Permanent Makeup Powder Brows

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“Powder Brows” or “Shading” is semi-permanent makeup tattoo technique designed to create fuller eyebrows by filling in sparse areas with a soft powder effect, very similar to powder makeup.

This procedure is done with a specialized shading technique using a permanent makeup device, and a single needle cartridge - which is similar to a tattoo gun. Many clients prefer powder brows for aesthetic purposes, as with this technique, you are able to customize and control the intensity and colour saturation of the procedure, to either create a bold and structured brow (makeup look), or a soft and subtle brow (much like a brow tint).

Powder brows are also known as “ombre brows” or “microshading”, and have additional advantages. This method of permanent makeup is preferred due to its soft and natural end result, and because it is less invasive than traditional microblading, it is much less painful and longer lasting.

With powder brows, instead of using a microblade to create hair strokes to fill in eyebrow hairs (as is the case with microblading), the pigment is deposited into the skin by means of a single needle and permanent makeup device - creating dots (pixels) of colour, which results in a longer lasting brow shape and colour than with microblading.

The methodology of powder or ombre brows utilizes a technique of building “layers of colour” into the skin to create the appearance of fullness, shape and density, thus giving excellent definition. You can build upon the initial procedure to layer the look of your eyebrows. At first, the brows may seem dark, but as they heal and settle, they will quickly fade to a soft, gentle look.

This semi-permanent technique is the suggested and preferred method for people who have oily skin and African skin, since these skin types do not hold the pigment and hair strokes of microblading. More mature skin types will also respond better and benefit more with this procedure due to loss of collagen. Less collagen, means the skin is thinner, which means that the microblading technique will be more painful and invasive than when you get powder/ombre brows.

When getting powder brows, a mandatory touch-up procedure is required between 6 and 8 weeks after the original procedure. After both sessions, the brows should last anything between 1 - 3 years. This brow-enhancing method has been shown to last longer than microblading and gives a softer, more-filled in appearance.

This longer-lasting procedure is favoured and essential to many clients as one of the reasons for having semi-permanent eyebrow procedures is to reclaim part of the time-consuming period they spend applying their makeup daily.

While Permanent Makeup is great for most clients, there are some who are ineligible for the procedure:

  • You are pregnant or breast feeding.
  • You are on blood thinning medication. This will need to be stopped for at least a month prior to the procedure and up to 2 weeks post procedure for optimal results.
  • You are undergoing Chemo or Radiation Therapy. Although Permanent Makeup is great for restoring eyebrows, the required waiting period is 6 months post chemo / radiation therapy, and would require a doctor’s note in order to perform the procedure.
  • You are using Roaccutane, Acnetane, Oratane or similar dermatological medication. 
  • You suffer from liver or kidney disease.
  • If you have a transmittable blood disease such as HIV or Hepatitis. Again, Permanent Makeup artists cut the skin so it is our policy not to work with these conditions.
  • You are under the influence of alcohol, tranquilizers or any form of suppressant or hallucinatory drugs.
  • You have previous permanent makeup over the brow area, which has not been consulted for correction.
  • Those prone to keloids or post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation. Unfortunately, since Permanent Makeup punctures the skin as we add pigment, we cannot work on clients with these conditions.
  • If you’ve had botox or dermal fillers in the brow area. Depending on the timing, we recommend to get Permanent Makeup done first. There is a 12 week waiting period on injectables before the procedure can be performed.
  • If you have any kind of skin condition on or near your eyebrows. This includes:
    • eczema
    • shingles
    • rashes, moles, or anything else on or near the eyebrows
  • Children. Permanent Makeup is for adults only! We do not recommend Permanent Makeup for anyone under the age of 18. The BrowLAB. policy dictates that we do not work on children with or without a consent form from parents.

The above covers the major issues which may exempt you from getting Permanent Makeup. You will however be required to fill in an sign a full disclosure and indemnity document prior to your procedure.

If you want to see a complete list, please check out our Terms and Conditions.

