If you are unhappy with the results of your recent eyebrow tattoo or have had your eyebrow tattoo done when styles were different, or if the color ended up wrong or your technician or aesthetician or surgeon made a nasty blunder, or for whatever reason you are unhappy with your tattooed brow, there is hope to return to your natural brows.
Simply put, eyebrow tattoo removal is done in laser clinics that specialize in removing facial tattoos.
What’s involved in laser Tattoo Removal and how do I get started?
First, the clinic should run tests on what kind of pigment or ink was used before they even begin any kind of treatment. They spend a great deal of time (at least an hour or more), at the initial consultation determining how to best correct the situation and if you are even a candidate for the procedure or not. Laser tattoo removal is not for everyone.
The factors they take into consideration are your health history and the tattoo itself. It is evaluated and determined weather it is removable or not. It is not possible to do this evaluation by telephone or online. It must be done in person. You must also be at least 18 years of age, which I find a little strange because often I have read about girls who have their brows tattooed at age 15 or 16 and are not happy because they are too dark for their complexion at such a young age. However, you may not have them removed until you are 18. The fee for the initial consultation varies from clinic to clinic, but is not a free service because each case must be evaluated individually by a specialist.
So the price is usually about $50 and goes toward the cost of the removal treatment should you proceed. If you do not have the laser tattoo removal surgery the consultation fee is usually not refunded.
According to some patients who have had laser tattoo removal, some say all the ink or pigment was removed while others say the surgery only took away about 80% and the rest faded faster than normal over a period of time. If your eyebrow tattoo was of black ink it is the easiest to remove.
How does laser surgery remove the tattoo?
Laser surgery for removing eyebrow tattoos has come a long way from the days of dermabrasion, salibrasion and C02 lasers that often left scares or noticeably lightened the skin where the tattoos had previously been. Modern clinics will probably use Q-switched lasers, a laser procedure in which a beam of light is applied to the skin and absorbs natural melanin and tattoo pigments. Each treatment lasts about 30 minutes.
It is claimed that the chances of scarring is less then 5% using this laser tattoo removal system and even better if you carefully the doctor’s follow-up care instructions which will include things like how to keep the area clean and dry and out of the sun. The area where the tattoo has been removed should not be scrubbed and you should be provided with a kit, ointment and bandages, to take home and care for yourself.
Tattoo Removal Cost
There are many different prices but the range is from $250 to $900 per laser treatment. Remember that it may require several treatments (up to 10) to successfully remove a tattoo. Some clinics offer discounts if you buy packages of treatments in groups of half a dozen or more.
Will it hurt?
Yes, a little, somewhat like the snapping of a rubber band, but you will receive a topical anesthetic to numb the region. Most clinics promise to make you comfortable and give you as little pain as possible; some say you will feel nothing at all.
Side Effects?
There are normal side effects after a tattoo laser removal surgery such as blistering and crusting. Redness and crusting is normal for a week to two weeks after the treatments. That is why there is a long interval between treatments.
How can I get in touch with you? I would like to have my eyebrow tattoo removed! Could you please help?
Someone told me that if I get laser surgery to remove my eyebrow tattoo I will loose my eyebrow hair, is that true? If not why is this idea going around?
Dear Tina,
Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, I do not do eyebrow tattoo removal. This must be done in a specialized laser eyebrow removal clinic. You can find a list of clinics in your area sometimes under plastic surgeons or cosmetic surgery clinics. And regarding the comment about eyebrow hair loss from eyebrow tattoo removal, here is what Ronald Shelton, MD, a Manhattan Dermatologic surgeon has to say about this: “It is not a definite possibility, but; yes you can lose eyebrow hair with some lasers when permanent makeup or tattoo removal is done.” And Theodore Katz, MD, a Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon says something similar, “Lasers work because the pigment in the skin absorbs the laser light and generates heat. If your eyebrows are dark they also will absorb the laser energy if the tattoo happens to be over them and your will risk loss of the eyebrow hair. It is possible to transplant single hairs to restore eyebrows.”
The best advice I have for you is to go to a laser clinic and speak to the doctor.
Hope this helps.
