Frequently Asked Questions

Healed Results are the most important element of choosing an artist.
Haiku Ink specializes in the longest lasting, most natural looking techniques.

 

Powder Brows vs Microblading Video Explanation


CLICK each question below to expand the answers

  • “Powder Brows” are soft focus cosmetic tattoos which fill in sparse, light, or non-existent natural eyebrows. They are applied in soft light layers, almost like transparent watercolor layers, until they blend together to create definition and depth.

    Our industry calls this technique “Powder” because the healed results look like you have applied powder makeup. We don’t use any powder in this tattoo technique - it is only a description of the visual result.

    For Powder Brows, I use a tattoo machine (please don’t call it a gun lol), individually sterilized needle cartridges, and custom mixed professional cosmetic tattoo ink. Similar to body tattoos, Powder Brows consist of thousands and thousands of teeny tiny individual pixels which soften and blend together to create the desired brow shape and color.

    Powder brows are the industry standard for all skin tones + skin types, and offer the longest lasting and most natural-looking result for all clients.

  • Both powder brows and microblading are permanent cosmetics AKA cosmetic tattoos AKA permanent makeup.

    Microblading is a relatively recent cosmetic tattooing technique in which a small tool resembling a scalpel (actually made out of a row of sharp needles) is used to cut small grooves in the skin, the skin is pulled apart lightly, and tattoo ink or permanent makeup pigments are rubbed into these grooved lines.

    The result immediately after microblading is a beautiful brow that looks amazing in photos. However as the microblading heals and the skin metabolizes the color pushed into the grooves, the resulting tattoo is unpredictable, the individual lines blur and become fatter, and overtime the lines will fade randomly and often turn into patchy, spotty blobs.

    All eyebrow ”hairstroke” techniques, including microblading, combo brows, digital or “Nano” hairstroke brows, will eventually blur together and need to be removed or corrected via powder brows over the course of 2 to 10 years.

    On the other hand, powder brows start out soft and maintain their shape and color much easier. They will still fade and soften over time, and there is much less risk that clients will need removal or correction long-term.

    Video Link : Powder Brows vs Microblading

  • Pregnant or Nursing less than 3 months ago

    Health issues that cause prolonged or difficult wound healing

    Active chemo-therapy treatments

    On Accutane within past 12 months

    Recovering from surgery

    On blood thinner medication

    (Eyeliner) anyone using lash growth products

    (Eyeliner) Glaucoma eye drops

    (Eyeliner) Cataracts

    (Eyeliner) Styes

    (Lips) Active Cold-Sore outbreaks

  • Semi-Permanent is a term that does not apply to Cosmetic Tattoos. Semi-permanent implies that the tattoo will fade away to nothing and in our industry that rarely happens. A tattoo is any color that stays visible in the skin past one cell-turnover cycle (4 weeks). Tattoos, including Powder Brows and Microblading, can and do last lifetimes.

    Semi-permanent is a marketing term used to help ease anxious clients into the false sense that if a mistake is made, or they change their minds then it will disappear.

    Cosmetic tattoos are not like semi-permanent hair dye. They do not grow out or disappear.

    They will fade, often shift in color to slightly cooler or slightly warmer, and may shrink slightly over time as well. This is normal for all tattoos, including cosmetic tattoos.

  • Yes, ink is inserted under the epidermal layer of the skin. It is not as saturated as a body art tattoo, but it does go to the same layer of the skin.

    Cosmetic Tattooing aka Permanent Makeup aka Permanent Cosmetics aka “Semi-Permanent” Makeup (which is an incorrect term) are all forms of tattooing.

    Modern techniques, needles, machines, inks, and training have all coalesced in the last 5ish years to create a much more natural and undetectable healed result for clients. Gone are the days of harsh “Sharpie” tattoo brows or outdated “ring around the mouth” lip liner tattoos.

    Our methods may have evolved but Permanent Makeup is still a tattoo. You must feel confident that the artist you choose will have your best long term interests at heart.

  • I can assure you that Powder Brows will be very comfortable for you.

