Recommendations for Fixing Bad Permanent Makeup Eyebrows?

Question

I had my eyebrows tattooed today and I am not happy with the result. Can I have it removed and how long do I have to wait? Can I then re-tattoo over the area again?

William J. Hedden, MD · Answer

Using a Q-Switch laser, you can greatly fade and remove tattoos or permanently tattooed eyebrows. Depending on the color and depth of the tattoo, most patients have at least 8 treatments, with each one being 6 weeks apart.

Sach Mohan, MBBS · Answer

Dear Norma5216, 
I'm sorry to hear you are not happy with your new eyebrows. The good news is that there are Lasers that can remove the pigment. You will need to wait a minimum of 6-8 weeks for the skin to be fully healed. Book a consultation with a medical practitioner and they should be able to tell you approximately how many sessions you will need.
Wishing you all the best

Randy Wong, MD · Answer

The Q-switched YAG laser is ideal for removing unwanted tattos although it may take 3 to 6 sessions to get a satisfactory clearance. If the power is chosen well, there is very low risk of scarring. I will wait at least 2 months between sessions to allow the skin to recover before the next laser treatment. A word of caution regarding cosmetic makeup errors that have been covered up by subsequent tattoos of different colors. The laser may bring out new funny colors that may be hard to camoflage. Finally, the Q-switched YAG does not have satisfactory results with sky blue or green pigmented tattoos.

Steven H. Williams, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question -
Laser, dermabrasion or excision can help to fix permanent makeup that you don't like.  Be sure to give the tattooing adequate time to heal (probably about 3 months) and find a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist to help.
Good luck!

Jennifer Mundt, NMD · Answer

Hello, You can remove cosmetic eyebrow ink depending on the color. Black ink is always the easiest to remove as even in cosmetic ink which can use different ingredients. So, if you have a light brown color it may oxidize and turn darker gray which is usually irreversible. If your color is black with red/orange/yellow mixed in with it then we need to remove the black first, then red second. An experienced tattoo removal physician should be able to recognize whether or not your ink has the oxidizable colors. Also, doing a test spot is a great way to start so we know whether or not to keep going.

M. Bradley Calobrace, MD, FACS · Answer

Removing permanent makeup can be very difficult and isn’t always as easy as you might think. It truly depends on what type of ink was used. Some of the inks used in permanent makeup can oxidize during laser tattoo removal turning the ink black. If the ink oxidizes it will be more difficult to remove requiring more treatments. Before starting this journey be sure to educate yourself, visit an office that understand this type of tattoo removal and have a complete consult. You will need to wait at least 2-3 months before starting tattoo removal, on a new tattoo, some offices may require more time. It may also take several treatments before you notice significant change/lightening of the tattoo.

Michael H. Gold, MD · Answer

Most board-certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons would recommend waiting 6-8 weeks before having your eyebrow tattoo lasered with one of the tattoo lasers out there. In addition, you must proceed with caution – you need to make sure the treating physician and their office understand that in this area, a test spot is recommended to make sure there is not an inappropriate darkening of the area. This can happen with permanent cosmetics used by some tattoo artists or permanent make-up artists in this area, and you would not want this to occur over theentire area. So we know you want to go fast, but go slow, be patient and have it taken off in the most appropriate manner.

Scott E. Kasden, MD, FACS · Answer

What don't you like?  Is it shape, position, color, or just the appearance?
Another name for tattoo is PERMANENT COSMETICS.  Therefore, removing the tattoo is not easy.  It is much easier to do a touch up.  I would not recommend doing anything at all at this time, as you need to let things settle, and you need to adjust to it.  In about a month or so, if you are not happy, talk to the tattoo artist and get her suggestions.

Recommendations for Fixing Bad Permanent Makeup Eyebrows?

Answers (8)

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