The Story of Botched Ink – By Lisa Henning

Hi, I’m Lisa Henning, and I’m the founder of Botched Ink. I created this brand out of necessity – from facing challenges head-on as a technician in the ever-evolving cosmetic tattooing industry. This is the story of how it all started, and how Botched Ink has grown to become a leading name in the world of saline tattoo removal and beyond.

✨ From Humble Beginnings to a Global Impact

Back in 2012, I took my first steps into the world of permanent makeup (PMU), working from my home studio. What started as a simple love for giving people beautiful brows and lips quickly grew into something much bigger. However, like many journeys, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

As the industry expanded, I started seeing an increase in technician hopping – clients were bouncing from one technician to another, often leaving behind botched work or unsatisfied results. Unfortunately, the quality of work across the industry varied wildly, and clients didn’t always know how to spot a good technician who had their best interests at heart.

I learned quickly that staying with the same technician was just like staying with your trusted hair colorist – consistency matters! But many potential clients had visible pigment from previous treatments, and I knew that simply adding new pigment wasn’t a long-term solution. In many cases, it wouldn’t look good for long.

🎯 Why Removal Matters

I realized I needed more options, so in 2013, I trained in salt and saline tattoo removal, followed by courses on using acid and alkaline solutions. I wanted to help clients with botched brows get a fresh start. But here’s where I hit a roadblock.

Clients didn’t want removal. They were after instant fixes, hoping I could just add more pigment and make things look good again. The reality, though, was that removal was often the best solution – but the process wasn’t easy. It was painful, had a long downtime, and required diligent aftercare. Most clients didn’t return after the first session because the vision of beautiful new brows felt too far away.

I’ll be honest – it was disheartening. I started to dislike offering removal services. It became something I barely spoke about, and instead, I would turn clients away if their previous work wasn’t at least 70% faded. It was tough on my wallet, but my conscience stayed intact. The last thing I wanted was to deliver a quick fix that wouldn't stand the test of time.

I tried educating clients about how pigment fades over time and the need for touch-ups and maintenance, but the industry wasn’t ready to hear it yet. Many were so desperate for new brows that they’d go to someone who promised quick fixes, even if that meant poor results in the long run.

🌱 Gaining Confidence and Making a Change

Fast forward to 2017, and the need for removal was growing more than ever. But something had changed – I’d grown more confident in my skills and knowledge. I had also become a trainer, teaching a course on Dry Tattooing, a technique for improving scars and stretch marks. I had more tools in my toolbox and felt ready to tackle the growing demand for better removal solutions.

I finally had access to saline products that I felt were worth trying. Clients were starting to say yes to removal, even though the process was still as painful and challenging as ever. That’s when I had an epiphany: What if I could make saline tattoo removal easier and more effective? I wanted to help other technicians avoid the frustrations I’d faced, so I wrote my own saline tattoo removal training course and started offering workshops around the country. But I knew I could do more.

🎯 The Birth of Botched Ink

Developing Botched Ink was surprisingly simple – in theory! I knew what the industry needed:

• Treatments that were less painful
• Procedures that were easier for both technicians and clients
• A solution that was less risky yet highly effective

In January 2019, after months of research, testing, and development, I launched Botched Ink – a saline tattoo removal solution designed to meet these needs. And guess what? It worked! 🎉

Since then, Botched Ink has become a name that both technicians and clients trust. We’ve trained hundreds of technicians around the world, and their clients are seeing amazing results – whether they’re correcting botched work or lightening pigment for a fresh start. In an industry where removal is one of the fastest-growing trends, we’ve found our place, and we’re here to stay!

💡 The Mission Behind Botched Ink

At Botched Ink, our mission is simple but powerful:

To train, support, and nurture PMU technicians worldwide by helping them meet new minimum standards for permanent makeup and microblading removal. We also aim to educate clients about the long-term maintenance cycle of cosmetic tattooing so they can make informed decisions.

Our vision is to:

• Eradicate the need for removal of bad work and oversaturated pigment
• Set a new standard for brow maintenance, adopted by all PMU professionals
• Ensure that clients understand the long-term maintenance cycle of microblading and permanent makeup

I want clients to be able to choose experts who specialize in these treatments, giving them peace of mind that they’ll get the results they want and deserve. Wouldn’t it be great if removal was only ever needed for routine maintenance, not because of botched work? 🌟

📈 Setting a New Industry Standard

Our goal is to make sure every PMU client knows that removal is part of their long-term treatment plan, so technicians can continue delivering their best work, year after year. And guess what? Botched Ink is perfectly positioned to be that solution.

But we also have to recognize the past. For many clients who haven’t been given this information, it means having difficult conversations about the need for removal. But together, we can start afresh!

🌍 Going Global

In November 2019, we launched our worldwide online training, making Botched Ink accessible to technicians all over the globe. By May 2020, we split our UK and international operations into two separate entities to better manage our growth. Covid lockdowns drove unprecedented demand for online training, but that also came with its own challenges.

We found that some trainers were offering subpar training, promoting Botched Ink products without having the proper knowledge. To protect our brand and ensure clients received the high-quality treatments they deserved, I made the bold decision in February 2021 to pull all distribution and limit product sales to only official Botched Ink technicians.

This was a tough but necessary move. By maintaining control over our product and training standards, we’re ensuring that Botched Ink continues to deliver the exceptional results we’re known for.