    On a pain scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest pain imaginable), most clients say it gets up to a max of 2 for a few minutes, but then once I apply the Lidocaine gel for numbing, a lot of clients say it’s actually a zero. In fact many clients (who have ZERO tattoo experience) fall asleep in my super comfy spa bed.

    Very little discomfort for brows immediately after, though there will be some tenderness the first 24 hours.

    Lip discomfort tends to be around a 4-5 out of 10 in certain parts, but it is not a sustained sensation. You will feel pretty tender afterward, sort of like you’ve banged your lips on your teeth, but it is very bearable.

    Eyeliner discomfort can get up there depending on how thick or if we are adding wings. The pain itself isn’t so bad, maybe a 3-4 with numbing, but your fight or flight response will get activated. You will feel like “hey this isn’t right, I need to get out of here.” I will be gentle but I also am excellent at controlling and calming. It’s over before you know it, I promise.

  • Good Cosmetic Tattoos are like good plastic surgery - when it’s good, you don’t notice it but when it’s BAD you can’t help but notice it.

    My goal is as natural as possible, which is why I work in translucent layers and build up over 2 sessions.

    And yes, the first few days after Brows (or eyeliner or lips), you will definitely notice the color looking darker and feeling very noticeable. But a few days later (7-10 max for most clients), the softened, lightened color will blend right in and look beautiful.

  • Powder Brows last on average 2-3 years before needing a touchup session. You will still be able to see the brows, but the color will be lighter, some of the softer areas may have faded a bit, and the color may have shifted slightly cooler or slightly warmer.

    Lip Blush depends on the style desired - a soft tint or a color neutralization for deeper toned lips will last about 2 years. More saturated “lipstick style” lip blush can last 6+ years.

    Eyeliner typically goes bout 2-5 years before needing a touchup but the more saturated eyeliners can last 10+ years.

  • So that will depend on the style you desire and if you have come to regular touchups over time. It will also depend on your skin type (oily, dry, sun damaged etc.), your amount of unprotected sun exposure, your skincare products, and your general health and lifestyle.

    As long as we follow your natural brow shape and color, and work within certain guidelines for shaping (no trendy or “fashion” shapes), then your brows will work with your face over time and will continue to look amazing.

    Even with weight gain or loss, your brows aren’t going to change or shift around on your face :)

    My goal is to have all my clients in 20 years to still be super happy with me. Can you imagine the weight of that collective bad Karma?

  • Avoid anti-aging products directly on top (Retinol is a key culprit).

    Use strong sunscreen (SPF 30-50 minimum) for days when you are going to be doing sunny activities for longer than 10 minutes.

    Schedule regular-ish touchups as needed. Every other year for most clients it just fine.

  • All tattoos, including cosmetic tattoos, will fade and change slightly over time. We don’t usually notice it with body tattoos, but we absolutely notice when our brow color or shape is slightly off.

    Tattoos change over time because the body is forever trying to get rid of the ink. Permanent Makeup Pigments and Tattoo Inks are foreign bodies and the immune system will always be working to get rid of it, if possible.

    Also, colorants have certain light fastness ratings, and certain colorants will fade faster when exposed to sunlight than others. Because brow colors are made of different colorants with different light fastness ratings, the colorants with the strongest light fastness will show stronger over time when the other colorants have faded.

  • Brows :

    You’ll be receiving a text message the morning of your appointment with reminders, and there will be a link to fill out a consent form. Please go ahead and fill it out.

    When you arrive to the parking lot, respond to my text and I’ll let you know when it is time to come upstairs.

    We will have a chat about your current eyebrow makeup routine (you’ll be wearing your own brow makeup), what you would like to see similar or updated, and then we will take photos.

    I’ll clean the skin, take some more photos, then sit you up for measuring and pre-drawing. I’ll base measurements off of your bone structure, facial features, and desired look.

    Then I will draw in your brows with a brow pencil. It will most likely be too dark of a color, but it is so that we can focus on the shape. You will have to do your best to see through the color and focus on the balance and feeling of the shape drawn. This can take up to 20-30 minutes.

