PERMANENT COSMETICSFrequently Asked Questions
Education-first answers about DCPC, cosmetic brow tattoo services, maintenance, and booking
GENERAL-
DCPC stands for David Chum Personal Cosmetics. It's a studio built on precision, artistry, and design intelligence — with an obsessive attention to fine detail and integrity. The work is about helping people look and feel more like themselves: clearer, more confident, and more intentional in how they move through the world
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PMU had a major boom in the U.S. in the mid-2010s. It went viral, and a lot of work suffered. This isn't just a beauty service — it's a government-regulated procedure on living tissue. Sanitation, contraindications, healing variables, depth control, pigment chemistry, and design structure all matter. When training is minimal (or the focus is only money), results get inconsistent and the client pays for it.
My approach is medical meets design. I design for your bone structure, skin, facial movement, and long-term healed result— not whatever is trending on TikTok. My background includes decades of education and experience in PMU, Anatomy and Physiology, and Art and Design (degree from an accredited university). I'm known for artistry, refined aesthetic taste, and meticulous attention to detail.
Just as important: empathy and integrity. I'll tell you what will and won't work, and build a plan that protects and maintains your outcome long-term.
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Cosmetic tattoo, also called permanent makeup (PMU) or micropigmentation, is the controlled implantation of pigment into the upper layers of skin to enhance features like brows, lips, and the lash line. It can be performed with hand tools for manual implantation or with tattoo machines tuned for precision and superficial work.
One traditional influence on modern manual technique is Tebori, a Japanese hand-tapping method, and some artists still use Tebori-style pens today.
I've been trained in both Tebori hand tapping and the more widely used microblading method, in addition to machine work-so your plan is always chosen based on your skin and your goals.
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No. It’s cosmetic tattooing—pigment is implanted into living tissue. What’s not permanent is a perfect, unchanged look forever. Because this is placed in the upper layers of the skin and the face is high-turnover tissue, the tattoo is designed to heal softer and gradually lose definition over time so it can be maintained and refined.
If you stop maintenance, results can fade unevenly, blur, shift in tone (warmer or cooler), and in some clients the tattoo can soften, merge, or migrate—depending on your biology, skincare, sun exposure, oiliness, and how your immune system processes pigment. Touch-ups—and sometimes targeted fading—are normal maintenance for keeping the result controlled, modern, and natural-looking.
A lot of people were told it would ‘just go away.’ In reality, cosmetic tattooing fades, but it doesn’t always disappear evenly—skin and pigment behavior are variable, so maintenance is how you keep it controlled.
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A topical anesthetic is applied before I tattoo, and an additional anesthetic designed for open skin is used throughout the appointment as needed.
Most clients feel pressure and a light scratch sensation rather than sharp pain.
Many clients fall asleep during their procedure. The setting and time with me is designed to be soothing and supportive.
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Both are tattooing, but the goal and depth of implantation are different. PMU brows are implanted more superficially and with controlled saturation so the result heals softer and can fade naturally. Body tattooing is typically implanted deeper and denser for maximum permanence, which can look too heavy or blurry on facial skin over time.
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PMU is designed to enhance, elevate, and in some cases restore — depending on the client. Most people come to me for some mix of asymmetry correction, low brow density, limited makeup skills, shaky hands, or simply wanting time back. The goal isn’t to look “made up.” It’s to look like you — just more refined and more balanced. If you prefer a more defined, makeup-forward finish, we can design for that too.
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It’s safe when it’s done in a regulated, controlled environment with proper infection control—and when you’re a medically appropriate candidate.
DCPC is Board of Health licensed, and I’m OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens certified. This is a skin-breaking procedure, so pre-care and aftercare are part of the safety equation.
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It's the Rose of Venus-formed by tracking Earth and Venus as they orbit the sun over an 8-year cycle. Venus is the archetype of beauty; this rose is the geometry of repetition and refinement.
It's not "woo"-it's a reminder that what looks effortless is usually precision. It's also a quiet nod to my philosophy: beauty isn't random, it's engineered with restraint.
CONSULTATIONS & SERVICES-
DCPC specializes in PMU for eyebrows, and services include pigment fading, and emergency fading. Technique is chosen based on your face, skin, and personal preference—not trends.
