Frequently Asked Questions

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• PMU stands for permanent makeup (or cosmetic tattoo). First and foremost, this IS a tattoo. The pigments used, however, are different from traditional tattoo ink and are designed specifically for permanent makeup services. PMU only goes about 1/3 of the depth of traditional tattooing, resulting in a softer and more natural color. The pigments can be metabolized, meaning  they will have a more natural fade over time (as opposed to the blue/grey look of old school PMU).​
• SMP stands for scalp micropigmentation, which is a sub category of cosmetic tattoo. It is a treatment that replicates the look of natural hair follicles using detailed pigment application. It’s ideal for creating the appearance of a fuller scalp, restoring hairlines, or camouflaging scars, giving you a confident, refreshed look. 

Your health and safety are paramount to us. Unfortunately, if you have any of the conditions listed below, we are unable to proceed with permanent cosmetic makeup services at this time. Should you have a medical condition not mentioned here that you believe may impact your ability to undergo a PMU procedure, please contact us prior to booking so we can discuss your options. 

We do not offer PMU services to individuals with the following conditions:

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding – No exceptions can be made.
• Current use of Accutane (acne medication; please ask if taking others) – You must discontinue use for at least 12 months before scheduling any PMU/SMP treatment.
• Hemophilia or other bleeding disorders.
• Trichotillomania – Individuals with compulsive hair or scab pulling.
• History of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections.
• Keloid scarring – If you’ve been diagnosed with keloid scarring, a doctor’s clearance is required to proceed.
• Heart conditions – Including those with pacemakers, defibrillators, or stents.
• Active skin conditions on the face – This includes dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, severe acne in the brow area, actinic keratosis, rosacea, shingles, and similar concerns. Please contact us if you have any other skin conditions not listed here.
• Epilepsy – Requires a doctor’s note of approval.
• Uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Minors – Permanent makeup services are technically tattoos and can not be offered to individuals under 18, even with parental consent.
• Undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
• Recent Botox (or similar) - Please wait roughly 6 weeks post-procedure before receiving PMU brow services to ensure your skin/brows have had a chance to settle. Do not receive Botox after your brow service until they are fully healed.

 Certain medications can interfere with healing or increase the risk of complications during and after your procedure. Please inform us if you are taking any of the following: 

• Blood thinners (e.g., warfarin, aspirin, heparin)
• Accutane or other retinoid-based acne treatments – Must be discontinued for at least 12 months before the procedure
• Steroids (including oral or topical corticosteroids)
• Anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen or naproxen)
• Antibiotics (within 2 weeks prior to your appointment)
• Immunosuppressants – Medications that lower your immune system
• Chemotherapy drugs – Requires doctor’s clearance
• Anticoagulants or medications for heart conditions
• Hormone therapy – Check with your doctor prior to booking

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns. Your safety is our top priority, and we want you to feel confident and fully informed before your appointment.

• Initially, the color will appear much darker and/or vibrant in comparison to the healed results. Immediately after the procedure, your brows will also appear bigger and uneven due to swelling. Unfortunately, when our skin swells, it does not typically swell evenly. For this reason, I will always include you in the mapping process and show you exactly where our outline is before beginning so you know what to expect. This also gives you an opportunity to ask more questions and be more included with your end results. Together we will walk through any style/shape/color preferences and find something that works well for you (your bone structure, your existing brows, your face shape, any preferences and what is most realistic to achieve).
• Usually, within 5-7 days, you will see your brows shrinking and fading. By the time they are healed, you will see about 20% shrinkage, and 50-70% fading/softening of color. Additionally, the pigment will fade naturally over time. The pigments used are specifically designed for permanent makeup procedures, and designed to fade in a way that is natural to our skin, as opposed to the blues/greens you may have seen from much older forms of PMU. Sun exposure, oily skin types and highly active lifestyles may further impact the amount of fading over time.
• After 6-8 weeks, you will be ready for your touch up (also known as your 'perfecting' session). At this appointment, we will assess how your skin/ brows healed, work to build the saturation and make any adjustments needed. After this, you won't be back for 1-3 years! (Time frame can vary depending on many factors including, but not limited to: Skin type, lifestyle, how well aftercare instructions were followed, sun exposure, skin care routines, and more.)

• Microblading- achieve natural, hair-like strokes with microblading, a technique using a manual blade that enhances sparse brows for a fuller, yet subtle look. Not typically ideal for those with naturally oily skin types, thin or damaged skin, or those will active lifestyles or are prone to sweating.
• Powder Brows-  Create a soft, shaded effect with powder brows. This service offers a gradient, makeup-like finish for brows that are always perfectly filled in. Generally suitable for most skin types.
• Combo Brows- Get the best of both worlds with combo brows. This treatment blends microblading’s fine strokes with powder shading for a natural yet defined look. May not be suitable for those with oily skin types, thin or damaged skin, or those with active lifestyles or are prone to sweating.
• Nano Brows-  Achieve hair-like strokes with nano brows. This advanced technique uses a machine rather than a blade for precise, long-lasting results, giving you natural-looking, perfectly defined brows. 

 There are a number of factors to consider when choosing your brow service. Listed above, you can see the different types of brow services that I offer and the general restrictions of each. If you are still uncertain, you can book the "Help Me Choose" option and we will decide together at the time of your appointment, or contact me to schedule a consultation.

