Frequently Asked Questions

We accept debit, credit, transfer and cash, in addition to selling and accepting our own gift cards.

At this time there is also no HST on services or products.

Anesthetic is applied as needed and most clients report the treatment being very comfortable. There are several techniques that we employ and we will use the best technique for your comfort level.

The duration of time expected for each of our treatments is listed with each service in the Book Now area, but we always plan for a little extra time.

Permanent makeup is, technically, permanent.  Please do not be fooled by any websites that call it semi-permanent.  Even if it fades on you, it is still considered permanent and any statement to the contrary is unethical. Skin type, lifestyle, medications, sun exposure and a host of other issues, known and unknown, affect the longevity of your treatment. The face is a very different canvas from the rest of the body, so different factors come into play.  On average microblading can be expected to fade out, but it doesn’t always.  In general, all other treatments do last longer than microblading and this is simply due to the method of application.  We do not do microblading at Dermal Enhancements.  We achieve the look with other techniques that are less traumatising to the skin, pose a far lower risk (typically none at all) of scarring and last longer.  Our treatments last years…with eyeliner and lip tattoo lasting many years, and eyebrows from between 3 and 5.  Fading must always be expected for all treatments and this is what can make permanent makeup a “low maintenance” treatment.  By this we mean that if you wanted an intense colour to your treatment you may find yourself needing to top up a little bit with cosmetics. Treatments are never as intense as when you leave the studio.  That is simply the nature of the work.

We do annual to 18 month colour boosts for all treatments, heavily discounted from regular price.  Outside of this time you may find yourself paying full price, but if you have a lot of colour still and simply want some intensity added, if it does not take us too long, we are happy to discount the treatment.  If there is no evidence of your treatment, we need to start over and that is when full prices are required.

Your treatment will appear quite dark immediately post service.  We have a (mandatory) retouch session within 5 to 12 weeks to perfect the treatment.  A touch up or “perfection” session is nearly always required for eyebrows but not always for eyeliner and lip treatments.  In saying this, since a touch up is only $50, most clients return for one.

The only difference is the technique and tool. Microblading and permanent makeup brows are both forms of cosmetic tattooing, with microblading lasting less time than other techniques. Microblading is only suitable for specific skin types and cannot be done repeatedly. I offer a variety of brow procedures, all of which are beautiful and natural looking.

Please download and review my consent and waiver forms. They cover all facial treatments so don’t freak out at the number of questions! The PDF can be found under client candidacy. You must give careful consideration to anything you take, consume, or do that can cause a reaction, swelling, redness, etc. If I notice these during my work I will stop. My forms indicate the risks involved and they are no different from risks in any treatment where the skin is broken and something is introduced–such as regular tattoo, Botox and fillers, skin rejuvenation treatments.

I work over the existing brow hair and incorporate it into your shape as best as possible. However, trimming may be necessary so I can see my work area better. Also, if you are looking for some slight reshaping and agree to maintenance, a removal of some brow hair may be necessary.

Perhaps, provided it is in keeping with your facial contours and/or bone structure. I will not give you bigger lips, I will not tattoo on an eyeliner that may droop as you age, nor will I tattoo on brows that do not belong on your face. I ENHANCE what you have. Asymmetry of the face is to be expected. Every effort will be made to align your features. Facial animation, the aging process, your own expectations and wishes, along with some other factors, place limits on what is achievable. “Taking care of you”…aren’t just words – the design process is an area where you need to trust me.

Generally speaking, of course. But if you have these I recommend you come for a consultation (free) to have a patch test done of everything I use during treatment…to be safe. Read this section carefully, and review my forms under client candidacy.   If you waive a patch test you will be required to sign off on this on our consent forms.

If you postpone or cancel less than 24 hours before your appointment we will require payment ahead when you reschedule. We hope that you understand we cannot always fill your appointment slot on such short notice.

Please see general preparation and post care. We always suggest a consultation, whether face to face or remotely to give you specific details on preparation. Preparation may differ from client to client, depending on skin condition. It is necessary to not drink alcohol before your treatment and try to go easy on the caffeine.  For best results do a light exfoliation of the treatment area for about 3 to 5 days prior, followed by a good moisturizer, even olive or coconut oil are excellent.

At your appointment we pre-draw what you are looking for, based on the limitations stipulated above. I will take a photograph before and after. I do not begin work unless and until every segment of my consent and waiver forms have been signed and unless you have consented to the colour and shape. We have 2 sessions, possibly 3, to address any imperfections, fading, colour, shape, etc. I always aim to be conservative at the first session. I do not give refunds if you later decide you are unhappy. I can, however, remove your colour within 24 hours. Going to another artist after seeing me automatically releases you as a client. At all times, you must be completely honest on your consents and waivers. Sometimes the smallest things can be important. Informing me after the fact, as I am working does not help either of us.

