There is much to consider before one puts pen to paper with a cosmetic tattoo artist down under. I have been in the cosmetics retail and skin clinic business long enough to know how a minor feature can put confidence in someone. And I have seen what tends to trip people up: consultations that are done in a hurry, freckles that are too dark on the first day or the notion that “semi-permanent” is an excuse to be cavalier about it. It is not. You would not want your face to be treated as a practice canvas.
By Arabella Kinsella
Beauty writer (Irish-Australian), Brisbane
What Is A Freckles Tattoo?
In short, it is a semi-permanent procedure whereby a technician will put small quantities of pigment in the skin for beauty marks and freckles of a natural hue. The outcome is contingent on the technique employed, the colour match, your skin type and the aftercare.
The Process
With his or her equipment the technician implants pigment in the upper strata of the skin. One will see individual dots of varying strength and size put in place, say on the nose or cheeks. The idea is to have some soft variation; you do not want a line of uniform brown spots because actual freckles do not have the precision of fence posts.
No More Daily Makeup
If you like the look of freckles but are not keen on putting on a fake freckles tattoo every morning, this may be for you. It is also a way to maintain a consistent appearance when your own freckles have a mind to fade in the cooler months or if you are not out in the sun as much. But do not think it will replicate every freckle to a T. It is more of an artistic rendering that ought to go with your features and the makeup you wear.
Who Might Want to Pass
Those with a history of keloid scarring, pigment allergies or very sensitive skin should make their concerns known at the consultation; a good licensed technician is not going to put them aside just to make a booking. The same applies if you have unexplained rashes, active acne or are on medication which could impact bleeding and healing. Have a word with your health professional first.
How It Is Done
At the appointment the technician will put in some time to select pigments and talk placement. Then a device is used to put the pigment in by way of controlled dots. Do not be surprised if the fresh work looks stronger than once it has healed. Some redness and swelling is to be expected, though you should seek medical opinion for any discharge or pain of a severe nature.
On Colour Matching
This is paramount. The pigment needs to be in keeping with your undertone and the freckles you already have, not the darkest thing on your face. On fair skin a very dark pigment will heal harshly and the undertones, be they warm or cool, will alter the brown once the skin has settled. Request to view some healed work, not just something off the table.
Skin Sensitivity and Patch Tests
A patch test will put some sensitivity issues to light but it is no surefire way of knowing a full facial tattoo will be reaction free. Enquire as to the pigment and how long you need to wait. And do not be shy in telling the technician of any retinoids, peels, medications or allergies. When it comes to your cheeks it is not worth making a quiet bargain to avoid a fuss.
Longevity and Fading
You are looking at semi-permanent results. As the skin renews itself the pigment will of course fade, though how quickly is a matter of technique, lifestyle and retention. Some will want a touch-up early, others let it go and reassess.
Reality Check
Queensland Health has some sound advice on public-health and hygiene that is worth reading prior to booking.
One might expect perfection from the off. In reality the freckles can seem more numerous or sharper until the healing is done. Nor will the result endure for a set time come what may; your immune system, exfoliation, oiliness and the like will all have a say in the fading.
When A Touch-Up Helps
And if the original treatment has left some uneven fading, a touch-up is there to put it right. One should not employ this to put right a result that was ill-conceived in the first place.
Wait for the skin to do its healing before you form an opinion on the final colour. To book another session in a hurry is to risk needless irritation and it will be more difficult to tell how well the pigment has been retained.
The Freckles Tattoo Appointment
Consultation is as much a part of a good appointment as the time with the needle. Plan on 60 to 90 minutes for your first visit to cover treatment, mapping, a skin assessment and some discussion, if not more; the timing will be at the discretion of the clinic and the treatment plan.
Should you be making the journey to an appointment, have a look at parking, public transport and building access ahead of time. When you are done your face can be quite tender, so contending with peak-hour traffic and every red light on the way back is hardly glamorous.
Before You Arrive
Unless the clinic has other instructions, come with clean skin. It is best not to put a booking in right before you have a day at the beach, a facial peel, heavy exercise or any protracted outdoor event.
Find out if there are skincare products you need to put on hold. Prescribed medication is not to be discontinued unless the prescribing professional says otherwise.
During The Consultation
You will want to go over the colour, placement and density of the freckles. Photographs of the desired effect are fine to bring along but a technician must tailor the design to your skin and not simply replicate someone else’s. Make sure you see some healed examples and get the aftercare in writing. An understanding of the clinic’s policy on any post-appointment concerns, touch-ups or corrections is also in order.
Appointment Planning Table
| Stage | Typical focus | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | Medical history, colour matching, skin assessment and placement | Put aside some time for questions |
| Treatment | Implanting the pigment and mapping | Some redness or tenderness is to be expected |
| Early healing | Settling, dryness and darkening | No picking, adhere to aftercare |
| Review | The healed result and any necessary touch-up | Refrain from judging the colour prematurely |
Freckles Tattoo Cost In Australia
There is considerable variation in what Australian clients will pay for a freckle tattoo. The price is a function of the number of freckles, the complexity of the work, the technician and where he or she is based, and if a touch-up is part of the deal.
