Why do eyebrows turn yellow after laser PMU removal?

Debunking myths: the real reason behind yellow residue

Oh, how many myths there are 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 look at 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 permanent makeup inks! The bright yellow or orange residue occurs with organic or “hybrid” inks that contain a lot of yellow organic pigment (for example, CI#21095 or Pigment Yellow 14). In the list of ingredients, this pigment comes first, which, according to the rules for listing ink ingredients, means it is the most predominant. Why there is usually most of it in hybrid organic inks for permanent eyebrow makeup, read here: Why does eyebrow PMU done with organic inks turn a cool shade and become grey?

Understanding ink composition and its impact on yellowing

Usually, to get shades of brown, ink manufacturers use black (usually Carbon Black), red and yellow pigments (usually organic) in different ratios.

So, if yellow pigment comes first in the list of components of an ink for permanent eyebrow makeup, then during removal with the 1064 nm wavelength the black pigment, Carbon Black, will be destroyed first, leaving only two components in the skin. Red and yellow organic pigments will remain, and this combination can give a rather bright orange colour after the first session of laser removal.

In the second session, the specialist, seeing this picture, usually uses the 532 nm wavelength and destroys the red organic pigment (it absorbs the 532 nm wavelength well), and in the residue we see yellow! 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? The point is that yellow organic pigment (like red organic pigment) is not very stable in the skin or to the sun’s UV radiation and is destroyed fairly quickly. If you remove permanent eyebrow makeup made with such organic inks containing a lot of yellow soon after application (for example, after 6–12 months), the residual yellow may end up bright and saturated, because there is still a lot of yellow pigment in the skin. If you remove permanent eyebrow makeup made with such inks 2–3 years after application, then most likely it will already have a cool greyish shade and the yellow residue will be insignificant, because most of the yellow pigment has had time to break down in the skin over 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; everything 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 during removal, and the laser has nothing to do with it!

Is it possible to avoid “yellowing” of permanent eyebrow makeup during laser removal? Will a special “secret technique” or a carbon tip, for example, help? No, it won’t. All “secret techniques” ultimately come down to partially removing Carbon Black at low energy density, so that the yellow does not look as bright as it would after full removal of the black pigment. But in my opinion, this is not a solution, just stretching out the removal process.

Practical advice for managing yellow residue after PMU removal

So what can be done about the yellow to avoid such a bright residue, given that the laser practically does not remove it? I would recommend not removing the PMU too soon after application, when there is still a lot of yellow organic pigment in the skin.

And what if removal is necessary and the yellow residue cannot be avoided? How do you deal with it afterwards, and how do you remove it if the laser cannot? 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 sun’s UV radiation (do not go to a solarium – it is harmful to the skin). Or, if you need to get rid of it very urgently, use chemical removers gently and carefully, provided you understand how to use them safely!