HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED COLD SORES BEFORE?

If you have a history of cold sores, it is essential to follow these guidelines:

If you experience cold sores less than once a year, you can purchase an oral medication called Famciclovir from your pharmacy. This medication consists of 3 tablets to be taken the day before, the day of, and the day after your treatment. No prescription is required.

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If you have cold sores more than once a year, it is recommended to consult your local GP for a prescription of Valtrex, a stronger preventative medication. Valtrex should be taken orally several days before and after the treatment to minimize the risk of an outbreak.

 

During the treatment, the lips undergo trauma, which significantly increases the likelihood of a cold sore outbreak if you are prone to them. An outbreak during the healing phase can impact the treatment results by potentially removing pigment from the treated area.

If you arrive for your appointment without having taken the prescribed preventative medications, the treatment will be postponed, and any deposit made will be forfeited.

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HYDRATED LIPS IS A MUST!

Your lips should be well-moisturised and free of dryness or cracks when you arrive for your appointment. Proper hydration of the area where colour will be applied is crucial for the pigment to implant and retain effectively.

 

To ensure your lips are adequately hydrated:

• Drink plenty of water leading up to your appointment (2-3 litres per day) and apply a moisturising balm regularly.

• If your lips are very dry and regular lip balms are insufficient, Bepanthen Cream is recommended.

• Consider using a Lip Scrub to gently exfoliate dry layers in the days leading up to your appointment.

• Drinking Berocca daily in the week before your appointment can also help alleviate dryness.

All these products are available for purchase at your local chemist.

 

Please read through the checklist below for pre-procedural instructions to follow. If you have any questions or need clarification, please reach out to us ​to discuss prior to your appointment.

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24 HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT

1. No Caffeine inc. energy drinks, coffee, tea, pre workout stimulants (this will cause excess bleeding which WILL affect your healed results & will be very ​hard for colour to implant & retain.

2. No Exercise

3. No Aspirin, Ibuprofen – read the ingredients in your pain killers to check before taking to ensure it does not have a blood thinning effect.

4. *If there are any pimples/cold sores where the procedure is to be performed, Sheridan must be notified immediately as your appointment will ​postponed for a future date once blemishes have cleared

 

7 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT

*Before discontinuing any medications prescribed by your GP, please consult with them beforehand.

• Fish oil supplements

• Any blood thinners (inform us if you are uncertain about any medications/consult your GP first)

• Facials or peels

• Facial waxing around the lips

 

2 WEEKS PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT

Excessive sun exposure to the face and lips (sunburnt skin) can increase blood flow, leading to greater bleeding during your treatment. This can affect the retention of the cosmetic tattoo.

Additionally, avoid:

• Tanning in solariums

• Using lip plumping products or serums

 

4 WEEKS PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT

If you've had lip filler, it should be done at least 4 weeks prior to ensure it has settled. If you plan to get lip filler after your treatment, please wait 4 weeks following your 6-8 week touch-up appointment. For those wanting filler regardless of the tattoo treatment, it is best to get the filler first, allow it to settle, and then proceed with the tattooing.

 

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please bring your favourite lipstick, balm, or lip liner for colour matching. Saving photos of our completed work can also help convey the look you want. If you're unsure of what you want, that's my specialty. I will assess your skin tone, discuss your desired look, and choose a colour for you.

Be aware that your lips will be significantly brighter for the first 5 days. The colour will fade by approximately 50% upon healing.

There may be slight swelling of the lips for the first 24-48 hours, and lip dryness may occur during the first 5-7 days as they heal.

A complimentary Aftercare Pack will be provided to you, including instructions, healing balm, cotton tips, a glass straw (to help ensure no water touches your lips).

It takes approximately 6 weeks for the final healed result of the lips to be complete.

You will need to come back for another treatment 6-8 weeks after the initial appointment to finalise the work. The second treatment is $200.

Please familiarise yourself with all Aftercare Rules prior to your appointment.

In rare cases, clients may require a third touch-up appointment, depending on skin type or if aftercare is not followed correctly. This will be priced as an additional touch-up.

If you are pregnant, please inform Sheridan immediately as treatment will need to be postponed.

If you are breastfeeding and wish to have a treatment, you will need to 'pump and dump' two full cycles post-procedure due to the anaesthetics in the milk. We advise speaking with your GP first before making an informed decision. Topical numbing agents used include Lignocaine 10% and Epinephrine 0.05%.

Pigment may fade after the initial visit. During the touch-up appointment, your treatment will be assessed in terms of pigment retention, and any necessary touch-ups will be made. Your treatment will be deemed complete after the touch-up appointment.

Healed results vary from client to client. The final outcome depends on factors such as skin type, environmental factors, aftercare, skin care routine, and hormones. Please remember that these treatments are cosmetic and are an art, not a science.

 

TREATMENT CONTRADICTIONS

As a precaution we do not cosmetic tattoo if the following apply; *Please contact us to discuss any medications or if you require clarification.

• Pregnant

• Undertaking IVF

• Cancer or undergoing Chemotherapy

• Epilepsy

• Currently taking antibiotics/Skin medications such as Roaccutane/Doxycillion.

 

If you are breastfeeding, we simply require you to ‘pump & dump’ for 2 full cycles post-procedure as a safety precaution & obtain an approval letter from ​your GP to bring to your appointment.

 

MEDICATIONS TO AVOID

The following medications must be avoided for the treatment to take place. These medications can affect your blood, skin, or immune system, leading to undesirable healing results. To avoid cancellation of your treatment, please read this information thoroughly and contact us if you are unsure whether your current medications will affect the results and your safety. Before discontinuing any medication, please consult with your GP if necessary.

• Blood Thinners

• Coumadin

• Heparin

• Aspirin

• NSAIDs

 

Diabetes Medications

• Diabetes medications can cause delayed healing and increased risk of infection (must be well-controlled).

 

Dermatological Medications

• Topical Acne Creams: Discontinue 2 weeks prior

• Accutane: Minimum 6 months off the drug (depending on dosage levels)

• Chemical Peels: Avoid 3 weeks prior

• Retin A/Retinol Creams: Discontinue 4 weeks prior (topical or oral)

 

Antibiotics

• Doxycycline, Tetracycline: Can cause sunlight photosensitivity; must be stopped 4 weeks prior to treatment. These antibiotics can also suppress the immune system and affect healing.

 

Anti-Inflammatories

• Celebrex

• Nurofen

• Voltaren
  These medications thin the blood, potentially causing more bleeding and washing out of pigment, resulting in fading and blurring of colour once healed.

 

Antidepressants/Anxiety Medication

• These medications do not affect the tattoo itself but must be noted on the consultation form and kept under control. You must be comfortable with trusting the process of your treatment through to the healed result.