Why so many people are removing old brows and starting again, more naturally.
Heavy, ashy or dated permanent makeup is one of the most common reasons people come to the clinic. This is why it happens, why you cannot simply draw over it, and how laser lifts it so you can begin again.
If you are wondering how to remove old microblading, or permanent makeup brows that no longer look like you, you are far from alone. Brows that have turned heavy, ashy or simply dated are one of the most common reasons people walk through the door at 4 George Street, and very often they have spent years quietly filling them in, covering them up or wishing they could start again.
This piece explains why it happens, why the answer is so rarely to add more pigment on top, and how we lift old work with laser so that, once your skin has settled, you can begin again with something softer and more natural.
Why so many people want their old brows removed
Brows follow fashion more than almost any other feature. Very thin brows, very heavy brows, sharply angled brows: each has had its moment, and permanent makeup drawn at the height of one trend can feel very out of place a few years later. The whole industry is moving towards softer, more natural brows, and many people simply no longer recognise themselves in work they chose a long time ago.
Pigment also changes as it ages. Over the years it can drift towards ashy, grey or even blue tones, the crisp strokes can soften into a shaded block, and the shape can spread. Add a few colour boosts on top, sometimes by different artists, and the brows become dense and saturated. I explain why that happens in more detail in the skin cup theory.
Why you cannot simply draw over saturated brows
It is tempting to think a new set of brows can be drawn over the old ones. When the old work has faded well, sometimes it can. But when the skin is already holding a lot of pigment, adding more on top only makes the brows heavier, and it puts the health of your skin at risk. The new strokes have nowhere clean to sit, and the result rarely looks natural.
The kindest route is usually to lift some or all of the old pigment first, let the skin recover, and then start again on a clean canvas. It takes a little longer, but it is the difference between brows that sit lightly on your face and brows that you are working around for years to come.
How laser lifts old brow pigment
Every laser treatment begins with a patch test, and the settings are adjusted to your skin tone and type. The laser breaks the pigment into tiny particles, and between sessions your body gradually clears them away on its own. Sessions are usually spaced around six weeks apart, depending on how you heal, and we review your progress each time.
Most people describe the sensation as a warm flick against the skin with a soft clicking sound, and you may see some redness or mild swelling for a few days afterwards. It is worth knowing that pigment can change colour as it lifts, and that complete removal can never be guaranteed, which is why we always give you an honest estimate before you begin. If your brows are a shape you still love but the colour has turned, laser brow toning can soften the cooler tones without full removal. You can read more about when PMU laser removal is the right call.
Letting the skin heal before new brows
Once the pigment has lifted enough, your skin needs time to fully settle before any new pigment goes in. That is usually 12 to 16 weeks after your final laser session. Rushing it risks poor healing and pigment that does not hold well, so we always reassess the skin before we begin designing.
Starting again, more naturally
When your skin is ready, your new brows are designed from your face, not from a trend. Depending on your skin, any remaining pigment and the look you would like, that might be microblading, the finer digital strokes of a nano brow, or a combination brow, with strokes from the front to the tail and soft shading for depth. New brows are created across two appointments, usually four weeks apart, so the result can be refined once the first session has healed.
The Laser Brow Reset
For anyone who knows from the start that they want old work lifted and redone, the Laser Brow Reset brings the whole journey together: consultation, laser lifting, healing and a new set of brows, planned as one. It comes in three packages, each including a new brow set over two appointments: Brow Reset 3, with three laser sessions, is £695; Brow Reset 4 is £765; and Brow Reset 5 is £835.
If your brows are ready for redesign before you have used all your included sessions, we will discuss a credit or refund for the unused sessions. If you need a little longer, further sessions can be booked at £85 each. Full details are on the prices page.
Is removal always necessary?
Not always. If older work has faded by around half to seventy per cent, it is sometimes possible to work over it. If you have had previous work by another artist, we do advise coming in for a consultation first, so we can see what is already in the skin, work out the best plan for you and talk honestly about any limitations. Sometimes the answer is a gentle tone rather than full removal, and sometimes it is a fresh start. Either way, you will know before anything begins. For general advice on choosing a practitioner for any cosmetic procedure, the NHS guide to cosmetic procedures is a sensible place to start.
Frequently asked
Can old microblading be removed completely?
Often it fades dramatically, particularly black and brown pigments, but complete removal can never be guaranteed. Pigment can also change colour during removal. We tell you honestly at your consultation what laser is likely to achieve for your skin and your pigment.
How many laser sessions will I need?
It depends on the pigment, how deep it sits, how it was applied and how your skin responds. Many people need between three and five sessions, around six weeks apart, which is why the Laser Brow Reset comes in three, four and five session packages.
How long after laser removal can I have new brows?
Usually 12 to 16 weeks after your final laser session, so the skin has fully settled. In the Brow Reset we allow around fourteen weeks, then reassess your skin before designing your new brows.
Does laser brow removal hurt?
Most people describe a warm flick against the skin with a soft clicking sound. Each session is short, and the great majority of clients find it very manageable.
Can you correct brows done by another artist?
Often, yes. We do advise coming in for a consultation first if you have had previous work by another artist, so we can see what is already in the skin, work out the best treatment plan for you and talk honestly about any limitations.
Ready for brows that feel like you again? Book a consultation with Zara at Little London Clinic, 4 George Street, Royal Leamington Spa, or read more about the Laser Brow Reset. You will leave knowing exactly what is possible for your skin, and how long it is likely to take.
