When you are not happy with your permanent make-up, or perhaps it is still a shape or colour that was in trend for a while but no longer is, you can of course have it removed. Fortunately everything has become more affordable over the years. Laser treatment used to be extremely expensive. But what actually happens during laser treatment?
Removing permanent make-up with laser
When you are no longer happy with the permanent make-up, you can easily have it removed by means of a laser. It costs some time and money but ultimately you usually do achieve the result. Always have your permanent make-up removed by a specialised clinic.
The treatment is not experienced as completely painless. Energy pulses are applied into the skin with a laser. The energy therefore penetrates somewhat deeper into the skin to extract the ink from the skin.
Is laser treatment for permanent make-up painful?
Unfortunately the treatment is often experienced as painful. But do not despair! Because the amount that needs to be lasered for an eyebrow is of course fairly small. As a result a treatment does not last very long either. In this way laser treatment is also perfectly manageable.
Anaesthetic during laser treatment of permanent make-up
An anaesthetic is usually not used. This is also because the laser pulses penetrate the deeper skin layer, and an anaesthetic cream often only numbs the top layer of the skin. So there is not much point in applying an anaesthetic and in theory it takes longer than the treatment itself lasts. Anaesthetic often needs between 15 and 20 minutes to take effect, and the laser treatment will take perhaps 3 to 5 minutes per eyebrow.
Side effects of laser treatment of permanent make-up
Immediately after the treatment you will see that the skin turns white. After about half an hour you will see the pigment of the permanent make-up sitting there again as usual. This is a natural reaction of ink in the skin. After that the skin will feel slightly irritated and be red. This lasts about 24 hours. A slight burning sensation can also appear after about 3 to 7 days.
Between treatments you may not use a sunbed or sit in the sun. This is because a certain wound does form, and when you go in the sun the wound can become infected or pigment. It is also better not to eat spicy food immediately after the treatment, exercise, or sit in the sauna.
After 24 hours scabs will form on the treated area. This looks a little like the scabs you get when you have just had permanent make-up placed. Make sure you do not pull, scratch or pick at the scabs. Let this process take its course entirely.
As we always point out in our lessons once we have placed permanent make-up: the final result depends heavily on whether or not the client follows the aftercare. And the same applies to the aftercare after a permanent make-up removal treatment.
How many treatments do you need to remove permanent make-up?
On average between 10 and 20 days are needed to be able to see the result. The pigment in the skin is gradually shed through the natural reaction after laser treatment. This simply takes some time.
In addition the lasered area must be able to heal fully before a new treatment can be carried out. On average between 6 and 8 weeks must elapse between each treatment. Approximately 3 to 4 treatments are needed before you achieve the desired result at all.
Approximately 3 to 4 treatments are needed before you achieve the desired result at all.
In addition the lasered area must be able to heal fully before a new treatment can be carried out. On average between 6 and 8 weeks must elapse between each treatment. Otherwise the treated area cannot heal fully, and you are actually damaging more than you are healing.
What are the costs of laser treatment of permanent make-up?
Of course this differs at every clinic. We compared 10 different places that are certified in removing permanent make-up. On average the costs at those 10 clinics lie between €75 and €150 per treatment. This is a price based only on removing permanent make-up on the eyebrows.
And as explained earlier you therefore need between 3 and 4 treatments for eyebrows before you achieve the desired result. That then comes to an average of €450.
Some health insurers in the Netherlands reimburse laser treatment of permanent make-up in part. This is only possible with supplementary insurance. We advise you to first call your health insurer before you start a laser treatment.
Of course this differs at every clinic. And probably in every city too. We compared 10 different places that are certified in removing permanent make-up.
And as explained earlier you therefore need between 3 and 4 treatments for eyebrows before you achieve the desired result. That then comes to an average of 112.5 x 4 = €450
Removing permanent make-up with a saline solution
Is there a way that permanent make-up can be removed without the use of a laser device? Yes, there is! With the same needle as the needle used for pigmenting eyebrows you can apply a saline solution into the skin instead of pigment. Since pigmentation is placed in the top layer of the skin, a saline solution dissolves the pigment.
After the first treatment you already see a clear difference. Multiple treatments are also needed for this solution. The treatment is often not experienced as painful, but very mild. This is because the same device is used, and in the same skin layer.
The nice thing about this treatment is, besides the fact that it is virtually painless, that the permanent make-up only needs to be removed in part, since most clients also choose to have permanent make-up placed again but then with a new desired shape and result.
Removing permanent make-up without laser
Is there also a technique coming for removing permanent make-up without a laser being needed? We think so. A painless form and mild side effects after laser treatment would be nice. And just as you now have painless laser hair removal, that will certainly also come for the painless removal of permanent make-up. So far there is nothing groundbreaking besides the methods already mentioned.
By the way, did you know that IZZI Beauty also specialises in removing tattoos? You can also come to us for laser hair removal. So would you like to have your full body lasered, for example, or your moustache, eyebrows, ears or bikini line? We can do it all!
My name is Isabella Levels and, with years of experience in the industry, I love sharing my permanent make-up knowledge and techniques. My passion lies in accentuating natural beauty, and I hope to inspire others with tips and insights that can help both beginners and professionals in their careers!
Removing permanent make-up with saline solution
Is there a way that permanent make-up can be removed without the use of a laser device? Yes! There is! With the same needle as the needle used for pigmenting eyebrows you can apply a saline solution into the skin instead of pigment. Since pigmentation is placed in the top layer of the skin, a saline solution dissolves the pigment. The pigment in the skin layer is bleached. So you will notice that with a saline solution the treated area does not disappear completely.
After the first treatment you already see a clear difference. Again, multiple treatments are needed for this solution. So this too takes some time and energy. The treatment is often not experienced as painful, but very mild. This is because the same device is used, and in the same skin layer. So ultimately it is different from having your permanent make-up removed with a laser.
Are you looking for a certified clinic that could remove permanent make-up using the saline solution technique? Then take a look at our own treatment via this link Saline Solution Treatment
The nice thing about this treatment is, besides the fact that it is virtually painless, that the permanent make-up only needs to be removed in part, since most clients also choose to have permanent make-up placed again but then with a new desired shape and result. This is also possible with us!