Faded

Why do you have to wear protective glasses during laser tattoo removal? Billy DeCola, founder of Studio Kiku, explains why everyone in the treatment room wears laser safety glasses until the technician says it is safe to take them off, why each lens is made for a particular laser and wavelength and labeled with its optical density (OD), why the glasses have to fit with no gaps at the side, why you...

Should you fade a tattoo for a cover-up, or remove it completely? Billy DeCola, founder of Studio Kiku and a tattoo artist since 2009, explains why a dark tattoo shows through a lighter cover-up over time, why to decide your end goal before the first session, how light a tattoo needs to be before it is covered (it depends on the new design and your artist), why lightening early beats touch-ups, wh...

Will microblading fade, and what really happens when you try to remove it with a laser? Billy DeCola, founder of Studio Kiku, explains why semi-permanent makeup is a tattoo, why brows can show red or yellow once the laser lifts the dark pigment, how many sessions brow removal can take, how long to wait after new brows, and why saline removal should be the last resort. This video is not medical adv...

Is a picosecond laser really better than a nanosecond laser? What are you really getting with a cheap laser off the internet? Billy DeCola, founder of Studio Kiku, explains what picosecond, nanosecond and Q-switched really mean, how much shorter a picosecond pulse actually is, and what to ask before a first laser tattoo removal session. This video is not medical advice. 0:00 Picosecond vs Nanoseco...

What does laser tattoo removal really look like before and after, and can a tattoo be removed completely? Billy DeCola, founder of Studio Kiku, walks through real before and after photos from the studio: what a tattoo looks like after one session, in the middle of the process and towards the end. This video is not medical advice. 0:00 Before and After Photos 0:34 After One or Two Sessions 2:32 The...

How many laser tattoo removal sessions does it take to remove a tattoo completely, and why does it take so long? Billy DeCola, founder of Studio Kiku, walks through laser tattoo removal session by session: how many sessions to expect, how far apart they are, and what makes one tattoo fade faster than another. A tattoo could come off in one session with the laser turned all the way up, but it would...

Does numbing cream help with laser tattoo removal, and can the wrong one affect your results? Billy DeCola, founder of Studio Kiku, answers the three questions clients ask all the time about numbing cream: which one to use, how to apply it, and whether it affects how well the laser works. Studio Kiku recommends Zensa, a 5% topical lidocaine cream sold over the counter. It numbs the area locally an...

You ever wonder why some tattoos take so long to fade during laser tattoo removal? A lot of people want to know how to speed up the process. During this episode of the Faded Podcast, we'll dive into exactly what makes some tattoos fade slower than others. We'll also talk about some things that you can do in between sessions that will help speed up the process and get that tattoo faded quicker. stu...

How many laser tattoo removal sessions will you need, and can a tattoo ever be removed completely? Billy DeCola, owner of Studio Kiku, explains why there is no single answer. Treatment time depends on factors such as pigment saturation, depth and color, scar tissue, skin tone, how the tattoo was applied, and your overall health. A deep, dark tattoo may require approximately 9 to 12 sessions, but p...

In this episode of the Faded Podcast, we're diving deep into saline tattoo removal - who it's for, how it works, and most importantly, when it actually makes sense to use it. Whether you're dealing with stubborn yellow pigment in your brows, white pigment in lip blush, or you've been told laser isn't an option for you, this episode covers it all. We talk about why saline should be your last resort...

Yellow Eyebrows After Laser Removal: Why It Happens + What You Can Do Ever wonder why eyebrows appear yellow after laser tattoo removal? Or why yellow pigment is often resistant to laser treatment? Dark PMU pigment is typically removed first with a 1064 wavelength, revealing undertones like red, yellow, or white; red is usually easier to lift with a 532 wavelength, but skin irritation can temporar...

In this episode, I sit down with Arezoo Ateffi from The Sculpt Room to talk about lymphatic drainage massage and how it directly impacts your tattoo removal results. We break down: How lymphatic massage differs from regular massage Why your lymph nodes are the body's cleanup crew (hint: 30% are in your face) What happens to the pigment particles your laser breaks down Post-treatment care that...

