Debunking Myths: The Real Reason Behind Yellow Residue
Oh, how many myths around yellow residue after laser removal of permanent eyebrow makeup! Supposedly, the laser “bakes” the pigment and causes a chemical change of pigments and makes them acid yellow or orange! Let’s understand the true reasons why permanent eyebrow makeup can become bright yellow after laser removal and whether it is possible to avoid it! Let’s go!
The Truth About Laser Removal and Pigment Composition
Let me tell you right away that the laser does not “bake” or “melt” anything! It’s all about the initial composition of paints for permanent makeup! The bright yellow or orange residue will be in organic or “hybrid inks” which have a lot of yellow organic pigment (for example, CI#21095 or Pigment Yellow 14). In the list of ingredients, this pigment is in the first place, so according to the rule of writing the composition of ink, this pigment is the most predominant. Why exactly in the hybrid organic colors for permanent eyebrow makeup? It is most of all usually read here – [link to article].
Understanding Ink Composition and Its Impact on Yellowing
Usually, to get shades of brown color, ink manufacturers use pigments of black (usually Carbon Black), red, and yellow color (usually organic pigments) in different ratios.
So, if in the composition of ink for permanent eyebrow makeup the yellow pigment is in the first place in the list of components, then when you remove the laser 1064 nm wavelength, the black pigment Carbon Black will be destroyed first, leaving only two components. Red and Yellow organic pigments will remain and this combination can give a rather bright orange color after the first session of laser removal.
In the second session, the specialist usually sees such a picture using a wavelength of 532nm and destroys the red organic pigment (it well absorbs the wavelength of 532nm) and in the residue, we see a yellow color! The saturation of the yellow residue after laser eyebrow tattoo removal depends on how much yellow pigment was in the composition of the original ink and how much time has passed after the application of permanent makeup.
The Role of Time in the Yellowing of Permanent Eyebrow Makeup
What does the time after application have to do with it? With the fact that the yellow organic pigment (as well as red organic) is not so stable in the skin and to UV radiation of the sun and quickly enough destroyed. If you remove permanent eyebrow makeup made of such organic colors containing a lot of yellow in the near future after application (for example, after 6-12 months), the residual yellow can be eventually bright and saturated, because the yellow pigment is still a lot in the skin. If you remove permanent eyebrow makeup made with such colors 2-3 years after application, then most likely it will already have a cold grayish shade and the residue of yellow will already be insignificant, because most of the yellow pigment had time to be destroyed in the skin for this period.
Addressing Common Misconceptions About Laser PMU Removal and Yellowing
What conclusions can be drawn? So the laser does change the structure of pigments and makes them bright yellow? No, it does not change anything; all depends on the original composition of the mixture of pigments in the ink for permanent makeup, which was used for eyebrows. If there is a lot of yellow, you will see it when you remove it and the laser has nothing to do with it!
Is it possible to avoid “yellowing” of permanent eyebrow makeup during laser removal? Special “secret technique” or carbon nozzle for example will help? No, it won’t. All “secret techniques” come down to the fact that remove partially Carbon Black at low energy density and then the yellow does not look as bright yellow as it would look with the full removal of black pigment. But in my opinion, this is not a solution, but a time stretching of the removal process.
Practical Advice for Managing Yellow Residue After PMU Removal
So what to do with the yellow to not get such a bright residue, because it is practically not removed by laser? I would recommend not removing early after application when there is still a lot of yellow organic pigment in the skin.
And what to do, if it is necessary to remove and the yellow residue cannot be avoided, how to be with it further how to remove it if it cannot be removed by laser? If the residue is not very bright – you can safely cover it with a new PMU, yellow does not interfere much with the new permanent eyebrow makeup. If the residue interferes, you can just wait until it naturally decays in the skin under the influence of the UV sun (do not go to the solarium – it is harmful to the skin). Or if it is very urgent to get rid of it, then use gently and carefully chemical removers if you understand how to use them safely!
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