Cosmetic Tattoo Artist
Tattoo Artist
Beautician
Freckle Tattooing
Freckle tattooing is a beautifying trend with Semi Permanent Make-Up involving subtle pigment enhancement adding natural-looking freckles to the face.
This semi-permanent procedure enhances your features by adding pigment to mimic the look of natural freckles.
Benefits of Freckle Tattoos
Makeup-free
Sunless
Semi-permanent
Youthful, sunkissed looking skin
How it’s performed
Either a tattoo machine or a hand-held tool is used to place pigment into the skin. Freckle tattoos work just like any other tattoo, whereby pigment is deposited below the skin. They can last anywhere from 6 months-10 years with most people needing touch ups around the 12th month mark.
How long is the session?
Getting your freckles tattooed on can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the speed of your artist, how many dots you’re getting done, and how many pigments are being used to create your perfect freckle shade.
How long is healing?
Healing time can be anywhere from a few days to two weeks after the tattooing is complete.
Will I need a touch up?
To get the best results, I recommend that clients do a full face of freckles over two appointments, putting six weeks between those two appointments. After that, I recommend doing a touch-up yearly to maintain.
Is cosmetic tattooing the same as body tattoos?
Essentially they are the same in the essence that they both puncture the skin and deposit pigment resulting in a “permanent tattoo.” But the method of deposit and depth of color implanted do differ. Machines used are usually different to allow for more of a shallow pigment deposit. Cosmetic tattoos usually do not penetrate the skin as deep as body tattoos and colors used are usually more tailored to the face.
Is Cosmetic Tattooing painful?
There is some pain involved in cosmetic tattooing but it can be controlled. The level of pain felt does depend on the individual’s pain threshold. Topical anesthetic is used for eyebrow, freckles, lips, eyeliner & these usually help null or soften the pain.
How permanent is Cosmetic Tattooing?
This is a very common question and one that is not easy to answer! Cosmetic tattoos generally last between 1-3 years however there have been cases where cosmetic tattoos have lasted for more than 20 years. So if you are considering a cosmetic tattoo under the misconception that it’s only temporary; then think again. The permanence of a cosmetic tattoo depends on many factors; individuals skin type, medical conditions, colors used, etc. Colors do fade over time, and we usually recommend a touch-up every 2-3 years.
Is Cosmetic Tattooing Safe?
We ensure all of our equipment are 100% sterile. Most parts of the equipment used are disposable and prior to use you can view them in their original sterile packaging. We then carefully dispose of all of the disposable parts. Other non-disposable equipment and materials used have been sterilized. It is up to the client to take care of the treated area appropriately post treatment to ensure the area is kept sterile and clean.
How do I choose a color for my cosmetic tattoo?
We usually do recommend bringing in with you the colors that you usually wear on a day-to-day basis. We take your skin tone and desired result into consideration prior to choosing a color and we try our very best to match your chosen shade. It is important that you are aware that colors do change post implantation. One same color can be used on 20 individuals with all twenty resulting in different colors. This is due to the fact that many different things such as the following can affect the final color;
– Client’s skin undertones
– Medication and medical conditions
– Skin care products used
– Sun exposure
– Acidic based products
– Skins cellular composition
– Failure to adhere to provided aftercare instructions.
Immediately after the treatment the color will be brighter, deeper and more vibrant than the desired color (also remember that the skin has been scratched too). Up to 60% of pigment can be lost within the healing period. As the skin heals, the color will become softer and lighter. We recommend waiting at least 6 weeks before judging the color. The color tweaking can be addressed in your adjustment appointment 6-8 weeks post treatment.
What should I consider prior to the procedure?
There are a few important factors to take into consideration prior to undergoing treatment.
Please read carefully and should you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact us.
Cosmetic tattoos can last anything between one year to twenty plus years, dependent on the individuals skin and initial colors used.
Retouch will be required at some point.
Certain products and procedures, such as acid based (glycolic and AHA’S) products, Retinal, Peels, Sun exposure and laser treatments can fade tattoos.
Colors change and fade over time. Even though the upmost care is taken in color matching; taking all of the relevant factors into consideration, it can be hard to predict if one will have considerable complications with the color. This is due to the fact that many different things can affect the final color;
Black pigment (which is only used for the eyeliner tattoo on the face) often results in a bluey hue in cosmetic tattoo just like body tattoos. The bluey hue can come through over time or immediately. There is no way of predicting if or when this happens. Black pigment is never used on the eyebrows (for obvious reasons!).
Color bleeding in cosmetic tattooing is where the color lightly spreads out of the designated area. Even though this rarely happens (in less than 1% of clients, in eyeliner or lips) it is important to be aware of this prior to the procedure. This is why we insist that clients should be calm and relaxed through procedure to ensure pigment is deposited at the correct angle.
If you suffer from cold sores (the herpes virus) you should be aware that often a lip procedure induces a re-occurrence. This is because the herpes virus remains dormant in the body and comes through once stress is exerted on the body (e.g. cold and flu, mental stress…. And tattoos!). We suggest that you take preventative supplements such as Blackmore’s “L-Lysine” a couple of weeks prior to treatment. You can also use your usual medicated treatment, upon recommendation of your GP (e.g. Zovirax, Valtrex) upto two days prior to treatment and continue use for up to 4 days post treatment. The above should help prevent and also reduce the length of time a cold sore persists. Cold sores usually but not always result in loss of pigment in the affected area. On the routine adjustment appointment (6 weeks post treatment), this can be addressed.