The following restrictions are in place to ensure that your skin is in the best possible condition for an amazing Permanent Makeup procedure. Always remember that you are the master of your own destiny. We will not be held responsible if you have not adhered to the terms and conditions provided.
Non negotiable conditions. You're in charge of your results
  • Please do not exercise on the day of the procedure as the body heat will expand the pores.
  • Please do not shape or wax your brows before your procedure, your technician will shape your brows during the procedure.
  • No Electrolysis, waxing, tweezing, tinting or eyelash extensions is allowed for at least 5 - 7 days before the procedure.
  • Botox, Fillers, AHA products and retinoids should be avoided for 2 - 4 weeks prior to the procedure.
  • Chemical and Laser peels should be avoided no less that 6 weeks prior to the procedure.
  • Please do not wear makeup on the day of your procedure.
  • Avoid heavy sunlight and especially sunburn 3 days before procedure. Skin should not be in process of healing before procedure!
  • Where possible, try to avoid the following herbs and spices prior to your appointment: Black pepper, Cardamom, Ginger, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Garlic, Horseradish & mustard.
  • Do NOT drink coffee or anything with caffeine the day of procedure.
  • Patients prone to cold sores / fever blisters are to medicate with an anti-viral prior to the treatment, and can only have the procedure once fully healed.
  • Do NOT take Aspirin (anticoagulants), Niacin, Vitamin E and/or Ibuprofen, omega-3, unless medically necessary, 48-72 hours prior to the procedure. (Tylenol or acetaminophen is okay!)
  • Do NOT drink alcohol 24 hours before the procedure.
  • Please note that hormone therapies can affect the pigmentation retention and / or cause sensitivity.
The following treatments should avoided within four weeks of the procedure:
  • Botox or other fillers
  • Chemical Peels
  • Laser treatments
Please note that the Powder Brow procedure cannot be performed if:
  • You are pregnant or breast feeding.
  • You are on blood thinning medication. This will need to be stopped for at least a month with consent from your doctor.
  • You are undergoing Chemo or Radiation Therapy. (You will need consent from your Doctor and treatment should be finished at least 6 months prior to the Powder Brow procedure)
  • You are using Ro-accutane or similar dermatological medication.
  • You are under the influence of alcohol, tranquilizers or any form of suppressant or hallucinatory drugs.
  • You have previous permanent makeup over the brow area. This will need to be professionally removed before commencing.
A typical Permanent Makeup Brow appointment can last 2 to 3 hours subject to the PMU artist and the amount of work required. The follow-up touch-up appointments will last anything between 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the amount of work required for touching up.
Here's What's Involved In The Appointment On The Day:
  1. Profiling the client
    First things first, the Permanent Makeup artist will assess the client’s lifestyle, skin type, age, current brow status & what result they would like. Do they want something bold or natural? Do they wear makeup everyday or just special occasions? What face shape does the client have? This interview will help the artist create the best brows for their client. During the consultation process, a pre-numbing cream will be applied to the clients brow area to make sure they are comfortable when the procedure starts. 
  2. Mapping & Drawing of the new eyebrow shape
    Next the artist will map & draw the new shape directly on the client’s face using a waterproof eyebrow pencil. This will be the artist’s guide for the Permanent Makeup procedure. This allows the client to see the final look & approve the new shape before any further work is performed.
  3. PMU Brow Procedure
    The artist now begins the Permanent Makeup procedure, according to the shape & drawing agreed upon with the client.
  4. Removal of excess ink
    Once the PMU procedure is finished, there will be some excess pigment remaining on the client’s brow area. The artist will wipe the pigment away, apply a layer of aftercare balm & the client can see their new eyebrows! Except for some redness, the client will be ready to go back out in public, no problem.
  5. Photography
    Before & after photos are taken of each client. All Permanent Makeup artists photograph their work for many reasons, not the least of which, to have a record of their own art and to show their portfolio to potential clients.
FOLLOW UP

All PMU procedures require a second touch up appointment, because all clients' skin is different and absorbs pigment differently. It's impossible to accurately predict how a pigment will be affected by a client’s undertones, lifestyle, skin type & age.

After 4 - 6 weeks, the client MUST come in for a touch up. This appointment can last as little as 30 minutes or as long as 2 hours, depending on the amount of work needed. In this appointment, the artist will refine and perfect the brows.

At The BrowLAB we advocate a light touch which results in less injury to the skin thus providing finer and more natural lines as an end result.

Permanent Makeup Brow Aftercare & What To Expect

Permanent Makeup aftercare is very important to the final outcome in appearance and longevity of your new eyebrows. Always remember what you put in is what you get out.

