Unwanted permanent makeup

"Permanent make-up (PMU) is the term used to describe cosmetic tattooing, such as permanent eyeliner or eyebrows. PMU is becoming increasingly popular and is being offered by more and more beauticians. Because it lasts for several years, it can save a lot of time in the everyday make-up process. As make-up preferences or color tastes can change over time or the tattoo can go wrong, the desire for a PMU removal is not uncommon."

C. Bettina Rümmelein, M.D., Specialist in Dermatology & Venereology
C. Bettina Rümmelein, M.D., Specialist in Dermatology & Venereology
Causes

Unwanted permanent makeup causes

In most cases, the color is applied to the skin by trained cosmeticians or pigmentologists using an electric tattoo machine. Unlike other tattoos, however, PMU does not aim for lifelong coloration. In order to achieve a durability of about three to five years, the colors are inserted less deeply into the skin than with conventional tattoos. In addition, the dyes decompose under the influence of UV rays in the face much faster than in skin images on other parts of the body.

If the pigmentation is not as desired, there is often a high level of suffering because eyebrows, eyelid lines and lips are always visible. Eyebrows that are too wide, too black and too thick can disfigure a face. It is even worse if the tattoo is entirely asymmetrical. Over time, a formerly brown PMU can turn blue or red. Sometimes people try to make a narrow lip bigger with PMU ink. If the desired result does not occur, do not conceal with skin color, because this never covers completely and makes laser correction impossible.

Treatment

Undesirable permanent makeup treatment

An effective method for Permanent makeup removal is the treatment with a laser. There are other offers, such as removal by means of creams or liquids, which, however, are less effective and carry the risk of burns with scarring or granulomatous inflammation. We do not recommend attempting therapy with tattoo remover.

Laser treatment

  • If the skin painting is then to be removed again, it is recommended to treat it with the q-switched or Pico Laser. It can blast the color pigments while the surrounding tissue is not damaged. The shorter the laser pulse, the better and finer it can shatter the color pigments into the smallest fragments, while the surrounding tissue is not damaged. Macrophages (scavenger cells) can remove the color fragmented in this way. Thus, in most cases, removal of the permanent makeup is possible.
Further information

Further information

Publications
Guidelines for removing permanent make-up.
Rümmelein, B. / Journal of Surgical Dermatology (online, 21.09.2016).
Publications
Removal of permanent make-up with laser.
Rümmelein, B. / SZD 1/2014

Further information

Publications
Guidelines for removing permanent make-up.
Rümmelein, B. / Journal of Surgical Dermatology (online, 21.09.2016).
Publications
Removal of permanent make-up with laser.
Rümmelein, B. / SZD 1/2014