In this episode of the Faded Podcast, we welcome Yani Sordo, a Langley, BC–based permanent makeup and tattoo artist, to share both personal and professional experience with PMU and its removal. She walks through a botched lip-blush that left dark, patchy pigment and breaks down the realities, risks, and results of laser and saline removal.

We dig into test spots, oxidation, and why she now favors truly semi-permanent, laser-friendly techniques for safer, more predictable outcomes. This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone dealing with PMU complications or considering removal.

Host: Billy Decola - Owner & Founder of Studio Kiku

@billydecola

Guest: Yani Sordo - Luxe Lips By Yani

@luxelipsbyyani

Presented by Studio Kiku:

studiokiku.com

@studio.kiku

Studio Kiku is one of the world's most trusted and well-known laser tattoo removal studios. With a commitment to innovation and the highest standards in laser tattoo removal and skin care services, Studio Kiku delivers cutting-edge treatments that restore confidence.

Watch all episodes of the Faded Podcast on YouTube.

Some tattoos just won't budge. You've had multiple laser sessions, spent hundreds of dollars, and that stubborn pigment is still sitting there, mocking you.

After 15 years in tattoo removal at Studio Kiku, I've seen plenty of cases where laser technology reaches its limit. That's when we need to talk about the last resort alternatives.

Today I’m talking about saline removal, the technique we turn to when laser removal is no longer effective.

Links:

Studio Kiku

Our YouTube Channel

Instagram - Studio Kiku

Instagram - Billy DeCola

If you've ever watched a laser tattoo removal video online, you've probably seen it - the moment the laser hits the tattoo, a white, cloudy layer appears on the skin. It looks dramatic, almost like snow settling on the tattoo.

This is called "frosting," and it freaks people out the first time they see it.

After many years of zapping tattoos, I've seen plenty of confused faces when that white layer appears. In this episode, I break down what is actually happening when frosting occurs.

Links:

Studio Kiku

Our YouTube Channel

Instagram - Studio Kiku

Instagram - Billy DeCola

You're scrolling through before-and-after photos of permanent makeup removal, and suddenly you see it - someone's eyebrows that have turned bright red or yellow mid-removal. Now you're wondering: is that going to happen to me?

At Studio Kiku, this is hands down our most asked question. People email, call, and slide into our DMs asking the same thing. In this episode, I’m going through why this happens and what you need to know.

If you're prepared for the possibility of seeing some interesting colors during the process, and you understand that complete removal isn't guaranteed, then you can make an informed decision.

Just don't expect it to be simple, quick, or predictable. Your eyebrows have been keeping secrets, and laser removal is about to reveal them all.

Links:

Studio Kiku

Our YouTube Channel

Instagram - Studio Kiku

Instagram - Billy DeCola

Hair loss is tough enough without having to deal with a botched scalp micropigmentation job on top of it.

SMP is supposed to give you back your confidence. When done well, it helps to create the illusion of a hairline or stubble, and it can be life-changing. When it's done poorly? It can be devastating.

I've seen what bad SMP can do to people. I've also seen how proper laser removal can get their lives back on track.

In this episode, I take you through what you really need to know if you’re thinking about getting scalp micro-pigmentation or the associated laser removal of a botched SMP.

Links:

Learn SMP

Studio Kiku

Our YouTube Channel

Instagram - Studio Kiku

Instagram - Billy DeCola

Walk into any tattoo removal clinic these days and they'll tell you they use a "pico laser." Sounds impressive, right? The problem is, not all pico lasers are created equal and some aren't even truly pico at all.

In this episode, I take a look at what you actually need to know about pico technology and why the speed makes such a difference.

What to ask before you book

Don't just accept "we use a pico laser" as an answer. Ask specific questions:

• What's the exact pulse duration of your laser?
• Is it safe for my skin tone?
• How many sessions do you typically see for tattoos like mine?

If they can't answer the first question with a specific number, that's a red flag.

Why this matters for your results

Faster lasers don't just sound cooler, they deliver better results. You'll likely need fewer sessions, experience less downtime, and have a lower risk of complications.

The difference between a 750 picosecond laser and a 300 picosecond laser might not sound like much, but in practice, it can mean the difference between 8 sessions and 12 sessions for the same tattoo.

Links:

Studio Kiku

Our YouTube Channel

Instagram - Studio Kiku

Instagram - Billy DeCola

People walk into Studio Kiku with the same questions every day. After 15 years of zapping tattoos, I've heard them all. When you're considering tattoo laser removal, you want to know what you're signing up for, and I totally get that.

In this episode, I’m going to give you answers to the five most frequently asked questions that we get here at Studio Kiku.

If you're considering removal, find someone who'll be straight with you about what to expect. Ask questions, understand the process, and make sure you're prepared for the journey.

Links:

Studio Kiku

Our YouTube Channel

Instagram - Studio Kiku

Instagram - Billy DeCola

Permanent makeup seemed like such a good idea at the time.

Wake up with perfect brows, skip the daily routine, never worry about smudging again. But now? Maybe your brows look outdated, or the shape isn't working for you anymore, or perhaps they've faded to an unflattering color.

The good news is that permanent makeup can be removed. The reality is that it's often more complicated than removing regular tattoos, and the results may not be as clean.

In this episode, I answer some of the most frequently asked questions that we receive from clients here at Studio Kiku.

Links:

Studio Kiku

Our YouTube Channel

Instagram - Studio Kiku

Instagram - Billy DeCola