    We may need to remove some excess brow hair as part of a more balanced shape, but I won’t remove anything until I have your permission.

    After we talk about changes or updates to the shape and you are satisfied with the look, then you will lay back and I will customize a color for your skin tone and your desired healed outcome.

    I’ll use the shape we drew as the stencil for the Powder Brows. I will tattoo one very light, translucent layer of color. The discomfort is minimal, maybe a 2-3 max out of 10 on a pain scale of 1-10 (10 being the most pain ever).

    Then after I have wiped away the ink, I will apply a numbing gel which goes to work in about 30 seconds. You’ll feel almost nothing after that and you may fall asleep.

    The total tattooing time is often only 30-45 minutes.

    Afterward we will discuss how to take care of your brows during the healing, and I will give you all the products you will need and written instructions as well.

    We will schedule your 6 week touchup session and then take payment for the balance of your appointment.

  • Discontinue anti-aging skincare products for 6 weeks minimum. If you’re not sure, send me a text.

    Allow brow hair to grow in as much as possible so we can see what you are working with.

    Gather inspiration photos and favorite them in your phone so we can find them easily.

    No alcohol for 24 hours prior.

    No pain meds for 24 hours prior.

    No sunburn or tan for 6 weeks prior.

    No Botox for 2 weeks prior.

    No advanced skincare treatments like Microneedling, laser resurfacing, chemical peels for 6 weeks prior.

    No facials for 2 weeks prior or 3 weeks after

    No vacations, weddings, photos or other important events events for 2 weeks after

    Wear your brow makeup to your appointment, but no other makeup please.

    Wear or bring a dark colored sweater or hoodie.

    Skip shorts and short skirts for comfort laying back

    Skip large earrings

    Eat and drink your regular meals before your appointment. Don’t come in hungover, dehydrated, or hangry please.

    Wear your hair back off your face.

    No vaccinations (including COVID boosters or Flu Shots etc.) for 2 weeks before or after your appointment

  • First sessions I will schedule 2 hours for us, touchups usually only need 1 hour.

  • Healing will take anywhere from 7-10 days. Brows will look quite dark and saturated at first, and you will notice every single detail because of the high contrast with your skin. They will darken slightly by the next day and will dry down. 3-4 days later they will begin to flake and peel. The color under the thin flakes will be a lot lighter and you will look funky for a few days. It is unpredictable when the flaking will start and how long it will last, but you may not put makeup on your brows or try to pull the flaking off before it is ready. After approx 7-10 days, the flakes should be all gone and the color will look softer and lighter. Don’t judge the color yet. Around day 30 the final healed color will surface.

  • Shaping is based on your unique bone structure and facial features. I will take measurements and will use those measurements as guidelines. I will ask your thoughts about desired overall thickness, arch etc. but we will still be following a timeless classic brow shape that will be flattering at any age.

    Color will be based on your skin tone, skin type, skin health, and natural hair color, and your desired healed outcome.

  • The only medications we have to worry about are ones that are blood thinners, or that slow down your immune system and cause prolonged healing time.

    You do need to be off Accutane for 12 months minimum, and off Doxycycline for 2 months.

    You’ll be telling me about all your medications as well in the intake form when scheduling.

  • You will need to discontinue use of anti-aging skincare and anti-acne skincare above the cheekbones for 6 weeks. Don’t put it on your forehead at all please. You can resume use 4 weeks after your touchup session.

  • You will need 2 weeks buffer before or after Botox.

  • You may reschedule one time with no penalty as long as you let me know a minimum of 72 hours in advance.

    Less than 72 hours notice, you will need to make another deposit and your first deposit will be forfeit.

    Less than 24 hours notice, and you will be charged 50% of your balance and will need to make another deposit for a new date.

    If you need to reschedule again, as long as you give at least 72 hours notice, then there is a $75 reschedule fee. This applies to touchups as well.

    Please take a few minutes to visit the Policies Page : www.haikuink.com/policies

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