Out of respect for your previous artist my first recommendation would be to give them the opportunity to fix what you do not like. However, if over a year has passed, I will discuss a plan of action for correction and/or removal/lightening of the colour. If you repeatedly seek out microblading services year after year, you will experience scarring.  I may need to break that scarring down first if any colour is expected to remain at all in your skin. There are things like misplaced pigment and over saturation of colour that may not necessarily be the fault of the artist (see sections on after-care, as well as impact of lifestyle on the longevity of treatment). In the case of a removal I would prefer to know the age of the treatment, the pigment used, how often your work has been done and what your expectations are. I support all artists and, things can happen. This is why our consent and waiver forms are so detailed. However, it is also why every potential client should do their research…following photos, checking on credentials, speaking with others.

I will not treat you if you have plans to be in the sun immediately after treatment. I cannot treat you if you are on chemotherapy, certain medications, supplements, including antibiotics (must be off for one month).  If you do regular physical fitness, be advised that sweat is salty and artists use salt to REMOVE colour.  Therefore, if you sweat a lot within 7 to 10 days post service it is always guaranteed your colour will disappear.   I may elect not to do certain treatments if you are a regular substance user, including tobacco. If you are prone to cold sore outbreaks of any kind… you must take a prescription anti-viral pre-treatment before a lip tattoo (Lysine…the natural anti-viral treatment is NOT SUFFICIENT). If you have had or plan to have waxing, injections (filler and Botox), please alert me. If you are a smoker (tobacco or elicit substances) your healing time will be affected. It does not rule you out as a candidate for permanent makeup, but you need to be advised of the expectations under such circumstances.  People on blood thinners or baby aspirin will have difficulty maintaining colour and, if you are a candidate for treatment, will likely require more sessions to build the colour.  This must be factored into your price because a lot more time will need to be spent on your treatment.

Things that may cause swelling, bruising under the skin (purpura), or excess bleeding are fish oils, Vit E supplements, ginkgo biloba, St. John’s Wort, daily garlic consumption, as well as Vitamin C, K, B12, and folic acid deficiencies, some elicit substances. Other things include alcohol, caffeine (consumed close to session) ibuprofen, aspirin (including baby aspirin), NSAIDS, systemic cortico-steroids, blood thinners.   If you have very sensitive, irritable skin, excessive inflammation may require an extra session.

As you can see, there are many things known and unknown which can affect the final results of your treatment. Very little is UNSAFE for you. It is the things that can affect results that concern me as an artist… so that you get what you want and to avoid problems. There are some (few) clients who will not hold pigment… often we can have a good idea why, sometimes it could be due to something you don’t even know. The same can occur with conventional tattooing, but the face is very different. There are times it could have to do with the depth and pressure of the artist, and that is another reason for retouch sessions. But an experienced artist is less likely to have depth issues than a newer artist. At the end of the day, my fees are affordable. I cannot offer a guarantee. The most important thing is the integrity of your skin.

In some cases I can make the situation less noticeable, but I cannot change your face. If the asymmetry is significant Botox or filler may be your best course of action before a permanent makeup treatment.  Always remember that our facial animation is an unconscious act and if you naturally engage a muscle on one side of your face, this will make brows look uneven.  If you are young I will not shave off any existing brow in order to place a new brow in a different location.  However, if you are older and your eyebrows are sparse, the approach is more responsible.  Younger clients need to always consider “what will this be like in 10, 20 years”.

Eyeliner is a beautiful, long lasting solution for people who have shaky hands, do not see well, want extra time in the morning, or who cannot wear cosmetics due to sensitivities. The eye area is very sensitive. Lids can be vascular and you have ducts at both corners of the eye, as well as glands surrounding the eye. While very rare, pigment migration can occur–this can occur with any tattoo. If observed during treatment, it can be fixed. Often it can occur years later. It is for this reason your artist must adhere to strict protocols to avoid this possibility. If you experience cold sores, I need to know.  In saying this, permanent eyeliner is a very safe treatment and we rarely see swelling or bruising.  Our clients are given a full after care protocol to address any discomfort post service.  Once your eyeliner is tattooed it is perfectly nestled within your lash line and will always be on point.  It will never smudge.  At Dermal Enhancements eyeliner is our specialty.  We perform many techniques and styles and can customise a look for you.

If you have a history of cold sore outbreaks, previous skin reactions or allergies, sometimes with a lip tattoo even a patch test can be insufficient. So in the case of a lip tattoo, a conservative approach on first treatment is recommended and sun exposure on this very delicate thin tissue must be avoided until the area is healed. An anti-viral MUST be taken a month pre-treatment if you have a history of such outbreaks. I have found that tobacco use and alcohol use CAN affect healing so please report these to me… no judgement.  A lip tattoo can be used to address some asymmetry of the lips and is especially beneficial for clients who have had surgery around the lips (such as cleft palate).  In addition, darker skinned clients sometimes experience what is known as “dark lips” or dark patches on their lips.  This condition can often be corrected with lip tattoo.  This treatment is very advanced and must only be trusted to trained artists.

I am  able to correct many kinds of scars using multi tempanic collagen actuation. I will not do under eye circles and I will be limited in the scars I can address for reasons I can explain at a consultation. Only a well trained technician should be offering this procedure. I can perform treatments to break down scar tissue in advance of an areola tattoo or a brow procedure (too much microblading).  Scar camouflage tattoo is suitable for areas that will not be exposed to sunlight.