Choosing your cosmetic tattoo or microblading artist can be difficult.

 

Cosmetic tattooing has been around for a long time. Recently, microblading and other forms of cosmetic tattooing have rocketed in popularity, and for good reason. When done properly, it can help shorten morning make up routines and it does not smudge or smear off. It can also help restore what has been lost to skin conditions such as alopecia, trichotillomania, and many other conditions that cause hair or pigment loss. With the growth of the cosmetic tattooing industry comes popularity in practitioners. It is crucial to understand the process and get to know your artist to ensure you are receiving safe and professional care.

 

From doctors to estheticians, many people work with the body. This requires many hours of training and hands on experience in one's field. This is why we trust our nurses, doctors, dentists, etc. For many spa and salon services, most states require practitioners to have 1+ years of training, along with hands-on training. Unfortunately, many states in the U.S. do not require ANY training for microblading. In fact, the microblading and cosmetic tattoo industry is not highly regulated. Regulation usually only includes a basic inspection or questionnaire. This means someone can take a short online course and start working with blood born pathogens and permanent artistry on your face. While this isn't true for every state or county, it is still alarming to think the person about to work on your body is not adequately trained and certified.

 

Bear Brows is a clean, organized, fully disposable studio and is regularly inspected and approved by the heath department for operation. Renee is a multi-licensed and insured artist with 10+ years of experience, working to help those feel more like themselves through cosmetic tattooing and microblading. Renee regularly donates to local LGBTQIA and animal rescue organizations and seeks to inspire social change through the success of Bear Brows.

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THANK YOU. HERE IS SOME FURTHER INFORMATION TO HELP NAVIGATE YOUR PMU JOURNEY
 

This informational guideline will help you in finding a safe, talented artist to suit your needs and protect your safety and well being. By asking yourself and your artist the following questions, you should be able to determine when an artist is (or isn't) a good fit for you.
 

Certification

It is important to your artist has a strong foundation. Look at the school or program they attended ... Is it reputable? Well-established? Do you like the teacher’s work? How long have their teachers been training others?

 

Experience

How long have they been practicing? Do they fully explain the process and seem knowlagable about all aspects of the procedure? Do they display knowledge, competency, and attention to detail? Before taking your money, your artist should be able to provide a consultation to inspect your anatomy and talk about the best options to suit your individual needs.

 

Autoclave/Spore Test Results

Most cosmetic artist's tools are fully disposable, which is a great way to maintain sterilitiy and safe practices. Some artists will reuse tools such as cartridges that the disposable needles into, in which case these tools must be properly cleaned. If not using an autoclave (a machine used to sterilize with heat and pressure), the reusable tools should be completely covered and sealed so that it can be properly disposed while keeping the tool from coming into contact with pathogens. Liquid soaks are not considered suitable for sterilization. Other forms of air sterility cycles are a Statim which is a speed process autoclave. Spore testing is necessary for all studios using autoclaves. Spore testing assures the equipment is working properly.

 

Licensing and Permits
These are usually needed to meet the "Minimum Requirements for Practice." A license does not guarantee that the artist has received proper training in that field. It may just mean that they have paid a fee to the city or health agency which is exactly why it's s important to do your research when choosing your artist.

 

Set Up and Hygiene

Studio should be clean and clear of clutter. All supplies should be in storage containers or drawers and not sitting out in the open to collect dust or airborne pathogens.

 

Sharps Container

Each needle should only be used once and disposed of in the proper sharps container (a special container for contaminated “used” needles). If they do not have a sharps container, they might not be disposing of needles properly or might be reusing them.

 

Age Requirements

Each state has different age regulations for tattooing, but most states are 18 and over. Make sure your practitioner is following these laws. If they are not you never know what other rules they are breaking and you don’t want to risk your well being and safety.

 

Portfolio

Pay attention to the portfolio. Do the photos look clean and not heavily edited? Are there healed photos? Is the work consistent and well done? Do you like their style of cosmetic tattooing?

 

Trust your gut

Your instincts are valuable and not to be taken lightly. Trust your intuition and never submit to any situation that does not feel right. Your health is at stake and there are many talented artists in the world so don’t rush into anything.

 

Aftercare

These should be thoroughly explained and you should also be given aftercare instructions to take with you. Some artists will have them printed, some will email, but aftercare is just as important as the procedure itself. If they do not provide this, it’s a red flag that they don’t understand the process or don’t care about you after taking your money. This is a process and your artist should guide you through the whole experience.

 

Think It Over

You generally get what you pay for, so try not to be seduced by low prices. References and research will be super helpful in picking your technician. Trust your gut and happy hunting!