Taking the ’permanent’ out of permanent makeup

Permanent makeup removal works by delivering concentrated light energy into the skin to break apart the pigment particles embedded during your original procedure. Once the pigment is fragmented, your body's lymphatic system naturally flushes it out over the following weeks. Each session breaks down another layer of pigment, which is why microblading removal, powder brow removal, and eyebrow tattoo removal are processes rather than single treatments. The laser targets pigment specifically, not the surrounding tissue, which is what makes it the safest and most effective method available for permanent makeup removal.

At CLEO, we offer eyebrow tattoo removal, microblading removal, eyebrow microshading removal, and ombré brow removal. We use laser removal exclusively because it targets pigment beneath the skin without creating an open wound, which means more predictable results and a significantly lower risk of scarring. Whether you're looking for complete removal or just enough fading to prep for a correction with a new artist, we'll assess your specific pigment, skin tone, and treatment history at your consultation and build a plan around your actual goal.

Yes, microblading removal involves treating fine, hair-stroke marks made to mimic individual brow hairs, applied in a shallow, precise pattern. Powder brow removal treats a more diffuse, stippled application that often sits slightly deeper and more evenly distributed, which can make it behave more like a traditional tattoo under laser. In practice, this means the two techniques may progress at different rates, and if you have combination brows with both microblading and shading, the two areas may lift unevenly across sessions. Neither is necessarily harder to remove than the other, but they do respond differently, and a provider experienced specifically in permanent makeup removal will account for that difference in your treatment plan.

It comes down to your end goal. If you want a completely clean slate, no permanent makeup at all, full microblading removal or eyebrow tattoo removal is the path. But if your goal is to update your shape, correct a color that's healed too warm or too cool, or prep your skin for a new procedure with a different artist, fading is usually all you need. Partial fading requires fewer sessions, costs less, and gets you back in the chair for your new permanent makeup sooner. We help you map this out at your consultation so your permanent makeup removal plan is built around your goals.

We use the Candela PicoWay laser for all permanent makeup removal. The PicoWay delivers ultra-short picosecond pulses that shatter pigment into smaller particles than traditional nanosecond lasers, meaning your body flushes them out more efficiently with less heat to surrounding tissue. This matters because permanent makeup pigments aren't formulated like body tattoo ink, many contain iron oxides and titanium dioxide that can oxidize or resist certain wavelengths. The Candela PicoWay gives us the precision to treat a wide range of pigment types and skin tones safely, including clients with deeper Fitzpatrick skin types where other lasers carry a higher risk of hyperpigmentation.

We recommend a minimum of 6–8 weeks between permanent makeup removal sessions. This window gives your immune system time to flush out the fragmented pigment from your last treatment and allows your skin to fully heal before the next session. Rushing the timeline doesn't speed up results and can increase the risk of irritation, blistering, or scarring. The fading you see between appointments is your body doing its job, and giving it adequate time to work is a core part of what makes the overall process safe and effective.

At CLEO, eyebrow tattoo removal and microblading removal is $250 per single session, or $800 for a pack of 4 sessions, bringing the per-session price down to $200. Most clients need multiple sessions, so the package is often the more cost-effective route. We also include a free consultation before you start, where we assess your specific pigment, skin tone, and treatment history to give you a realistic picture of how many sessions your situation is likely to require, so you can make an informed decision before committing to anything.

Most clients describe permanent makeup removal as feeling similar to a rubber band snapping against the skin, brief and sharp rather than prolonged. After your session, the area may feel tender and look red for a day or two, similar to a mild sunburn.

Yes, oxidation is a risk in permanent makeup removal. It happens when certain pigment ingredients, most commonly iron oxide or titanium dioxide, react to laser energy and darken rather than break down, shifting to a reddish, grey, or deeper tone instead of fading. Skin tone matters too: Fitzpatrick 1–3 types can typically still be treated successfully with the right approach, while Fitzpatrick 4–6 types are more prone to red or purple shifts and require a more conservative protocol. A patch test before any full eyebrow tattoo or microblading removal session is the best way to see how your pigment responds before committing.

No, you do not need to shave your eyebrows before microblading removal or eyebrow tattoo removal. The laser targets pigment in the skin, not the hair itself, and natural brow hair does not interfere with treatment. If anything, your existing brow hair gives us a useful reference point for mapping the treatment area accurately. Just arrive with clean skin, free of any brow makeup, tinted brow gels, or skincare products over the area. We'll take care of everything else at your appointment.