Removers vs Lasers: Advantages of the Chemical Method (Part I)

Inga Babitskaya, certified specialist in the field of permanent make-up, make-up, stylistics, cosmetology and aesthetics, international class master teacher, speaker of Russian and international congresses, conferences and assemblies dedicated to permanent make-up and microblading, member of the panel of judges and competitive juries for PM and microblading, author of the book - tutorial "Permanent makeup - harmony should be in everything!" (Moscow)

Any PM master wants to work on “clean” skin, not touched by the needle of another specialist. But more and more clients come to us, having already been "in someone's hands." And it is far from always possible (or desirable) to correct the existing PM. In this article, we will consider the features of different methods of removing permanent makeup and figure out what to choose in a particular case.

How many millennia the history of decorating oneself with permanent drawings has, the same time humanity has been looking for effective ways to remove the results of this decoration. There has never been, never will be, a shortage of clients who want to remove poor-quality or annoying work from the skin of the body and face. Of course, it is not news that many clients have visually visible residual pigment on their faces. And, unfortunately, often this visible trace falls under the slang definition of "trash".

Masters who have even little experience in permanent makeup were able to appreciate how much more aesthetically high-quality work can be done on skin that is free from unwanted residual pigment, compared to skin with traces of someone else's unsuccessful "exercises". And if a master with little experience enthusiastically undertakes to correct other people's mistakes, then more experienced colleagues, realizing how thankless this work is, send clients to the removal procedure.

I predict with absolute certainty that every day the number of clients who want to remove old or low-quality work will increase.

Photos before and after the removal procedure with a remover. Photos provided by the author

Relevance of the issue

What is more problematic today - low-quality permanent makeup or microblading? Based on my own observations, I would say equally.

However, microblading is now gaining more attention. Today we are seeing how the spears of fans and opponents of this technique of manual permanent makeup method cross. Perhaps no technique has previously caused such a zealous confrontation. I think the reason for the manifestation of a negative attitude towards microblading is as old as the world - it is human greed. The low cost of a manual handpiece and needles for it, on the one hand, and the high cost of the procedure, on the other hand, prompted people who were completely far from the beauty industry to engage in this technique. Naturally, the result was not long in coming - a huge number of affected customers.

Almost all specialists - doctors who remove pigment with a laser, and specialists who remove it with a remover - accept clients who want to either get rid of an annoying drawing or image, or regain their beauty, which is disfigured by trash permanent makeup, microblading or tattoo.

After all, techniques that give the most natural result have become relevant now. The time of pretentious forms, far from the physiological location on the face, has passed. And thank God!

The implementation of such techniques (spraying, powder techniques, pixel pigment application) is impossible if the residual pigment is clearly visible on the skin. So we can confidently say that a master of permanent makeup cannot do without mastering the techniques of removing pigments! In addition, the high demand for pigment removal has made these procedures very commercially viable.

Photos before and after the removal procedure with a remover

Pigment Removal Methods

Let's see what types of removal of pigments from the skin exist.

Removal methods include:

• physical;
• chemical;
• laser.

Physical and chemical removal are the oldest, I would say ancient methods. But laser is the youngest direction. Naturally, each of these methods has differences, its advantages and disadvantages.

Firstly, the physical method (surgery) and laser are medical procedures. They can only be performed in a licensed medical institution and by the hands of doctors. Only doctors! Unfortunately, in our country, the legislation regarding laser removal is violated everywhere. And laser removal is carried out by people who are far from medicine, and the lasers they work with are most often not registered as medical equipment. Most likely, one day control will be strengthened in this area and order will be restored. But when that will happen is still unclear.

The chemical method (with the help of removers) of removing pigments is not a medical manipulation, akin to permanent makeup and tattoos. Remuvers according to their composition are divided into:

• salt based;
• acid;
• oxide.

The most modern and effective removers are those whose active ingredient is oxides. But the best, and therefore the fastest and safest effect in removing unwanted pigment gives ... no, not a laser or a remover! And brains and hands. There are no bad or good removal methods. There is professionalism that allows you to prefer, alternate or combine laser removal and removal with a remover.

Before and after the removal procedure with a remover

In the continuation of the article , we will talk about when it is definitely preferable to use a remover, using the example of oxide (as the most effective today) removers.