Q : What is Microblading?

A : Microblading is a manual technique meant to mimic real, natural hair. It is performed utilizing a handheld tool that has microscopic needles lined up to look like a blade. Since microblading is the most imperfect, least structured technique, this is an optimal choice when desiring a more natural look. This technique gives the appearance of faux hairstrokes in which pigment is inserted into the uppermost, superficial layers of the skin. Symmetry, density, shape and fullness can be achieved by strategically placing faux hairstrokes where they are needed.

Q : What are Machine Nanostrokes?

A : Machine nanostrokes are faux hairstrokes created utilizing a tattoo machine. This technique is considered a less invasive alternative to manual microblading hairstrokes. Because it is also a more controlled method of faux hairstrokes, better retention and a more even distribution of pigment is inserted into the epidermal layer of skin, without sacrificing possible improper depth when performing the manual method. This technique is the most technically advanced—but also the most challenging to perform. Only the most precise, most experienced PMU artists offer this technique.

Q : What are Machine Powder Brows?

A : Machine powder shading is performed utilizing a tattoo machine. This technique is meant to give your brows a more structured, more polished appearance—resembling a makeup filled-in look. This technique can be demonstrated in multiple styles: natural, dramatic and ombré. Since powder brows are considered to be the most gentle, least traumatic, and most controlled technique, this allows for increased color saturation, better longevity and best overall retention. Although clients that do not wish to have a “makeup filled” appearance should avoid choosing this style.

Q : What are Combination Brows?

A : Combination brows are a fusion of microbladed hairstrokes or machine nanostrokes + machine powder shading all into one technique. This technique is the most versatile technique. It can be considered the most natural, hyper-realistic look as well as the most dramatic, most defined, look—depending on the style you choose. Faux hairstrokes and shading is utilized to cohesively blend the texture and appearance of your existing, natural hair into your faux hairstrokes and new shape. Combination brows is the only technique that allows you to have a natural, yet defined structured finish with hairstrokes.

Q : What is permanent makeup - lash enhancement?

A : Lash enhancement is a very thin line of permanent makeup pigment that is inserted at the very root of your lashes—resulting in the appearance of a fuller, thicker lash line. It makes the eyes look brighter and more “awake” without an obvious appearance of makeup. The result is subtle and natural, but still defines the shape and openness of the top of the eyes. This is an ideal technique for those who are looking for the most natural approach to permanent eyeliner.

Q : What is permanent makeup eyeliner - top, bottom, winged or ombré?

A : We offer different styles and techniques of permanent eyeliner. Permanent eyeliner is meant to mimic the appearance of traditional makeup with the use of permanent pigments. We are able to achieve any style of eyeliner you prefer- top liner, bottom liner, winged liner or our ombré style which gives a blended gradient, smudged eyeshadow look. Please note that permanent makeup eyeliner cannot be performed in the inner rim of the eye (upper or lower) as well as the very inner and outer corners of the eye. These areas have extremely high risk for pigment migration that is irreversible.

Q : What is permanent makeup - lip tint, lip blush?

A : Lip tint and lip blush are the same technique. They give the lips an appearance of a natural, stained tint of color. Our permanent lip techniques give clients the ability to address and amend lip asymmetries, give fullness and/or poutiness to smaller or thinner lips, give more even color saturation or simply correct minor pigmentation issues or concerns.

Q : What is saline removal? How does it work?

A : Saline removal is performed by depositing a specialized saline solution under the skin to remove or lighten permanent makeup. The saline solution then binds to the pigment, breaks it down and works like a magnet lifting the pigment from the skin through the scabbing process. This procedure creates a temporary wound that has no harmful effects on the body and affects only the specific treatment area. Several sessions of removal may be required to receive the desired removal or lightening results. Additionally, there is a mandatory 8 week minimum of healing time in between removal sessions.

Q : What is angel removal? How does it work?

A : Angel Removal is the first tattoo removal product designed specifically for the eyebrow area. There are several benefits to this fruit extract removal method. Unlike saline removal, there is minimal to no scabbing and you are able to wear makeup in the treatment area 24 hours after the service has been completed. This service takes relatively 40 minutes to complete but may require several sessions (at least 6 weeks a part), depending on how much lightening, correcting or removal is needed. Angel Removal can remove poor quality previous permanent makeup tattoos, eliminate or correct pigment that has changed color, fix errors with the shape of permanent makeup, and can be performed during your initial or retouch appointments if needed.

Q : How long does permanent makeup last?

A : Permanent makeup can last between 1 to 5 years, with individual results varying based on several factors. Skin maturity, oiliness, dryness or texture, sun exposure, perspiration, lifestyle, overall health and immune system and adherence to following aftercare instructions all affect the overall retention and longevity of the procedure.

