Jaime Xie’s viral brow regret: A dermatologist shares the fastest way to fix bad eyebrow embroidery

One of the easiest ways to achieve perfectly groomed, fuller arches without daily filling is microblading. This semi-permanent treatment uses a needle-like blade to create delicate, hair-like strokes with pigment that typically lasts around 18 months. The natural-looking volume and “woke up like this” convenience are why microblading has become such a sought-after beauty trend in recent years.

But what if you walk out of your appointment with brows that don’t quite match the Pinterest-perfect inspiration photos you saved? You’re definitely not alone — even celebrities have been there. California-based tech heiress and style icon Jaime Xie from Bling Empire recently went viral on TikTok sharing her eyebrow embroidery regret.

In a candid storytime video responding to a fan comment, the 27-year-old revealed she first got her eyebrows embroidered about five years ago. When it was time for her second-year refill — a standard touch-up recommended every 10 to 12 months — Jaime realised she no longer wanted the look she had. Despite skipping any further touch-ups since then, her brows have remained surprisingly bold and have not faded naturally.

In a subsequent TikTok video, Jaime shared that she had consulted a doctor about removing her embroidery. Her dermatologist recommended PicoSure Pro laser treatment and conducted tests to ensure her brows contained no white pigments, which can cause discoloration such as yellowing after laser removal.

Jaime wrapped up her three-part TikTok series with an update showing visibly lightened eyebrows after the procedure. Fans flooded the comments with support, praising the improvement: “It already looks 10x better! Lightened your entire face,” and “Wow! It’s looking really good already.”

If you’re feeling stuck with eyebrow embroidery that didn’t turn out as expected—whether it’s too bold, uneven, or simply not your style—don’t worry. We asked Dr. Evelyn Tay, consultant dermatologist and founder of Lumine Dermatology & Laser Clinic, to weigh in on what you can do to safely fix or remove unwanted eyebrow embroidery, and how to speed up the fading process without damaging your skin.

“The best option currently is the picosecond laser,” Dr. Tay explains. “This laser targets the tattoo pigments in the skin, breaking them down for removal. An alternative is the Q-switched laser, but it’s less ideal because it can temporarily cause whitening of the eyebrow hairs.”

Like any procedure, there are potential side effects and risks. After laser removal, it’s normal to experience redness, slight swelling, and sometimes microscabbing, which can last from a few days up to two weeks depending on the intensity and type of laser used. Scarring is very rare with picosecond lasers but can occur if the laser energy is too high and blisters form.

Another challenge arises from the variety of ink colors used in eyebrow embroidery. “Removing darker pigments is usually easier, but sometimes this can reveal underlying inks in red, yellow, or brown that are harder to remove,” Dr. Tay notes. There is also the risk of paradoxical darkening, especially with red inks due to oxidation of iron or titanium components. Because of this, she recommends performing a test spot on tattoos with reddish hues before proceeding with full treatment.

Concerns about hair growth are common. Dr. Tay reassures that while lasers—especially those with longer pulse durations—can temporarily affect brow hairs, causing whitening or singeing, these effects are temporary. Picosecond lasers, which emit energy in the picosecond range, are less likely to damage hair compared to nanosecond lasers. To protect eyebrow hairs, shaving them prior to treatment can help the laser energy focus on pigment rather than hair.

Timing is important. “I recommend waiting at least 2 to 3 months after getting embroidery before considering removal,” Dr. Tay advises, allowing the color to settle fully.

Factors like skin type, pigment color, and how long the embroidery has been in place also impact removal. Lighter skin types respond better due to higher contrast between skin and pigment. Darker colors like black and blue are easier to remove than warm hues such as reds and oranges, which carry a higher risk of darkening. While older tattoos may require more sessions, they often fade naturally over time, reducing pigment load.

Before and after removal, patients should plan for some social downtime as redness and swelling can last several days. It’s crucial to avoid excessive sun exposure post-treatment to minimise hyperpigmentation, and to moisturise frequently while using any anti-inflammatory creams recommended by your doctor to promote healing. Harsh cleansers and active skincare products near the treated area should also be avoided for about a week to prevent irritation and should continue to minimise sun exposure. If scabs form, they should be left to fall off naturally, and any blisters should be reported to your doctor promptly to ensure proper wound care.

On average, most people need between two to four sessions with a picosecond laser for full removal, and four to six sessions with nanosecond lasers. More sessions may be necessary if the goal is complete removal rather than reshaping, or if the dye is complex with red or orange hues.

While full removal is often achievable especially with picosecond lasers and simpler pigment formulas, some residual pigment may remain in more complicated cases.

As Jaime showed us, if you’re unhappy with your eyebrow embroidery, take heart. There are safe and effective solutions are available and you don’t have to live with brows you dislike. Whether you choose to let the pigment fade naturally or opt for professional removal treatments like the picosecond laser, consulting with a qualified dermatologist is key to achieving the best results without compromising your skin’s health.