If you are or suspect that you are pregnant, suffer from medical conditions or are on any medication, it is important that you notify us prior to treatment. In some cases a letter from a GP will be required.
Blood thinning medication, alcohol and diabetes are some of the reasons why we turn clients away.
How long will my Cosmetic Tattoo take to heal?
Make sure the area that is going to be tattooed is healthy, hydrated and at its optimum best as this will ensure rapid healing with the least complications. Healing time differs in individuals. It can be anything from 4 days to 14 days. The majority of clients’ resume work the next day and manage to keep their tattoos discreet. Dependent on the area tattooed, redness, dryness and minor swelling can occur. Swelling usually subsides within a couple of hours (except in full lip treatments where it can take up to 24 hours). Itchiness is the first sign of healing, please ensure you do not itch the area and keep the area moisturized as scabbing and itching will cause patchiness within the tattoo.
Potential Side Effects
As with any procedure, there can be risks. It could be anything from an allergic reaction to a numbing agent, or if you have sensitive skin you might get a little irritation from the tiny pinpricks. From my experience however, risks are very low.
As always, let your tattooist know if you have any existing skin conditions or concerns prior to your appointment. A dermatologist is the best person to consult to see if freckle tattoos are safe for you.
Answer the most important question yourself: Is it time to call me?
Freckle Pre, During & Post Procedure
Pre-Care & After-Care
Pre-Care & After Care is important & I recommend following the instruction closely to have the best results possible. Caring for your face is Imperative to help your recovery and/or to maximize your treatment outcome.
Pre-Procedure
It’s important to come to your session completely clean and clear-faced. All products, whether blush, eye shadow, or concealer, will be wiped away if you show up with them. If you’re someone who does wear a lot of makeup, be forewarned—you can't wear face makeup again until your new freckles heal. (Keep in mind that healing time can be anywhere from a few days to two weeks after the tattooing is complete.)
The dots will appear slightly swollen and dark immediately after tattooing; side effects typically start to dissipate after only a few hours—healing completely after two weeks or less.
It will take anywhere from three days to two weeks for the tattoos to fully heal, and the color of the dots will fade out to a natural-looking color over the course of the following month or two. Keep in mind that tattooed freckles aren’t actually permanent. Because they’re created using the same pigment that’s used for eyebrow microblading, the ink will only stay in your skin for one to three years, with nose freckles fading the slowest due to a lack of fat in the area.
Touch-up frequency depends on how quickly your skin metabolizes the ink. As with any cosmetic tattoos, the products you put on your skin will affect the outcome of your freckle tattoos as well as their longevity. Avoid using skincare products that contain retinol, AHAs, and BHAs in the areas you want your freckles both before and after you get them tattooed. These products are meant to exfoliate the skin, which will cause premature fading of your freckles."
During the healing process, the freckles definitely start out a lot darker. They'll also look slightly raised and will develop tiny little scabs like you would with any other tattoo. Little freckle flakes will come off within five to ten days. Clients who have oilier skin will find that their tattoos heal a little bit quicker.
After healing you can expect your freckle tattoos to be lighter and more natural-looking than a lot of reference photos make it seem. & they should lighten up to 20%
PMU FRECKLES Pre-Treatment Instructions
2 weeks before procedure stop all skin thinning products
Vitamin A (Retin-A)
Glycolic acids
Exfoliation products or facial peels
No blood thinning products for 48hrs before treatment
No beer, wine or alcohol
No aspirin (unless MD prescribed)
No caffeine
No heavily tanned, sunburned, wind chapped or dehydrated facial skin.
Come to consultation with a clean face.
Bring photos or pictures of freckles you like.
Please contact me with questions or concerns.
Immediately after the procedure the freckles appear darker and raised with some redness. They will soften in color and also the edges will blur, leaving very real looking freckles.
Post-Care Instructions
Wash your face once per day with a gentle non-scented face wash. Lightly pat dry.
Do not wear makeup until scabs are completely gone and sites are healed.
Freckles require a dry healing process.
No skin care on freckle sites until healed.
No touching, picking or scratching freckle scabs. Tap the area around it w/ a q-tip.
Freckles can take up to a 5-10 days to completely heal.
Immediately after procedure freckles will look DARK, slightly red and swollen.
Freckles will lighten and redness will subside in a few days and they will look natural.
No pools, hot tubs, steam showers, saunas, oceans, lakes or sunlight until healed.
Post Healing
Wash your face once per day with a gentle non-scented face wash. Lightly pat dry.
Do not wear makeup until scabs are completely gone and sites are healed.
Freckles require a dry healing process.
No skin care on freckle sites until healed.
No touching, picking or scratching freckle scabs. Tap the area around it w/ a q-tip.
Freckles can take up to a 5-10 days to completely heal.
Immediately after procedure freckles will look DARK, slightly red and swollen.
Freckles will lighten and redness will subside in a few days and they will look natural.
No pools, hot tubs, steam showers, saunas, oceans, lakes or sunlight until healed.