Cosmetic Tattoo Removal Melbourne

Cosmetic tattoo removal is the process of breaking down implanted tattoo pigment from eyebrow tattoos, lip tattoos or permanent eyeliner so it can be cleared naturally. Unlike body tattoos, cosmetic tattooing uses finer pigments and shallower placement — meaning the tattoo removal process can be more targeted but still requires professional skill.

The goal isn’t always complete removal — sometimes we just want to lighten an area enough to allow a fresh, modern tattoo to be applied.

In Melbourne, clients request removal for all sorts of reasons — pigment changes over time, shape shifts due to facial changes, or simply wanting a different style. The good news? With the right approach, we can often restore a clean canvas without compromising your skin’s integrity.

Here’s why clients in Melbourne seek permanent makeup removal near me:

• Clear the canvas – Full tattoo removal for a natural look or to prepare for a new design.
• Targeted fading – Reduce pigment density for easier correction.
• Skin health boost – Laser treatment can trigger collagen production and mild skin rejuvenation.
• Confidence back – No more hiding unwanted brows, liner or lip colour.

I’ve helped clients who thought their only option was to live with poorly done brow tattoos — after a few cosmetic tattoo removal sessions, they were ready for a fresh, natural set.

• Brows – Microblading, ombre, powder brows.
• Lips – Lip blush, full lip tint, lip liner.
• Eyeliner – Lash line enhancement, winged styles.
• Scalp micropigmentation – Hairline or density shading.
• Areola – Adjustments for colour or size.

With the right laser or saline, almost all cosmetic tattoos can be faded or removed.

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You’re suitable if you:

• They are healthy with no active skin infections.
• Understand that multiple sessions may be required.
• Have realistic expectations about fading vs full tattoo removal.
• Can follow strict aftercare to look after your skin.

Many of my Melbourne clients choose non-laser eyebrow tattoo removal because they just want softer edges — not a bare brow.

Not all removal methods are equal — and in Melbourne, we’re lucky to have access to the safest, most advanced options.

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In many cases, the best results come from alternating between saline and laser. This is especially useful when:

• Pigment colours vary within the same tattoo (e.g., old brows with faded fronts but stubborn tails)
• Certain layers of pigment are more responsive to one method over the other
• The client has both superficial and deeper pigment deposits

Preparation is key to a safe and effective cosmetic tattoo removal process. Skipping this step can slow healing or increase risks.

What I recommend to all Melbourne clients before their first session:

• No sun (including solariums) for at least 4 weeks — even mild tanning can affect pigment targeting and increase pigmentation risk after treatment.
• Stop active skincare products containing retinoids, glycolic acid or salicylic acid at least 7 days prior — these can sensitise the skin.
• No fake tanning on the treatment area — self-tanner can interfere with laser energy absorption and saline pigment lifting.
• Arrive makeup-free — especially in the brow, lip or lash line area.
• Expect a test patch — especially in sensitive areas like eyeliner or if you have a history of skin reactions.

Melbourne tip:
Our UV index can be high even in autumn and spring — wear a broad-brim hat or stay in shaded areas to protect your skin.

Here’s how a professional removal appointment typically unfolds at Face Figurati:

• Consultation — A detailed pigment analysis, skin assessment and treatment goals discussion. We’ll also review your medical history to ensure safety.
• Test patches — Especially important for eyeliner tattoo removal near me clients, as the eyelid skin is delicate and requires precise response monitoring.
• Topical anaesthetic — Numbing cream or a medical-grade local anaesthetic for maximum comfort.
• Laser removal or saline-based method — Performed by a qualified laser specialist or trained cosmetic tattoo removal technician.
• Cooling — Immediate application of ice packs or a chilled air device to reduce redness and swelling.
• Aftercare — You’ll leave with written instructions tailored to your treatment method, along with aftercare products where needed.

Laser:

• Mild redness and swelling for 1–3 days
• Possible light frosting immediately after treatment (temporary whitening of the skin)
• Light flaking or dryness may occur after about a week

Saline:

• Tiny scabs that shed naturally in 7–10 days
• Slight redness or tenderness for a few days post-treatment
• Gradual pigment lightening over the following weeks

What affects healing:

• Your immune system — stronger immunity = faster pigment clearance
• Collagen production — how the skin recovers between sessions
• Lifestyle habits — smoking, excessive sun exposure or poor hydration can slow results

Melbourne tip:
Schedule removal sessions around big life events — especially for lips and brows — so you’re not in the middle of healing for a wedding, photoshoot or holiday.

Aftercare is non-negotiable — it’s the difference between a smooth, complication-free recovery and a patchy, prolonged healing process.

• Keep the area completely dry for the first 48 hours. No steam, sweat, or water contact.
• No makeup, no excessive sweating, no swimming pools for at least a week. Chlorine and bacteria in public water can interfere with healing and cause irritation.
• Hands off the scabs. Picking will disrupt pigment release, risk scarring, and slow down the natural healing cycle.
• Once healed, apply SPF daily over the treated area. Fresh skin is more prone to sun-induced pigment changes, and consistent sunscreen use will help keep your results even.
• If any mild itching occurs, don’t scratch — instead, use a light, clinic-approved balm after 48 hours to ease the discomfort.
• For lip tattoo removal, avoid spicy food and hot drinks for the first couple of days, as heat can increase swelling.

Note:
Our weather is unpredictable, so you may experience 4 seasons in a day — so even if you leave the house in cloud cover, always keep SPF or a hat in your bag to protect healing skin from surprise UV bursts.

Full removal is possible, but gradual fading after multiple sessions is more common.

Yes — targeted pigment removal is not only possible but one of the most common requests I get at Face Figurati. We can fade just the inner corners of brows for a more lifted look, shorten or reshape eyeliner tails that are too long, or soften sharp lip borders for a more natural finish. Partial removal is especially popular during cosmetic reconstruction, where we preserve the parts of the tattoo that still work for your face and adjust the rest. This way, you keep the symmetry and colour you like without starting from scratch.

When done properly, cosmetic tattoo removal has a low complication rate — but as with any skin treatment, there are possible side effects:

• Temporary redness or swelling — usually subsides within 24-72 hours.
• Pigment colour shift — certain pigments (especially those with titanium dioxide) can lighten or go ashy before they fade completely.
• Rare blistering — more common if aftercare isn’t followed.
• Hypo/hyperpigmentation — temporary light or dark patches that usually blend back to your normal skin tone with time.
• Minimal scarring risk — especially when treated by an experienced laser specialist or saline technician who adjusts settings for your skin type and tattoo pigment.