Nena
Nena,
Thank you for this site and answering the questions above. I have another question for you. I just got my eyebrows tattooed a few hours ago and HATE the results. They are too dark and too thick. From what I understand (after reading comments on numerous sites) they will fade a bit, but how much is anyone’s guess. Do you know how long I have to wait until I can get the laser surgery? I think I just want part of them removed but depending on little they fade, I may need the laser to fade them as well. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Nena,
Thank you for this site and your comments. I just had my eyebrows tattooed and from what I understand, they will fade and change colors. They are medium brown now, but they could turn to orange or pink. They are Softap brand and contain iron dioxide and possibly titanium dioxide. From what I understand this could make them turn black if a laser is used on them. I also think I maybe allergic to them, as I have been having a burning sensation under my skin (above them) 48 hours after they were put in. At this point, I just want them gone. What are my options besides laser? Are you familiar with rejuvi (injecting glycolic acid into them)?
Thank you.
Dear Tina,
Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, I do not do eyebrow tattoo removal. This must be done in a specialized laser eyebrow removal clinic. You can find a list of clinics in your area sometimes under plastic surgeons or cosmetic surgery clinics. And regarding the comment about eyebrow hair loss from eyebrow tattoo removal, here is what Ronald Shelton, MD, a Manhattan Dermatologic surgeon has to say about this: “It is not a definite possibility, but; yes you can lose eyebrow hair with some lasers when permanent makeup or tattoo removal is done.” And Theodore Katz, MD, a Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon says something similar, “Lasers work because the pigment in the skin absorbs the laser light and generates heat. If your eyebrows are dark they also will absorb the laser energy if the tattoo happens to be over them and your will risk loss of the eyebrow hair. It is possible to transplant single hairs to restore eyebrows.”
The best advice I have for you is to go to a laser clinic and speak to the doctor.
Hope this helps.
Nena
Tina, laser eyebrow removal should not cause your eyebrow hair to fall out. However, it may leave very noticeable scars. I have done many permanent makeup removal procedures and my preferred technique is using saline paste. It is safer than the laser and just as effective. However, my advice to clients seeking permanent eyebrow removal is – don’t! In most cases it is much cheaper, quicker and safer to correct whatever it is that you do not like about your present permanent makeup. It usually is much more attractive as well. You can find a lot of information on permanent makeup correction on my website at http://www.ChicagoPermanentCosmetics.com
Is there any possibility that the colour of the removal part becomes darker?
If we want to remove beginning part of the eyebrow and embroider (tattoo) the rest part of the same eyebrow, can these two procedures being conducted at the same time? If so, what will be the right procedure?
Dear Readers:
For everyone who is considering getting eyebrow tattoo removal or wishes to reverse the effects of a facial micropigmentation procedure, I do not recommend doing it at home or trying creams or formulas that are DIY. Each pigment that has been used can react differently and will therefore require a professional analysis PRIOR to any removal treatments. Please consult a specialist in your region regarding the most up-to-date laser technology. Why? Because the removal process is no longer about burning the tattoo off the skin but about a process of breaking down the particles of the pigment (which the body views as foreign) so that the body itself will, over a period of time, be able to flush them out of your system. It’s a process to aid the body in CLEANSING the foreign elements and not about an abrasive, chemical or laser burning process. However, with the help of the latest Q-switched laser technology, is a genuine means to eliminate the pigment in a gradual process. It can take months. The best clinics, with expert technicians, and the top equipment are able to do a variety of things, including lightened a tattooed area more in some places that in others. This is good, for example, if you like a portion of the eyebrow but not all of it. Afterward, an expert cosmetic tattooing technician may be able to use micropigmentation to correct the areas that are lighter and thereby give you the shape or color you desire. Please look for further information online by using the term Q-switched laser tattoo removal/clinics and make an appointment and go in person. Apparently the procedures cost about $250 each, and several sessions may be required depending on what type of pigment has been used initially. Likely you will need anywhere from 5 to 10 sessions to lighten or eliminate the color sufficiently to be able to decide upon a corrective tattoo procedure afterward. I understand that all this may be out of reach for some patients who are currently unhappy with their tattoo eyebrows or other cosmetic tattoos, but I strongly recommend not succumbing to desperation and trying to remove the pigment on your own with creams or potions offered online.
Nena