FADED PODCAST
Brow Hair Loss During Laser PMU Removal
Permanent eyebrow makeup removal is becoming increasingly common as people look to correct old work, lighten overly saturated pigment, or simply return to a more natural look. With that interest, though, comes a lot of hesitation – mostly centered around one common fear: losing natural brow hair. Online forums are full of stories about singed hairs, patchy regrowth, or follicles that never recover, and it can be hard to separate misinformation from real causes.
The Truth About Laser PMU Removal and Hair Loss
The truth is that most of these issues come down to two key factors: the type of laser being used and the technique behind it. High-quality, medical-grade Pico lasers, like the PicoWay, deliver extremely fast pulses that break apart pigment with minimal heat. Less heat means less risk to the surrounding hair follicles. Cheaper or knockoff “pico” machines, on the other hand, often fire much slower pulses, generating more heat and increasing the chance of burning, singeing, or stressing the natural hairs. This is where many of those horror stories begin.
Technique is just as important. Even with advanced equipment, inexperienced handling can lead to unnecessary passes, incorrect energy settings, or poor spacing – all of which increase the likelihood of damaging the hair instead of just the pigment. When the correct laser and proper technique work together, the pigment can be lifted safely while the natural brow hair remains intact and undisturbed.
Understanding this makes the whole process of PMU removal far less intimidating. Permanent eyebrow makeup can be removed cleanly and effectively when done in the right environment with the right tools. For anyone considering it, the key is to look for a studio that prioritizes proper technology, experience, and precision. With those pieces in place, clients can confidently remove outdated or unwanted PMU without putting their natural brows at risk.
FULL TRANSCRIPT
[00:00:00] We get a lot of clients coming in who want to get their permanent makeup eyebrows removed, but the number one question and concern they have is: are my eyebrows going to fall out? The number one reason this happens is because the wrong laser is being used. In the past five or six years, we’ve seen a lot of studios open up, but they haven’t purchased the right laser.
[00:00:26] The faster the speed, the less damage to the skin. But with the wrong technique, you can still damage hair follicles and the existing hairs on the outside. So how can you avoid this when you’re looking to get your permanent makeup removed? Welcome to the Faded Podcast. In this episode, I’m going to talk about permanent makeup removal and hair loss.
[00:00:54] When I talk about permanent makeup removal, I’m talking about eyebrows. We get a lot of clients coming in who want to get their permanent makeup eyebrows removed, but the number one concern they have is: are my eyebrows going to fall out? Am I going to lose my hair follicles? Are my brows going to be singed? Are the hairs going to become damaged? We get the question all the time, and I understand why. If you go online—chat forums, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit—you’ll find someone sharing a story about how they got their permanent makeup removed and their hair fell out.
[00:01:41] Why is that happening? It’s a simple answer. The hair follicles are being damaged. That’s number one. When follicles are damaged, the hair won’t grow back. Number two, the hairs may be singed on the outside of the skin, the laser burns the hair, and the hairs break off, making it look like you lost hair.
[00:02:10] Those are the two reasons people experience hair loss: either the hair follicles are damaged, or the exterior hair is being damaged by the laser. Sometimes the laser takes all the pigment out, but the hair doesn’t fall off—it just looks like white hair. There are ways to avoid that.
[00:02:31] The number one reason this happens is because the wrong laser is being used. If the wrong laser is being used, you can almost guarantee that your hairs are going to fall out, whether it’s from internal follicle damage or the hairs being burnt on the outside and falling off. Either way, the wrong laser will do that.
[00:02:53] Number two is technique. You could be using the right equipment, but with the wrong technique, you can still damage hair follicles and the existing hairs on the outside. So how can you avoid this when you’re looking to get your permanent makeup removed?
[00:03:16] Number one is to make sure the laser studio you’re going to is using the right equipment. We recommend the PicoWay. The PicoWay has the fastest pulse duration of any laser on the market. Pulse duration is the speed of the pulse. The faster the speed, the less damage to the skin and the less heat transferred.
[00:03:45] Heat is what kills a hair follicle. The slower the pulse duration, the more heat is transferred, and the greater the chance of hair follicle damage. The faster the pulse duration, the less heat and the less damage to your skin and follicles—simple. So how do you know which laser is right?
[00:04:11] In the past five or six years, we’ve seen a lot of studios open up—brow artists, tattoo artists, or people trying to get into the laser tattoo removal game. Many have not purchased the right laser. They’ve gotten knockoffs: Toro, Magic Wand, or “pico” machines are advertised heavily online. They use the term “pico” to make people think it’s comparable to brand names like PicoWay or PicoSure.
[00:04:47] It may be, but chances are if it’s a knockoff, it’s shooting a much slower pulse duration with lower peak power. A slower pulse duration delivers more heat to the skin, increasing the chances of follicle damage or singeing the hairs that exist. Low peak power means it won’t break up pigment properly, so you’ll need many more sessions.
[00:05:40] It’s not only about pulse duration—it’s also about power. You want a laser that’s fast and strong. If you’re comparing lasers, look at PicoWay first, with PicoSure in second place.
[00:06:04] Which brings us to the second point, and this is important: just because you have proper equipment does not mean you know how to operate it. It’s important to know how to use that equipment to get results without damaging the skin. You could have the keys to a Ferrari in your driveway—that doesn’t mean you know how to drive.
[00:06:55] The two things you should look for when getting your permanent makeup brows lasered off are: number one, is the proper equipment being used? Number two, is the operator capable? Are they using proper technique and do they have experience with laser tattoo removal?
[00:07:20] A lot of people are trying to get into the game. They’re great at marketing, they talk a big game, and they show nice results. But if they’re not using the proper equipment, you could suffer an adverse reaction that might not happen right away. Your follicles could be damaged, and months later you’ll notice the hair isn’t coming back and realize it happened during the process. The last thing you want is to remove your permanent makeup and reveal your natural hairs only for those hairs to fall out.
[00:07:52] The advice is simple: find a laser studio using the right equipment, the proper technique, and a person or team experienced in removing permanent makeup. That’s how to avoid hair loss during the laser tattoo removal process.
[00:08:17] We do free consultations and accept clients from all over the world. People come to us because they trust us. They know we do a good job, and it’s worth it for peace of mind knowing their tattoo will be removed without adverse reactions. Thank you for tuning in to the Faded Podcast, and we look forward to seeing you again.