Microblading (Manual Hairstrokes) : Lasts between 1 to 2 years, give or take

Machine Nanostrokes : Lasts between 2 to 3 years, give or take

Machine Powder Brows : Lasts between 3 to 4 years, give or take

Combination (Fusion) Brows : Lasts between 1 to 2 years, give or take

Lash Enhancement : Lasts between 1 to 5 years

Top Eyeliner : Lasts between 1 to 5 years

Winged Eyeliner : Lasts between 1 to 5 years

Ombré Eyeliner : Lasts between 1 to 5 years

Bottom Eyeliner : Lasts between 1 to 5 years

Lip Tint / Lip Blush : Lasts between 1 to 3 years

Saline Removal : Can appear permanent on the surface of the skin

Angel Removal : Can appear permanent on the surface of the skin

Q : Do you offer different styles of permanent makeup?

A : We offer different styles and techniques to accommodate every need and every want. Permanent makeup is not a one-size-fits-all procedure, and we adjust strokes, shape, color, and overall composition on an individual basis. Your new brows, eyeliner or lips can be as soft or as structured as you would like them to be. Click the button below to learn more.

Q : Is this a tattoo?

A : Microblading and all brow techniques of permanent makeup are technically considered to be cosmetic tattoos, but there are a few differences between permanent cosmetic tattooing and traditional body art tattooing.

With all PMU techniques, pigment concentration is focused to insert into the lower epidermal, upper dermal layers of the skin. The epidermal/dermal junction also known as the “sweet spot” is the ideal targeted depth in permanent makeup procedures. In traditional bodyart tattoos, ink is focused for insertion deeper in the dermal layers of your skin.

Also, in body art tattoos, artists utilize tattoo inks and in PMU tattoos, pigments are utilized instead. The chemical composition of all pigments and inks are different—and inks come in a much more widely versatile abundance of colors.

Traditional body art tattoos are also intended to be seen on skin indefinitely, whereas PMU tattoos are meant to be physically seen semi-permanently. Although PMU tattoos are NOT semi-permanent, the aesthetic factor and goal of the procedure is meant to be visual on the surface of the skin for a prolonged period of time, but not forever. PMU tattoos are still considered permanent because you cannot see what pigment is still left under the skin over time—which may likely be for life.

Although licensure and training is required for both forms of tattoos, the type of license and training required is usually different, depending on the city, county and state that you perform these services in. In the state of Virginia, a Permanent Cosmetic Tattooer license and 90 hours of State approved theory and practical training are required in order to legally perform PMU services.


Q : Is Microblading bad for you?

A : When performed correctly by an experienced, licensed and properly trained technician—microblading can be completely safe and will not cause damage to the skin. If microblading (manual method) is done incorrectly, usually by an inexperienced, improperly trained technician, the skin can be overworked, there can be needless trauma or unwarranted implement depth. Damage and scar tissue of the skin can be also be a result of repetitive procedures performed excessively in short periods of time or exaggerated, inaccurate pressure of needle depth, positioning and insertion.

Q : Does permanent makeup hurt?

A : Topical lidocaine numbing anesthetics will be used on the treatment area before your permanent makeup procedure takes place. Our technicians use the highest percentage of topical anesthesia allowed (5%) before it is considered medical-grade. 

For “Machine Powder Brows”, a topical pre-numbing cream is not used as it is used in all of our hairstroke methods, but your technician will use a secondary numbing liquid or gel once your skin is has been “broken”. Once this occurs, the numbing agent will work within 1 to 2 minutes of application. We do allow for repetitive numbing agent use throughout the majority of your procedure, although we encourage minimizing the use to up to 2 times, once the skin has been “broken” to prevent excessive swelling.

Most of our clients have not found this procedure to be painful, but your experience will be based on your pain tolerance as well as your reaction or resistance to topical anesthetic. We do disclose that it is completely normal to feel some level of discomfort or pressure with the procedure regardless if numbing agents are utilized or not. On a discomfort scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most uncomfortable, the vast majority of our clients rate permanent makeup services to be a 1 or 2 at most. But again, all opinions will vary, person to person.

Q : Who is ineligible to get permanent makeup services?

A :

- People under 18 years of age

- Women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or are harvesting eggs for egg donation

- Those with Hepatitis C

- Those with HIV/AIDS

- Those with a liver disease

- Those with cancer

- Those who have had chemotherapy within the last 6 months

- Those who have had a shingles outbreak on the face, past or present

- Those with platelet disorders/aggregation disorders

- Those with autoimmune diseases and conditions, unless approved by a doctor 

- Those with a previous history of keloid scarring

- Those with significant scar tissue in the brow area, from trauma, surgical face/brow lift or trichotillomania

- Those with bleeding issues or diseases, including but not limited to hemophilia

- Those with active acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea or any other skin disorder in the brow area

- Those with brow piercings

- Those with MRSA (Methicillin-Resitant Staphylococcus Aureus)

- Those with active eye infections

- Those with hair transplant for eyebrows

- Those with an allergy to anesthetic (lidocaine)

- Those with a previous permanent eyebrow tattoo that is not at least 80% faded

- Those who are breastfeeding, unless approved by a doctor

Q : When would I need a doctor’s note?

A : Doctor’s note is required who clients who are/have :

- Breastfeeding

- Diabetic

- Have had chemotherapy 6+ months prior to treatment

- Multiple sclerosis

- Rheumatoid arthritis

- Lupus

- Graves' Disease

- Hashimoto's Thyroidism (or any other thyroid condition)

Doctor's note MUST state consent to have permanent makeup services done.

