Freckle Tattoos
For centuries women tried everything to preserve their pale complexion by hiding from the sun under their parasols. Fortunately for many of us who adore tanned skin, those days are over and it is now more than welcome to be kissed by the sun.
Recently, many people have opted for this semi-permanent treatment known as freckle tattoos, but since it is fairly new, you probably still have some unanswered questions, don't you?
Here is the ultimate guide to freckle tattoos to help you further!
What are Faux Freckles?
One of the newest treatments in the world of semi-permanent make-up, the freckle tattoo, is a procedure in which a make-up artist applies pigment to, for example, your cheeks and nose to give you the perfect freckled look. The number and the location of these cute brown spots on your face is entirely up to you, so if you want them on your forehead and/or chin, why not?
Now you finally no longer have to wait for summer and expose yourself to hours and hours of harmful sunlight to get those freckles — and the best part is: you can have them all year round.
Read all about our Faux Freckles Permanent Make-Up Treatment here.
How does a body tattoo differ from Faux Freckles?
The biggest difference between these two treatments is that ordinary tattoos use permanent ink that also penetrates deeper into your skin, while freckle tattoos use a semi-permanent ink (pigment), which is applied in the first skin layer instead of the third skin layer. Freckle tattoo machines are also smaller and lighter than those used for normal tattooing.
How long does a Faux Freckles treatment take?
The procedure usually lasts around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of freckles and colours you want.
How is tattooing freckles done?
The first step is always a consultation with the PMU stylist you have chosen, where you discuss the procedure, how it works and what you can expect. When you come to your appointment, the stylist will first map your face with a desired number of freckles in the places you want, using a simple pencil. Once you agree that this is the look you had imagined, the procedure begins.
By using a tattoo machine or a stick-and-poke method, the stylist places small freckles in your skin. Using a tattoo needle, a more popular method, each freckle is made by hand, allowing irregular shapes and colours to be formed that look like naturally appearing spots.
Unlike real tattoos in which ink is used, the PMU stylists here use the same pigment that is used for Powder Brows, so the freckles will not be permanent, but will fade over time — lasting up to three to four years, depending on your skin and lifestyle.
The fake freckles should be spread around your cheeks and nose and placed asymmetrically so that they look as natural as possible.
Is the procedure painful?
Tattooing your cheeks and nose does indeed sound very painful, but many PMU stylists use an anaesthetic cream to prevent the pain. Our face is rich in nerve endings and therefore the treatment can be a little unpleasant when you do this without anaesthetic. After anaesthetic has been applied and it has properly soaked in (gel), you feel virtually nothing anymore. The treatment is experienced as 'ticklish'.
Are there still risks associated with a Faux Freckles treatment?
Very rarely something called granulomas can appear, a type of lumps that form around anything the body considers foreign, including the tattoo pigment. These are however extremely rare and can be prevented by simply testing your skin for the pigment before the treatment.
Finally, since it is not easy to recreate the appearance of real beauty marks, which come in different sizes and shapes, it is very important to find a skilled PMU stylist with experience to carry out this procedure. Not only will you be unhappy with your appearance, it will also be very difficult to get rid of it for some time to come.
A potential problem, although very rare, can be an allergic reaction to the dye used for the process. This is easily resolved by carrying out a patch test before the treatment, thereby preventing potentially bigger complications. Fortunately there are different types of pigments, so even if you are allergic to some of them, there are others that can be used, so you can have your freckles either way. In addition, a PMU stylist should make sure that you always fill in an intake form before the treatment begins. That way you can also indicate whether you have a pigment allergy. Think, for example, of a time when you had your eyebrows tinted and had a reaction to it.
How can I prepare for tattooing freckles?
First, find a reliable PMU stylist with plenty of experience. Also make sure you really like his or her style, as every artist has their own personal style. Look at the before and after photos of the treatment and, if possible, find people who have undergone this procedure and ask them anything you want to know.
Once you have found the salon, you should prepare your face by cleansing it thoroughly and by following all the instructions the stylist gave you at your first consultation.
Aftercare of Faux Freckles
Unlike microblading, which involves a longer recovery period, this procedure is not as intense and the aftercare is not as demanding. It is however crucial that you carefully follow the stylist's instructions.
The first rule is: do not scratch the freckles, however itchy they are, because if you do you can remove some of the pigment or cause premature discolouration. Instead, use a nourishing recommended cream to soothe your skin. In addition, stick to the normal routine of washing and moisturising your face, as instructed, and do not wear make-up for a few days until the freckles have healed. In the first days the pigment will be much darker until it is absorbed by your skin, so be patient. Over the coming weeks you will lose about 40-60% of the original colour intensity, so do not worry if your freckles look too dark at first.
Can I wear make-up after a Faux Freckles treatment?
You can apply as much make-up to your eyes and lips as you like, but it is essential to avoid the treated area, so in any case avoid everything except prescribed moisturising creams during the healing period. After all, your skin has sustained a kind of trauma / small wound and needs a period to heal and to close the small wounds. So if there is an important event coming up, schedule your freckle tattoo a little later.
How long does it take for freckle tattoos to heal?
In the first few days you experience sensitivity, swelling, redness and possibly itching in the area, all of which is completely normal. Usually the irritation disappears on day 3 or 4, and your freckles will not often look "lifted". With each following day the pigment will fade and the sensitivity decrease, and within a maximum of two weeks you can apply your foundation, if you still want to, and have a natural look.
During this healing process it is also important to stay away from sunlight and use SPF 15 or higher to prevent pigment fading — and you no longer need to be exposed to the sun's harmful rays to get 'sunkissed freckles'!
Depending on your skin type and sensitivity, the tattooed freckles can heal between 3 days and two weeks.
When should you get a touch-up for Faux Freckles?
Unlike microblading or powder brows which require a mandatory touch-up, the freckle tattoo treatment is usually a one-off appointment in which these beautiful micro-tattoos are placed into your skin.
If however you feel that your pigment has faded too much, or if you want to carry out a correction of some kind, this usually happens 6 to 8 weeks after the original treatment. Apart from this, your fake freckles usually last between one and three years, depending on your skin type and general lifestyle.
People usually do touch-ups every 12 to 18 months, depending on how quickly your skin absorbs the pigment. If you have an iron deficiency, you will need to do the touch-ups more often because your skin will absorb iron-based pigments more quickly.
If, however, you feel you have had enough of your freckles, be patient: they will gradually fade after about a year and you will be freckle-free again.
Want to know more about the freckle tattoo treatment? Read it here! Do you still have questions about the treatment? Feel free to contact us!
My name is Isabella Levels and, with years of experience in the industry, I love sharing my permanent make-up knowledge and techniques. My passion lies in accentuating natural beauty, and I hope to inspire others with tips and insights that can help both beginners and professionals in their careers!