Frequently Asked Questions
Education-first answers about DCPC, cosmetic brow tattoo services, maintenance, and booking.
GENERAL
What is DCPC?
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.
Why David Chum vs. other PMU artists?
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.
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.
My clients collaborate with me through the entire process. Personalized pre-care, aftercare, and follow-up are something many people who have received PMU elsewhere find surprising. I am transparent. I do not make empty promises. There is always an informed strategy.
Your face card is my business card. How you prepare before, how you take care of the work after, and how I read your body against my methods all determine the result.
What is cosmetic tattoo (PMU)?
Cosmetic tattoo, also called permanent makeup or micropigmentation, is the controlled implantation of pigment into the upper layers of skin to enhance features like brows, lips, and lash line.
Is it semi-permanent?
Yes and no. During the microblading boom in the 2010s, the majority of the industry sold a false narrative: that it just goes away. They failed to explain what it would look like on the way there.
This is a tattoo — pigment is implanted into living tissue. It is going to fade, shift in color, and blur.
Maintenance meets the work where it is and keeps the result aligned with the client's face.
Does it hurt?
A topical anesthetic is applied before tattooing, and 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.
PMU vs. regular tattoo:
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.
What's the goal of PMU?
PMU is designed to enhance, elevate, and in some cases restore — depending on the client. The goal is not to look made up. It is to look like you, just more refined and more balanced.
Is it safe?
It is safe when done in a regulated, controlled environment with proper infection control — and when you are a medically appropriate candidate. DCPC is Board of Health licensed and OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens certified.
CONSULTATIONS & SERVICES
What does DCPC specialize in?
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.
What happens during a consultation?
We start with your current brows and your goal, assess skin and medical history, then design structure, balance, proportion, pattern plan, density placement, and color plan. Consultations are complimentary through 12/31/2026.
What is The Signature?
The Signature is the complete eyebrow service. It includes the first session plus the first touch-up within the required 4–6 week timeframe. Technique is selected based on skin and goals.
What techniques are available?
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. Ombre is machine shading.
How is the shape determined?
The shape is designed according to bone structure, eye position, and muscle movement. I use techniques developed by Max Factor during the Golden Era of Hollywood. The initial shape we land on is the one genetics gave you. We can adjust it to create the illusion of a more symmetrical face, to compensate for any dominant muscle pull, and whatever you want. There's ways to make your eyes open up, to lift the overall appearance of your face, etc.
How is the color determined?
Color is based on undertone, skin type, and any existing pigment. DCPC primarily uses mineral-based/inorganic and inorganic-leaning hybrid pigments.
Does DCPC offer lip blushing, eyeliner, or paramedical tattooing?
Not currently. DCPC does not offer those services publicly at this time.
ELIGIBILITY
Am I eligible for cosmetic tattooing?
Cosmetic tattooing is not suitable for everyone. Some situations require medical clearance; others require deferral or timing adjustment. Under no circumstances will DCPC tattoo someone under 18 years old.
When is medical clearance required?
Medical clearance may be required for immune-compromised conditions, chemotherapy or radiation, bleeding disorders, uncontrolled diabetes, clotting issues, and certain prescription blood thinners.
When should I defer?
Defer if pregnant or nursing, on Accutane/isotretinoin within 12 months, with active irritation/infection in the brow zone, or with a recent sunburn/tan.
What should I avoid before my appointment?
Avoid alcohol at least 48 hours before, caffeine and stimulants 6–8 hours before, and stop retinol/acids/exfoliants near brows at least 7 days prior. Ibuprofen and blood thinners should also be avoided in the lead-up to your appointment, when medically safe and permitted by your physician.
Pre-care is not one-size-fits-all. Any changes to your standard pre-care will be based on your current medical history and what is happening on your face.
AFTERCARE & HEALING
What does immediate healing look like?
Immediately after, brows look darker and bolder because pigment is fresh and skin is inflamed.
Day 4–10 involves flaking and shedding.
Day 11–60, pigment gradually blooms as skin cycles.
When is the second session?
A second session, included with The Signature, is performed 4–6 weeks after the first when skin has healed and next steps can be accurately read.
I've been seeing you for years now. Why is my aftercare different?
Aftercare and pre-care are designed to harmonize with where you are biologically and to ensure optimal results. Skin changes. Healing changes. What worked last cycle may not be what works this cycle. The protocol is calibrated each time to the body in front of me — not the body that was there last year.
Why do you require photos and videos during healing?
Photos and videos during healing are strongly recommended because they serve as important data, which will inform your next session — whether that is in 6 weeks or 6 months.
MAINTENANCE
What is a touch-up?
Touch-ups are maintenance appointments designed to restore saturation, color, and definition.
Why is the first touch-up included?
The first touch-up is industry standard because the first session is intentionally conservative to protect the face and design.
What happens if I stop getting touch-ups?
If you stop getting touch-ups, pigment continues to fade, lose definition, and shift. The color of the work may fade warmer or cooler depending on biology, pigment chemistry, and lifestyle choices.
Is pigment fading part of maintenance?
Pigment fading can be part of maintenance when needed to create negative space so future touch-ups remain clean.
How often should I come in?
Results vary, but DCPC consistently sees many clients benefit from refinement or partial rebuild after 9–12 months.