Laser Tattoo Removal

Whether it is a small tattoo on the face or neck, or cosmetic tattooing such as microbladed brows or permanent eyeliner that no longer suits you, laser tattoo removal can fade the ink gradually over a series of sessions. We offer facial and cosmetic tattoo removal at our physician-led med spa in Downers Grove, for patients from Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Naperville and across DuPage County.

What we treat

• Eyebrow tattoos: microblading, powder brows and older solid brow tattoos.
• Permanent eyeliner: assessed carefully, and treated with protective eye shields in place.
• Lip liner and lip color: assessed case by case and started with a test spot, since these pigments can react unpredictably.
• Small tattoos: on the face, behind the ear and on the neck.

How laser tattoo removal works

The laser delivers very short pulses of light that are absorbed by the ink. The ink breaks into tiny particles, which your body's immune system then clears away naturally over the following weeks. Each session breaks down more of the remaining ink, so the tattoo fades a little further every time.

Cosmetic tattoos need extra care

Facial skin is more delicate than skin elsewhere on the body, and cosmetic tattoo inks behave differently from ordinary tattoo ink. Some permanent makeup pigments, particularly white, flesh-toned and some red or brown shades, can darken when treated with a laser. For that reason we usually start with a small test spot and check how the ink responds before treating the whole area. Treatments near the eyes are carried out with protective eye shields in place.

Eyebrow tattoo and microblading removal

Brows are the most common reason people ask about cosmetic tattoo removal. The shape may no longer suit your face, the strokes may have blurred, or the pigment may have shifted over the years to a red, orange or gray-blue tone that makeup cannot hide.

You do not have to remove your brows completely. There are two approaches:

• Full removal, fading the pigment as far as it will go so you can return to your natural brows.
• Lightening for a correction, fading the old work enough for your brow artist to reshape or recolor it cleanly.

Microblading pigment is usually placed more shallowly than a body tattoo, so it often fades in fewer sessions, although every case is different. The laser can temporarily lighten the brow hairs themselves. They normally return to their usual color as they grow out.

How many sessions will you need?

Most tattoos need several sessions, spaced six to eight weeks apart to give the skin time to heal and the body time to clear the ink. The number depends on:

• Ink color: black and dark ink respond best; some colors take longer.
• Ink density and depth: professional tattoos usually hold more ink than amateur ones.
• Age of the tattoo: older tattoos have often faded naturally and may clear sooner.
• Your skin: settings are chosen for your skin type to protect the surrounding skin.

Brows that have been touched up many times, or tattooed over in a second color, hold more pigment and take longer to clear.

What to expect at your appointment

Before treatment

• Let recent work heal. If your brows, liner or lips were tattooed or touched up recently, the skin needs to heal fully first.
• Protect your face from the sun and skip self-tanner before your appointment.
• Come without makeup on the area, and without contact lenses if we are treating eyeliner.
• Tell us if you get cold sores, particularly before treatment around the lips, and about any medications you take.

During treatment

Your eyes are protected throughout. The laser is passed over the pigment in quick pulses that feel like a rubber band snapping against the skin, and we will go over ways to keep you comfortable. Brows and other small facial areas take only a few minutes. The treated pigment often turns a frosty white straight afterwards, which fades within minutes.

After treatment

The treated area may look red, swollen or slightly raised for a few hours, and some people get light blistering or scabbing that heals over a week or two. Keep the area clean, avoid picking at it and protect it from the sun. We will give you full aftercare instructions at each visit.

• Keep makeup off the area until the skin has healed.
• Let any scabs fall away on their own. Picking can leave a mark, and facial skin shows it.
• Wear sunscreen daily once the area has healed. Treated skin on the face is exposed all year, including in a Chicago winter.

The skin can become temporarily lighter or darker where it was treated, and complete removal cannot be guaranteed for every pigment. We will go over the risks for your skin before you start.

Planning ahead for new brows

If you intend to have your brows redone, build in time. A course of lightening takes several months, and the skin needs to heal after your final session before new pigment goes in. It is worth involving your brow artist early, so that we fade the old work as far as their new design needs and no further.

Facial and eyebrow tattoo removal in Downers Grove

Metamorphosis Med Spa is a physician-led practice at 3825 Highland Ave, Suite 5G, Downers Grove, inside the professional building at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital. Treatment on the face, and especially near the eyes, is something to have done in a medical setting. Patients come to us from Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Elmhurst, Burr Ridge, Wheaton and Naperville as well as from Downers Grove itself. See all the communities we serve.

Consultations are complimentary, and we offer weekday and Saturday-morning appointments. Call 630.968.1100, or visit our contact page for a map, directions and opening hours.

Frequently asked questions

Will the laser remove my eyebrow hair?

No. The laser targets tattoo pigment, not the hair follicle. Brow hairs can lighten temporarily after a session and normally regain their color as they grow.

Can microblading be removed completely?

Often it can be faded until it is no longer noticeable. Some pigments are more stubborn than others, which is why we start with a test spot.

Can I have my brows redone afterwards?

Yes, once the skin has fully healed. We will advise you on how long to wait after your final session.

Is permanent eyeliner removal safe?

It needs more caution than any other area. We assess the eyelids and the pigment at your consultation, and treatment is carried out with protective eye shields in place. If we do not think laser is the right choice for you, we will say so.

How much does cosmetic tattoo removal cost?

Cost depends on the area and the number of sessions. We will give you a clear quote at your consultation, and payment plans are available.

Want to remove a tattoo on the arms, back, legs or elsewhere? See laser tattoo removal for the body.