1. How long have you had it? The older the tattoo, the more deeply embedded it is in the skin and the more time-consuming it will be to remove.
2. How much ink is in the skin? This, of course, is hard to know just by looking at, but the more ink there is, the longer the process will be to lighten and remove.
3. How much surface area needs to be removed? Smaller areas tend to respond more quickly. Placement can also make it tricky, particularly when it involves the corners of the eyes.
4. Have you already tried any other removal methods? Some tattoo removal methods, such as laser tattoo removal, are counter-productive to the objective of drawing ink out of the skin and are not recommended prior to pursuing non-laser tattoo removal via chemical extraction. However, if you’ve already tried laser tattoo removal and did not see any improvement, then it may still be responsive to non-laser removal.
5. Given all the above considerations, even old and/or previously-lasered tattoos can be expected to respond at least by lightening up with each session, but complete removal in one session would be unrealistic.

Multiple sessions may be required for complete removal depending on the age, size, and location of the tattoo. An average time of 4-8 weeks in between sessions allows time for the skin to completely heal. In addition to being completely safe and quite effective, you will be able to see all the ink that’s being removed from your skin. Over the next few days, it’s best to keep the area clean and dry so that the skin can continue to purge the ink through transepidermal elimination.

For a tattoo to be able to be removed naturally such as with a salt mixture, aloe vera or other compounds that have the ability to draw foreign particles out of the skin the removal agent must be able to penetrate down to the dermis of the skin where the tattoo ink is usually embedded. Otherwise, any removal agent that relies on lightening and/or exfoliation used on the surface of the skin no matter how often or diligently applied might only lighten and fade the intensity of the tattoo ink as opposed to actually removing it.

For a tattoo to be able to be removed naturally such as with a salt mixture, aloe vera or other compounds that have the ability to draw foreign particles out of the skin the removal agent must be able to penetrate down to the dermis of the skin where the tattoo ink is usually embedded. Otherwise, any removal agent that relies on lightening and/or exfoliation used on the surface of the skin no matter how often or diligently applied might only lighten and fade the intensity of the tattoo ink as opposed to actually removing it.

Lemon juice is a common DIY skin and hair lightener.  So while it may help to fade a tattoo when applied regularly, it still won’t be able to get rid of one completely unless perhaps if the tattoo is very faint to begin with. Eventually the acidic nature of lemon juice can also be sensitizing to the skin, especially when combined with sun exposure and other exfoliating products.

There is no evidence that any DIY home remedies or OTC creams can completely remove a tattoo once it is healed in the skin.

While referrals can be helpful as a starting point, Once you find someone whose work you admire, contact them with questions specific to your situation or what it is that you’re looking to have done. Does the artist feel confident that they can help you? Do they make you feel at ease? Do you feel seem reliable and will be.

A tattoo is a form of body modification where an experienced technician uses a grouping of needles to insert some type of ink, dye or pigment, either indelible or temporary, organic or inorganic,  into the dermis layer of the skin to create a visible, but not necessarily obvious, design, illusion, or camouflage.

Most likely, but how well a tattoo can cover a scar will depend on where and what kind of scar you have. There is only so much that any kind of cover up via a tattoo or makeup can conceal if the skin is severely compromised. However if the integrity of the skin is healthy and the surface of the skin is smooth, then any kind of camouflage tattoo should be straightforward and work well. That said, it is important for the skin to be fully healed from the scar (6 months post injury is a safe minimum starting point) before any attempts to cover it with a tattoo is made.

The ink from a medical tattoo, just like any with other tattoo, has the potential to last indefinitely. Particularly if the tattoo is performed on a part of the body that is typically protected from exposure. All tattoo inks and pigments do eventually fade over time, so patients should expect to get a touch up to refresh their medical tattoo every few years as a result of normal fading.

Assuming that the tattoo has been performed in a professional environment under strict adherence to sanitation and disinfection guidelines and the result is as close an approximation as possible to what the client has voluntarily requested, then it would be hard to imagine why a tattoo would be labelled “bad” unless the client has requested something that may not be in their best long term, aesthetic interest. Of course, there are instances where a tattoo may be “bad” due to having complications; in rare instances someone can have an adverse reaction to the ink (although in reality it would be more common to have an allergy to either the topical anesthetic or the after care ointment), or have issues with healing for any number of reasons. It’s also rare, but not unheard of, to develop an adverse reaction to the ink at a later time. More often than not, any “bad” tattoo is simply one that is no longer wanted because the client has decided that the tattoo in question no longer suits them.

