If you’ve had an eyeliner tattoo treatment but you feel it’s a bit on the dark side, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will look at how to lighten eyeliner tattoo.
There are several ways to lighten eyeliner tattoo. These include safe exposure to the sun, saline solution application, laser removal, or exfoliation with chemicals. You could also just wait and allow it to fade naturally.
Benefits Of Eyeliner Tattoo
There are several benefits to having an eyeliner tattoo treatment done:
1. Time-Saving
Having the procedure done will save you time during your busy morning routine. Your eyes will be defined and ready to go.
2. Precision
If you struggle to achieve the shape you want with your eyeliner, then an eyeliner tattoo could be your solution. You’ll no longer have to worry about keeping your hand steady to achieve a precise finish.
3. Smudge-proof
Eyeliner tattoo is not only smudge-proof but waterproof too. On hot sweaty days, you won’t have to worry that your eyeliner is giving you panda eyes.
Beach days and pool days will be streak-free as this semi-permanent makeup stays in place for 12-18 months.
4. Definition
Eyeliner tattoo will define the shape of your eyes and the color without needing to add any extra makeup.
5. Volume
If you have missing lashes, or your lashes are very thin or light in color then eyeliner tattoo can combat this. It gives the appearance of more volume at the lash line.
For example, some people may have alopecia and are therefore prescribed Latisse to help them regrow lashes or even brows. If you are using Latisse, it’s perfectly fine to get an eyeliner tattoo as Latisse does not affect the quality of your tattoo.
Risks Of Permanent Eyeliner Tattoo
The benefits of eyeliner tattoo are, unfortunately, accompanied by a certain level of risk.
Some common complaints about the treatment are:
- Color is too harsh or dark
- The shape isn’t what they wanted, or it is irregular
- Line looks smudged
- The color looks like it has ‘seeped’ out
- Fashion trends are very fluid, so what you have chosen may not be very current after a while
- Your own preference can change over time, but semi-permanent makeup is just that: semi-permanent so it is not easily removed
And more serious complaints:
- Can lead to eye or skin infections
- Can cause allergic reactions (swelling, blistering skin)
- Can cause granulomas (small lumps under the skin where the treatment has taken place)
- Can result in scarring
Can You Lighten Eyeliner Tattoo?
If you’ve had an eyeliner tattoo procedure and your concern is that the color is too dark or too harsh then you can have it lightened.
However, the process is not easy. It can cause discomfort. In addition, it can be time-consuming and cost a significant amount of money.
Some medical professionals advise waiting. They believe you should let it fade over time due to the risks associated with some of the removal procedures.
Can Permanent Eyeliner Be Corrected At Home?
You can try to fade permanent eyeliner at home, although it may not fade it as significantly as you wish.
Best Ways To Lighten Eyeliner Tattoo
There are ways you can have your unwanted eyeliner tattoo lightened or removed completely.
At-Home Methods
Before shelling out too much money, you may want to try the methods below to see if they help fade your eyeliner tattoo:
1. Exfoliate
You can try regular exfoliation to promote fading. Using skin care ingredients like retinol which is known to fade permanent makeup is another method.
2. Tattoo Removal Creams
Tattoo removal creams are an option to try to fade your permanent eyeliner tattoo at home.
However, there is little in the way of evidence to show that these have any significant effect by themselves.
They work by peeling away the top layer of skin. However, the ingredients (such as trichloroacetic acid) are unregulated, so they carry a level of risk such as burning and scarring of the skin.
These creams are reported to be more effective when used in conjunction with laser treatments.
3. Sun Exposure
Spending some time in the sun (safely, of course) can help the pigment of your eyeliner tattoo fade a little. It is definitely not a quick fix, but it is an option.
Professional Methods
If you’re dead set on removing your eyeliner tattoo using an expert, then you should be able to find a method below to help
1. Saline Method
This is a common way to lighten tattoos, including makeup tattoos.
A saline solution is injected onto the unwanted eyeliner pigment.
The saline solution draws the ink to the surface of the skin. This begins the process of the pigment being drawn out of the skin and into a scab.
After a time, the scab falls off. The pigment will be removed or lightened significantly.
This method usually needs 2-6 sessions to get the desired results.
The saline solution method comes with a risk of permanent scarring, but if carried out by an experienced technician, this should be avoidable.
A local anesthetic is administered to manage pain, but a certain amount of discomfort may be inevitable.
2. Laser Method
Laser is the most traditional method of removing tattoos.
This method works by using pulses of light to break up the ink under the skin.
These broken-up, smaller molecules can then be carried away by the white blood cells. Results may vary depending on the laser type and wavelength of light used.
This treatment may require up to 8 sessions to be effective.
Although lasers around your eyes sound dangerous, precautions are taken to ensure the safety of your eyes.
You will have ocular shields in place to protect your cornea. An anesthetic cream will be administered to numb the area and reduce discomfort.
Tip: some people suggest exfoliating the inked area with fine sea salt in the two months leading up to laser treatment.
This is reported to reduce the number of laser sessions needed to get rid of the eyeliner tattoo. It is said to work best if the eyeliner tattoo is less than 6 months old.
3. Glycolic Acid Method
This is similar to the saline method of eyeliner tattoo removal and will lighten your eyeliner tattoo as opposed to full removal.
The skin is opened, and a glycolic acid solution is injected into the unwanted eyeliner ink.
The acid solution draws out the molecules of ink which then form a scab, taking pigment with it.
This method usually takes 2-6 sessions to achieve results. It is purported to be gentler on the skin than the saline method.
Again, this method carries a risk of permanent scarring, but a trained professional should be able to avoid this. The procedure itself can be uncomfortable.
4. Dermabrasion Method
Dermabrasion, also known as skin planing, involves exfoliating the skin’s outer layer using a rotating instrument.
This removes the layers of skin containing the tattoo pigment.
A local anesthetic is used to alleviate discomfort. It should be a single procedure with a recovery period of 2-3 weeks.
How Much Does Eyeliner Tattoo Removal Cost?
Having an eyeliner tattoo removed varies in price. It depends on a number of factors such as:
- Method of removal
- How many sessions you require
- Where you are having your treatment carried out
- Experience of the professional carrying out the treatment
Retinol To Exfoliate
If you decide to have a go using retinol to exfoliate, this can cost anything from $10 to $100, depending on the retinol treatment you choose.
Tattoo Removal Creams
These can cost as little as $5 but bear in mind that there is little evidence showing that they are effective when used by themselves.
Saline Method
This method of eyeliner tattoo removal can cost anything from $100 to $250 per session. The overall cost of removal will then depend on how many sessions you need to achieve the result you want.
Laser Method
If you opt for laser removal, you can expect to pay anything in the range of $200 to $500 per session.
It is dependent on the size of the area being lasered, how deep the pigmentation is and the expertise of the professional carrying out the procedure.
Glycolic Acid Method
This method is on the pricier side and can cost around $400 per session.
Dermabrasion Method
The cost of a dermabrasion treatment to have your eyeliner removed can be anything from $100 to $1000 per session.
It really depends on the size of the area requiring treatment, the experience of the technician, and the geographical area you are located.
So, if your eyeliner tattoo hasn’t come out as you expected, or you’ve had a change of heart, there are ways to tackle it.
With a little time and patience, you can get back to the look you want.