Advanced Cosmetics
You Can Be Beautiful, While You Are Beautiful
Advanced Cosmetics
Art & Beauty of Newly Developed Cosmetics & Esthetics
Vancouver, Washington
Financing Available
Buy Now, Pay Later on Procedures
4 Easy Installments
Monthly Cosmetic Specials
Washington State Award
International Award
WHAT IS PERMANENT MAKEUP?
Permanent Make Up (Micropigmentation) is a cosmetic tattooing technique which implants minute amounts of pigment into the outer layers of the skin, most commonly using safety regulated cartridges or a single acupuncture needle. The pigments consist of organic and inorganic minerals in a glycerine base, all specifically selected for their hypo-allergenic qualities. It is sometimes described as a ‘cosmetic’ procedure, owing to the fact that it can be used to create perfectly realistic hair-by-hair brows, beautifully shaped lips and add definition to the eyes for cosmetic purposes but also as a treatment for medical reconstruction and enhancement, providing that finishing touch to reconstructive surgery after, for example, breast cancer or breast surgery where the areola has been removed/distorted.
The Stages Involved:
Preliminary Consultation
Patch Test
Actual Procedure
Retouch
Annual Retouch
We would recommend that the client is seen for a preliminary consultation prior to starting the procedure and this can be done through email or via phone call. This time should be spent listening to what the client wants to achieve and for you to decide firstly whether your client is a suitable candidate for treatment, also whether you believe that you can successfully manage your clients expectations, and that what they desire is appropriate. If there is any chance that the final outcome of the treatment is not an improvement, we would never recommend carrying out the procedure.
The next stage is carrying out the actual treatment.
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The client will be required to return after 4-6 weeks (depending on the treatment method) to complete the process, otherwise known as their re-touch. The process will not necessarily be finished until the client has had this retouch, as some skins will not sufficiently retain the pigment from the initial session. Moreover, it is advisable to start off ‘lighter’ in the first treatment as it is much easier to intensify and add to the color in the second treatment than to remove a color that is too dark for the client. Any minor shape changes or additions can be made at this stage. Some clients may even need 2 retouches, although this is not common for experienced technicians.
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An introduction to microblading
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The American actress Saoirse Ronan once said that “If you don’t have eyebrows, you don’t have a face”, this quote couldn’t ring truer in today’s visual society led by popular beauty trends, one of the most recent of which is Microblading.
Microblading is, the technique basically allows for you to have semi-permanent eyebrows through the use of a handheld tattoo device that creates the illusion of fine 3D hair strokes.
Eyebrows are an ever-changing trend, in the late 90’s and the early 2000’s, eyebrow styles that were all the rage were tweezed to within an inch of their existence.
As with most trends, eyebrow shapes and appearances have come full circle and have, once again started becoming a little ‘bigger’, ‘bushier’, more pronounced and even darker, moving away from the thin and not-so-bushy triangles that we all cringe at when looking at old photos of ourselves.
In staying with the latest trends, many women (and some men) are looking to return to more natural, beautifully shaped, well-defined, fluffy and feathery brows. So, in this day and age where nothing is impossible when it come to getting what we want aesthetically, Microblading is the latest 'go to' for wow brows.
Interestingly enough Microblading originated in Asia more than 25 years ago and goes by a number of different names such as eyebrow embroidery, eyebrow feathering, micro-stoking, even brow-micropigmentation and 3D brows1. In 2015 Microblading became increasingly popular in western society, truly coming into its own in 2017.
Microblading is a semi-permanent and manual form of a cosmetic tattooing, however, unlike traditional tattooing which uses an electronic machine, Microblading makes use of a handheld Microblade (which resembles a pen) to apply each hair stroke. The blade of the instrument, or Microblade, consists of a row of fine needles which are dipped into ink (color pigment). Once dipped, the blade will be pushed into the skin, cutting in a slicing motion, drawing on each hair stroke to create the allusion of more natural and fuller eyebrows. Hundreds of hair strokes will be created to build a more textured look, resembling your own eyebrow hair.
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The biggest part of the appeal of Microblading is that it lasts for roughly 12 to 18 months, fading gradually over time, making it a more permanent option than eyebrow pencils and powders and creating a more natural look as opposed to the more solid appearance of classic eyebrow tattoos. Another great aspect of the procedure is that regardless of whether you have bushy brows and want them tamed and shaped, or have nearly-invisible blonde brows, or hardly any hair at all, you can get Microblading done.
How long does it take?
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For the first Microblading session, the entire procedure should take about 2-3 hours. During this session, the brow technician will shape and style the client’s brows for client approval. We then follow with pigment color selection. Once the client is satisfied with the choices, we begin the procedure.
The client is to come in for a follow up visit in order to have any minor necessary touch ups. The second Microblading session takes place after 4-6 weeks after the initial session. This session will take approximately 1.5-2 hours to complete.
How long does it take to heal?
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The eyebrow area will be slightly red after the procedure and color will appear very dark. This is normal for the procedure and part of the healing process. The color will fade by up to 40% as it heals. In the following days, the eyebrows will continue to be dark and you will notice slight scabbing. Do not pick at the scabs as this may damage the skin and the outcome of the microbladed area. The eyebrows will lighten up in color as it heals. No down time is required after microblading procedure. It takes approximately 7-14 days for the brows to heal over, and about 1 month for the color to fully set in. You'll notice the color is very light right after the two weeks after healing; the skin will have an opaque milky looking quality to it. This is known as the milk skin and is common in tattooing. This is due to the the tissue still healing from the inside out even though the surface of the skin is healed. True color will reveal itself once healed.
