A little preparation goes a long way. Whether you are booked for lip blush, nano brows, freckle tattoos, or a paramedical treatment like scar camouflage, how you prepare in the days before your appointment affects your comfort, your healing, and your final result. Here is what to know before your visit to our Whyte Ave studio. Questions? Call us at (780) 297-8030.
What should I do before my cosmetic tattoo appointment?
Arrive with clean skin and no makeup on the treatment area. Eat a good meal beforehand and bring water. Being fed and hydrated keeps you comfortable and helps your body heal well afterward.
Sleep well the night before. If you are unwell, feverish, or dealing with a cold sore flare up on the day of a lip appointment, let us know right away so we can reschedule. Your health comes first.
Think about what you want before you arrive. Save reference photos of lip colours, brow shapes, or freckle placements you love. They give us a clear starting point, and we will talk through what is realistic for your skin and your features.
What should I avoid before my appointment?
- Alcohol for 24 hours beforehand. Alcohol thins the blood and can increase bleeding and swelling.
- Caffeine on the morning of your appointment. Strong coffee can make you more sensitive and restless, so skip the extra large latte.
- Blood thinning medication and supplements, if your doctor approves a pause. Aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and vitamin E can increase bleeding. Never stop a prescribed medication without your doctor's say so.
- Retinol and strong exfoliants on the treatment area. Stop retinol, retinoids, chemical exfoliants, and strong acne treatments at least one week before your appointment. They sensitize skin and can affect how pigment holds.
- Sun exposure and tanning. Avoid tanning beds and sunburns on the treatment area for at least two weeks beforehand. Sunburned skin cannot be tattooed safely.
- Botox and fillers near the treatment area. Wait at least two weeks after injectables, and tell us about any recent treatments at your consultation.
How should I prepare my skin?
Healthy, hydrated skin takes pigment better and heals more smoothly. Moisturize the treatment area daily and drink plenty of water. If your lips are dry before lip blush, a few days of gentle exfoliation and lip balm makes a real difference.
Do not wax, thread, or get a chemical peel on the treatment area in the week before your appointment. For brows, leave the shaping to us. We map your brows and show you the shape before we begin.
What should I bring to my appointment?
You do not need to bring much, but a few things help:
- Reference photos of results you love, saved on your phone.
- Your usual lip colour or brow pencil, if you have a favourite shade you want us to match.
- A list of your medications and allergies, including any skin conditions or sensitivities.
- Your questions. Write them down beforehand. We would much rather answer ten questions than have you leave wondering.
Arrive a few minutes early. Most appointments take one to three hours, including consultation, mapping, and the procedure.
What happens on the day of my appointment?
Every appointment starts with a consultation. We talk through your goals, your skin, your medical history, and what you hope to achieve, then we design the treatment with you, not for you.
For brows and freckles, we map the shape or placement fully and show it to you before we begin. We pick the pigment together and only start once you are happy with the plan. For lips, we help you choose a colour that suits your natural tone, whether that is a soft blush or a fuller colour correction.
We use numbing cream to keep you comfortable and check in with you throughout. Afterward, we walk you through aftercare and send you home with clear written instructions.
How do I prepare for specific treatments?
Lip blush and dark lip neutralization: Moisturize your lips in the days before your appointment and avoid lip fillers for at least two weeks beforehand. If you are prone to cold sores, arrange antiviral cover with your doctor or pharmacist. Come with clean, bare lips.
Nano brows: Stop retinol and exfoliants on the brow area a week beforehand. Avoid brow tinting for a few days before, and come with your brows in their natural state so we can map them accurately.
Freckle tattoos: Tell us about your skincare routine, especially retinol. A patch test can be arranged beforehand if you would like one, with a small charge for the supplies used. Think about the placement and density you want, and bring reference photos.
Paramedical tattooing (scar, stretchmark, and vitiligo camouflage): Scars and stretchmarks should be fully healed, usually at least one year old, before camouflage. Bring photos of the area and be ready to talk about how the scar formed and how your skin healed. Every paramedical case is different, so we quote each one individually after a consultation.
What if I need to reschedule?
Life happens. If you need to move your appointment, contact us as early as you can so we can offer your time to another client. A deposit is required to secure your booking, and we will go over the rescheduling terms when you book.
If you arrive unwell, sunburned, or with a cold sore flare up, we may need to reschedule on the day for your safety and your results.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear makeup to my cosmetic tattoo appointment? You can wear makeup elsewhere, but the treatment area must be clean and bare. Skip brow pencil and powder on brow day so we can map your natural shape.
How long before my appointment should I stop retinol? At least one week before. These products thin and sensitize the skin, which can affect comfort and how well pigment holds.
Can I drink coffee before my cosmetic tattoo appointment? A small amount is fine, but skip your usual large coffee that morning. Caffeine can increase sensitivity and restlessness during the procedure.
Do I need a patch test before freckle tattoos? No, but one can be arranged if you have sensitive skin and would like extra peace of mind. There is a small charge for the supplies used.
What should I do if I get a cold sore before my lip blush appointment? Contact us right away so we can reschedule. Tattooing over an active cold sore is not safe. If you are prone to cold sores, ask your doctor or pharmacist about antiviral cover before your appointment.
Ready to book?
Good preparation is the first step toward results you will love. If you are thinking about lip blush, nano brows, freckle tattoos, lash line enhancement, or a paramedical treatment, we would love to meet you.
Book at www.studiovanassa.com or call (780) 297-8030. We are on Whyte Ave in Edmonton, open Monday to Friday 10am to 9pm and Saturday to Sunday 10am to 6pm. We cannot wait to help you feel more confident in your own skin.