Frequently Asked Questions

  • **NEW PRIVACY AND VACCINATION POLICIES**

    When you are booking a service, please note that we require your appointment to be at least 2 weeks prior COVID-19 vaccinations and 4 weeks post vaccination to avoid any potential unknown interactions (i.e. delayed healing).

    Brows By Yael does not discriminate against any individual based on vaccination status, with the only exception being our above stated timeline for booking appointments around vaccine dates. We also do not discriminate against any one person who is unable to wear a face mask due to legitimate medical reasons, as per official provincial guidelines.

    Brows By Yael has always functioned within a sterile environment, using individual-use tools and PPE for our clients and ourselves, and wiping down beds and surfaces with disinfectants. We are certified with a Green Pass, which is required by law to operate a permanent makeup studio. During this unprecedented time, we are taking extra precautions, such as cleaning frequently-touched surfaces and items such as handles and knobs, counter tops, pens, and clipboards.

    We have also experienced new restrictions as per the Ontario and Toronto government, which affect us in a few ways we run. Please read below so we can work together to keep each day running smoothly and in conjunction with current bi-laws:

    • please arrive no more than 5 minutes prior to your appointment, as we cannot have a functioning waiting room

    • please arrive alone, as we are not permitted to have a waiting room at this time

    • if you are feeling ill, please call us to reschedule with as much notice as possible

    Please call us immediately if you have an upcoming appointment, and have experienced any of the following in the past 14 days:

    • cough

    • headache

    • weakness

    • fever

    • difficulty breathing

    • you have contracted, or have been in contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19 in the last 14 days

    • you or someone you have had contact with have travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days

  • Permanent makeup (PMU) is a less invasive form of tattooing that typically lasts 1-3 years depending on skin type and skincare routine.

    We offer several forms of permanent makeup, including:

    • powder/ombre brows, nano brows and microblading, combination brows

    • lash line enhancements and smokey eyeliner

    • scalp micro-pigmentation (SMP)

    • lip blush

  • We would be happy to consult with you to determine if you are a good candidate for any of our services! This can often be done by email, or an in-person consultation.

    A more important question is what would make someone an unideal candidate? Please read the below information to help determine if you’re a suitable candidate for our permanent makeup services:

    Always contact us prior to booking if:

    • you have previous microblading or permanent makeup

    • you are taking blood thinners** (may or may not require doctor’s note, contact us)

    • there is a skin condition such a psoriasis, eczema, chronic acne, rosacea, dermatitis on or around the brow

    • you have a scar through/in the brow

    • you are prone to keloid scars

    • you are taking or completed antibiotics in the past 2 weeks

    • you are diabetic**

    • you have cancer**

    • you have a heart condition**

    • you have epilepsy or another seizure condition**

    • you are taking or recently took oral or injected steroids**

    ** = doctor's’ note required

    We CANNOT perform the procedure if:

    • you are pregnant

    • you are not at least 6 months postpartum

    • you are currently receiving or have received chemotherapy in the last 6 months

    • you have taken Accutane in the last 12 months

    • you are you are taking blood thinning medication

    • you are currently using strong retinoid creams (discontinue for 2 weeks minimum prior to appointment date)

    • you have used a growth serum on the area of treatment within the past 4 weeks

    We ask that you please email us (browsbyyael@gmail.com) or call (416-463-BROW) to receive pre-approval for booking should you fall into any of the above listed categories. Note that those who book appointments whom have disregarded the above information are subject to the forfeiture of their booking fee, and a 25% cancellation fee.

  • For the first session, the entire procedure should take about 1.5 – 3 hours. During this session, the technician will shape and style the client’s brows, lips or eyeliner for client approval. We then follow with pigment colour selection. Once the client is satisfied with the choices, we begin the procedure.

    The client is to come in for a follow up visit in order to have any minor necessary touch ups. The second session takes place within 4-10 weeks of the initial session. This session will take approximately 30 – 1.5 hours to complete.

  • The eyebrow area will be slightly red after the procedure, and the pigment will appear darker than your healed result will reveal. This is normal for the procedure and part of the healing process. The colour will fade by up to 40%-60% as it heals. In the following days, the eyebrows will continue to be dark and you will notice slight flaking. Do not pick at the flaking as this may damage the skin and the outcome of the permanent makeup. The eyebrows will lighten up in colour as they heal.

    No down time is required after permanent makeup procedures. It takes approximately 7-14 days for the brows to heal over, and about 3-4 weeks for the colour to fully set. You’ll notice the colour appearing quite light about two weeks after your appointment; the skin will have an opaque milky looking quality to it. This is known as “milk skin” and is common in tattooing. This is due to the the tissue still healing from the inside out, even though the surface of the skin has healed. True colour will reveal itself once fully healed.