Is the touch-up session necessary?
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Yes! A touch up session after 4-6 weeks is necessary as everyone heals differently and outcome will vary. Certain areas may not pick up during first session and will need to be refilled. Pigment color may need to be adjusted, brow thickness and more strokes can be added. Individuals with oily skin often require a deeper shade during the touch up session as the oils tend to lighten the pigment. Most importantly, your touch up session is when we refine your brows to ensure it looks perfect and retains the color for the whole year!
Is it painful?
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The pain level for the procedure is considered mild to none. Prior to the procedure your brow technician will apply a topical anesthetic to numb the area, and also reapplied during the procedure. Everyone responds differently to anesthetic; depending on the client, the feeling of the procedure has been described as light cat scratches to not feeling anything. Topical anesthetics used may contain lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, tetracaine and epinephrine.
After the procedure, redness and slight swelling in the area is normal. Clients describe the area feeling similar to a light sunburn. Clients can take Tylenol but not aspirin or ibuprofen.
What are the pre and post care procedures?
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In order to achieve the best results, it is best to follow the pre and post care instructions.
Prior to your procedure, clients are advised of the following:
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Avoid alcohol and aspirin/ibuprofen and any vitamins that may thin your blood for 72 hours.
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Avoid tanning so we can assess your natural skin tone.
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No face scrubs or chemical peels at least two weeks prior.
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Feel free to come in with their brow makeup on so our technician can see your every day look you prefer. Reference pictures of shapes and colors of brows are always welcomed. We will then work together to create the perfect brows!
After your procedure, clients MUST follow these instructions:
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Within 2 hours after the procedure, clean brows using a q-tip and lightly moisten with distilled or cooled downed boiling water. Gently wipe away the old healing balm and any lymphatic liquid (clear yellowish liquid) that may have built up. Lightly pat dry with tissue and using a new Q-tip, re-apply healing balm to the brows.
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Make sure to apply a light layer of healing balm morning and night to brows for at least 5-7 days.
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Do not over apply healing balm.
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Do not immerse brow area in water for 14 days. When showering, make sure to avoid face area. When cleaning or washing face, make sure to avoid brows and clean around it.
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Do not put makeup on the brow area for a minimum of 10 days. Microblade area is an open wound, using makeup may cause infections.
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Avoid alcohol and aspirin/ibuprofen and any vitamins that may thin your blood for 24 hours.
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Brow area will feel slightly itchy as it heals and will start to lightly scab over. Do not peel or pick at the scabs as this can affect the outcome and pigmentation.
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Do not go swimming, tanning or into saunas for at least 14 days.
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No face scrubs or chemical peels at least 2 weeks after.
Who is not suitable for the procedure?
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Microblading is not suitable for the following candidates:
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Using Accutane
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Have heart conditions or using heart medications
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Have diabetes (will require a physician's note)
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Have skin disease or irritations
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Have had Botox in the last 2 weeks
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Have gotten a deep tan or chemical peels in the last 2 weeks
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Allergic to lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, tetracaine or epinephrine
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Anyone who has any serious medical conditions may require a physician's note.
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Pregnant or nursing clients who want to microblade can be done at your own discretion. We suggest discussing with your doctor first. Microblading is still considered a tattoo, and just like with wine or sushi consumption, it is a personal choice to do so during this period.
* We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who we deem not suitable for this procedure or for any other reason.
Our brow technician will make the decision to Microblade an individual based on their own discretion. *
Risks and complications?
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We take all proper precautions for a safe session by using sterilized equipment, new needles and in a sanitized environment. Should clients follow our pre and post care instructions, there should be minimal risks or complications . Although allergic reactions to the pigments are rare, it could be possible for certain individuals. We suggest a pigment patch test for individuals who have high skin sensitivities or are sensitive to:
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Topical makeup products
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Gold, silver and nickel
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**Patch tests should be performed 5-7 days prior.
What if I do not like it?
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As with all cosmetic procedures, individuals should not make their choices lightly. We always recommend clients to do their own research and understand the procedure and compare different artists' work and portfolio when making their decisions. Our brow technician will do her utmost to shape and style the eyebrows to the clients satisfaction prior to the procedure. Every effort will be made to achieve an even appearance, but please realize our faces are never perfectly symmetrical. Uneven appearance can be fixed during the touch up session. Pigment discoloration and color correction can also be fixed during the the touch up session.
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+ Advanced Cosmetics is trained to do emergency removal +
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Microbladed brows will eventually fade away if no additional touch ups are done.
What are your cancellation or missed appointment policies?
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Clients are able to cancel or reschedule appointments at anytime with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the appointment time, otherwise a fee will be charged. ALL deposits made are non-refundable. To book a reservation, you must schedule through my website or online portal system, a deposit is required for any booking and this holds your spot. The deposit will be applied to your balance when you come in for your procedure. To cancel or reschedule, please email or call us. Confirmation of cancellation will be done by email or phone. We reserve the right to refuse service to clients who have cancellations or rescheduling of appointments 3 times in a row.