AAM Client Consultation & Aftercare Instructions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During consultation, a client reports taking isotretinoin (Accutane) until two months ago. What is the most appropriate response?
- Apply extra numbing and proceed
- Postpone the procedure until the recommended waiting period (commonly 6-12 months) has passed and/or physician clearance is obtained (Correct answer)
- Proceed, since the medication has been stopped
- Proceed but use a lighter needle depth
Correct answer: Postpone the procedure until the recommended waiting period (commonly 6-12 months) has passed and/or physician clearance is obtained
Isotretinoin thins skin and impairs healing, so a waiting period after stopping is standard before micropigmentation.
Question 2: A client on prescribed anticoagulant therapy requests eyebrow micropigmentation. What should the technician do?
- Proceed with the procedure as normal
- Obtain written clearance from the prescribing physician before scheduling (Correct answer)
- Substitute aspirin for the anticoagulant
- Tell the client to stop the medication for 48 hours
Correct answer: Obtain written clearance from the prescribing physician before scheduling
Technicians must never advise stopping prescribed medication; physician clearance is required.
Question 3: Why should a technician ask about a history of cold sores before a lip procedure?
- Cold sores change the pigment color permanently
- Lip procedures can trigger a herpes simplex outbreak, so antiviral prophylaxis from a physician may be needed (Correct answer)
- It is only needed for insurance purposes
- Cold sores mean the client is allergic to pigment
Correct answer: Lip procedures can trigger a herpes simplex outbreak, so antiviral prophylaxis from a physician may be needed
Trauma to the lips can reactivate HSV, so clients with a history are referred for prophylactic antivirals.
Question 4: Which client condition is generally considered a contraindication requiring medical clearance for micropigmentation?
- Fair skin tone
- Uncontrolled diabetes (Correct answer)
- Oily skin type
- Natural brow hair loss from aging
Correct answer: Uncontrolled diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes impairs healing and raises infection risk, so medical clearance is required.
Question 5: A client brings a photo of a celebrity's brows that don't suit her facial structure. What is the best consultation approach?
- Explain facial-mapping principles and draw a pre-design adapted to her features for approval (Correct answer)
- Copy the photo exactly to satisfy the client
- Refuse the service entirely
- Tell her the photo is unrealistic and choose a shape yourself
Correct answer: Explain facial-mapping principles and draw a pre-design adapted to her features for approval
A drawn pre-draw based on the client's own anatomy, approved by the client, manages expectations and protects outcomes.
Question 6: Why is it important to ask about prior cosmetic tattooing during consultation?
- It only matters for billing
- Old pigment makes numbing ineffective
- Old pigment can affect color outcome and may require correction or removal first (Correct answer)
- Prior tattooing always prevents new work
Correct answer: Old pigment can affect color outcome and may require correction or removal first
Existing pigment, especially shifted warm or cool tones, alters final healed color and may need neutralization or removal.
Question 7: A pregnant client asks for lip blush. What is the industry-standard response?
- Postpone until after pregnancy and, typically, after breastfeeding (Correct answer)
- Proceed if she signs a waiver
- Proceed without anesthetic
- Proceed in the second trimester only
Correct answer: Postpone until after pregnancy and, typically, after breastfeeding
Pregnancy and nursing are standard contraindications due to infection risk and anesthetic/pigment exposure concerns.