Most people think tattoo removal is all about the laser sessions — but the biggest and most costly mistakes happen before you even start. In this episode of The Faded Podcast, we break down the 5 mistakes that cost people more time, more money, and worse results. Whether you're just thinking about removal or already in the process, this is a must-watch.

In this episode of the Faded podcast, Billy breaks down the so called “semi permanent makeup” myth and questions why so many clients are still being told their facial tattoos will fade in a few years when real world results show the opposite. Drawing on years of tattooing and laser removal experience, he explains how pigment depth, technique, and misinformation all play a role in long lasting resu...

Billy explains why some black and gray tattoos are easy to remove while others are nearly impossible. He breaks down the tattooing process, the difference between wash (black + water) and opaque gray (black + white), and why opaque grays containing white pigment cannot be effectively removed with laser treatment. Key Topics CoveredWhy black is the easiest tattoo color to remove (absorbs all laser...

Everyone wants to know if they can completely remove their tattoo without a trace. In this episode of the Faded podcast, I break down laser tattoo removal, scar tissue, and what realistic expectations look like. If you are thinking about removing a tattoo, understand what you’re working with first. That alone changes expectations. If you have questions, put them in the comments. Please like the vi...

Thinking about getting laser tattoo removal? In this video, I break down exactly what happens after your very first session—from immediate aftercare to long-term results. No more anxiety about pain, blistering, or scarring! 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:✓ Ice the area on day 1-2, but don't overdo it✓ Keep the area clean and dry - no ointments for the first couple days✓ Avoid extreme workouts, saunas, and s...

Tattoo removal not working? In this episode of the FADED Podcast, Billy DeCola breaks down five common reasons laser tattoo removal can stall or deliver slow results, and explains what actually helps improve laser tattoo removal outcomes.

In this episode of the Faded Podcast, SMP artist Alex Corona shares his journey from being a botched SMP client to becoming a professional in the industry. He discusses the challenges he faced, including poor initial treatments, scalp micropigmentation laser removal, inadequate training, and how these experiences shaped his approach to SMP. Alex emphasizes the importance of transparency, quality w...

In this episode of FADED, Billy DeCola and David Santiago discuss the evolution of the tattoo and scalp micropigmentation industry over the past eight years, focusing on the shift in knowledge sharing, the challenges of tattoo removal, and the importance of educating clients. They also delve into their personal journeys in podcasting, the dynamics of client interactions, and the future of tattoo r...

Some people experience a metallic taste during laser tattoo removal and assume it’s ink or metal traveling through the body. That isn’t what’s happening. In Episode 17 of the Faded Podcast, Billy breaks down the real reason behind this sensation, how the nervous system reacts to laser stimulation, and why the taste is only a perception, not something physically entering your mouth. He also explain...

Billy DeCola, Owner & Founder of Studio Kiku, breaks down everything you need to know before your first laser tattoo removal session. From avoiding sun exposure and active skincare ingredients to choosing the right clothing and understanding aftercare, this guide helps you prepare properly and get the best results possible. Learn what to expect during the session, how to support healing, and t...

Billy DeCola, Owner & Founder of Studio Kiku, is joined by Sara of IrishWolf Artistry for an in-depth conversation on laser treatment aftercare. In Faded Episode 15, they break down how to evaluate your skin after a laser session, how to approach touch-ups, and what you can do to achieve the best possible results. Whether you’re preparing for your first laser appointment or looking to improve...

Billy breaks down how permanent eyebrow makeup removal should be done. From choosing the right equipment to using proper technique and avoiding hair damage, he shares what really matters in a safe and effective PMU removal process. If you’re looking to remove old or unwanted PMU, this episode gives you a clear, honest overview of what to expect and what to look for in a studio. Host: Billy Decola...

In this episode of the Faded podcast, we sit down with a guest who made a major change in her life and decided it was time for her tattoos to go. She opens up about why she chose to remove the tattoos on her face and neck, what inspired her lifestyle shift, and what the process has been like so far. We talk through the emotions, the stigma, the healing, and the reality of laser tattoo removal. You...