• Everyone's pain tolerance is different, but you may experience some temporary discomfort at the beginning of the procedure. For brow services, once we finish the "first pass" and open your skin, we can apply a secondary numbing agent to the area to help make you as comfortable as possible. Remember, this is a tattoo!​
• If you have had issues in the past with numbing agents, including but not limited to lidocaine, our numbing agent may need extra time in order to work, or may not work as well for you as others.​​

1. Do Not Expect Perfection!​ We can aim for symmetry, but keep in mind the average person's face is not naturally symmetrical. If we were to copy and paste your brows, they would more than likely look uneven! Through your sessions, we will work to build symmetry and give the illusion of "perfect". 
2. It can take multiple sessions to achieve your desired results!​
   Sometimes it​ doesn't matter how great your artist is or how well you follow aftercare procedures. You skin may absorb better or worse than the last person. This is why we call your first appointment your "Brow Building" session. 
3. Skin is unpredictable and everyone is different!​ Results will vary from person to person based on anything from skin type to lifestyle and so much more. It is almost impossible to replicate someone's exact results onto another person.​ Each individual is unique in style, preferences, skin type, lifestyle, etc. and there is no "one size fits all" in permanent makeup. Most important to remember is that your first session is what is considered your "Brow Building" appointment. A touch-up will generally be required in roughly 6-8 weeks after your first appointment, and regular maintainence will be required every 1-3 years to keep desired results. While we will work to achieve symmetry, this may take several sessions to obtain desired results. A "perfect" result is not a realistic expectation after the initial application.

• Pigments used are proudly cruelty-free, PETA certified, and vegan products that are never tested on animals.
• If you have concerns about sensitivities or allergies, contact us for a patch test. Skin Sensitivity Testing should be performed a minimum of 7-10 days before introducing pigment into the skin.

As this procedure is a tattoo, by law you need to be a minimum of 18 years of age and have a valid ID with you at the time of your appointment. If you cannot provide a valid form of ID at your appointment, we will need to reschedule for a time where you are able to provide one. 

SMP is ideal for anyone experiencing hair loss, thinning, receding hairlines, or scarring from surgery. It works for both men and women, regardless of skin tone or hair type. Some medical conditions may not be suitable to receive SMP and we suggest getting approval from your doctor first.

With proper care, results typically last 3-5 years before requiring a refresh of the pigments as they naturally fade over time. Aftercare is crucial and things such as sun exposure and skin/hair care products may have a direct impact on longevity.

SMP typically requires 2 to 4 sessions, spaced about 1-3 weeks apart. The number of sessions depends on the extent of the hair loss and the desired density.

There’s very little downtime with SMP. Most clients experience some mild redness that fades within a day or two. You can typically resume *most* normal activities within 4 days, however certain restrictions will apply, including but not limited to swimming, sauna usage, tanning, and scrubbing of the scalp.

Yes! SMP is designed to mimic the look of natural hair follicles. The pigments are custom-blended to match your skin tone and hair color, ensuring a seamless and realistic result.

No, scalp micropigmentation won’t regrow your hair, as it is a cosmetic tattoo. It will help to camouflage thinning spots, or can even mimic the look of a fresh buzz cut or closely shaved head. SMP is not a regrowth treatment.

Absolutely. While I take before & after images of all client to keep on your file, part of the waiver that is sent to you prior to your appointments includes a photo release section that lets me know what you are comfortable with and if you would prefer not to have your face on social media.

While my studio is located inside of a salon, I have my own private room. I only operate during salon business hours for safety reasons, but if extra discretion is preferred, we can discuss times/days where there are less people and least likely to be busy.

Please communicate any additional concerns you may have, and I will do my best to accommodate you.

 Saline lightening is a non-laser method used to safely lighten or remove unwanted PMU or small tattoos. It works through osmosis, gently drawing pigment up and out of the skin as it heals—rather than pushing it deeper into the body. 

I use Li-FT® by Li Pigments, the gold standard in saline lightening. It’s made by a highly credentialed, state-certified cosmetic manufacturing lab in the U.S. and undergoes some of the most rigorous safety testing in the industry. Translation: your skin is in very good hands.

Laser pushes pigment deeper into the body to be eliminated through the lymphatic/waste system, while Saline Lightening lifts pigment out through the skin during healing without the use of any form of laser equipment.

Saline also works on all pigment colors (yes, even white/lighter colors), does not damage or remove hair, and leaves skin more receptive to future PMU if you plan to redo it.

There may be mild discomfort, but it’s generally very tolerable. There is no more pain involved than during your PMU session, as the process is very similar in procedure- just using a removal solution as opposed to implanting pigment.  

A high-quality topical numbing cream is used, and additional comfort measures can be applied as needed. Compared to laser, saline lightening is typically described as much more manageable.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some clients see excellent results in one to two sessions, while others may need additional treatments.

Factors include:

• Depth and saturation of the pigment
• Presence of titanium dioxide
• Skin type and healing response
• Aftercare compliance

This is a process that rewards patience—and the results are worth it.

 A full 8 weeks of healing is required between saline lightening sessions. This allows the skin to fully recover and produces better, safer results—especially when correcting poorly done or overworked PMU.

Emergency Removal/Lightening is a saline-based technique used within 48 hours of a fresh PMU procedure to prevent unwanted pigment from healing into the skin. When performed within this window, it can significantly reduce—or even completely prevent—the pigment from setting. The more time that passes after the initial procedure, the lower your chances become for a successful removal. Due to the healing stages of the human body, procedures past 48hrs will not be accepted.

If something feels wrong after a fresh PMU procedure, timing matters.

**Contact directly and as soon as possible for booking**

The fastest way to reach me is by emailing me at signatureskinmn@gmail.com with the title "EMERGENCY", and explaining your situation to the best of your abilities, including the service to be lightened/removed as well as date & time of the initial procedure.

**Availability can not be guaranteed, but the sooner I am contacted, the more time I have to find an opening for you.**