Permanent Makeup Removal London – Emergency & Laser
We offer permanent makeup removal for eyebrows, eyeliner and lips at our clinic in Notting Hill, London. Our methods include emergency removal, laser, saline, alkaline and magnetic removal.
Over the last decade, permanent makeup has become extremely popular and widely available. The results are often very flattering, but unfortunately on occasions, due to bad technique, colour choice, migrations and pigment saturation, there is the need for permanent makeup and microblading removal.
How to remove permanent makeup
There are a number of really effective ways to remove permanent makeup and they fall into the following categories:
- Emergency Removal – within 48 hours of treatment, solution based
- Laser Removal – using a laser to breakdown the pigment and remove
- Manual Removal – these include Saline, Alkaline and Acid Removals
What is the best way to remove permanent makeup?
This will depend on a number of factors:
- Where the pigment is? Brows, Lips, Eyeliner etc
- How old the pigment is
- How saturated the pigment is (very faded or packed with pigment)
- What colour the pigment is
- Your skin type and tone
- How much downtime
How can I remove Microblading?
The same options are used for microblading and machine permanent makeup, we use Laser, Li-FT and other manual options. Removing microblading especially Emergency Microblading removal can be extremely effective.
We appreciate that you may not know which would be the best option for you so will be happy to recommend a treatment plan for you once we have assessed the area. This will be the safest and most effective option for your enhancement.
Which permanent makeup removal method is right for me?
The best method depends on where the pigment is, how old and dense it is, its colour, your skin tone and how much downtime you can accept. This table shows how each method compares. We confirm the right option after assessing the area.
| Method | Best for | Downtime | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency removal (Li-FT or MM) | Fresh work within 48 hours of treatment, brows, eyeliner and lips | Redness and a scab, which normally falls off within a week | Up to about 80% lift in the first session, case dependent. Removes more pigment than healed work. |
| Laser (Q-switched Nd:YAG) | Dark or red, heavily pigmented brows and eyeliner. Switching red or ashy tones. | Less than Li-FT or MM | Patch test the week before. May not suit darker skin tones, lip removals or very light pigments. Not a hair removal laser. |
| Li-FT (saline based) | Emergency removal, and pigments lasers cannot remove, including green, yellow and white | Redness and a scab, normally gone within a week | Developed by Li Pigments. Our preferred option for emergency removal because of its safety. |
| MM (alkaline and glycolic) | Very stubborn, old pigment in brows, eyeliner and lip liner | Extended, as it is more invasive than our other methods. Expect redness and a scab. | Can reduce the number of sessions. Can also be used for emergency removal on all areas. |
| Magnetic | Very faded or fresh work. Suitable for all skin types and all pigment colours, including camouflage. | Very Little. Shower and play sport the same day, with very little scabbing | Sessions can be repeated every 3 to 4 weeks, rather than 8 weeks for saline or laser. Heavily pigmented brows may need other methods. |
Most people need 3 to 6 sessions, depending on the pigment and the method used
Emergency Permanent Makeup Removal
Emergency Removals for Microblading and PMU
Are you unhappy with recent microblading, eyeliner or lip blush? Our emergency removal can be performed within 48 hours of treatment to lift fresh pigment before it settles.
Why choose emergency removal
- Up to ~80% lift in the first session (case dependent)
- Available for brows, eyeliner and lips
- Gentle protocols: Li-FT procedure or MM (selected after assessment)
- Allows us to remove more pigment than when it has healed.
- Best option for microblading removal
Once healed, we can continue removing your pigment (if required) using laser, Li-FT, MM or magnetic removal for the best overall outcome.
Emergency removal is most effective when performed as early as possible, we will try to make room for your appointment so please do get in touch with us to discuss.
Laser Removal
This is an excellent option for very dark and heavily pigmented brows and eyeliners, it is also a useful tool in ‘colour switching’ brows that have turned red or ashy.
People often are hesitant to have laser removals as they believe that they will lose their brow hair, this is a misconception as this type of laser (Q-switched Nd:YAG) isn’t used for hair removal and is very safe to use on brows or eyeliners.
The configuration of this laser is specifically designed for removal of permanent makeup which makes it significantly more gentle than traditional ‘tattoo removal’ lasers. As with all removal methods, multiple sessions and we will ask you to come for a patch test the week before your treatment to test settings and any colour changes in your pigment.
Please note that laser removal may not be appropriate for darker skin tones, lip removals or very light coloured pigments.
Benefits of Laser
- Often the fastest route to removal
- Less downtime than other removal methods
- Can be used to ‘switch’ unwanted tones in the brows such as reds/greys and to tone down work
- Our laser is specifically designed for the removal of permanent makeup
Best For
- Dark pigment in brows and eyeliner
- Removing areas with a lot of pigment
- Removing Red tones from brows
We recommend that you work with a practitioner that understands skin types and tones to avoid any complications during removals as cited in the National Institute of Health Article
Saline Removal (Li-FT)
The Li-FT removal treatment was developed by Li Pigments and is an extremely effective saline based removal system. This is our preferred option for Emergency Removals due to its’ safety factor – emergency removals must be carried out within 48 hours of the treatment. This method is also extremely effective for removing colours that cannot be removed with laser including green, yellow and white pigments.
Alkaline/Glycolic Removal (MM Removal)
This versatile removal system uses Alkaline and Glycolic for the most effective removal of very stubborn pigment. The MM system is more invasive than our other offerings and therefore the downtime will be extended. This is a great option for anyone who wants to accelerate the removal of their permanent makeup and reduce the number of sessions.
