Last fall, a woman came into Pretty In Ink Precision Micropigmentation with a problem. She’d received a burn across her eyebrows, leaving her with a scar and very few eyebrow hairs. She was self-conscious and tried to compensate with makeup, but never to her satisfaction. Could they help?
Indeed, they could. Owner Corey Fates carefully chose pigments to match the woman’s skin tone and mapped her eyebrows. Then she used a machine to make precise, hair-like strokes with a fine needle in the woman’s brow area. When Corey finally held up a mirror, the woman saw herself with full eyebrows for the first time in years. She was so moved she hugged Corey.
Corey says it wasn’t the first time. She has helped both men and women seeking to reduce the appearance of scars or hair loss due to aging, illness, or injuries. She is currently raising funds for areola tattoos for women who have had mastectomies. Other clients seek an alternative to traditional makeup (she does eyeliner, eyebrow darkening, and lip line definition). Some have difficulty applying makeup due to poor eyesight or unsteady hands. Others have allergies to traditional makeup. And some just want to enhance their natural features and speed up their morning routine.
What is Micropigmentation?
Corey practices a form of tattooing called “micropigmentation”. Compared to traditional tattoos, it uses finer needles that penetrate less deeply into the skin, creating a more natural looking, semi-permanent tattoo. Clients return every 12-18 months to maintain their look.
Safety First If your perception of tattoo parlors is dimly lit spaces full of sailors and bikers, think again. Pretty In Ink is bright, airy, and sparkling. Corey, a retired police detective, emphasizes safety and cleanliness, ensuring that every procedure meets the highest standards. She uses single-use needles, everything is sanitized, and she wears gloves and a face mask during procedures.
Of Scarborough’s many service providers, Pretty In Ink is one of the most unique. Whether it’s restoring confidence from a medical condition, enhancing facial features, or addressing hair loss, Corey Fates helps clients look and feel their best. One hug at a time.
A “powder” eyebrow enhancement on a 72-year-old client: before (left) and after (right). Photos courtesy of Pretty In Ink Precision Micropigmentation.
Pretty In Ink Precision Micropigmentation is located at A Handful Salon, 89 Mussey Road, Scarborough, Maine.
Top photo by Amanda Huebner Photography