For the longevity and appearance of your new eyebrows
  • Do not let any water, lotion, soap, cosmetics or makeup touch your eyebrow area during the first 7 - 10 days after your procedure.
  • 24 hours after procedure, make sure your hands are completely clean and gently apply the aftercare balm with clean hands. This can be done once at night time, but be sure to use the aftercare balm sparingly as your skin needs to heal itself. Please continue to apply the ointment for 7 - 10 days.
The following must be avoided during the full healing period - post procedure
  • Increased sweating
  • Practicing sports / exercise
  • Swimming, salt water & chlorine will cause the pigment to fade
  • Hot sauna, hot bath, or Jacuzzi
  • Sun tanning, salon tanning or self tanning products. UV/UVA Rays or chemicals have been known to cause a shift in color and premature fading
  • Any laser, chemical treatments, peels, microneedling and/or any creams containing Retin-A or Glycolic acid on the face or neck
  • Picking, peeling, or scratching of the Permanent Makeup area in order to avoid scarring of the area or removal of the pigment
  • Performing tasks related to heavy household cleaning such as garage or basement cleaning where there is a lot of airborne debris
  • Drinking alcohol in excess, as it may lead to slow healing of wounds
  • Touching of the eyebrow area except for when cleaning and applying the aftercare balm with a cotton bud or clean fingers
  • Please wash your face carefully around the eyebrow area without getting water on the treated area. During the shower, keep your face away from the shower head or take a bath
Pay Special Attention To The Following
  • Itching and flaking may appear during the first seven days post-permanent makeup procedure. However, experience has shown that by following these after-care instructions, these symptoms may quickly disappear.
  • If you have any unexpected problems with the healing of the skin, please contact The Brow Lab immediately, to discuss further instructions.
  • Contact a physician if any signs or symptoms develop such as the following: fever, redness at the site, swelling, tenderness of the procedure site, elevated body temperature, red streaks going from the procedure site towards the heart, and/or any green/yellow discharge that is foul in odour.
What to Expect During and After Your Permanent Makeup Session
  • Entire healing process will take from 4-6 weeks depending on your body regeneration and age. Your new eyebrows will go through several phases during the healing cycle.
  • The pigment will appear very natural looking immediately after the procedure. The color of the pigment will appear much darker the next day.
  • Note that because of natural skin regeneration, after recovery period (peeling), brows might appear lighter than original. This might give you the impression that colour is fading too quickly. Often even with proper care, clients may lose original pigment pixels which make brows look uneven. It is absolutely normal. That is the reason why most customers need a touchup after 6 weeks.
  • Once the healing of the skin begins taking place, it will look like dandruff flakes or dry skin. However, this is just superficial colour and dry skin being naturally removed from your eyebrows. The final look of your eyebrows will be apparent approximately 30 days after your procedure.
  • Never rub the treated area as it will disturb the skin from natural healing.
  • Once completely healed, always apply a layer of sunscreen SPF 30 up to SPF 50 on your eyebrows when exposed to the sun. Sun exposure might cause the colour pigment to fade away more quickly. When using foundation, be aware when applying to avoid your healed eyebrows. If foundation covers healed brows, your eyebrows will appear lighter.
  • HAPPY DAYS! You can now enjoy your beautiful new eyebrows!

Candidates who are seeking Permanent Makeup and who may be contraindicated (meaning those that we cannot treat) are:

  • Those under 18 years of age
  • Persons with uncontrolled diabetes
  • Pregnant and breast feeding women
  • Persons with glaucoma
  • Persons with skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema and undiagnosed rashes, moles or blisters on the site that is to be treated
  • Persons with allergies to makeup or colours
  • Those with easily triggered post inflammatory hyper pigmentation are not good candidates
  • Those with transmittable blood conditions like HIV or Hepatitis
  • Active skin cancer in the area to be treated
  • Persons who suffer from hemophilia
  • Have healing disorders, uncontrolled high blood pressure or had Mitral valve disorder
  • Those on any skin medication such as Roaccutane, Acnetane, Oratane & steroids which thin and over sensitise the skin
  • Persons with known allergic reactions to topical anaesthetics
  • Persons who have had skincare treatments e.g microneedling, chemical peels, microdermabrasion etc in the last 6 weeks post micropigmentation

Other contraindications

  • Persons using AHA’s (lactic, glycolic, citric, retinoic and tartaric acids) or any OTC creams and lotions for tone correcting, anti-aging, exfoliating, fading as this can discolour your Permanent Makeup procedure.
  • Persons with Influenza, a cold or any sinus or respiratory infection need to reschedule appointments once infection has cleared.
  • Persons taking Warfarin, Ecotrin, Disprin or similar anticoagulant treatments - The level of bleeding during a Permanent Makeup procedure and the response to topical lidocaine & epinephrine will determine coverage per appointment. If excessive bleeding occurs, extra appointments may be necessary for the desired outcome or the procedure may not be effective.
  • Cancers/Chemotherapy - Doctor's clearance will be necessary. (Best to wait 6 months after treatment to have a Permanent Makeup procedure done)
  • Dermal Fillers and Botox - 12 week waiting period post injectables. Get a Permanent Makeup procedure first.
  • Shingles (varicella) - If you have shingles on your face, you will need to wait for the condition to clear completely before the Permanent Makeup procedure.
  • Eyelift or blepharoplasty - Wait about 3 months.
  • Eyelash extensions - AFTER a Permanent Makeup procedure, not before. Or remove them before your procedure.
  • Pinkeye - As soon as the infection has cleared & your medication has been completed.
  • Cold Sores - Clients with a history of cold sores need to pre-medicate with an anti-viral drug (Zoviraz, Valtrex, or Acyclovir).

Powder Brows PMU

Note

* A Touch-up procedure no later than 6 weeks for lips and 8 weeks for brows after your initial procedure is required in order to finalise and refine your procedure.

* A Consult Appointment is only required for clients who have had previous permanent makeup procedures on eyebrows or lips  as a viability assessment must be carried out before an appointment can be made.

NOTE:

  • We reserve the right to refuse services.
  • Prices are subject to change without notice.
  • Due to the nature of Permanent Makeup Procedures & Lash Lifting procedures and the confines in which we work absolutely NO visitors/children will be allowed into the studio during the procedure.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

In the event you would like to reschedule or cancel your appointment, you may do so by emailing us on info@thebrowlab.co.za, anytime up to 24 hours before your scheduled appointment.
Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours notice will be subject to a 50% fee of service booked. This amount will be added to your next appointment. Please note that “NO SHOWS” will not be rebooked in future.

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