With permanent makeup being so popular in the last few years, the consequences of the sudden increase in the number of PMU artists and their inexperience are starting to show. Many clients who’ve had their brows, eyelids, or lips enhanced with permanent makeup and loved the results at first eventually noticed the pigments have faded into unattractive shades, or lost shape and blurred, and the worst part is – they’re not disappearing as promised!
Mistakes happen in PMU, but luckily, there is now an advanced removal technique that doesn’t damage the skin, yet gives great results. Here’s why all PMU artists should learn saline solution tattoo removal.
What Is Saline Removal?
Originally developed for removing tattoo ink, saline solution tattoo removal turned out to be super-efficient for permanent makeup, too. This is a removal technique that implies opening the skin and extracting the unwanted pigments by implementing a chemical solution based on sea salt. The ingredients vary from brand to brand.
You can use saline solution to fade microblading and other eyebrow PMU, lip liner or blush, and even permanent eyeliner.
Image source: Instagram @botchedink
Does It Work?
Saline removal is arguably the most efficient way to remove PMU pigments because it allows the technician to target the remnants precisely and extract them while damaging the skin as little as possible. The effectiveness of the results depends on the saturation of the unwanted pigment, its age, the depth at which it was deposited, its formula, and the quality of the saline tattoo removal products used.
In most cases, multiple sessions are required, but with repeated extraction significant improvement is guaranteed.
How Is It Done?
Saline removal is best described as a PMU reversal.
The skin where the unwanted pigments are is opened with a manual tool or a rotary machine directly over the marks. Saline removal solution is implemented into the incisions. The chemical concoction based on sea salt dries out the area, including the pigments, which can then be lifted out of the skin. As the skin heals, a scab is formed. The lifted pigments are extracted with the scab, and once it falls off, new, pigment-free skin is revealed underneath.
Why Should I Learn Saline Tattoo Removal?
If you do permanent makeup services, you should also know how to remove them. No matter how much you train and practice, there’s always the possibility of you making a mistake, or your client simply not liking the results and wanting them removed. You should do your best to avoid this, but if it does happen, why allow your client to take their business elsewhere?
Also, you will probably get clients who’ve previously had PMU and want to get rid of the unattractively faded pigment remnants. In some cases, it’s possible to color correct and create fresh, new PMU over them, but in most cases, the shadow should first be removed. This an opportunity for you to work with a client long-term. Not only will they trust you with removal, but they’ll also most likely book you for the new PMU as well. That’s some serious extra income for you.
Image source: Instagram @browtendre
Do I Have to Get Saline Removal Training?
Yes. Using saline solution to remove microblading and another PMU requires you to take a training course, either live or online. You will need to learn the theory behind the removal and get familiar with risks and contraindications.
The good news is that if you’re already doing PMU, you’ll pick up the skill in no time as you’re already familiar with the tools and techniques.
Saline or Laser Removal – Which Is Better?
Laser tattoo removal is nothing new and its tattoo removal efficiency has been proven countless times. However, it’s not the best choice for removing PMU pigments.
The basis for laser tattoo removal is heat. The laser beam penetrates the skin and heats up the ink particles, which get fragmented and the immune system flushes them out of the body. When this process is applied to PMU pigments, there’s a risk of the pigments changing color and darkening.
Laser is also known to be ineffective for lighter colors such as pinks and reds often used for lip blushing, so it’s not a good choice for removing pigments from the lips. Another issue is the fact that the laser beam damages hairs and makes them fall out, which is an issue if the client is trying to remove microblading.
Saline removal is much gentler on the skin, the risk of scar formation is very low if you go light, it offers a more localized and precise approach, hurts less, and costs less.
Who Is a Candidate For Saline Tattoo Removal?
Basically, anybody, who has PMU pigments they want to get rid of.
That said, there are certain restrictions. Saline removal isn’t safe for clients who:
- are pregnant or nursing
- suffer from skin conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea, eczema, etc.
- suffer from glaucoma
- suffer from diabetes, hepatitis, HIV, epilepsy, etc.
- suffer from active skin cancer
- have a history of hypo- or hyper-pigmentation or keloid formation.
In case you have some unwanted PMU pigments on your face you want to be removed, you can explore salt and saline tattoo removal before and after photos and see if the initial pigment color and saturation resembles your situation, and get the idea of whether saline pigment removal will give the desired results and in how many sessions. If you’re not sure, google something like saline tattoo removal near me and reach out to the techs in the area for consults.
NOTE: Not all saline removal techs offer the procedure for all parts of the face.
Image source: Instagram @exceptionalbrows
Can You Do Saline Tattoo Removal at Home?
DIY saline tattoo removal is technically possible, but it is not a good idea. If you decide to saline tattoo removal at home, you will probably have trouble purchasing the solution, as most retailers require some sort of proof that you’re trained.
If you do manage to get your hands on the solution, you risk damaging your skin severely. Saline microblading removal at home is risky enough, but the damage you can do to lips and eyelids can be catastrophic. The main reason you shouldn’t do it yourself is the fact you can’t determine the right pressure unless you’ve been trained. This can lead to permanent scarring. Plus, creating open wounds should never be done in a non-sterile environment.
Saline tattoo removal costs may sound high, with prices ranging from $100 to $300, but DIY-ing it and doing irreparable damage is not worth it.
In Short
Learning saline removal is a great option for practicing PMU artists to expand their service menu, earn extra income, and attract new clientele.
Cover image source: Pexels
