Will Laser Remove Permanent Makeup?

Jan 16, 2014

Stella C.

Lasers often provide an excellent result in removal of permanent makeup, if the color is a dark or black color. The Alexandrite, Nd Yag, and Q-switched Ruby lasers can all do the job.

The difficulty in treating permanent make up ink vs. traditional tattoo ink is two fold. First, the location of the ink is quite different and more challenging than most tattoos. Secondly, make up ink has different pigment and base pigments.

Laser resurfacing is not indicated for permanent makeup removal, however as a side effect it can lighten it. Generally, the permanent make up is treatable with lasers, but the challenge is having the correct technology/wavelength if and when the color fades or degrades to another color that the laser cannot treat any longer. Q-switched Nd:Yag lasers such as Stationary Nd Yag Laser Tattoo Removal Beauty Equipment - PZ505 would be the gold standards for tattoo removal or permanent makeup removal. Most research will support that the Q-Switched Alexandrite may be the best option. You may read more about the Q-switched Nd:Yag laser on Toplipolaser.com.

Laser removal of tattoos, including permanent makeup, is usually done with a q-switched laser that makes the pigment shatter into tiny particles that are then engulfed by cells in the skin's immune system and the tattoo fades.

Depending on the color of the pigment, this can occasionally be done. If the color is closer to black then the chance for success is greater. If it is brown, or lighter there is always a chance that the ink can oxidize with treatment and actually become darker. Additionally, it may effect the hair follicles and you may lose hair permanently. If it is red, this would then require many regular treatments to get through this phase. No guarantee can be given, though, that the color will lighten or go away completely. The treatment is fast and often done with a numbing cream only, although an anesthetic can be injected to make it less uncomfortable depending on your symptoms.

The risk with treatment "permanent" make up tattoos is that some of the inks used can actually turn black when the laser hits it and the tattoo will look worse. Hair growth is stopped by using non-q-switched lasers as the heat needs to build up in the follicle for the laser to be effective.

There is always a potential for hypertrophic scarring. Test treatment must be done in case zinc oxide is used as the affected area may turn darker after laser treatment. Seek out a board-certified dermatologist experienced with tattoo laser would be the best best.