Permanent Makeup Removal: Know Your Options

You must have read numerous articles on the technology and creativity behind permanent makeup. Micropigmentation, microblading, cosmetic tattoos, semi-permanent cosmetics, and dermal pigmentation—there are many names given to the art of applying long-lasting makeup with the needles than deposit pigments on the epidermal layer of the skin.

Indeed, people can instantly fall into the pit of regrets when the beauty goes awry. While the trend has gained popularity with each passing day, some customers are not exactly satisfied with the results. There could be numerous reasons for going back on a decision that must have cost them time, money, and effort.  Even though the makeup is not exactly permanent, it does take time to fade out completely. For the people who can’t stand their makeup for that long, removal is the only way to go.

The bad part about permanent makeup removal treatments is that they are expensive and difficult. However, the good part is that since the pigments are deposited on the upper layer of the skin only, the treatments do remove the unwanted makeup, some more effectively than others.

Reasons for Permanent Makeup Removal

The target audience for the permanent makeup industry is the people interested in accentuating their facial features or saving time from their daily makeup routine. Being ever ready without having to retouch or redo makeup can be a big blessing.

In their pursuit of the best results in the cheapest rates, a lot of customers fall victims to the untrained makeup artists. It is always recommended to be extra careful when a makeup artist offers you a rate or deal that seems too less than the market rates. Unskilled hands can ruin naturally beautiful features and give a person nothing short of a Halloween look.

Another factor why people look for removal options is their desire to remain relevant and follow the latest beauty trends. This is no news that fashion and beauty trends can change overnight. Hence, it is best to go for evergreen looks that can be modified with regular cosmetics to meet the fashion needs of the time.

Some clients look for corrective options rather than removal ones. These clients complain about not getting the results which they imagined or allergic reactions because the pigments didn’t suit their skin. The best way to prevent this is by adopting a precautionary approach rather than a corrective one. At Simply Beauty, we always perform a patch test to save our clients from these issues.

Permanent Makeup Removal Options

Permanent makeup removal is quite similar to how regular tattoos are removes. But, the sensitive nature of the treated areas can make these procedures more demanding and critical.

1.     Topical Exfoliation

People who can tolerate slow and gradual removal can adopt the topical method of makeup removal which involves using certain lotions and creams on a daily basis. The tattoo removal creams and lotions contain bleaching agents or chemicals that can make the outer layer of your skin peel off. Even though this method may not be entirely successful in removing the tattoo, it may lighten or make it inconspicuous. These creams can be used before getting a laser treatment done.

The tattoo ink fades more quickly with gentle exfoliation. You can see results by doing it twice a day for a couple of months. Fine sea salt in a good exfoliating agent. This is the cheapest option in the market, costing $5 for an area of 10cm by 10cm. You should consider this method if the treatment is not older than 6 months and if your doctor approves of it as the chemicals have harmful side-effects.

2.     Salt-Saline Treatment

This treatment is often performed by trained permanent makeup artists to lighten the tattoos. The area with the unwanted cosmetic tattoo is deposited with a salt-saline solution. The concentrated solution makes the ink or pigments bleed out of the skin and get accumulated in scabs. As the skin underneath heals, the scabs flake off and the skin gets rid of the makeup either partially or completely.

This method is twice as effective as topical exfoliation and is safe for all skin types. However, you can expect a damaged epidermis, which may heal over time as a fresh layer of skin is produced. The salt-saline treatment costs around $100 per session.

3.     Dermabrasion

As the name suggests, it is a procedure in which an abrasive material is used to remove the outer layer of skin. This treatment is used for removing scars, acne marks, and permanent makeup. After the treatment, you’ll observe reduced marks and lines and smooth texture of the skin. The area to be treated is numbed by using a local anesthetic and the dermatologist will then use a circle-shaped abrasive brush to scrape off the skin containing the pigments. The healing process might take 2 to 3 weeks, during which you’ll be prohibited from going out in the Sun.

Your skin will appear red and inflamed for a few weeks but the results are undoubtedly more satisfactory than the methods listed above. The treatment may cost you $100 at least and $1000 at most.

4.     Laser Treatment

Laser treatment is the most popular solution for several beauty blunders. From hair removal to permanent makeup removal, laser technology comes to the rescue every time. The beam of light from a laser breaks the permanent pigments injected in the skin, which are then absorbed by the cells. The YAG laser is the most effective and most commonly used type of laser.

The downside of getting a laser treatment is the associated risks. It can turn the makeup black or damage the delicate facial features. Most permanent makeup pigments contain a chemical compound called titanium dioxide. When the laser reacts with the oxide, titanium breaks away and turns into its original dark grey form. This shade is then removed again and the process may take time and more sessions.

Each session of laser treatment will cost you somewhere between $200 to $500, depending on the type, the size, and the color of laser, and the skill level of the surgeon. The complete laser removal treatment with multiple sessions can be pretty expensive and can cost you more than $1000.

To save you from the pain and trouble of getting the permanent makeup removed, our trained professionals at Simply Beauty ensure that all your requirements are discussed and all details are shared with you beforehand. The patch test is conducted during the consultation meeting, which provides great clarification about what to expect during and after the procedure.