FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW CAN I BOOK?
Bookings open on the 1st of every month at 11 am for the following month. Tess books one month in advance and has limited space available. Booking is done through this website through the "Book Now" page and a 50% deposit is required to secure a space
HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
Depending on your skin, health and if you come for touchup refreshers, your tattoo will last from 2-5 years.
Here are some factors will cause your semi-permanent tattoo to fade faster:
Oily skin
Retinol or Vitamin C
Iron deficiency
Sun exposure
Exfoliants
Exposure to salt water
DOES IT HURT?
It is slightly uncomfortable but completely bearable. The tattooing process lasts about an hour. Tess uses an excessive amount of numbing and her technique is extremely gentle. If you are nervous about pain, you may take 1-2 Tylenol 30 minutes before your appointment. DO NOT take Advil or drink a coffee before your appointment. Coffee and Advil will cause you to bleed lots and also make you more sensitive during the procedure.
CAN I GET LIP BLUSH IF I HAVE DARK/COOL TONED LIPS?
Yes, however, on the first session we will have to color correct your lips to cancel out the cool tones. This means the initial color we tattoo MUST be orange! If we are to tattoo any other color you risk darkening your lips further or having absolutely no results at all. When healed at 6 weeks, most if not all of the darkness in your lips will be covered and your lips will have a nudey-pink even tone. Note that results cannot be guaranteed and lightening or evening out dark lips may take a few sessions. Under no circumstances will Tess tattoo a "NUDE" color on dark or cool toned lips. If you are unsure if you have dark or cool toned lips you can send Tess a picture of your lips in natural light to confirm. Lips too dark or thick will be rejected so please be sure to email pictures if your lips are extremely dark grey or black in color.
DO I NEED A TOUCHUP?
Touchups are recommended for everybody. On touchup sessions, we can alter the shape and color of your tattoo or go bolder or fill in spots that didn't retain pigment as well as others during healing. Touchups will also add longevity to the life of your tattoo. A Touchup can be booked no sooner than 4 weeks of your last appointment. Please read the FAQ page to ensure you have waited long enough from laser treatments, filler or botox to have a touchup done. To book touchups or to find a specific spot that is not on the booking system please email Tess at Tessmarti1@gmail.com. Touchups will be an extra charge and the touchup fee does go up after a period of time after the initial appointment. Refer to the "touchup" page on this website to see the touchup fee pricing scale.
CAN I STILL GET LIP BLUSH IF I HAVE LIP FILLER?
Yes! in no way does having Lip filler interfere with the process of tattooing lips or the results. Not that lip filler and lip blush appointments MUST be at least 4 weeks apart from each other.
AM I ABLE TO HAVE THIS TREATMENT?
You may NOT have this procedure if :
You are under 18
You are pregnant or breastfeeding
Have been on Accutane within the past year
Have HIV or Hepatitis or any other infectious or viral diseases
Undergoing Chemotherapy
You are Epileptic
You are taking medications that may affect how your skin responds to blood clotting and healing.
You develop infections easily
If your previous tattoo is too dark or thick (please email Tess at Tessmarti1@gmail.com a photo for coverups)
HOW CAN I PREPARE
Do not consume caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours prior to your appointment to prevent excessive pain and bleeding.
Do NOT TAKE ADVIL or other blood thinners such a Aspirin, Niacin, Vitamin E and/or Ibuprofen unless medically necessary, 48-72 hrs prior to your procedure. Extra strength Tylenol can be taken if you have low pain tolerance.
Avoid exercising the day of the procedure.
Do not take or get any chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, vitamin E, retinols, fish oil, at least 4 weeks before your appointment.
Please read the aftercare and arrange your schedule accordingly to the healing stage. There is downtime for every procedure.
For Lip Blush:
If your appointment is booked during an outbreak of cold sores on your lips the procedure may not be done. Please be aware that you have the simplex virus herpes, you may awaken an outbreak following this treatment. It is highly recommended to take an anti-viral medication such as Zivorax 5 days before, then the day of. Then 5 days after or as advised by your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not get lip injections 4 weeks before and after this treatment.
For Eyeliner:
Lash serums will cause sensitivity to your lash line. We recommend discontinuing use of lash serum 4 weeks prior appointment.
You must remove all lash extensions prior to this treatment
If you have an eye infection or stye on the procedure date you cannot have this treatment done.
On the appointment date, we will consult about shape and color before we start the tattoo. Tattooing will not start until the final design is drawn for you and agreed on.
CAN YOU COVER UP AN OLD TATTOO?
Tess only does coverups for eyeliner. Tess does not do coverups of eyebrows or lips. Please send Tess pictures of your previous tattoo to confirm that she is able to do a coverup.
DOES THIS PROCEDURE TRIGGER COLD SORES?
This procedure can trigger cold sores for carriers of the herpes simplex virus. To prevent cold sores from flaring up it is recommended to go to your family doctor and get Zovirax or another antiviral medication prescribed to take 5 days prior procedure, the day of, and 5 days after. Note that a cold sore outbreak can alter the healed results of the tattoo.
DO YOU HAVE A CANCELATION LIST?
Tess does not have a cancelation list or waitlist.
FOR LIP BLUSH CAN WE GO OUTSIDE THE LIPLINE?
Yes, only 2mm. The skin on the lips is not the same as on the face and things can look unnatural or get unpredictable when we tattoo too far outside the natural lipline.
HOW CAN I PAY?
Tess takes cash, e-transfer or credit card.
DO YOU OFFER TRAINING?
Yes! Please visit the training page for more info.
IS IT CUSTOMARY TO TIP FOR PERMANENT MAKEUP?
Tips are very much appreciated! As in any service-based industry, it is customary to tip 10-20%
HOW MUCH ARE TOUCHUPS?
Please refer to my Pricing page for all touchup pricing.
WHAT IF I'VE HAD HAD MY LIPS TATTOOED BY SOMEBODY ELSE? CAN I STILL BOOK WITH YOU?
I do not touchup other artists' work or work over previous work done by another artist. I only work on natural lips that have not been tattooed before. If you have a previous tattoo, you can send in a photo of them to tesstattoo@outlook.com to be advised. In very rare cases, I do take clients who have had previous work that is undetectable, but a lot of the time I cannot and will not work over other artists work.
Please do not arrive to your appointment if you have a previous tattoo without consulting first as I may have to cancel the appointment and the deposit will be forfeited on the spot.
AM I CONSIDERED A DARK LIP NEUTRALIZATION OR A LIP BLUSH?
If your lips are two-toned, cool, brown, dark looking, you will need to have a neutralization procedure.
If you are still not sure, send a photo of your lips in natural lighting via email to tesstattoo@outlook.com to confirm.
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
I am located at:
13737 96th Avenue, Surrey, BC V3V 0C6 Room #1106, Floor 11
HOW DO I BOOK A TOUCHUP?
Please email Tess directly at Tesstatoo@outlook.com. The price list is on this website for touchups, if you are looking to book a touchup and you haven't had one in 3+ years, you will need to email a picture of your lips to Tess to determine if they need a complete redo.