Not so long ago, a pale and freckle-free complexion was everything women desired. They did all they could to preserve or attain it, from hiding in the shadows to powdering themselves every five minutes.
Luckily for all of us loving tanned skin, those days are gone, and freckles not only stopped being seen as ‘imperfections’ but what’s more, became an object of desire for many freckle-free people. Thanks to semi-permanent makeup, you no longer have to wait for the summer to get these spots, or to apply them with a pencil and be afraid they will get smudged. You can now have them all year long, and the treatment is known as freckle tattoos.
In this guide we are answering freckle tattoo cost-related questions in order to cover everything about this new and emerging cosmetic procedure. Look for your answers in the section below!
One of the newest trends in the semi-permanent makeup world, freckle tattooing is done using a tattoo machine or a stick-and-poke method (a more popular alternative). During the treatment, makeup artist will deposit pigment under your skin in the form of small dots on your cheeks and nose, and wherever else you desire. The shape and size of the spots will vary in order to reflect the natural freckles as much as possible.
Unlike real tattoos which use permanent ink, these freckles will be made with a semi-permanent pigment which will fade in time, depending on your lifestyle and skin type. These cute sun-kissed dots usually last from one to three years, with most people opting for a touch-up after a year or so.
The very fact that you will have your cheeks and nose, and perhaps a forehead poked tells you that it isn’t a really comfortable experience. However, the aesthetician will apply a numbing cream to ease the pain. The treatment itself usually lasts from 30 minutes to one hour, so don’t worry, you’ll make it.
And after this little pain your gain will be these beautiful youthful dots scattered over your face which you can enjoy all year long.
Want to find out more about freckle tattooing? Follow the links:
Freckle Tattoos Before & After
Freckle Tattoos Videos
City and State |
Average Price |
Los Angeles, USA |
$300 |
London, UK |
$290 |
Montreal, Canada |
$250 |
Sidney, Australia |
$210 |
New York, USA |
$200 |
Vancouver, Canada |
$200 |
Madrid, Spain |
$150 |
The average price for freckle tattooing in the USA is around $200, with LA and Beverly Hills salons usually charging $300 due to the popularity of the treatment and the constant demand for it. New York City makeup artists usually charge around $200, whereas salons in Seattle and Chicago usually charge around $150.
A price range overview for this PMU treatment in the USA is given in the table below:
City and State | Average Price |
Los Angeles, California | $200 – $300 |
New York, NY | $200 |
Seattle, Washington | $150 – $200 |
Phoenix, Arizona | $150 – $200 |
Chicago, Illinois | $150 |
Customarily, two appointments are included in the price of freckle tattoos: a consultation during which you are informed about the procedure and the aftercare, and the second one which is the actual treatment.
When you come to your appointed treatment, the aesthetician will firstly map your face with the desired freckles using an eyeliner pencil, and afterwards, when you have both agreed that this is the look you wish, the artist will insert the pigment into your skin using a tiny needle. After this, you will be given detailed instructions about the aftercare and you will be sent home.
In some cases, an additional touch-up appointment is included in the price, most often three weeks after the treatment. However, note that this is not customary, and all additional touch-ups are mostly commonly additionally charged. Make sure you check this when you schedule your appointments.
Luckily, this is not a complex procedure, and in most cases, a touch-up is not needed at all, at least for a year or so.
Apart from the popularity of the treatment in your area and the experience of your chosen aesthetician, the price is also depended on the number of freckles you wish to tattoo. Therefore, the price will be different if you only wish a few scattered dots on your nose and cheeks, or your face covered with these youthful marks.
Photo by Azamat Zhanisov on Unsplash
Freckle tattoo cost will not be affected by your skin type or color, since there are numerous pigments which suit each and everyone.
However, if you suffer from overly oily skin or other issues that require some chemical peelings or masks, know that the freckles will fade faster due to this and you will have to do the touch-ups more often if you wish to preserve the pigment on your face.
Like with any procedure, the most important thing is to find a reliable makeup artist with a lot of experience and a style that suits you personally. Only after you have researched the artist and saw the before and after photos and made sure that you liked what you saw, you should continue by scheduling the appointment.
The best solution is always to go somewhere by recommendation, but if you are the first of your friends and family bold enough to do this, do your research thoroughly.
This is your face after all, and you don’t want any complications there, do you?
The answer to this is always that it depends on you. If you see this only as a passing fad you wish to try out and you are not sure if it will stick to you, then perhaps, it would be better to first try it with a pencil to see how much you like it.
If, however, you wish to have these cute dots all day long no matter the season and the weather, and you grew tired of the constant pencil-applying on your cheeks, then yes, this treatment does pay off.
If done properly, the freckle tattoos can stay up to three years on your face, so we would say that that’s pretty good, isn’t it?
Celebrating ‘imperfections’ has become a beauty trend that many adhere to, from the Duchess of Sussex, who inspired many to show or get their faux freckles, to models such as India Ruiterman who wrote: “All I want this season is a show that gives me freckles again”. So why not give it a go? They shape your face and give you a youthful and healthy look, what else can you ask for?
Only make sure to be extra careful when choosing an artist. Consider all aspects of the treatment and weigh out the benefits and the costs, and then make a decision you won’t regret.
Fresh news & updates from a PMU community in your inbox
FREE newsletter. 100% good stuff.
Get trends and latest stories, products reveals and expert advice on everything PMU related, and more!