To err is to be human. Luckily it’s unlikely for a skilled and experienced tattoo artist to mess up their work to the point that it cannot be corrected, especially if it is caught soon enough. The factors that make mistakes more likely is the lack of proper screening or disclosure of a client’s health history that might make unknowingly compromised skin more difficult to work on.

This depends on the skin of the individual and type of scar. Some scars are fully healed in several months while others can take at least a year for the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation to fade. Scars on those with darker, more sensitive skin often require longer healing time.

Several saline-based solutions are available to remove unwanted body art tattoos and permanent makeup.

If pigment removal is not necessary, we can correct the existing tattoo using special corrective pigments and tattooing techniques. A corrective color is first implanted over the faded makeup to “neutralize” the unnatural shade, such as blue, orange, or pink. Usually the improvement is immediately noticeable, but it may take several weeks for the color to stabilize to a better result. Also, more than one session for corrective color may be necessary to achieve the best healed coverage.

The tattoo removal solution is tattooed into the skin in order to effectively come into contact with the unwanted ink. Once that occurs, the tattoo removal solution is able to bind to the unwanted ink and draw it out of the skin in a chemical extraction process. For this reason, acid peels, retinoids, or any products that are marketed as topical tattoo removal solutions are simply ineffective because they work at the surface of the skin (the stratum corneum) and not the dermis where the ink is likely to be embedded. At most they’ll just minimally lighten and eventually dull the color, which is what happens gradually over time anyway as the skin continually sheds and grows out. 

Yes, tattooed eyebrows can be pretty much completely removed to significantly lightened depending on how much ink had been implanted in the skin and how long ago. Generally the newer the tattoo (usually less than 3 years), the more readily the ink can be removed.

More than one session may be needed to completely remove the ink, however, if you’re looking to correct brows that are say, too dark, then they may not need to be completely removed in order to redo the brows with a lighter color and better shape.

Depending on the situation we would choose from a variety of safe, all-natural non-laser solutions that are either saline or zinc oxide-based that work to draw out unwanted ink. This can also be used to correct too dark, crooked or uneven eyeliner and lip liner.

Unless there is existing scar tissue from the previous tattoo and/or the tattoo removal, once the skin in healed there should be no issues with re-tattooing the brows.

Unlike laser tattoo removal, our tattoo removal process is less painful and less expensive – often with 50-70% fewer treatments needed.

While there are other non-laser methods available, this unique professional treatment is almost identical to the tattoo-over process and is completely safe when properly performed and non-toxic. A specially-formulated tattoo removal solution (no acids are involved) is tattooed into the skin; once the solution makes contact with and binds to the tattoo pigment, it then starts drawing the pigment out of the skin.

This non-laser tattoo removal process works effectively on all colors and is safe to be used to lighten or remove unwanted eyeliner, eyebrow and lip tattoos.

· Keep the affected area clean and dry for at least 24 hours or until the scab falls off on its own
· Don’t apply any product over the area until healed unless otherwise directed
· Dab the area with clean towel if it happens to get wet, don’t rub

A dark crust will start to form and harden over the affected area and remain on the skin for about 3 days to several weeks depending on the size and location of the tattoo being removed. Once the scab falls off, the pigment will be gone or its color will be lighter. The treated area will be reddish or pink for several months – and depending on the skin, possibly longer – from the new skin that has formed underneath the scab.

The more ink there is present, the more the tattoo removal solution will be working to draw it to the surface and eventually out of the skin (and this continues to last for days after your office visit). This may result in an increased temporary discomfort as you feel the pulling sensation of the ink being drawn out and also temporary swelling of the skin surrounding the area of the ink removal.

If there is still color that requires removal, subsequent visits are best scheduled anywhere from 4-8 weeks apart.

It is faster and easier to obtain a body or makeup tattoo than it is to remove either one.

Depending on the individual and the tattoo, every tattoo removal method requires multiple treatments and time for the skin to heal. The number of sessions depends upon the color, size, shape, and location of the tattoo. After each session, the treated pigment may continue to fade for up to several months because the body’s lymphatic system will internally absorb the pigment.