Effective removal of stubborn and old pigment
- Reduced number of sessions for removal
- Effective removal of stubborn and old pigment including eyebrows, eyeliner and lip liner
- Can be used for Emergency Removal on all areas
Magnetic Removal
This gentle system removes pigment without the significant downtime and healing process of previous methods (laser, acid, saline). It is safe, effective and can be used with all skin types and on all colours of pigment including camouflage. This option is great for very faded or very fresh work as it is so gentle.
The removal solution is applied using the 88 needle and the pigment is ‘pulled’ out of the skin. The combination of the magnetic needle attracting the metals in the pigment combined with the ultrasonic effect of the 88 configuration makes this one of the most gentle removal methods we have encountered. Best of all, treatments can be repeated every 3-4 weeks rather than 8 weeks for saline/laser etc meaning that your tattoo can be removed more quickly. If your brows are heavily pigmented then other methods may be more appropriate.
- Almost no downtime – resume normal activities on the same day
- Very little scabbing or redness.
- Non invasive removal of pigment from the brows, eyeliner, lips and body
- Removes all colours including Beige, Red, Blue, & white
- May not be appropriate for very old or saturated pigment
Why Choose Borciani London
We have over a decade of experience in Permanent Makeup Removals and are one of the only clinics in the country to be able to offer all methods of removal and laser eyeliner removal. We have worked with most pigments and methods over the years and have performed thousands of procedures. Our clinic Director, Natasha Borciani, also has an extensive background in scar reduction so will be able to recommend the most effective removal methods whilst protecting your skin.
This depth of knowledge gives her the advantage of understanding how pigment changes over time and therefore which will be the best method of removal for you.
She is a proud member of the British Medical Laser Association (BMLA) who promote safety in the field and are responsible for establishing the guidelines for medical laser treatments
Remove and Redo
Once the removal journey has been completed, many of our patients wish to redo their permanent makeup but with an improved shape, colour or intensity.
We provide full permanent makeup services and of course will have a complete history of your removal and more importantly an in depth understanding of how you wanted your permanent makeup to look. Please take a look at our options for Permanent Makeup for Microblading, Powder Brows, Lip Blush, Eyeliner and Lip Neutralisation
You can also browse our Gallery to check out our before and after photos or do take a look at our blogs for information on Removals.
Commonly Asked Questions
Who should have permanent makeup removal?
Anyone wishing to remove permanent makeup, either because they do not like the shape/colour or because the pigment has faded into an unflattering shade.
Please note, we are unable to treat you if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have auto immune conditions. Please check our medical forms for a full list of contraindications.
How quickly can I remove permanent makeup?
We can see you immediately after your unwanted procedure for an emergency removal (up to 48 hours). If it is past 48 hours then we will need to wait a month before treatment
What if I am nervous?
It’s quite normal to be nervous before your treatment, especially if it is your first time. We will make sure that you are as comfortable as possible (and will use topical anaesthetics), the Borciani London staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about your treatment.
How quickly can I get permanent makeup after removal?
We will let your skin heal for 8-12 weeks after removal before reapplying
Do I need to do anything to prepare for my permanent makeup removal?
The better the condition of your skin, the better the results, please avoid any chemical peels, Retinols for 1 week and do not take any blood thinners for 48 hours before your treatment. Please also avoid sun exposure especially with laser removals.
Can lip blush or lip liner be removed?
Yes, often we are able to remove pigment both on the border and on the lips. The lip tissue is much thinner than the brows, so we need to use more gentle methods and do a patch test if laser removal is being used, not only to check the settings but also whether the pigment will oxidise (turn grey).
Can permanent eyeliner be removed?
Yes, we can remove permanent eyeliner and are one of the only clinics in London to offer Laser Removal for eyeliner. Safety is our utmost concern which is why we use ocular shields when performing full laser removal, we can also use Li-FT removal if laser removal is not an option for you.
How many sessions will I need?
This will really depend on a number of factors such as the amount of pigment in the skin, the age of the pigment, the depth of the work and how your immune system processes the treatment. We will usually see people for 3-6 sessions.
Will laser removal make my brow hair fall out?
This is a very common question and no, the lasers used to remove pigment are very different from hair removal lasers. The hair can sometimes temporarily blanch (turn white). This can be for hours or longer but they will grow back normally.
How will I look after permanent makeup removal?
This will depend on the removal method. For Magnetic, there is very little downtime and for MM and Li-ft you will have quite red brows which will form a scab, this will normally fall off within a week.
How much does permanent makeup removal cost in London?
Emergency removal is £250 within 48 hours.
Standard PMU removal is £275 for the first session and £220 for each session thereafter.
Laser removal starts from £350.
See our Pricing page for the latest fees.
How long does it take to remove permanent makeup?
Treatments are 45-60 minutes depending on the method.
Is laser removal safe for darker skin tones?
Laser is not recommended for very dark skin tones due to pigmentation risks, we can assess, patch test and discuss the options with you.
Will removal leave a scar?
We have been performing removals for over 10 years using all methods and will discuss the best options for your permanent makeup and skin type to ensure that your skin is protected and all risks are minimised. What we sometimes see is scar tissue from badly applied permanent makeup. Natasha Borciani, the Clinic Director, has extensive experience in treating scars and can assist you if you have damaged tissue from permanent makeup or removals undertaken elsewhere. As with all removal methods, there is a small risk of scarring, we will discuss these risks with you during the consultation.
Permanent Makeup Removals
This short video covers when you should consider removals. the different methods, what can and can’t be removed and options for brows, eyeliner and lips
