FAQ

Permanent Make-up is a non-surgical micro-procedure known as micro-pigmentation.Tiny droplets of custom blended colors are skillfully deposited into the dermal layer of skin to simulate natural looking or well defined make-up. This process is a selective art form of traditional tattooing whereby the natural features of the face are enhanced and defined in the form of permanent eyebrows, eyeliner and or lip liner and color. The results are beautiful, immediate and permanent!

• Women with active lifestyles who want the time saving convenience without the daily routine of applying makeup.
• Men and women with scars from surgery or trauma.
• Anyone wanting to save money from cosmetic purchases.
• Women who have difficulty applying make-up because of poor vision or physical limitations.
• Women wishing to change the shape and shade of their lips or the shape of their eyebrows.
• Men and women who have sparse or fair eyebrows or lashes.
• Women, who are allergic to cosmetics, have watery eyes, suffer from hay fever or whose skin tends to absorb or change the quality and color of their makeup.

In most cases discomfort is minimal. Procedures are performed with the most effective topical anesthetics available, providing nearly total numbing of the area involved.

Medical micro-pigmentation is the camouflaging of skin discolorations due to injury, medical surgery, aging of disease. Custom-blended color is skillfully matched to natural skin tones, and then deposited into the dermal layer of skin in order to camouflage the discoloration, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Yes. Through a very careful assessment and planning, permanent makeup mistakes can be corrected which includes color corrections and microblading color correction. Ruth Swissa is renowned for her skilled expertise in correcting mistakes and unpleasant aesthetics that may have been achieved elsewhere.

Permanent makeup is done with a machine and microblading is done with a handheld tool with a disposable blade attached.

We use precision instruments for our microblading services in Los Angeles county. Microblading uses a manual handheld applicator as opposed to an abrasive tattooing machine used in regular tattoos. With a smaller device, permanent makeup artists are able to get finer detail and fabricate very natural-looking features, such as simulating the appearance of hair in eyebrows. With the ability to draw hair strokes, the Microblading technique has been most desirable for those looking for a natural and accentuating look.

Microblading lasts approximately 1 year from initial procedure. If patient follows all pre and post care for the procedure and bleeding is kept to a minimum.

We offer 50% off service within 1 year of the initial service, no touch up included.

The initial appointment takes 1.5 hours and the touch-up takes 1 hour.

We apply a very strong prescription numbing 30 minutes prior to your appointment. If pain tolerance is an issue, we can provide Pronox (laughing gas) which is available if booked ahead of time, for a nominal fee.

Calabasas & Beverly Hills

Ruth Swissa, C.M.M.

You can head straight to your dinner date after the appointment! Your eyebrows will be a bit darker in color and will fade 40-60% after the initial procedure. After six days you can discontinue use of the ointment and return to your normal routine. You will be fully healed in four weeks.

For the first 24 hrs you must apply bacitracin morning and night (we provide ointment). Following this, A&D should be applied to area morning and night for five days (ointment provided). Please view our Aftercare page for more information.

After your complimentary touch-up, it is recommended you come yearly for what we call a re-touch.

$750 to $1150 depending on the techniques and location.

Please avoid Advil, Baby aspirin, IB Profen, Motrin, or any NSAIDS unless prescribed by your doctor seven days prior to your appointment. Fish oil and omega 3-6’s should not be taken seven days prior to your appointment. We also ask that you refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages 5-7 days prior to your appointment if possible. Please do not tint your eyebrows or shave them off before your appointment. We do not recommend applying retinol or Retin-A the night before your appointment.

It is not recommended to get microblading while pregnant or nursing.

Yes, we would recommend a consult with Ruth prior to you procedure. This would not be considered a touch-up. This would be a full appointment and include a complimentary touch-up.

Yes we will. Ruth loves challenging work. We recommend coming for a consult first with Ruth to see what the next steps should be. We offer PicoSure laser to remove eyebrows gone bad. We do this in-house and by appointment only.

Yes it does mimic real hair! Microblading is individual strokes placed on the eyebrow bone with a handheld tool and blade attached.

It is recommended to get botox after your procedure.