How quickly the person’s skin heals will also be a factor in how far apart the removal sessions can be scheduled.

Are you looking to remove a tattoo for any of the following reasons?

• To correct flawed artistic or cosmetic tattoos
• To remove the name of a former lover
• To remove former a gang affiliation
• You want to change or update your look from when you were younger
• It’s located on the face, neck or other highly visible area and now you need to look more professional for work

Have you been looking into existing solutions for tattoo removal such as acids, laser, dermabrasion and surgical excision?

All these methods vary in their rates of success while carrying numerous disadvantages that range from high cost, extreme discomfort, extended downtime, and the risk of scarring and noticeable skin discoloration.

You may want to consider an all natural solution that effectively lightens up any existing tattoo so it’s easier to cover up or change. Coupled with our skin and cosmetic tattooing expertise, we’re able to lighten and eventually remove unwanted tattoos by applying a special saline formula into the skin that quickly draws out the unwanted color for a safe and cost-effective option for removing old tattoo ink. If desired, we can then re-tone the skin with flesh-colored pigments to closely match the surrounding area – and it’s all done under local anesthetic to minimize any discomfort.

What makes an all-natural formula a better alternative for removing and/or correcting tattoos:

• Works on ALL COLORS of tattoo ink
• Requires 50-70% LESS TREATMENTS than Laser Tattoo Removal
• All Natural, NON TOXIC ingredients can be safely used on all skin, including outdated Permanent Makeup color
• Far less painful and less potential for adverse reactions

Make an appointment for a consultation to get an understanding of the estimated time and cost of removing your tattoo.

A dark crust will start to form and harden over the affected area and remain on the skin for about 3 days to several weeks depending on the size and location of the tattoo being removed. Once the scab falls off, the pigment will be gone or its color will be lighter. The treated area will be reddish or pink for several months – and depending on the skin, possibly longer – from the new skin that has formed underneath the scab.

The more ink there is present, the more the tattoo removal solution will be working to draw it to the surface and eventually out of the skin (and this continues to last for days after your office visit). This may result in an increased temporary discomfort as you feel the pulling sensation of the ink being drawn out and also temporary swelling of the skin surrounding the area of the ink removal.

So plan your upcoming social activities accordingly.

A big thanks to my client who sent in this photo so others can see what the brow looks like in transition with the remaining dark crust still on the skin.

• Surgical Excision: A physician cuts out the tattoo and sutures the edges of the skin back together.

• Dermabrasion: The tattooed skin is “sanded” by a physician with a special device. The top and middle layers of the skin that contain the old ink or pigment are removed.

• Laser: Pulses of light are used to break up the tattoo ink under the skin so the body’s cells can “eat it up.” Results vary depending on the type of laser and wavelength of light used as well as the tattoo’s colors. Laser tattoo removal is popular for removing body art, but few physicians use lasers for permanent makeup removal because of the risks, especially with eyeliner and lip color. In addition, Also, laser can also turn permanent makeup black.

• Saline Removal: Saline or concentrated salt water solution is tattooed over the unwanted pigment or ink to draw it up to the surface of the skin and out of the body into a scab. Once the scab falls off, the pigment will be gone or its color will be lighter.

I use a saline tattoo removal solution for the removal of permanent eyeliner. Please keep in mind key factors that affect the degree or success of any tattoo removal:

1. How long have you had it? The older the tattoo, the more deeply embedded it is in the skin and the more time-consuming it will be to remove.

2. How much ink is in the skin? This of course is hard to know just by looking at but the more ink there is, the longer the process will be to lighten and remove.

3. How much surface area needs to be removed? Smaller areas tend to respond more quickly. Placement can also make it tricky, particularly when it involves the corners of the eyes.

4. Have you already tried any other removal methods? Some tattoo removal methods, such as laser, work counter to the process of drawing ink out of the skin so if even if there were no noticeable results from prior removal attempts, it can still be a setback to my process.

5. What is the level of your expectations? Given all the above considerations, even old and/or previously lasered tattoos can be expected to respond at least by lightening up with each session, but complete removal in one session may be unrealistic.

Multiple sessions may be required for complete removal depending on the age, size, and location of the tattoo, with 8 weeks in between sessions to allow time for the skin to completely heal.