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We start with your current brows & your goal (and what you don’t want).
Then I assess skin & medical history for safety and technique selection.
Design happens next:
Brow mapping: structure, balance, and proportion
Pattern plan: direction, density placement, front/arch/tail strategy
Color plan: undertones + warmth strategy for stable healing
You leave with a controlled path forward: shape, technique, color, timeline, and next steps. The work is done in living tissue. Decisions are case by case, and protect your face.
Consultations are complimentary through 12/31/2026.
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The Signature is the complete eyebrow service. It includes your first session plus the first touch-up (second session) within the required 4-6 week timeframe. I select the best technique for your skin and goals—Face-Fit Nano, Combo, Ombré, or Microblading—so you heal with the strongest result and long-term stability.
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Microblading is manual hairstrokes with a handheld tool and/or tapping with a Tebori pen. Nano creates hairstrokes with a machine. Combo is strokes and shading in the same design. It can be done all machine, all manual, or a 50/50 blend chosen based on your skin and desired look. Ombre is machine shading, also called Powder Brows.
You don’t have to choose. At DCPC, The Signature is the primary service and technique selection is made by me based on your face, skin type, medical intake, and brow goals so you heal with the best result.
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The shape of your brows is designed according to your bone structure, eye position, muscle movement, and personal preferences. Any asymmetry in your features is addressed through design so the face reads balanced.
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This isn’t like hair dye or paint. Pigment doesn’t look the same in the skin as it does in the bottle — it heals softer and often slightly cooler. That’s why I sometimes choose a touch warmer on purpose for long-term stability.
I base color on:
your undertone (warm/cool/neutral)
your skin type (especially oiliness and reactivity)
any existing pigment
I primarily use mineral-based (inorganic) and inorganic-leaning hybrid pigments because they’re more stable, less prone to odd color shifts, behave better in oily/reactive skin, and are less likely to blur into that tragic “mossy undertone from 2012” era I refuse to participate in.
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No, not at this time. I have been trained on techniques for lip blushing, eyeliner, and some paramedical tattooing, but the focus for now is on eyebrows. There is a lot planned for the future. Make sure you follow and subscribe if you’d like to watch the expansion.
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You’ll receive a comprehensive procedure plan built from your medical intake and brow goals. It outlines technique selection, color strategy, and design decisions, and it’s shared with you to review before we tattoo.
Pre-care and aftercare may be customized based on your intake and how your skin behaves. I also offer virtual check-ins at timed intervals after your appointment to track healing. These are optional, but highly recommended.
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This is where PMU gets a little gray—and where you’ll hear the word “correction.”
At DCPC, a Touch-Up is reserved for existing clients and can be booked up to 12 months after your last session. Work done elsewhere can involve unknown pigment ingredients, unknown implantation depth, and hidden undertones, which raises the risk of unpredictable results.
Over time, pigment can fade, shift in tone, expand, and/or migrate beyond the original shape. And factors like lifestyle, age, medical history, and genetics affect how it reads today.
If you’re new to DCPC and have previous work, a consultation is the first step—so I can assess what’s there and come up with a plan for the safest, most controlled path forward. Your safety is just as important as your brows. So yes, I do.
ELIGIBILITY-
Cosmetic tattooing is safe when performed correctly, but it isn’t suitable for everyone. Some situations require medical clearance, and others require deferral or timing adjustments. This protects your health and improves the chance of optimal pigment implantation and predictable healing. Under no circumstances will I tattoo someone under 18 years old. This is illegal in Massachusetts.
Full Eligibility & Contraindications can be found here
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I have worked on clients with alopecia, and the results can still be natural-but your plan may require a conservative build and possibly more than 1-2 sessions. Due to the alopecia your skin may be more reactive. Decisions are made based on accurate medical intake and healed results. Touch-ups for alopecia clients involve maintenance, refinement, and advancement (building depth). Rome wasn’t built in a day.
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Medical clearance may be required for immune-compromised conditions, chemotherapy or radiation, bleeding disorders (including hemophilia), uncontrolled diabetes, clotting issues, and certain prescription blood thinners (such as Coumadin or Heparin). These conditions can increase risk and change bleeding and healing behavior.