  • The pain level for the procedure is considered mild to none. After the ‘first pass’, which typically takes less than 10 minutes, your artist will apply a topical anesthetic to the treatment area, and reapply throughout the procedure. Everyone responds differently to topical anesthetics; depending on the client, the feeling of the procedure has been described as light cat scratches to hardly any sensation at all. Topical anesthetics used may contain lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, tetracaine and epinephrine.

    You will be pre-numbed for lip and eyeliner services.

    After the procedure, redness and slight swelling in the area is normal. Clients describe the area feeling similar to a light sunburn. Clients may take Tylenol prior to the procedure if they wish, but do NOT take aspirin or ibuprofen.

  • As PMU pigments are not implanted into the skin as deep as traditional tattoos, the area will naturally fade overtime. PMU typically lasts 1-3 years, depending on skin type (normal, oily, dry), age (youthful/mature). Skincare routines will also affect the longevity of the pigment: patients who tan, use products with AHA or Glycolic Acid with fade faster as your skin will resurface faster. Each individual’s colour retention within the skin will vary. To maintain the PMU looking fresh, a touch up is suggested every 12-24 months. Clients can let the PMU area fade over time, but please note a slight shadow may always remain. The longevity of your permanent makeup can be affected by several factors including but not limited to: your body's natural skin cell turnover rate (this differs from person to person), if aftercare is followed, sun exposure, skin care products, and other lifestyle factors. For this reason, we cannot guarantee the length of time your permanent makeup will be vibrant for, or when you may require a touch up.

  • In most cases, no. A consultation is part of your regular microblading appointment. However, if you have had previous microblading or permanent makeup, skin issues, scar tissues, or medical issues requiring discussion, a separate consultation may be needed. If you have concluded that you are a good candidate (see “Am I a good candidate?” on FAQ’s), and are flexible and open to the professional advice of your artist as to which technique would be best for you, you may book an appointment without a consultation.

    However, if you are set on a particular technique, or specifically do not want a particular technique, please email or call the shop prior to booking.

    Feel free to contact us by phone or email to inquire prior to booking!

  • Microblading is individual hair strokes etched into the skin using a hand tool and blade.

    Nano brows is individual hair strokes etched into the skin using a machine and super fine needle. The result is a hyper-realistic brow.

    Powder brows is a different technique, (also known as shading) done with a machine to deposit pigment into the skin. It can enhance the brow by making it look fuller. The style can be slightly powered or filled in and helps blend areas with very little hair to areas that have thicker, dense hair. More suitable for the ‘90s’ over-tweezed brow style. Not all powder brows look the same. Some can be done in a “barely there” style, and not like makeup.

  • Since not all skin types are ideal for all brow permanent makeup techniques, your artist will make a professional recommendation as to which technique to execute at your appointment.

    If you are not flexible as to technique, we ask that you contact us prior to booking!

  • Unfortunately, we do not keep a cancellation list. As our client, you are able to cancel and rebook your appointments online yourself (please abide by our cancellation policy to avoid fees). Brows By Yael follows a “first come first served” booking policy. Cancellations do happen, so feel free to check our website as frequently as you’d like for a new opening.

    Please note that Yael’s books open one month at a time, one month in advance. For example, for January 2021 appointments, we will open her books on December 1st, 2020 at 12pm.

  • Yes, we do! You may apply for financing directly through MediCare at http://www.medicard.com

    Please note that all of our booking and cancellation policies still apply, and all associated financing fees should be discussed with MediCard directly. If you require financing, we recommend being pre-approved prior to booking, to avoid losing our non-refundable booking fee.

  • Day 1: Wipe the brows.

    Day 2: Wipe the brows 3 times: morning midday evening.

    Days 3-5: Leave brows alone, allow them to dry up (during that time no makeup, creams or water on or around the brow).

    Day 6: Start balm, 1 x per day. Apply a thin layer in the morning until all scabs are off.

    How to care for your brows

    First 5 days: No water on the brows

    Day 6: You can wash your face and hair normally

    First 7 days: No sweating/ gym


    First 14 days: No facials or massages

    First 3 weeks: No direct hot sun. SPF 40+ is required once the scabs fall off.

    What to Expect/ What is normal

    Days 1-5: Brows will appear darker and thicker. Scabbing forms over the strokes to protect the area while healing.

    Days 5-9: As the scabs start coming off, they may appear patchy (be patient, it’s just a few days, the balm will help with the flaking and itching).

    Day 9-12: The pigment under may look light or milky due to a thin layer of scar tissue. This is completely normal.

    Days 12-21: The pigment will “come back” once the thin layer of scar tissue heals. The brows will appear darker.

    Absolutely NO PICKING your scabs!

    You can find all the brow instructions here