Introduction
Today I’m going to explain your options for eyebrow tattoo, PMU, and microblading removal, looking at saline, laser, and how they can sometimes work together in difficult cases.
Historically, saline was the tried-and-tested method for lightening unwanted brows. In recent years, laser has become popular too, but it isn’t always the best first option. I'll be explaining why...
Thanks for being here!
Lisa 🧡
TL;DR
Both saline and laser can remove eyebrow tattoos, but they work differently. Laser is strongest on black pigment but often leaves red, yellow, or orange behind. Botched Ink® saline removal works on the full pigment mix, creating a controlled wound that heals predictably with minimal aftercare. Most clients start with saline first, then use laser later only if black pigment remains.
Eyebrow Tattoo Removal
With so many different types of eyebrow tattoo removal available, it helps to understand the pigments first.
Eyebrow tattoos are shades of brown, a mix of black, red, yellow, white ⚫🔴🟡⚪ and sometimes green or orange modifiers 🟠🟢.
This is where removal gets tricky: laser removes black first, but the other colours are left behind. That’s why a patch test can sometimes reveal brows turning red, orange, or even yellow.
Saline removal works differently. Instead of chasing one colour at a time, it draws pigment up and out of the skin, whatever shade it is. This is why saline, particularly Botched Ink®, is often the first choice for cosmetic tattoos — especially when scar tissue is present, because laser can’t reach pigment trapped under fibrotic layers, but saline still can.
Isn't laser eyebrow tattoo removal the best method?
Laser is often seen as the go-to for tattoo removal, but when it comes to brows, it isn’t always the best first choice. That’s because eyebrow pigments are blends of several colours. Laser removes black most easily, but reds, yellows, and oranges are often left behind. After a patch test, many clients discover their brows don’t fade evenly, but instead shift into “funky colours.”
This is why saline is usually the starting point. Botched Ink® draws pigment up and out of the skin, whatever the colour, and makes any later laser sessions easier and gentler if black pigment still remains.
There’s another limitation with laser: scar tissue. Pigment held beneath fibrotic layers often can’t be reached by laser light, but saline can still lift it. For many clients, that makes Botched Ink the safer, more predictable choice for brows.
Saline Eyebrow Tattoo Removal vs Laser
Both saline and laser can lighten or remove unwanted eyebrow tattoos, but they work differently, and that affects the colours they target, the comfort of treatment, and how the skin heals.
Colours:
Laser is most effective on black pigment, but struggles with reds, yellows, and oranges, which often become more visible after black is reduced. Saline, particularly Botched Ink®, works on the full pigment blend, drawing all colours upward rather than chasing one at a time.
Pain:
Laser feels like an elastic band snapping against the skin — or “bacon grease splashing” as some describe it. The darker and denser the pigment, the more heat and discomfort. Saline with Botched Ink® is usually described as a mild sting that quickly fades, because the method is one pass with plenty of soak time rather than repeated trauma.
Healing:
Both methods create a wound that needs time to heal. Treatments are spaced 8–12 weeks apart. Laser often leaves more swelling or sensitivity in the days afterwards, while Botched Ink’s skin-friendly pH and stabilising ingredients mean less inflammation and a tidier healing process.
Sessions:
Multiple sessions are needed for both methods if full removal is the goal. Where saline has already lightened pigment and drawn it closer to the surface, any follow-up laser tends to be easier and gentler.
Emergency Tattoo Removal
If your eyebrow tattoo is fresh, within the first 48 hours and before scabbing has formed, a Botched Ink® technician can carry out an emergency saline removal session. This offers a unique chance to lift pigment before it fully settles into the skin.
DIY Home Eyebrow Tattoo Removal
Can you get rid of unwanted brows with salt scrubs, bleach, glycolic acid, or some other quick-fix you’ve seen online? Please don’t try.
DIY methods cause inflammation, irritation, and infection, and often leave scars that make professional removal harder. Harsh chemicals like glycolic acid or alkaline powders force deep skin peeling and aggressive scab formation. Yes, some pigment may come out, but at a serious cost: damaged skin that heals unevenly and can take months to recover.
In short: DIY tattoo removal might remove some pigment, but what condition is your skin left in? Always see a trained professional for safe, effective results.
Eyebrow Tattoo Removal FAQs
Do eyebrow tattoos fade naturally?
Eyebrow tattoos may soften over time, but they don’t always fade enough to disappear. Pigments can last for years, and some colours even get more visible as the black fades. That’s why many clients need professional removal.
How long does it take for eyebrow tattoo pigment to go away?
Without removal, brow pigments can remain for several years. With professional saline or laser removal, multiple sessions are usually required, spaced 8–12 weeks apart, to allow the skin to heal between treatments.
Which is less painful, saline or laser eyebrow tattoo removal?
Laser feels like an elastic band snapping or heat on the skin, while Botched Ink® saline removal is usually described as a mild sting that fades quickly. Both are tolerable, but many clients find saline more comfortable for brows.
Is eyebrow tattoo removal safe?
When carried out by a trained professional, both laser and saline removal are considered safe. However, saline is often chosen for cosmetic tattoos because it works on all pigment colours and is gentler on sensitive brow skin.
Conclusion
Eyebrow tattoo removal isn’t one-size-fits-all, it depends on the pigments, the skin, and the method chosen. Laser has its place, especially for black ink, but it often leaves behind reds, yellows, or oranges.
That’s why saline, and Botched Ink® in particular, is usually the first step. It works with the full pigment mix, creates a controlled wound that heals predictably, and keeps the skin’s integrity in mind.
For most clients, that makes Botched Ink the safer and more reliable choice. And if laser is still needed afterwards, it will be an easier, gentler process thanks to the groundwork Botched Ink has already done.
The Author: Lisa Henning
Lisa Henning is the owner and developer of Botched Ink, an industry leading saline removal brand offering comprehensive training, online and in-person, and our exclusive Botched Ink® saline removal solution. Contact Lisa directly on Instagram, Facebook, or by Email