Ruth Swissa is a highly respected expert in the field of permanent makeup and paramedical tattooing, with over 23 years of experience. As a Certified Medical Micropigmentation (C.M.M.) specialist, she is known for seamlessly combining her medical expertise with a refined artistic approach to deliver natural, precise, and highly customized results.

She is an approved outside provider for Cedars-Sinai HMO patients and works on a referral basis, reflecting the level of trust placed in her by the medical community. Ruth is widely recognized and referred to by leading plastic surgeons both nationally and internationally, making her a trusted authority in both aesthetic and medical tattooing.

Ruth Swissa offers a comprehensive range of services designed for both cosmetic enhancement and medical restoration, including:

• • Eyebrows (Microblading, Powder Brows, Combination Brows)

• Eyeliner Enhancement

• Lip Blushing

• Areola Pigmentation & 3D Areola Restoration

• Scar Camouflage

• Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)

• Beauty Mark Refinement

Each treatment is fully customized, ensuring results that are natural, balanced, and tailored to each individual.

The longevity of permanent makeup varies based on skin type, lifestyle, and the specific service performed.

In general, lip blush and eyeliner tend to last the longest. Because permanent makeup is a semi-permanent procedure, gradual fading over time is expected and preferred, allowing for adjustments as your features evolve.

Results can last anywhere from 1 to 12+ years, with periodic touch-ups recommended.

Permanent makeup is typically completed over two sessions:

• • Initial session to create the foundation

• Complimentary touch-up (4–8 weeks later) to refine and perfect the result

Some patients may require additional sessions depending on skin response and desired outcome.

Most patients find the procedure to be very comfortable.

We use a medical-grade topical numbing agent, which is highly effective—approximately 99.9% of patients tolerate the procedure well.

For additional comfort, we offer:

• Dental block (administered by a medical professional)

• Pronox (laughing gas)

We continuously reapply numbing throughout the procedure to ensure you remain comfortable and at ease.

Aftercare is essential for proper healing and pigment retention.

For most services (brows, eyeliner, areola):

• Two ointments are provided (first 24 hours and following 5 days)

• • Keep the area dry for 7 days

• Avoid makeup, sun exposure, and heat

For areola pigmentation, additional airflow is recommended to support healing.

Lip blush requires more intensive care:

• Ointment for 24 hours, followed by Aquaphor for 2 weeks

• • Drink through a straw for 7 days

• Avoid highly pigmented foods and beverages (especially within the first 24 hours)

Healing timeline:

• Initial color appears more vibrant
• Fades significantly
• Returns around weeks 3–4 as a soft, natural tint

Pricing varies depending on the specific service being performed.

All treatments typically include:

• Initial session

• Complimentary touch-up

For a personalized estimate, we recommend contacting our office. Our team will provide a general price range and guide you through the next steps.

Scar camouflage is an advanced, non-invasive procedure that uses custom-blended pigments to match your natural skin tone and reduce the appearance of scars.

This technique allows the scar to blend more seamlessly with the surrounding skin, improving overall tone and creating a more uniform appearance.

All scar camouflage procedures are performed exclusively by Ruth Swissa.

Her expertise ensures a high level of precision, safety, and natural-looking results for every patient.

Ideal candidates typically have scars that are:

• Flat

• Lighter than the surrounding skin

Consultations, either in-person or remote, allow for a proper assessment and guidance on next steps.

Yes. Many scars can be improved with preparatory treatments such as laser or microneedling to optimize results.

In some cases, these treatments alone significantly improve the appearance of the scar, and camouflage may no longer be necessary.

Results vary depending on skin type, lifestyle, and pigment retention.

Typically, results last between 1 to 5+ years, with gradual fading over time.

The number of sessions varies:

• Some patients require one session

• Others may need multiple sessions (5 or more)

Treatment is determined based on individual skin response.

Pricing depends on the size and complexity of the scar.

• Submit photos and measurements for a general estimate
• An in-person consultation provides exact pricing

Pigment will gradually fade over time, which is intentional.

In rare cases where pigment remains, it can be adjusted or removed if needed.

Aftercare includes:

• Two creams (first 24 hours and following 5 days)

• Keeping the area clean, dry, and exposed to air

• Avoiding sun exposure, heat, and strenuous activity

• No swimming for 2 weeks

Healing timeline:

• 7 days initial aftercare

• 4–6 weeks for full pigment development