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.

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Studio Kiku

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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

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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

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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

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Your skin has just been hit with intense laser energy. It's going to look angry, feel tender, and probably have you questioning whether this was a good idea. This is completely normal.

The next few hours and days are crucial for how well your skin heals and how effective your treatment will be. Get the aftercare wrong, and you could end up with complications, slower healing, or less effective results.

At Studio Kiku, we’ve seen every possible reaction and aftercare mistake you can imagine. In this episode, I’m going to break down the steps you need to take to properly heal.

Links:

Studio Kiku

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Instagram - Billy DeCola

Have you ever found yourself staring at an old tattoo, wondering what possessed you to get that particular design? Maybe it's that ex's name, or perhaps that design that seemed like a brilliant idea at 2 AM.

You're not alone.

Many of us look back on our choices and wish we could hit an undo button. Luckily, laser tattoo removal offers just that. An eraser for past decisions inked on our skin. But how exactly does this process work, and what can you do to ensure you get the best results? In this article, I’m going to walk you through how we do it here at Studio Kiku, and what you can expect.

Links:

Studio Kiku

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Instagram - Billy DeCola

So you've stumbled across a podcast about laser tattoo removal. Maybe you're here because you've got some ink you're reconsidering, or perhaps you're just curious about how the whole thing actually works.

There's a lot of rubbish information floating around out there about the process of laser tattoo removal. People Google "tattoo removal" and end up with everything from home remedies involving lemon juice (please don't) to wildly inaccurate timelines and expectations.

I kept seeing the same confused faces in my studio, people who'd been told their tattoo would be gone in three sessions, or that certain colors were impossible to remove. The misinformation was everywhere.

So Faded exists to cut through all that noise and give you the real story.

We dig into how different skin tones respond to treatment, why some lasers work better than others, and what's actually happening inside your body when those ink particles get broken down. Your immune system is doing most of the heavy lifting - the laser just gives it a helping hand.

But here's what makes this podcast different: I also focus on the people behind the tattoos. Real clients share their stories. Why they got inked in the first place, what changed their minds, and what the removal journey was actually like for them. Because the emotional side of this process is just as important as the technical stuff.

LINKS:

Studio Kiku

Our YouTube Channel

Instagram - Studio Kiku

Instagram - Billy DeCola