The Botched Ink® Method

A Uniquely Different Approach to PMU Removal

Botched Ink® uses a specialist saline removal formula and an established treatment method designed to minimise unnecessary skin trauma while supporting effective pigment removal and manageable healing

Unlike removal techniques that rely on repeatedly working the skin, the Botched Ink method combines one dense, deliberate needling pass with immediate and repeated soaking

The needle creates the openings. The formula does the work

TECHNIQUE BASICS

  • 5-round liner (5RL) only — the specified needle configuration for Botched Ink®

  • No pigment rings — Botched Ink® is a liquid, not a pigment. Never dispense it into a pigment ring, as this increases the risk of accidental dripping or splashing into the client's eyes

  • Make every needle hole count — Botched Ink® readily soaks into freshly opened needle holes

  • Work in small sections — approximately 1 cm at a time

  • One deliberate pass — create dense, effective entry points without repeatedly overworking the skin

  • Soak as you go — apply Botched Ink® immediately and allow plenty of product contact throughout the treatment, not just at the end

The principle: Create effective entry points and let Botched Ink® do the work, rather than relying on repeated skin trauma.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Consultation & Assessment

Complete a thorough consultation, assessing the client's skin, medical history, existing pigment, tattoo depth, saturation and any scarring. Confirm treatment suitability and informed consent.

  • Numbing: Use a suitable, good-quality product and allow 30–40 minutes for effective numbing.

  • Treatment time: Allow approximately 35–45 minutes for the treatment, including sufficient soaking time for all bleeding and lymph fluid secretion to stop.

The Squiggle Technique

Think of the squiggle technique like stirring sugar at the bottom of a teacup, a loose, controlled circular movement. This is not any kind of whip shading or superficial needling, we need to work at pigment levels, so read the skin for the depth you need to work at to wake up and release that pigment!

  • Too fast and you won't create enough effective needle holes
  • Too slow and you cause unnecessary skin trauma

Work through each small section with one deliberate pass, creating dense, effective entry points for Botched Ink® to soak into. One dense needling pass is all that's needed. Do not repeatedly work the same skin, the next stage is thorough soaking with Botched Ink®

STEP-BY-STEP TREATMENT

Step 1 — Needle the First Section

Using a 5RL, work approximately 1 cm of skin with one dense, deliberate pass, following the Squiggle Technique described above.

Step 2 — Apply Botched Ink® Immediately

Blot any surface bleeding with a dry cotton bud, then thoroughly soak the freshly needled section with Botched Ink®.

Apply the solution while the needle openings are fresh. Do not wait until the entire brow has been needled.

Step 3 — Blot & Reapply

Continue blotting surface blood and reapplying Botched Ink® as needed.

Blot, don't wipe. Wiping can disturb the needle openings and restart bleeding.

The aim is to maintain sufficient solution contact while allowing the skin to settle.

Step 4 — Move to the Next Section

Move through the brow approximately 1 cm at a time, continuing to blot and reapply Botched Ink® to previously treated sections as needed.

Needle once → Blot → Soak → Reapply as needed → Move on

Never repeatedly needle previously treated skin.

Step 5 — Continue Soaking

Some areas settle quickly, while others require considerably more soaking. Continue blotting and reapplying Botched Ink® as needed.

Don't rush the soaking stage. The client must leave with no active bleeding or lymph fluid secretion, allowing the skin to dry quickly and form its thin, dry scab.

If the bleeding or fluid secretion starts getting boring, hold a clean, dry cotton pad gently against the area for a few minutes. This allows the skin to close naturally and the bleeding or fluid secretion to settle.

The client must not leave with wet skin!

The treatment isn't finished simply because the needling is finished. There must be no active bleeding or lymph fluid secretion from the treated skin.

Continue the appropriate blotting and soaking process until all visible bleeding and fluid secretion have stopped.