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You should defer (wait to book) if you are pregnant or nursing, on Accutane, also known as isotretinoin, within the past 12 months, have active irritation or infection in the brow zone (eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, open wounds), or have a recent sunburn/tan in the area. Tattooing compromised skin increases risk and reduces pigment stability.
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Recent Botox, filler, microneedling, chemical peels, or laser near the brow area require a waiting period before tattooing. Timing protects the skin barrier and reduces unpredictable healing.
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Tattooing can only happen after the skin is fully healed and calm. Timing is case-by-case depending on your laser protocol and healing response. Many clients need to wait at least 6-8 weeks after their last laser session before tattooing is safe to consider. You must be cleared by your laser provider.
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No. Wait two weeks after finishing the medication before booking or rescheduling. These medications can affect inflammation, immune response, and healing quality.
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Topical steroids on the brow area require clearance from your physician. They can change skin behavior and healing response, which affects safety and retention. The same rule applies to steroid injections to the brow area. It is safest to wait and allow your body to recover so the skin in that area is healthy and strong.
CLIENT PREPARATION-
Pre-care affects safety and your final outcome. Your skin is my canvas and it needs to be in its best condition to receive pigment safely and heal properly. If you don’t follow pre-care, your body will show it—skin doesn’t lie—through swelling, bleeding/lymph, and unpredictable healing, which can compromise results. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, You have one face—don’t ** it up.
Pre-care may be modified on an individual basis to support the best possible result.
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Your body doesn’t lie—your skin and bleeding patterns show what’s going on. If you arrive with undisclosed information that makes the procedure unsafe or inappropriate to perform that day, your appointment may be converted to a consultation/design-only visit or rescheduled at the artist’s discretion. Deposits are non-refundable. The medical intake is completely confidential and required for safety and optimal pigment implantation. You’re only hurting yourself in the long-run by omitting any information.
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Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours before your appointment. Avoid caffeine and stimulants about 6–8 hours before your appointment. Stop retinol, acids, and exfoliants near the brow area at least 7 days prior. This helps keep the skin calm and helps control bleeding and lymph response—so pigment implants more cleanly and heals more predictably. Complete precare instructions can be found at DavidChum.com/precare
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Because it’s always case-by-case. Your skin is living tissue — and you’re a living organism. Hormones, medication, stress, sun exposure, skincare, and even healing speed can change over time. So I adjust your pre-care and aftercare to match your current skin and protect the integrity of the result.
AFTERCARE & HEALING-
Immediately after: brows look darker and bolder because pigment is fresh and the skin is inflamed.
Day 4-10: flaking and shedding (usually minimal scabbing). Brows may look lighter or patchy-temporary.
Day 11-60: pigment gradually blooms as your skin cycles. True color takes patience: about 28 days for many younger adults, and up to 60 or more days for many older individuals. Age, genetics, lifestyle, and medical factors can all impact the healing.
A second session, included with The Signature, is performed 4-6 weeks after the first when the skin has healed and I can get an accurate read on next steps. Some clients require more than 2 sessions due to medical history and/or specific brow goals.
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You will receive an aftercare kit with detailed instructions and everything you will need during healing. You can view the full aftercare instructions, here. Aftercare may be modified on an individual basis to support optimal healing and pigment retention.
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Because it’s always case-by-case. Your skin is living tissue — and you’re a living organism. Hormones, medication, stress, sun exposure, skincare, and even healing speed can change over time. So I adjust your pre-care and aftercare to match your current skin and protect the integrity of the result.
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I recommend sending photos and/or videos at specific points in healing because skin behavior can change over time, even for returning clients. Skincare routines, aging, sun exposure, new medications, and lifestyle changes all affect how you heal.
MAINTENANCE-
These are appointments that are part of the maintenance of a brow tattoo designed to restore saturation, color, and definition. For some clients this is also an opportunity to advance the overall texture and depth of their brow tattoo.
I offer several touch-up options, including prepaid packages for clients who prefer to lock in their rate upfront.
