FAQs

Most people describe microblading as uncomfortable rather than painful. You will feel the work being done and sensitivity varies from person to person, but the appointment is paced carefully and comfort is checked throughout.

If pain or sensitivity is the thing making you hesitate, book a consultation or WhatsApp SHY before committing to treatment and Sabrina can talk you through what the appointment feels like in more detail.

Microblading fades gradually rather than disappearing on a fixed date. Skin type, sun exposure, skincare, pigment choice and how your skin holds colour all affect how quickly it softens.

SHY offers booster appointments for Sabrina’s existing clients when the work has faded enough to benefit from refreshing. If you are unsure whether yours is ready, send a clear photograph by WhatsApp before booking a booster.

Both create individual hairstrokes rather than a block of brow colour. Nanoblading uses an especially fine manual blade, so the strokes can be more delicate; microblading is the broader term for the manual hairstroke technique.

The finer option is not automatically the better option for every skin or brow. If you are choosing between the two, book a consultation or send SHY photographs of your brows and Sabrina can guide you towards the technique that makes sense.

Suitability depends on the treatment, your skin, medical history and any existing pigment. Active skin infection or inflammation in the area, certain medications or conditions that affect healing, and some previous SPMU can mean treatment should be delayed, adapted or avoided.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, take prescription medication, scar unusually or already have pigment in the area, contact SHY before booking. Sabrina can tell you whether to book a consultation, send photographs or speak to your medical professional first.

SHY does not carry out semi-permanent make-up during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

If you are planning treatment around pregnancy or breastfeeding, contact SHY and Sabrina can advise on when to book once the timing is appropriate.

The colour will look stronger and more defined immediately after treatment, then soften as the skin heals. Flaking or light scabbing can happen and the colour can briefly look patchy or much lighter before it settles again.

Do not pick, scratch or try to speed the process up. Follow the aftercare Sabrina sends you and allow the area to heal fully before judging the result.

SPMU is planned as a two-stage process. The refinement appointment is where Sabrina sees how your skin has healed and adjusts colour, shape or density where needed.

It is booked around 6–8 weeks after the initial treatment and is charged separately at £150.

A history of cold sores is important to mention before lip blush because tattooing the lip area can trigger a recurrence in some people. It does not necessarily rule the treatment out, but it changes the preparation conversation.

Tell Sabrina when you book and speak to your pharmacist or GP about whether antiviral medication is appropriate for you. If you have an active cold sore, contact SHY to rearrange rather than coming in for treatment.

There is no reliable one-session answer. How quickly pigment lightens depends on its colour, depth, saturation, age and how your skin responds.

Sabrina will assess the existing work and talk you through what is realistic. If laser is the better route for the pigment you have, she will say so rather than keep treating with saline.

Yes. Koko offers BIAB at SHY as part of the Gel / BIAB Set, as well as within the full SHY Manicure. BIAB adds more structure over the natural nail than a standard gel colour and can be useful when you want a little more support.

If you are not sure whether gel, BIAB or Polygel is the right route for your nails, book the Gel / BIAB appointment and Koko can look at your nails before deciding what to use.

Gel and BIAB are not supposed to damage the natural nail when the product is suitable, preparation is careful and removal is done correctly. Most avoidable damage comes from over-filing, picking or peeling product away, or repeatedly removing it too aggressively.

If your nails feel thin, sore or compromised, show Koko before a new set is applied. You can book removal or a manicure instead, or WhatsApp SHY a photo first if you are unsure what appointment you need.

TPO — trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide — is a photoinitiator that has been used in some UV-cured nail products. In Great Britain it was added to the list of substances prohibited in cosmetic products from 15 August 2026.

There is a transitional period for existing stock: cosmetic products containing TPO that were placed on the market before 15 August 2026 can continue to be made available until the end of 14 February 2027. That does not mean every gel product contains TPO. If you want to know which system is being used for your appointment, ask SHY and we can check the current product with Koko.

If you have product on already, make sure the correct removal time is included in your booking. Removal of a previous SHY gel or BIAB set is included when you are having a fresh set reapplied.

If the product was applied elsewhere, is Polygel, or you only want removal without a new set, book the relevant removal appointment as well so Koko has enough time.