In addition to being completely safe and quite efficacious, another great thing about this type of tattoo removal is that I’m able to see and show you all the ink that’s removed from your skin. That way we know that if it’s not working b/c if it’s not then we won’t have anything to show for it right then and there.

Non-laser tattoo removal is a chemical extraction process whereby the tattoo removal solution only targets the ink (regardless of its color) in the skin and does not affect hair growth either way. Laser tattoo removal, on the other hand, targets color and may have the effect of destroying any pigmented hair in the affected area. 

Just like with a typical a cosmetic tattoo procedure, a cosmetic tattoo removal procedure should not negatively impact your skin in any way when done properly, much less require any significant recovery. Some mild redness and swelling should be expected over the next few hours and should greatly subside after the first 24 hours (applying cold compresses will greatly help). Keep in mind, however, that the location of the removal and amount of surface area of ink to be removed are major factors in any downtime that may be needed after a tattoo removal session.

The removal of a thick, dark eyeliner for example, should expect significant swelling of the upper eyelids for at least a day or so while the removal of a thin, faded old eyebrow tattoo should not expect much, if any, swelling.  Any redness should be mild and last only for a few hours.

Many of my clients come in because they’ve had a botched permanent makeup tattoo elsewhere and come in to JuvEssentials because we can fix it. In most cases. First, we need to remove the old one and then we can start from a blank canvas.

Here are the factors that affect the degree or success of any tattoo removal:

1. How long have you had it? The older the tattoo, the more deeply embedded it is in the skin and the more time-consuming it will be to remove.

2. How much ink is in the skin? This, of course, is hard to know just by looking at, but the more ink there is, the longer the process will be to lighten and remove.

3. How much surface area needs to be removed? Smaller areas tend to respond more quickly. Placement can also make it tricky, particularly when it involves the corners of the eyes.

4. Have you already tried any other removal methods? Some tattoo removal methods, such as laser tattoo removal, are counter-productive to the objective of drawing ink out of the skin and are not recommended prior to pursuing non-laser tattoo removal via chemical extraction. However, if you’ve already tried laser tattoo removal and did not see any improvement, then it may still be responsive to non-laser removal.

5. Given all the above considerations, even old and/or previously-lasered tattoos can be expected to respond at least by lightening up with each session, but complete removal in one session may be unrealistic.

Multiple sessions may be required for complete removal depending on the age, size, and location of the tattoo, with 4-8 weeks in between sessions to allow time for the skin to completely heal. In addition to being completely safe and quite effective, another great thing about our methods of tattoo removal, is that we’re able to see and show you all the ink that’s removed from your skin. That way we know if it’s not working right then and there.

At JuvEssentials, we like to wait about 4-8 weeks, depending on the size and location of the tattoo. If we rush it, your skin may not be ready and be subject to unnecessary irritation.

Yes, makeup or concealer is fine to use on the new, pink skin that appears after the unwanted ink is lifted out. You can expect the new skin to repigment on its own just as it would if you had injured the surface of the skin and caused a scab to form as the skin healed itself. As a general rule, the lighter the complexion the faster the skin will take to repigment. Darker skin tends to be more sensitive, requiring longer time to repigment than lighter complexions.  

Once the tattoo removal is complete, you’ll also be provided with a special ointment to use overnight that soothes the skin and helps it to return to your usual skin color more quickly.

After a successful non-laser tattoo removal procedure, the affected skin may still be somewhat reddish or pink while all or much of the ink is at least gone. This is a normal response after disrupting the skin’s epidermis which may heal with some superficial scabbing. Underneath the scabs (which act like a temporary, self-timing Band-aid) the new skin that’s formed is likely to be pink before a requisite period of time to repigment to one’s normal skin color.

During this secondary healing period after the scabs have fallen off, it’s important to make sure that the affected area does not come into contact with products that can irritate the skin which can be particularly sensitive during this time. This includes harsh cleansers, acids, alcohol-based toners, scrubs and other exfoliating products, very hot water, and occlusive agents such as Vaseline (however Aquaphor is preferred because while it also is petroleum-based it also contains soothing ingredients that expedite the healing of compromised skin), Neosporin (the anti-bacterial ingredients are unnecessary on skin that is intact), Mederma (which is marketed to combat hypertrophic, atrophic, and conjecture scars and will not be effective where there is no actual scar but only temporary discoloration). Numerous other healing ointments, salves or creams intended for soothing irritated skin should all be okay to use. One of the best ingredients for calming redness is licorice, along with green tea, allantoin, and colloidal oatmeal.