For planning purposes one might expect to be looking at AUD 250 to 600 for an initial session, though a touch-up will usually be an extra charge. These figures are only indicative, not a national standard, so confirm with the clinic prior to booking.
What The Price Should Include
A quoted price ought to encompass the consultation, sterile equipment, mapping, pigment, a review and written aftercare. A figure that is too good to be true could mean less experience on the part of the technician or scant consultation. Then there are the cancellation terms and deposits to consider, and whether a second session or additional freckles will cost more. In the end an inexpensive appointment is no bargain if it means paying for removal or correction down the track.
Brisbane And Regional Planning
While a client in Brisbane is likely to have more options than those in the regions, options do not equate to quality. Those coming from a regional town or the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast should factor in time for a leisurely drive home and a subsequent review.
Leave the treatment for another day if you have a flight, a camping weekend or a dusty road trip on the horizon. Sun, swimming and sweat will complicate the aftercare.
Healing And Aftercare Basics
It is normal for the pigment to appear darker and the skin to be a bit red and dry in the early stages of healing. As the skin settles the colour will change and patience is required. Proper aftercare will stave off any loss of pigment that can be avoided. Heed the written instructions from the technician, especially where the equipment or pigment warrants something different.
Simple Aftercare Checklist
- Observe the clinic’s rules for cleansing and keep the area clean.
- Do not pick at or rub flaky skin.
- For the duration of the healing period, stay away from saunas, the pool, the sun and any outdoor activity that is going to make you break a sweat.
- Stick to the products put forward by the clinic and leave the makeup on until the skin is ready.
- If things do not settle, contact the clinic or a doctor.
In Australia sun exposure is a practical matter. Even once healed tanning will have an effect on how the pigment looks against your complexion so use the appropriate protection.
What Most People Get Wrong
The notion that slathering on aftercare product is better for healing is common. In fact it is wiser to apply the recommended quantity and forgo any experimentation with strong actives, acids, oils or scrubs.
One is apt to make the error of appraising the outcome in unforgiving bathroom light on the first morning. Let the healing run its course before one makes up one’s mind as to whether the freckles are of the right shade.
On the subject of selecting an Australian artist with safety in mind
A good technician will be licensed, put forward a clear explanation of what is involved and have a proper health history on file, all while working with sterile equipment. Do not be shy to put some awkward questions to him or her on the matter of hygiene, corrections, tattoo removal and so on.
Then there are the regulatory differences from one state or territory to another; it is wise to verify the clinic’s credentials with the local health authority. While a professional demeanour is to be expected, one should value unambiguous procedures and cleanliness above all.
Questions you might want to pose
- How much experience do you have with facial tattoos?
- May I be shown some healed examples on a skin tone like my own?
- What is your policy on pigments and disposables?
- Should I have a reaction or am not happy with how it has healed, what then?
- Is there a touch-up and at what point?
Listen to the answers given. Any talk of painless results or instant healing and permanent perfection should give one cause for thought.
You cannot hit the reset button with removal
The process can be expensive and less than comfortable, and what you end up with is a function of the method, the colour and depth of the pigment and how the skin reacts. Leave home remedies well alone and if the result is not to your liking, a qualified professional will be in a better position to advise on the way forward.
FAQs
I get asked these by those mulling over semi-permanent makeup. The answers here are straightforward enough but an individual consultation is still called for since no two skins or healing responses are alike.
What does a freckles tattoo entail?
Put simply it is a cosmetic procedure where small dots of pigment are put into the face to replicate a beauty mark or natural freckle. It is termed semi-permanent for the most part as the pigment will fade, though some traces can be more enduring.
And the longevity?
Do not count on it being permanent; most will see them soften over a few years or months. The type of skin, sun, technique and the pigment itself will determine this.
Is it safe? Painful?
In the hands of a licensed technician who observes the correct hygiene it is, yet risk is never entirely absent. Most would call the discomfort mild to moderate but that is subjective.
Healing time?
Expect it to take a week or two to begin with and longer for the colour to fully come in. Follow the aftercare the clinic sets out and keep it clean.
Can they be removed, even if you have real freckles?
An appropriately credentialed person can tell you if it is possible, but erasing every last bit is not assured. One with actual freckles can go ahead with treatment as long as the design is in keeping with what is already there and the consultation has covered colour matching and sensitivity.
Take your time in deciding
There is a certain charm to the natural finish a freckles tattoo gives and it will cut down on makeup application, provided one has realistic expectations. Make sure you know the cost in AUD and have your transport and aftercare sorted. Pick a technician who will tell you if he or she thinks the treatment is not for you.
If I were to offer any advice it would be to err on the side of caution. You can always build on a couple of soft ones later. What is difficult is to put right something that is too dark or heavy handed. In beauty as in soup you can add to it, but taking it out is where the trouble lies.