Choose by how much your feet need doing. Speedy is nail and cuticle maintenance without hard-skin work. The SHY Pedicure is the everyday full option with soak, exfoliation and Elim hard-skin treatment where needed.

The Runners’ Pedicure gives more attention to hard skin, friction points and nail shape for feet that do a lot of miles. Signature is the longest version and adds a nourishing mask and extended foot massage.

A cosmetic pedicure is not a substitute for medical foot care. Active infection, open wounds, unexplained swelling, severe pain or a nail problem that may need diagnosis should be assessed appropriately before a salon treatment.

If you have diabetes, reduced sensation or circulation concerns, or you are not sure whether what you have is cosmetic or medical, contact SHY before booking. We can tell you whether Koko’s menu is appropriate or whether a podiatry or medical appointment would make more sense.

Expect visible redness and sensitivity after microneedling, with the skin often feeling warm or tight at first. How long that lasts varies with treatment intensity and your skin, and stronger add-ons can change the aftercare.

Avoid booking immediately before an important event if you have never had the treatment before. Cleo’s Fresha page holds the current appointment details, and you can contact Cleo through her booking route if you want to check timing around a particular date.

Sensation varies from person to person. Microneedling is usually described as prickly, scratchy or warm rather than the same feeling as an injection, and bony areas can feel more noticeable.

Cleo will explain the comfort measures used in her protocol and can adjust the treatment if an area feels too intense. If pain is the main thing putting you off, ask before booking rather than trying to guess from videos online.

There is no single number for everyone. Some people book one treatment, while texture or scarring concerns are often approached as a course because the skin changes gradually rather than overnight.

Cleo will advise on spacing and whether a course makes sense after seeing your skin. Results continue to develop over the following weeks and months as the skin repairs.

As a general rule, leave make-up off for at least the first 24 hours after microneedling unless Cleo gives you a longer window for the treatment you had. The skin is more reactive immediately afterwards and aftercare matters.

Cleo will also tell you when to restart your usual skincare, exercise and active products. Follow her instructions for your appointment rather than applying your normal routine automatically.

Active skin infection, very inflamed or painful breakouts, recent sunburn or tanning, poor wound healing, a history of raised scarring and some medicines or medical conditions can change whether microneedling is appropriate or when it should be done.

Tell Cleo about prescription skincare, recent procedures, pregnancy, medicines and any significant skin or health history before treatment. She can then advise whether to go ahead, adapt the plan or wait.

Pregnancy does not make every facial unsuitable, but it can change which ingredients, devices, positions and advanced treatments are appropriate.

Tell the practitioner whose treatment you are considering how many weeks pregnant you are before booking. The individual treatment page takes you to the correct diary, and SHY can help if you are not sure where to start.

Yes. New CO2 laser clients begin with a complimentary consultation and patch test with Mary before treatment is booked.

Mary uses that appointment to assess the area, check suitability and explain preparation, expected downtime and aftercare so you can decide with the full picture rather than booking blind.

Yes. CO2 laser has visible downtime and it needs to be planned around work, travel and events rather than treated as a quick lunchtime appointment.

Recovery is commonly around 5–10 days, although the exact pattern depends on the treatment area and intensity. Mary will explain what is realistic for you at the consultation and give you the aftercare before treatment is booked.

No. You do not need to choose between anti-wrinkle treatment and the different skin-booster options on your own.

Book Holly’s complimentary consultation and she can look at what you want to address, explain the relevant options and tell you what is and is not appropriate before treatment is planned.

Yes. Holly’s consultation is complimentary and is the easiest place to start if you know what you want to discuss but not which injectable treatment makes sense.

There is no pressure to have treatment at that appointment. It is time to go through your concerns, suitability and the options that are relevant before anything is booked.

No. Injectable treatments at SHY are not offered during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

If you are unsure whether another treatment in Face + Skin would be suitable, contact SHY before booking and we can point you towards the right practitioner.

Your first appointment is longer because Aye takes time to understand what has brought you in, your health history and the wider patterns around it before treatment begins.

She then chooses acupuncture points for that appointment rather than following a fixed sequence. Follow-up visits are shorter and build from what has changed since the last treatment.

