Thinking about parting ways with your ink? In this guide, an industry expert breaks down everything you need to know about tattoo removal, from the safest technology to the pain factor.

Jason Erwin is an experienced operations leader with a career spanning over two decades across the beauty, skincare and wellness industries in Australia and internationally. As the Director of Operations for Removery Australia, the world’s tattoo removal experts, Jason plays a critical role in delivering exceptional team and client experiences for Removery’s Australian business, while setting the standard and raising it for the entire local tattoo removal industry.

What are the most common reasons for tattoo removal? 

Every tattoo is uniquely meaningful to the person who wears it, and the same goes for the decision to have it removed.

The most common reasons people seek tattoo removal include:

• Changes in personal aesthetic or interests
• Mistakes with tattoo application or design
• Poor ageing, such as fading or ink expansion
• Difficult reminders of the past

Significant life milestones can often trigger the desire for removal. These include a career change, ending or starting a relationship, or becoming a parent. No matter what the reason for removal is, it is valid and deserves the proper care to make it happen. 

What areas of the body can you get a tattoo removed from? 

A tattoo can be removed from any part of the body, even the face. Cosmetic tattoos, such as permanent makeup and microblading, can also be fully removed with today’s removal technology.

However, it is highly recommended that you do your research when it comes to tattoo removal. For eyebrow and eyeliner tattoo removal, choose a technician experienced in delicate eye and facial areas. Removery’s laser specialist, Paul Georgos, is also a trained optometrist. This makes him the only expert in Australia with such specific qualifications and the ideal person to remove eyeliner tattoos.

What technology do professionals use? 

Removery proudly uses the PicoWay laser developed by Candela. It has been the most trusted device for laser tattoo removal for nearly 10 years now.

This advanced laser uses sound pressure technology to break ink particles apart more effectively, leading to better results in fewer sessions. The PicoWay laser is also used to address the full colour spectrum and treat all skin tones. 

How safe is tattoo removal? 

Tattoo removal is safe when done by a trained specialist using the right technology and protocols. Advanced laser technology, like the PicoWay laser, targets ink particles directly without harming surrounding skin tissue. This significantly reduces the risk of scarring, hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation that other forms of tattoo removal can cause. 

Picking a reliable tattoo removal provider is the key to a safe and successful tattoo removal journey. To ensure a safe and optimal experience for clients, Removery created the industry’s first Clinical Advisory Board. It is composed of experienced doctors from a variety of medical fields to drive ongoing research and advancements in tattoo removal while staying hyper-focused on client safety and effective results.

What is the step-by-step process of tattoo removal? 

When you get a tattoo, the artist pushes ink under your skin with a lot of tiny needles. This ink lodges itself into your middle layer of skin (your dermis), and these particles of ink are too large to be taken away naturally by your body’s immune system.

However, most people have seen that tattoos tend to fade over time – that’s your body flushing away the smaller particles of ink.

Our lasers directly target the remaining particles of ink. When it hits them, it breaks them into smaller and smaller particles that are ultimately flushed away, lightening your tattoo with each treatment until all removable ink is gone.

This process is not a “one and done.” Clients can expect between eight and 12 sessions to remove a tattoo completely. Several factors impact the treatment timeline, like location on the body, ink type, colour, age and overall health of the individual. 

Does it hurt? 

Tattoo removal can feel unpleasant, but most people say it’s bearable. Many clients compare the feeling to a rubber band snapping or sunburn on the skin. The good news is that most sessions last less than 5 minutes, and Removery’s specialists help to minimise pain by keeping the treated area numb with a Zimmer cooling machine and regular icing.

What are the aftercare steps? 

To prevent complications and optimise the effectiveness of treatments, clients must maintain a proper aftercare routine following every treatment, including: 

• Keep the treated area clean and dry
• Avoid sun exposure for 2 full weeks
• Apply petroleum jelly to reduce inflammation when needed

Because tattoo removal works in unison with your body to be effective, staying hydrated, eating clean, and exercising regularly can help the body remove ink more effectively, which can actually decrease the total number of sessions needed to fully remove a tattoo. 

How long do treatments take? 

The length of a tattoo removal treatment heavily depends on the size of the tattoo and its colour palette. A smaller, less complex tattoo can take less than a minute to treat. Larger tattoos with multiple colours sometimes take longer to treat because certain colours require different wavelengths.

How much does it cost? 

The cost of the procedure is determined by the tattoo’s size and the client’s removal goals. Removery is committed to doing everything we can to make tattoo removal financially accessible and as comfortable as it can be for everyone. Our Complete Removal Package is a popular choice amongst clients, which is one price for unlimited sessions until all removable ink is gone. 

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Have you been through the removal process yourself? Share your thoughts below.