Tech Talk #37: Injectables & Cosmetic Tattooing!

Despite all the new regulations from AHPRA and the TGA on the advertising of injectables, life will go on and cosmetic tattooists will need to advise clients on when they can have their cosmetic tattooing done in relation to their injectables treatments.
 

What types of Cosmetic Injections or Injectables are we referring to?

Whether you client is having botulinum injections (Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, Jeauveau® etc.) or filler, they needed to be managed in the cosmetic tattoo treatment plan in similar ways.

Potential issues and risks:

First, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page in terms of the issues involved. What’s the problem?

• Injectables take about four weeks to settle into the skin.
• If the injectable has not settled in the skin, the face shape may change after cosmetic tattooing. Your beautiful design may be distorted as the skin settles.
• Injected “Botox” or filler may move whilst the cosmetic tattooist performs the treatment (e.g., when hand pressure is applied, or the skin is stretched).
• The skin is healing after the injections, both from the skin perforations and the body’s immune response. Pigment retention may be impaired.
  
  

So, what should you do?

Ensure there are at least four weeks between an injectables treatment and cosmetic tattooing (or visa-versa). Your client may not be happy, particularly if they are preparing for a big occasion, but it’s your reputation at stake as well as the client’s appearance.

For clients who like to regularly maintain botulinum injections, they should have this done before their cosmetic tattoo (particularly for eyebrow treatments). 

Our Recommendation for Cosmetic Tattooists

When you are doing a pre-treatment consultation with a client, ask them about injectables, and tell them they are a temporary contraindication for cosmetic tattooing.

If a client is planning to get cosmetic injections, negotiate a suitable treatment schedule with them that also considers the second or ‘touch-up’ treatment. It is better to sort out any issues ‘up front’ than deal with complications later.