• Saline tattoo removal/lightening is a procedure that uses a saline solution to draw tattoo ink or pigment out of the skin. It’s an effective method for removing permanent makeup or small tattoos or lightening them enough for a cover-up.

    I primarily perform saline removal for clients dealing with unwanted colors after laser removal (e.g., yellow tones). I rarely take on clients with dark/highly saturated permanent makeup for saline removal. Instead, I recommend starting with laser removal and following up with saline removal if needed.

  • Saline solution is used to remove poorly done permanent make-up or small body tattoos within 48 hours of inital procedure. The solution works to prevent inks and pigments from healing in the skin.

  • If your permanent make-up has faded into an unwanted colour i.e blue/grey, red/pink, then it will require a colour correction. A modifier is used to neutralise the undertones from the previous work back to brown.

  • Using a digital machine and needle cartridge, the saline solution is implanted into the skin where the existing pigment is. The solution is formulated to draw the pigment up and out of the skin. Following the treatment, the area will then scab over and when the scab falls off the pigment gradually goes with it.

  • Saline removal and laser removal are two different methods used to lighten or remove unwanted tattoos. Each method has its own advantages and considerations, and the choice between them depends on factors such as your skin type, tattoo characteristics, and personal preferences. Here's a comparison of saline tattoo removal and laser tattoo removal:

    Saline method:

    • Sessions are generally longer than laser removal sessions and may require more sessions.

    • Less painful compared to laser.

    • Complete removal might not be guaranteed, especially for tattoos with deep or dense pigments.

    • Saline contains all-natural ingredients which are appealing to clients who want to avoid using lasers on their skin.

    • Removes all pigment colours.

    Laser method:

    • Sessions are generally faster than saline removal and may require fewer sessions.

    • The heat generated by lasers is generally more painful.

    • Not all pigment colours respond well to lasers, especially yellow, green and white.*

  • When it comes to eyebrow pigments, they’re typically made by combining the three primary colors: red, blue, and yellow. These colors are mixed in different ratios to create various shades of brown. Here’s why yellow pigment can stick around after laser removal:

    1. Blue and Black Pigments: These pigments are very responsive to the laser, especially at 1064 nm, which targets darker colors like blue and black. As a result, these pigments break down and fade first.

    2. Red Pigments: The 532 nm wavelength targets red pigments, but they can take longer to fade depending on the pigment's specific makeup.

    3. Yellow Pigments: Yellow pigment is tricky. It reflects most laser light instead of absorbing it. Because of this, yellow pigment doesn’t break down as easily, making it the most resistant to removal.

    As the darker colors (blue and red) are removed or lightened, the yellow pigment often remains, leading to a yellow or orange tint. The degree to which this occurs depends largely on the original pigment formulation. If the initial pigment mix contains a higher concentration of yellow, more yellow is likely to remain visible as the other colors fade. Conversely, if the yellow component was minimal in the original mix, the leftover yellow tint will be less noticeable.

    Why is Yellow So Resistant to Removal?

    • Low Absorption: Yellow pigments don’t absorb laser energy well because they reflect light. This means the laser can’t break them down effectively.

    • Wavelength Issues: Lasers typically use wavelengths like 1064 nm for darker pigments or 532 nm for red tones. Unfortunately, there isn’t a wavelength specifically for yellow pigments, which makes them harder to target.

    • Chemical Composition: Yellow pigments often contain materials like titanium dioxide or iron oxide. These can undergo changes like oxidation when exposed to laser energy, which alters the pigment but doesn’t completely remove it.

    For these reasons, yellow pigments may require more laser sessions or other methods, like saline removal, to get better results.

  • The number of sessions needed can vary depending on factors such as the tattoo size, age, ink type, and the individual's skin. On average, tattoos require 2-5 sessions, with the sessions being 8 weeks apart.

  • Consultation:
    We’ll start with a consultation where I assess your skin, the tattoo or makeup you want removed, and perform a patch test if needed (Fitzpatrick 5-6 skin only)

    On the Day:
    On the day, I clean and disinfect the area and apply a topical anesthetic. I then use a digital machine to implant the saline solution to draw out the pigment. The treated area may appear red or swollen, which is normal.

    Healing:
    After the procedure, I apply healing ointment and provide aftercare instructions. The area will form a scab, which falls off naturally to reveal lighter pigment beneath. Full results take 4-6 weeks after inital session to appear.

  • The duration of the session can vary depending on factors such as the size and complexity of the tattoo and how well your skin responds to the removal process. Generally, for brows about 1hr, for small tattoos about 15-30 minutes.

  • If you already have permanent makeup, I will need to assess the level of pigment currently in the skin to determine whether it's ethical to work over it. The skin functions like a sponge, and when it holds too much pigment, there isn’t enough room to implant more. In such cases, removal is necessary before adding more pigment, as working over saturated skin leads to unsatisfactory results.