This allows the treated skin to dry quickly, supporting the formation of a thin, dry scab and helping retain the pigment brought towards the skin's surface for removal during healing.

FINISHING THE TREATMENT

  • Ensure bleeding has stopped and no further solution is required.
  • Gently remove any remaining surface blood without rubbing or disturbing the treated skin.
  • Explain the expected drying, scabbing and healing process.
  • Provide the client with their Botched Ink® aftercare leaflet.
  • Arrange their next appointment only when sufficient healing time has passed.

Minimum treatment interval: 8 weeks.

Where the skin is still healing or requires additional recovery, allow longer. More mature skin may benefit from approximately 12 weeks between treatments.

UNDERSTANDING BLEEDING & THE FORMULA

Treatments are different each time

Bleeding is a normal part of the Botched Ink® method, but the amount varies between clients and sessions. Sometimes the skin bleeds readily, while other times it may barely bleed at all, particularly where pigment is heavily saturated or the skin is scarred. This is typically caused by fibrous skin in the tattooed area

More bleeding doesn't mean better removal. There's no need to work deeper or repeatedly needle the skin to encourage bleeding.

Botched Ink® contains styptic ingredients that help control bleeding and fluid secretion. This is why blotting and repeated soaking are so important after the initial needling pass.

The aim is for the client to leave with no active bleeding or lymph fluid secretion, allowing the skin to dry quickly and form a thin, dry scab.

Want to understand how the formula works and why it's different from other removal solutions?

The Formula

EMERGENCY PMU REMOVAL — FIRST 48 HOURS

Emergency removal is most effective within 0–48 hours of fresh PMU, while the skin remains hydrated and pigment has not fully dried.

Results depend on skin hydration, pigment saturation and how much drying has already occurred.

Once a scab has formed, emergency removal is no longer suitable. Allow 6–8 weeks for healing before assessing suitability for a full removal treatment.

Never attempt PMU removal at home. Always seek an appropriately qualified professional.

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CLIENT HEALING & AFTERCARE

Good aftercare is essential for successful pigment removal and healthy skin recovery

The Botched Ink® healing process has two important stages:

First 48 hours — Drying: The treated skin must remain dry, with no washing, sweating or skincare products. This allows the thin, dry scab to form and retain lifted pigment.

After 48 hours — Scab protection: A single, light application of 3M Cavilon can help protect the scab during healing. Too much product, or using unsuitable creams, can soften the scab and compromise the healing process.

Aftercare must be appropriate to the client. Skin prone to hyperpigmentation may need additional care, while oily skin and certain treatment areas may require a different approach.

Every client must receive the supplied Botched Ink® aftercare leaflet and understand that scabs must detach naturally, with full skin recovery taking considerably longer than the visible scabbing stage.

Ensure clients understand what normal healing looks like, when to contact you and why following the instructions matters to their results.

Client Healing & Aftercare

APPROVED USE & RESTRICTIONS

Important information for professional users

Botched Ink® is developed and supplied exclusively for approved PMU correction and removal treatments.

Approved treatment areas: Eyebrow PMU, freckles, small areas of scalp micropigmentation (SMP) and selected lip over-liner where pigment extends onto the surrounding facial skin.

Treatment suitability must always be assessed individually, taking into account the location, skin condition and nature of the tattoo.

PROHIBITED APPLICATIONS

Botched Ink® must not be used on body tattoos, eyeliner, under-eye or body camouflage, areola tattoos, scars or stretch marks.

These applications fall outside the authorised use of Botched Ink® and are not covered by our treatment method, instructions, training or professional support.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Technicians must ensure they are appropriately qualified and insured, assess each client's suitability and follow the approved Botched Ink® treatment method and safety instructions.

Any technician choosing to use Botched Ink® outside its approved applications does so contrary to our express instructions and assumes responsibility for that unauthorised treatment.

Botched Ink® does not authorise, endorse or provide treatment guidance or support for prohibited applications.