Cosmetic Tattooing is a cosmetic treatment involving the controlled insertion of safe colour pigments into the dermis layer of the skin, instantly improving appearance, definition, and in most instances, gives a long-lasting effect. The pigments are inserted using a sterile, disposable cartridge, attached to a rotary or digital machine.

Cosmetic Tattoo treatments are a semi-permanent procedure that lasts anywhere between 1-3 years. This is dependent on different factors; the type of procedure undertaken, skin type, lifestyle, sun exposure, products used on your skin and how you take care of your Cosmetic Tattoo. Lighter colours/pigments will also fade faster than dark colours. We recommend that clients come in annually for a colour refresh to keep your Cosmetic Tattoo looking its best.

Depending on your Cosmetic Tattoo, please allow 2.5 - 3.5 hours for your first appointment and 2 hours for your 6-8 week follow-up session.

A minimum of two treatments is required 6-8 weeks apart. The follow-up appointment must be done within 12 weeks of the first visit. At the follow-up appointment, we assess the pigment retention, colour and any adjustments needed.

Skin can be unpredictable, and retention varies from person to person. Most clients will find that their Cosmetic Tattoo shrinks and is less intense after the initial healing stage. Follow-up appointments are required to visibly assess how your colour looks healed and gauge how the look is meeting your expectations. From there, your therapist can adjust the colour you have retained and fine-tune the shape for a desired long-lasting result.

Strong topical anaesthetic is applied prior to the procedure to minimise discomfort. It is IMPORTANT that you follow the compounding pharmacist's instructions carefully for safe and effective use of the anaesthesia. Most clients report little to no pain, however, this may vary from person to person. Reapplication of numbing gel can be done at any time when requested during the procedure. We work closely with a compounding pharmacy to provide you with topical anaesthetic and numbing gels, as per national regulation.

For initial procedures, unless otherwise stated, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking. This amount is deducted off your treatment on the day.

Reservations for an appointment can be made here. If you have any questions or queries, please visit our Contact page. Alternatively, you can contact us by emailing info@aesatelier.com.au, or by phone on 0456 603 660. Aes Atelier staff will be in contact with you as soon as possible to confirm your booking or to answer your questions.

We will send you a Client History & Disclosure Form prior to our consultation to establish whether you are a suitable candidate for Cosmetic Tattooing. Please ensure that you have read through the Form thoroughly before confirming an appointment with us. We also request that you send a full-faced portrait photo of yourself that is filter-free, with no makeup around the procedure area, and showing your hair. We highly encourage our clients to research their desired Cosmetic Tattoo styles, to assist us with shape and colour. Our Therapist will work with you to customise your Cosmetic Tattoo. ​ Once our Therapist determines you a suitable client, Pre-Treatment Instructions will be provided to you in readiness for the initial procedure.

In South Australia, you must be 18 years or older to have a Cosmetic Tattoo procedure.

As a precaution, we do not perform Cosmetic Tattooing on pregnant or lactating women.

Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, patients undergoing chemotherapy, keratosis, epilepsy, diabetes, on blood thinners, seborrhoea dermatitis, extremely sensitive skin, excessive sebum (very oily skin), sunburnt skin, recently lasered skin, on Roaccutane (must be off this medication for at least 12 months) or has had a history of keloid scars.

You must stop using retinol or products with Retin-A, two weeks prior to your Cosmetic Tattoo procedure and two weeks after.

You can get Botox either two weeks prior to your Cosmetic Tattoo procedure, or two weeks after.

Yes, however, previous work can be tricky and pre-approval is required by our Therapist. We ask that you send us a clear portrait photo of yourself prior to booking your appointment. Our Therapist will then contact you to discuss your expectations and recommend the best course of action going forward. In cases where the previous work is too dark, dense, discoloured or pigmented, tattoo lightening or removal by a qualified technician will be recommended before we begin the cover-up/ rework.

If you get your eyebrows waxed or threaded, make sure it is done 2-3 days prior to your appointment. However, please ensure you leave enough hairs that are close to your natural eyebrow shape. The more we have to work with, the more natural the result will be. We will clean the area of stray hairs prior to the procedure.

Unfortunately, due to the size of our studio, nature and duration of the procedure, we cannot accommodate for children.

You are welcome to bring one person with you during the consultation phase only. Due to Occupational Health and Safety regulations and to ensure safe and hygienic practices, we do not permit anyone but the client and Therapist during the Cosmetic Tattooing procedure.

Yes, you can wear makeup - this gives us an idea as to how you normally wear it. We will wipe the area clean with an antiseptic wipe before applying the topical anaesthetic. Please advise us if you have any known allergies to antiseptic wipes.

Your Cosmetic Tattoo will appear darker, bolder and sharper for the first few days. Do not be alarmed; scabbing and peeling is a normal part of the healing process, followed by settling and lightening of colour. Some clients may feel conscious of the area whilst healing, therefore we do not recommend having a Cosmetic Tattoo procedure done prior to an event or special occasion. Find out what to expect during the healing stage here.

As the area heals, the pigment will deepen in colour before scabbing or flaking away. This can last anywhere from 3-10 days. The brow and lip area will have completed exfoliating by 2 weeks. During this time, sun exposure, excessive sweating, heat and swimming must be avoided. Please see Aftercare information.

Lighter colours such as blonde will fade faster than a dark brown pigment. Blood thinning medications such as alcohol, coffee and other medications should be avoided to ensure you get the best results. Sun exposure and tanning beds will lighten the pigment over time. Medications such as low-iron and thyroid medication. Smoking can cause the colour to fade faster. Bleeding during the treatment will reduce the amount of pigment that will absorb. Active ingredients such as AHA’s and Glycolic can fade the pigment; it is advised to avoid using those through the treated area. A refresher session every 9 months is advised for the clients who have excessively oily skin.