FAQ's
HOW CAN I BOOK?
Bookings can be made HERE. Please note: Raquel books one month in advance and has limited space available. Booking is done through this website through the "Book Now" page and a $100 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 that can cause your semi-permanent tattoo to fade faster:
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Oily skin
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Retinol or Vitamin C
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Iron deficiency
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Sun exposure
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Exfoliants
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Exposure to salt water
DOES IT HURT?
It is slightly uncomfortable but completely bearable. The tattooing process lasts about an hour. Raquel uses 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 a lot 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 colour we tattoo will be an orange tone! If we are to tattoo any other colour 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 Raquel tattoo a "NUDE" colour on dark or cool toned lips. If you are unsure whether you have dark or cool toned lips you can send 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 colour.
DO I NEED A TOUCHUP?
Touchups are recommended for everybody. On touchup sessions, we can alter the shape and colour of your tattoo, go bolder or fill in spots that didn't retain pigment well 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.
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. Note 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:
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You are under 18
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You are pregnant or breastfeeding
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Have been on Accutane within the past year
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Have HIV or Hepatitis or any other infectious or viral diseases
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Undergoing Chemotherapy
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You are Epileptic
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You are taking medications that may affect how your skin responds to blood clotting and healing.
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You develop infections easily
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If your previous tattoo is too dark or thick (please email browsbyraquel@gmail.com)
HOW CAN I PREPARE
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Do not consume caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours prior to your appointment to prevent excessive pain and bleeding.
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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.
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Avoid exercising the day of the procedure.
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Do not take or get any chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, vitamin E, retinols, fish oil, at least 4 weeks before your appointment.
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Please read the aftercare and arrange your schedule accordingly to the healing stage. There is downtime for every procedure.
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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.
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Do not get lip injections 4 weeks before and after this treatment.
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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 upon.
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CAN YOU COVER UP AN OLD TATTOO?
Please send Raquel pictures of your previous tattoo to confirm whether she is able to do a coverup at: browsbyraquel@gmail.com
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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.
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DO YOU HAVE A CANCELATION LIST?
Raquel does not have a cancelation list or waitlist.
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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.
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HOW CAN I PAY?
We accept cash, e-transfer or credit card.
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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%
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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 browsbyraquel@gmail.com to confirm.
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HOW DO I BOOK A TOUCHUP?
To book a touchup you can go directly to the BOOK NOW page on this site or email me at browsbyraquel@gmail.com
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