing color is still too prominent, advise the client to undergo a removal or laser treatment first.

Is the customer dissatisfied with the preliminary sketch?

Sometimes the client's wishes or ideas don't match what we, as artists, suggest or consider to be the best option.

Wish Versus Reality.

Try to accommodate the client's request as much as possible, but only to the extent that you, as an artist, can justify it.

A PMU should bring out the best in each individual client's features and under no circumstances alter them in a negative way.

If, as an artist, you disagree with the client's idea, please decline the service.

For example, when there is a desire for shapes that are completely outside the natural range (these include, for example, eyebrows that are too long, too thin, or too wide; eyeliner that is too long or too wide; overly opulent, exaggerated lip shapes that completely alter the client’s natural appearance and thus do not achieve an optimal result; or expectations regarding color results that do not suit the client’s type).

Does the client come in with a picture and have exactly the same idea of the shape and color of the permanent makeup?

First, we need to discuss with the customer whether the desired result is feasible.

Does the customer have the same conditions necessary to achieve this result?

• The shape of the area to be treated?
• The skin's natural pigmentation?

If this is not the case, you must inform the customer and advise them.

The basic requirements vary from customer to customer.

Each person's natural pigmentation results in different color outcomes.

Each customer's specific circumstances also vary when it comes to the format.

A detailed consultation is therefore always of the utmost importance in order to meet the customer's expectations.

I'm having trouble with the symmetry of my preliminary sketch.

• Take your time with the preliminary sketch.
• Always sketch with a well-sharpened pencil.
• Draw with slow, deliberate strokes and light pressure to create a precise preliminary sketch.
• Always check the preliminary sketch while the client is sitting or standing.
• If there is still an asymmetry, mark the asymmetrical areas with small dots or dashes outside the preliminary sketch before making any corrections.
• Use the Phi app for your preliminary sketch to check for symmetry.

I blur the preliminary sketch during the first pass and have trouble following the shape?

This may be due to an imprecise or too light preliminary sketch.

Make sure the template also sticks to your skin.

It could also be because you’re smudging the preliminary sketch while applying tension. On the first pass, the tension should be applied mostly outside the shape.

You're also welcome to use a permanent marker to outline the shape outside the preliminary sketch.

The skin isn't absorbing the color?

• At the start of the pigmentation process, make sure you're working with good tension and use a wipe test to check whether you're depositing pigment into the skin.
• If this is not the case, slightly adjust the angle of the pen (e.g., from 90 to 60 degrees) and apply a little more pressure.
• Also check to see if ink is flowing from the pen.
• If your movements are too fast, this could also be the reason for insufficient ink transfer.

Is no ink or too much ink coming out of the cartridge?

• Check the needle length!
• Using a shorter needle length results in a greater flow of ink.
• Using a longer needle results in less ink flow.
• However, the pressure you apply while working should always remain the same.
• A longer needle is used for outlines and precise lines, while a shorter needle is used for filling and shading.

The client is constantly moving and twitching during the treatment?

• This is usually because the client isn't positioned properly and you aren't applying enough tension.
• A good rapport and connection with the client are extremely important and necessary to make them feel safe and reduce their perception of pain.
• Make sure you have a firm footing with the client and maintain good tension.

Is the customer too sensitive to pain?

• This, in turn, may be due to insufficient tension being applied.
• Short breaks from treatment lasting 5–10 minutes and applying ice work very well.
• A person's daily condition often plays a major role (menstruation, poor sleep, headaches, etc., can affect treatment).
• If the client is no longer able to complete the treatment, the appointment must be rescheduled.

Is the treated area swelling unevenly or severely?

• This may be due to uneven pressure during the treatment.
• However, some areas do not absorb the color as well and must be pigmented several times.
• Apply ice (even during treatment, if necessary) to reduce swelling.
• After treatment, arnica pills help reduce swelling. Arnica is available at pharmacies and can be taken by the client before treatment as a preventive measure and after treatment to reduce swelling.

Do hematomas (bruises) form during treatment?

• This may be because too much pressure was applied or too many passes were made.
• Hematomas can form quickly in sensitive, very delicate, older, and thin skin. If this occurs at the start of treatment, the treatment must be discontinued depending on the severity of the hematoma.
• If a hematoma develops at the end of the procedure, this may also be due to the use of too much liquid anesthetic.
• The bruises subside within a few hours.
• Use cold packs or ice to soothe the skin.

How do I know when I'm applying the right amount of pressure or depth during the pigmentation process?

• PMU should always be performed very superficially.
• Lymph fluid may leak out.
• You should feel only a slight vibration from the machine in the fingers you're using to apply pressure.
• By performing a test stroke—which you always do at the beginning of the treatment—you can easily check the pressure you're applying.
• If the color doesn't look right, adjust the pressure only slightly.
• Start by holding the handpiece at a 90-degree angle. If there is not enough paint being applied, you can easily adjust the angle to 60 degrees.

How do I know if I've applied too much pigment?

• If you feel like the needle is literally getting stuck in your skin:
• If heavy bleeding occurs.
• When hematomas form immediately.
• If you see uneven lines, it can be assumed that the pigment was applied with varying pressure.
• If the skin swells too much (immediately).

How will I know when the pigmentation is complete and enough color has been applied?

• Once a rich and even color has been achieved, with no spots or missed areas:
• Clean thoroughly to check the color result.

A simple test to make sure the pigmentation is complete:

Take a photo of the pigmentation and examine it very closely in the photo.

After treatment:

Is the customer dissatisfied with the shape immediately after the treatment?

• Swelling may occur immediately after treatment, which can also alter the shape of the pigmentation.
• Reassure your client and advise them to wait for the tattoo to heal. The shape and color will change as the healing process progresses.

Is the customer dissatisfied with the color result after healing?

• First, we need to determine whether the customer followed through with the aftercare instructions.
• 70%: The results depend on the customer.
• Most customers make mistakes when it comes to follow-up care
• If the color turns out too light, you can touch it up with a darker shade.
• If the color turns out too dark, try neutralizing it with warm colors.
• If the color results are patchy, the lighter areas should be pigmented more intensely.

Why do colors change to reddish, grayish, bluish, or greenish hues?

• This occurs frequently, especially with black pigmentation. This is due to the skin's natural pigmentation.
• The more melanin the skin contains—that is, the darker the skin tone—the more likely it is that color changes will occur.
• However, another reason for the color change may be improper application of the pigment (pigmentation that is too deep can also lead to color changes).
• Reddish Results: The reddish pigments in the pigmentation colors are very stable and therefore remain in the skin the longest, while dark pigments break down more quickly.
• In the past, pigment-based paints contained a very high proportion of red.