[Your full legal name] has permission to have permanent makeup services done. Patient’s [medical condition] is controlled.

Q : I am getting married/going on vacation/have a special event coming up soon! How far in advance should I get my brows done?

A : We recommend booking your initial appointment 3 to 4 months in advance of your special event. Perfect brows are a process and will require at least 2 appointments before your vacation or special day! The second appointment should be booked 6 to 8 weeks after your initial appointment.

Q : Can you tell me more about your experience with permanent makeup?

A : The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) requires permanent makeup artists to obtain their “Permanent Cosmetic Tattooer'' license in order to legally perform permanent makeup services in the state of Virginia. All of our permanent cosmetic artists have obtained their licenses in permanent cosmetic tattooing from the state of Virginia, uphold their Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) and CPR/First Aid certifications, are fully insured and operate within our permitted facility (the Permanent Makeup Studio of Virginia). Our facility is also licensed and permitted by our local Health Department and we follow the highest level of sanitation and hygiene.

Most of our technicians are also tenured, licensed Permanent Makeup Instructors and Master Level PMU Tattooers. All of our current artists have a background or career in the beauty industry, which allows for a more aesthetic eye for symmetry, balance, proportion, and implementing all of the principles of art and design.

Our team has completed over 5000 PMU services to date and we continue to perform and book several clients daily. We encourage clients to book their favorite or desired artist in advance, as it is very common for our artists to be fully committed with appointments secured several weeks and even several months out in advance.

Q : Why does the first appointment take so long?

A : During your first visit, expect your appointment to be between 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours.

We begin by having you sign your client consent forms, we engage in a detail oriented, thorough discussion answering any questions related to your permanent makeup experience, and then review aftercare instructions.

After this is completed, we undergo a thorough consultation in order to achieve a flawless result and meet individual needs regarding the finished color, shape, and thickness of your brows.

Next, your technician will physically map out your new brows, eyes or lips in the proper treatment area. After your approval of your "blueprint" in person and in photos, we will proceed with your procedure.

If pre-numbing is required, we apply the anesthetic and you will sit for approximately 15-30 minutes. Then we can finally begin your permanent makeup procedure! The actual procedure generally takes between 40 minutes to 1 1/2 hours—depending on the technique and style chosen.

Q : Is the retouch appointment necessary?
A : Yes the 2nd appointment is absolutely necessary and must be scheduled at least 6 to 12 weeks after your first appointment—after your permanent makeup has fully healed.

Initial healing is usually between 7 to 14 days and full healing is customarily between 4 to 6 weeks. This “perfection” appointment is where your permanent makeup is retouched and the technician will evaluate how much pigment was retained or if there is preference for new strokes, shading or fills to be added or replaced. This appointment is very important to “seal” your pigment so it can last up to its maximum potential.

The second appointment is scheduled for up to 2 hours long. If you have great retention from your initial appointment and are not modifying your shape and/or thickness in any way, your actual appointment time may be closer to 1 and 1/2 hours long.

*If for any reason you are unable to have your 2nd appointment within the recommended timeframe, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to honor this appointment as a complimentary service or with your same technician.

Q : How long will it take for my permanent makeup to heal?

A : Most clients experience active healing for up to 14 days in form of scabbing and flaking, however, it can take the full 30 days for the skin to heal internally. Normal skin cells take approximately 28 days to renew or regenerate and pigment color saturation can take up to 4 to 6 weeks to settle into the skin.

Q : I got my brows microbladed a few days ago, and they are starting to exfoliate and look patchy! Can I use makeup to fill them in while they are healing?

A : The closer you follow aftercare instructions, the better your finished results will look and last. Keeping the brow area clean during the healing process (this includes avoiding the use of makeup in and around the brow) will maximize the longevity of your microblading procedure and ensure a beautiful finish. We know it's tempting, but we strongly advise avoiding makeup for a minimum of 10 days, and if possible, up to 2 weeks. 

Q : I'm interested in learning permanent makeup. Do you teach it?

A : We do! The Permanent Makeup School of Virginia is brought to you by The Makeup School by Sarah Rillon. The PMU School VA offers permanent makeup licensure courses and various certification workshops within the field of beauty. The PMU School VA is State Board recognized and approved as an educational facility where students can obtain their "Permanent Cosmetic Tattooer" licensure through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Please email info@pmuschoolva.com for more information.

Q : I've been microbladed by a separate technician/studio. How much would my appointment at Permanent Makeup Studio of Virginia cost?

A : All new clients must book an initial appointment under the “Clients with Previous PMU” category in order to be seen by a technician at the Permanent Makeup Studio of Virginia. Clients who have previous work done by a different technician/studio are not eligible for “color boost” services and pricing. Please send pictures of your brows in natural lighting to info@pmustudiova.com in order for our technicians to evaluate the state of your previous brow tattoo. 

Q : Are you available to travel to _____?

A : Sarah Rillon frequently travels to Chicago, the Los Angeles and San Francisco area to perform permanent makeup services. She is licensed and certified in both states. Make sure to follow us on social media for updates regarding expanding our travels to reach even more clients across the country!