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Industry standard is at least one follow-up once the skin has healed. Your first session is intentionally conservative to protect your face and the design we build together. Healed skin (about 4-6 weeks) tells me what held, what didn't, and how to adjust technique, tools, pre-care, aftercare, and strategy-because I don't fully know your skin until we see it healed.
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It will continue to fade and lose definition. Many clients see a very soft residual over time. Depending on your biology and the pigments used, some tones may fade warmer (red) or cooler (blue/gray).
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For some clients, yes — periodic pigment fading is a normal part of long-term maintenance. Skin isn’t paper; it behaves more like a sponge with a limited “capacity” for pigment. Over time, depending on your biology, lifestyle, and how your immune system (including macrophages) processes pigment, a brow tattoo can gradually build up, soften, or look heavier in certain areas. The way to achieve the crisp, defined look you want isn’t always a matter of adding more pigment. Sometimes the cleanest move is to lighten the entire brow; other times it’s just a few targeted sections. This doesn’t mean anything went wrong — it’s how living tissue behaves. Fading keeps the result controlled so future touch-ups stay clean, modern, and natural-looking.
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You may have heard “2 years or more” elsewhere, but 12-months is what I consistently see in real clients.
However, longevity varies with age, skin type (especially oily), sun exposure, skincare/actives, beauty routines, lifestyle, changes to your overall health, and diet. Over time, brows naturally fade—and depending on your biology, pigment can soften, blur/merge slightly, or shift subtly in tone.
After 9-12 months, many clients benefit from refinement or a partial rebuild. Maintenance touch-ups are normal, and for some clients pigment fading is simply part of the maintenance cycle.
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Pigment Fading is a service designed to lift pigment from the skin using a technique that introduces a saline-based solution (a fine saline and citrus blend).
Depending on how saturated your existing tattoo is, you may need more than one session before we can safely micropigment again. Most clients need 2–4 sessions.
Fading can be part of long-term maintenance for some clients when it is necessary to create more negative space so the results remain optimal.
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Emergency Fading uses the same saline solution as Pigment Fading, but it is time-sensitive and must be done within 48 hours. 100% removal from one session is not guaranteed. It can apply to work done by DCPC or another artist if you decide you don’t like your fresh brow tattoo.
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If the saline method isn’t the best fit for a client due to timeline and/or budget, I can refer you to a partnered laser specialist. In many cases, I prefer laser over multiple saline sessions because it is typically faster, less painful, and more cost-effective.
PRICING, DISCOUNTS, & BOOKING-
Pricing is structured by service type and complexity. Service types include tattooing for virgin brows, returning DCPC clients (touch-ups, refinement, fading, revisions—often based on time since your last appointment), Touch-Up packages, preexisting work from other artists (harmonization services which can include fading), and emergency fading. The Signature minimizes confusion around technique pricing because technique selection is made by me based on what your face and skin need so you heal with the best result. Harmonization packages keep pricing more transparent than the typical “varies,” and there are options for clients who prefer prepaid pricing.
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No. Complimentary Consultation & Brow Mapping is the only publicly offered promotion available this year. It expires 12/31/2026.
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Yes. A 100% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your service, plan, or package.
Your appointment time is set aside exclusively for you, and preparation starts as soon as you book. This includes reviewing intake and photos, building your procedure plan, designing your brows, and dedicated studio setup and time.
Because that time can’t reliably be replaced last-minute, the deposit is non-refundable under any circumstances. You may reschedule once with enough notice. My booking policies are posted in detail here.
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No. The studio is a controlled procedure room. For your safety, and per the Body Art Regulations of the Belmont Board of Health, only the body art practitioner and client are allowed in the room during the procedure. Your friend, parent, partner, etc. are welcome to stay in the waiting area until we are done.
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You can book on-line here. I typically release the next month’s availability on the 1st of the current month. Example: February opens on January 1, and I’ll continue releasing dates this way. Spots are limited and there’s a waitlist. If you’re not sure what to book, message me (DM, email, or text). My contact info is on my IG profile and website — we’ll figure out the right plan together.
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Because this work is planned case by case. New clients begin with Consultation & Brow Mapping so I can assess your starting point, determine the right treatment path, and book the correct procedure from there.
QUESTIONS?