Acupuncture can be used during pregnancy, but pregnancy changes how an appointment is planned and which points are appropriate. Aye needs to know how many weeks pregnant you are and anything relevant about the pregnancy before treatment.

Mention pregnancy when you book, or contact SHY before choosing an appointment if you would like Aye to advise whether Five Elements or another route is the right place to start.

Yes. Amy-Rose starts each massage with a short consultation, so you can tell her what feels tight, tired or overworked and what you would rather leave alone.

Pressure, pace and focus can all be adjusted on the day rather than following one fixed routine.

Pregnancy changes positioning, pressure and which techniques or essential oils are appropriate, so it should never be treated as an ordinary massage booking without discussion first.

Contact SHY before booking with Amy-Rose and tell us how many weeks pregnant you are and whether there are any pregnancy complications or medical advice we should know about. We can then confirm whether an appointment is suitable and which treatment to choose.

Yes. Reiki can be booked as its own one-hour appointment and does not need to include massage.

If you want hands-on bodywork as well, choose Reiki Massage or Signature Aroma Reiki instead. Amy-Rose can also explain the difference when you arrive if you are unsure.

Yes. For a Reiki-only appointment you remain fully clothed throughout.

Amy-Rose works with light touch or with her hands held just above the body, and may use sound bowls where they suit the session.

Yes. Buccal massage includes intra-oral work with gloved hands as well as external massage across the face, jaw and neck.

It is focused work rather than a standard facial step, so if the inside-the-mouth element is not for you, choose one of Elise’s other lymphatic facial treatments instead.

Yes. A patch test is required at least 48 hours before tinting, brow lamination or lash lifting.

Once passed, your SHY patch test is valid for six months. Please arrange a new one when it expires.

For the first 48 hours, keep the treated area away from water, steam and oil-based products. Try not to rub the lashes or brows while the treatment is settling.

After that, you can return to your normal routine. Sabrina will explain anything specific to your appointment before you leave.

A lash lift usually softens gradually as your natural lashes move through their growth cycle rather than stopping on a fixed date. Many people find the effect lasts around six to eight weeks, but this varies.

How quickly your lashes grow and how you care for them afterwards both affect the result. Sabrina will tell you when it makes sense to rebook rather than lifting the lashes too frequently.

Brow lamination fades out as the brow hairs grow and the set gradually relaxes. The effect commonly lasts several weeks and can be around six to eight weeks for many people, although hair growth and aftercare vary.

Sabrina will advise when to rebook. Repeating the service too soon is not the aim; the natural brow hair needs to stay in a healthy condition.

For The Modern Blow, arrive with freshly washed, towel-dried hair. For The Wave, clean hair that is roughly 60% dry works best.

Bring reference images if you have a finish in mind. If your hair is especially long or thick, contact SHY before an updo so Sabrina can check whether extra time is needed.

Book The Signature Look if you want Sabrina to do your make-up for you for an event, photographs or simply because you want it done.

Book the 1:1 Make-Up Lesson if you want to understand your own routine, go through the products you already have and practise techniques you can repeat yourself afterwards.

Email contact@studioshy.co.uk with your wedding date, location and what you are looking for help with.

Bridal hair and make-up can take place at SHY in Lewes or on location, with wider travel arranged case by case. Sabrina will confirm availability and the practical details before anything is booked.

Beth manages her own tattoo bookings. Email indigoforevertattoos@gmail.com with SHY-Lewes in the subject line and include an idea of what you would like, placement and approximate size if you know it.

Beth will reply with the next step, availability and a quote where possible. Her tattoo appointments are separate from SHY’s Phorest diary.

A hand-poked tattoo is built by placing each mark manually rather than using an electric tattoo machine. The method is slower and can create a very particular fine, tactile quality, although the finished look still depends on the artist, design and placement.

Beth works hand-poked and fine-line at SHY. If you have an idea and want to know whether it suits her way of working, email her with SHY-Lewes in the subject line and include the design, approximate size and placement.

Tattooing during pregnancy is generally avoided because it is an elective procedure involving broken skin and healing. Breastfeeding is a separate consideration and policies can vary.

Email Beth before booking if you are pregnant, recently post-natal or breastfeeding so she can confirm her current policy and timing for you rather than leaving it until appointment day.