Laser Tattoo Removal Guide

The removal of permanent makeup, sometimes referred to cosmetic tattoo makeup, offers unique challenges over the removal of traditional tattoos elsewhere on the body. One reason for this is the location of permanent makeup, which centers around the face, and more specifically, the eyes, eyebrows, and lips of a person. This means there is little room for error when removing permanent makeup. It also means that there could be considerable discomfort or stress experienced during the removal process, as these areas are very sensitive to pain.

There are a few different techniques that are used to remove permanent makeup, including dermabrasion (which in this case, is more about chemical exfoliation than exfoliating the physical surface of the skin), rejuvi cream, and laser tattoo removal.

Of these three methods, laser removal is by far the most popular and common removal method employed, followed by rejuvi, which is somewhat newer and less known, and then dermabrasion, which is an older method that many shy away from these days, as it’s prone to scarring, few something want to risk for their face.

The biggest factor involved in permanent makeup removal relates to the color of the pigments used in the permanent makeup. Some colors, such as green, blue and black, will typically respond well to laser removal techniques. However, other colors might offer unique challenges for removal. It is also possible that certain inks or pigmented cells will not respond well and cannot permanently be removed, even with repeated laser treatments. In these cases, the permanent makeup may become permanently faded but still present. Depending on how the ink ends up fading, this can cause problems with discoloration that cannot be removed.

The procedure itself is painful. To alleviate the discomfort of laser removal, doctors will give the patient a numbing agent or local anesthetic before the procedure begins. Afterwards though, the patient must deal with pain and discomfort during recovery for the next few days. During this time, the areas of the face treated may be swollen, bruised, or red. For this reason, it’s imperative to schedule some recovery time following the permanent makeup laser removal sessions.

For those underground permanent makeup tattoo removal, it’s normal for the removal process to take more than one treatment. In most cases, people go in for 3-5 treatments before the work is completed.

For these reasons, the decision to get permanent make up on the lips or eyes is something that should not be taken lightly, as the removal of permanent makeup is challenging, expensive, and painful.