While all clients need to be informed that there is no guarantee of any certain outcome because of the unpredictability of human skin when it comes to any invasive cosmetic procedure, it’s highly unlikely that tattoo removal will generate scarring if performed properly and the client has been screened as a suitable candidate for the procedure.

Even an old eyeliner tattoo where the ink has migrated around the delicate skin around the eyes can be removed safely over a series of sessions in order to minimize any discomfort, trauma to the skin, and allow it to heal quickly. Below is an example of how the skin looks healed only after a handful of removal sessions.

That depends on your brows and what needs to be removed. Whether it’s the whole eyebrow or just part of the brow, I can’t weigh in with an opinion until I see the situation. So while yes, it is possible to perform the removal on some parts of the brow and not others, as fine and precise the needles used in the procedure are, once the removal solution is in the skin you cannot necessarily control the exact results of the removal. The reason being is that once the pigment has healed in the skin it can be like a connected web. In tattoo removal, the removal solution works to draw out the pigment, so what gets drawn out may not be limited to exactly what you see on the surface of the skin. It’s not like using makeup remover on a Q-tip to erase something you just drew on your face with regular makeup. Also please keep in mind that any successful pigment removal will be accompanied by brand new skin underneath that looks reddish or pink for a while before eventually repigmenting back to your normal skin color. Removal of all the existing color is generally easier and less complicated than partial removal in certain areas, especially if there is an expectation of clean lines and absolute precision.

Decades old eyebrow tattoos that may appear all but faded and yet still not nearly enough can still greatly benefit from the non-laser tattoo removal. It may be a work in progress for a period of time, but regardless of how long you’ve lived with your eyebrow tattoos, it’s still never too late to pursue improvement.

While all clients need to be informed that there is no guarantee of any certain outcome because of the unpredictability of human skin when it comes to any invasive cosmetic procedure, it’s highly unlikely that tattoo removal will generate scarring if performed properly and the client has been screened as a suitable candidate for the procedure.

Even an old eyeliner tattoo where the ink has migrated around the delicate skin around the eyes can be removed safely over a series of sessions in order to minimize any discomfort, trauma to the skin, and allow it to heal quickly. Below is an example of how the skin looks healed only after a handful of removal sessions.

Since the non-laser tattoo removal method is via manual extraction and not laser, it wouldn’t be incompatible with breastfeeding. The only concern would be the slim chance of getting an infection soon after the procedure due to improper after care when the affected skin is healing as any infection could theoretically be transferred through breast milk. The non-toxic removal solution itself is not systemic since it works to draw out any ink in the skin just like salt on a wound. A client’s healthcare provider or pediatrician would be able to offer a definitive opinion for their patient as well as the necessary authorization.

The extent of any downtime for non-laser eyebrow tattoo removal depends on the individual as well as the particular factors involved. In general, the extent of downtime depends on how heavily implanted the ink is, the amount of surface area the ink covers, and the length of time the ink has been in the skin.

Immediately after your visit your brows will likely look unchanged except for some minor redness similar to after an eyebrow wax. Then you can expect about 3 days of healing where the ink continues to be drawn out of the skin on its own. During this time you may see some crusts start to form which eventually will disengage on their own like all superficial scabs do. Then once your skin is smooth again you may notice that your brows are looking lighter or areas without the unwanted ink altogether.

For removing permanent eyeliner tattoos I’ve been using a saline-based formula for over a decade which has proven to be safe and effective for the delicate eye area. While old tattoos tend to take more time to remove due to the fact that the longer the ink has been in the skin, the more embedded it is, how much ink is in the skin also factors into whether or not it can be completely removed. No matter how many years the ink has been in the skin, the likelihood that there is always some ink that can be removed is almost always guaranteed and seeing the removed ink is a most gratifying experience.

If you are like the many clients I see whose eyeliner has now turned some shade of blue, gray, green or other color, there are also ways to improve the eyeliner and refresh the color without having to completely remove the existing ink. The exception is when the existing eyeliner is too dark, heavy, thick, crooked or otherwise in the wrong place and cannot be corrected without removing the ink in the unwanted area(s).