👩‍🔬 Innovation and Achievements

Since the launch of Botched Ink, we’ve achieved some incredible milestones:

• More than 1000 officially trained Botched Ink technicians worldwide
• Over 200-250 people visit our website each day – many looking for a technician or removal services near them (unpaid traffic)
• 50% of our techs are still active years after their training, a testament to the quality and support we offer
• In 2019, we won the Industry Innovation Award at Micropigmentation UK 🎉

We’ve built a strong community of technicians who not only trust Botched Ink but actively advocate for our methods and products. They know that by using Botched Ink, they’re giving their clients the best possible outcomes.

🚀 What’s Next?

Botched Ink is growing, and I couldn’t be prouder of the brand we’ve built. But I’m not stopping here. The future of saline tattoo removal looks bright, and we’re ready to keep pushing boundaries.

One of the challenges we’re facing is the rise of “Emergency Removal” – where clients come to us with horrifically botched work or severe reactions. Unfortunately, this has led to a boom in untrained techs offering saline tattoo removal without understanding the basics. But that’s where Botched Ink comes in.

As laser removal grows in popularity for PMU correction, I’ve noticed a common issue: many clients are left with red, orange, or yellow brows after laser treatments. While laser can be effective at removing darker pigments, it really struggles with these warm tones, which are so common in permanent makeup. Clients often end up dissatisfied with the results, and that’s why we advocate for Botched Ink first, laser second, IF still needed. 💡

At Botched Ink, I’ve personally seen the evolution of the PMU industry—from its early days to where it is now. And I’m already anticipating what’s next. We know this industry—past, present, and future. With our eyes firmly on the future, we’re ready to continue revolutionizing the PMU removal industry, helping both clients and technicians experience the very best in removal techniques.

🙌 Our Core Values

• We share our knowledge generously
• We champion and support the PMU community
• We always act responsibly
• We are uncompromising in raising and establishing standards

🚨 Why It Matters

Let’s face it: the cosmetic tattooing industry has changed dramatically over the years. Training standards can be inconsistent, and eyebrow disasters have become all too common. Clients deserve better. That’s why Botched Ink is here – to help technicians fix disasters, maintain beautiful brows, and offer high-quality, long-lasting results

We’re not just about fixing problems; we’re about preventing them in the first place. By educating both clients and technicians, we’re raising the bar for the entire industry.

🎉 Join the Botched Ink Revolution

If you’re a technician looking to up your game, or a client in need of a trusted removal expert, Botched Ink is the name you can rely on. We’re not just a product – we’re a community, a support system, and a commitment to raising the standards in the permanent makeup and microblading industry.

Let’s continue the revolution – whether you’re a technician, a client, or someone considering joining the movement. The journey of Botched Ink is still being written, and I’m thrilled for what’s next.

Together, we’re not just shaping brows; we’re shaping the future of our industry. 🌍

📋 Experience as a Technician & Trainer

• August 2012 : Permanent makeup training
• April 2013 : Salt and saline tattoo removal training
• June 2013 : MCA Microneedling training
• Numerous removal courses between 2014-2018
• 2015 : Teacher training and began offering Dry Tattooing Training
• Later expanded into Saline Tattoo Removal and the Microblading to Machine® (not active) conversion course

📊 Experience as a Saline Tattoo Removal Trainer & Developing Botched Ink®:

• March 2017: Wrote my own Saline Tattoo removal (STR) course as a trainer and distributor for another brand
• December 2017: Registered Botched Ink® domains and trademark
• January 2018: Started offering my own non-branded STR course
• 2018: Developed and tested the Botched Ink® solution
• January 2019: Officially launched Botched Ink® in the UK
• November 2019: Launched Botched Ink® worldwide via distributors
• February 2021: Pulled all distribution and made Botched Ink exclusive to techs trained by us
• Set up stock hubs in America, Canada, Australia, and the UK

🏆 Achievements

• May 2019: Won the award for Industry Innovation at Micropigmentation UK
• Our website consistently ranks top of Google searches for STR
• 200-250 daily visitors to the Botched Ink website (unpaid traffic)
• Over 1,000 officially trained Botched Ink® technicians across the globe
• More than 50% of our techs are still active years after training, and they can be found on our Find a Tech map
• Built a strong, supportive community of removal specialists

🌟 Looking Ahead: A Future of Innovation and Empowerment

The story of Botched Ink doesn’t stop here. We are always moving forward, and our commitment to excellence drives us to keep evolving. In the ever-changing world of cosmetic tattooing, we’re not only here to fix what’s broken , but to create an industry where disasters are a thing of the past.

What excites me most about the future of Botched Ink is the opportunity to empower more technicians and educate more clients . Every technician who joins our team becomes part of a global community that values quality, responsibility, and client care. Every client who trusts us with their brows is one more person we’ve helped feel confident again. That’s what makes it all worth it. 💪

This isn’t just about removal; it’s about setting a new standard in the beauty industry. By combining cutting-edge products with top-tier training, Botched Ink is proof that when you have the right tools, the right guidance, and the right heart, you can make an enormous impact – on your clients, on your business, and on the world.

With the help of ChatGPT ✨

I've updated the Botched Ink story over the years, and most recently it was split into two pages, my story and the Botched Ink story. Fancying giving everything to ChatGPT, who's come to know me quite well, I handed over both pages to them and asked:

I would like you to combine both pages to create an engaging, truthful and inspiring page about the Botched Ink story. You can use 2000+ words, bullet points and emojis where they add personality. Writing in the first person, as me Lisa

The resulting page is what you've been reading ... I haven't edited it. I do have a bit of updating to add as we build our team of Approved Botched Ink Trainers, which has now grown into the United States! In the UK, I'm very thankful to still be working with trainers who've loved Botched Ink for years! - Join the training team 🤩

I do say thank you to ChatGPT 😊