Laser Tattoo Removal for Microblading & Powder Brows
Pickering, Ontario

On average, three to five sessions is the recommended time frame that it takes to completely remove bad microblading or other forms of bad cosmetic tattooing. The length of time required to see the results of your laser eyebrow removal is dependent on a variety of factors. These factors include several sessions, the type of ink or pigmentation used for your microbladed/powder brows, the technique used by the artist who performed your original service, the length of time since your original service, your skin type, and environmental factors. At your free consultation session, centrally located at our Pickering studio in the Durham region, our Lash Layer laser removal technician will be able to assess your needs and give you a more accurate timeframe of the length of time required to achieve your desired outcome.

The level of pain and discomfort experienced during your session is comparable to the pain experienced during your microblading session. In brief, there is a certain level of pain involved however many clients report that it does hurt less than they first expected – similar to the feeling of a sunburn or having rubber bands snapped against your skin. Of course, this is dependent on each person’s different pain threshold level and skin sensitivity. To ease clients in the process of laser eyebrow removal, your Lash Layer technician will apply 5% lidocaine numbing cream to the area before your laser session.

If your eyebrows are getting darker or changes slightly in colour after your laser removal session, do not panic! This is a normal part of the laser eyebrow removal healing process. When the laser targets the ink and pigmentations of your microblade/powder brows, it breaks these particles down and releases the trace metal components of the pigmentation. These trace metals will oxidize with the light exposure of the laser, causing a change in colour or darkening. The oxidization process is a side effect of the pigmentation breakdown, allowing them to be more easily flushed out by your immune system while your skin heals.

Crusting or scabbing of the eyebrow after laser removal treatment is normal and may last 1-2 weeks before naturally flaking off. This simply means that your skin is healing after the treatment and is in the process of breaking down and expelling the pigmentation that was previously inserted into the brow area during your original procedure. It is important to not touch at or pick at this area if it is crusting or scabbing. Doing so may cause an infection in the area as it heals.

It is important to wait until your eyebrows are fully healed from microblading or powder brow procedure before starting a session of laser removal. According to your skin type, this is typically 8 to 12 weeks after your original procedure. The reason for this period of healing is twofold. Firstly, too many procedures on the skin without healing time can cause trauma to the skin and elevate the risk of blistering or permanent scars. Secondly, for laser removal to be effective the pigmentation from the original service needs to settle into the dermis of the skin. This allows the colours of the pigmentation to show through the skin, allowing the laser to target the area more easily and successfully. 

Yes! Our precision Q-switch PhiLaser© allows us to target specific parts of your skin. This means that if there is only a part of your brow that you would like to be targeted, we will be able to do that. 

There is no evidence that points to laser tattoo removal causing hair loss as the wavelength for destroying the ink pigmentation is different from the kind of lasers used for laser hair removal. As a result, the hair follicle will not be affected by the PhiLaser© machine. It is possible that the hair in the affected area may lighten in colour temporarily, but it will regrow back to its normal colour in the hair’s next growth cycle.  

The gap in time between sessions is necessary to allow your body to break down as much of the tattoo pigmentation as it can while also giving your skin time to completely heal in the targeted area before your next session. Rushing your laser eyebrow removal can be dangerous as it may damage or scar the skin if it is exposed to too many laser treatments during too close a time frame. At Lash Layer, your skin’s health is very important to us and we take the time to follow the correct procedures necessary for its continued longevity.  This is why we recommend a minimum of six weeks between sessions for fair skin and eight weeks for darker skin.

Prior to undergoing your laser removal session, you will try to prepare your skin to be as healthy as possible to more easily absorb the laser and achieve optimal results. Please follow the guidelines below before each laser session:

• • • Minimize (or stop) smoking at least two weeks prior to the treatment 
    • Avoid taking vitamin E supplements and/or Aspirin at least two weeks prior to the treatment 
    • Do not use skin care products which may contain retinoids or glycolic acid for at least 4 weeks prior to your session
    • Avoid excessive sun exposure and/or tanning salons for at least 4 weeks prior to your session
    • Do not use self-tanning products for at least 4 weeks prior to your session as they contain pigmentation activators which can react to the laser and cause undesirable skin pigmentation

Aftercare for your skin post-laser removal is extremely important as your skin will be very sensitive during this time. For the first 48 hours following each session, it is important to avoid the following:

• • • Avoid sun exposure to the area (wearing a hat to shade your eyebrow area is recommended)
    • Avoid any heat exposure that may irritate the area including saunas, steam rooms and hot baths or showers
    • Avoid wetting or other moisture (such as sweat) to the area
    • Do not go swimming
    • Do not wear tight-fitting clothing that may restrict blood circulation
    • Do not wear makeup, facial mist and/or perfume directly on or near the targeted area
    • Do not apply self-tanning products, facial creams, serums and/or oils directly on or near the targeted area
    • Do not shave, thread, wax or pluck hair in the treated area
    • Drink lots of water to allow for skin rehydration
    • Minimize (or limit altogether) your alcohol consumption and smoking of any kind
    • After 48 hours, you may begin to gently clean the area with lukewarm water, scent-free soap/cleanser and Q-tips or cotton balls. You may also use vitamin E oil on the area to aid in the recovery of the skin. If the treated area is sensitive or warm, after 48 hours you may apply ice packs or ice wrapped in a clean cloth against it. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.