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July 10, 2025

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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.

Expert banner for Jason Erwin.

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.

Hands covered in tattoos.
Don’t love your tattoos? You don’t have to live with them. Image: Canva

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
Woman with tattoos on her arms.
Ageing and changes in circumstances are common reasons for tattoo removal. Image: Canva

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.

Woman with a tattoo on her back.
Tattoo removal is possible on any part of the body. Image: Canva

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. 

Person having a tattoo removed with laser technology.
The PicoWay laser breaks down ink particles. Image: supplied

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.

Person having a tattoo removed.
Reputable tattoo removal services are the answer to a safe experience. Image: supplied

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.

Tattoo removal process.
Complete removal involves several sessions. Image: supplied

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.

Woman removing a tattoo from a client's arm.
Removery minimises any pain by using a cooling machine. Image: supplied

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. 

Man stretching on a bridge.
Healthy living can help your body remove remaining ink. Image: Canva

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. 


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

  • I’ve never had a tattoo. I see so many people get them because they have meaning, I can’t think of a single thing that would convince me to get a tattoo.


  • I must say the best thing is to just not get a tattoo in the first place! I know I might have an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think they look that nice, especially when people get multiple ones and they are forever, so it’s not like you can easily erase them when you get bored.


  • My husband wanted to remove a old flames tattoo off his arm. he has had 10 laser treatments and , it still hasn’t been totally removed. The black name removed after 4 sessions, no scarring . The green , blue and red are the hardest to remove. This cost over $2000 . When he started he was told it may not take 10 sessions. Either they didn’t go hard enough or he was lied to as to how long it took. Each session was only about 10 minutes a little pain but healed in days. Interesting fact , did you know Tattoo ink is known to transfer from skin to blood and accumulate in regional lymph nodes


  • I don’t have tattoos but have many family members that do and I often wonder if they will come to this decision at some stage in the future, It would be good to see the end result in real life and how good it looks. I am sure this will be a thriving industry.


  • I’ve always struggled to decide what tattoo to get and where to put it because I’ve thought of tattoos as completely permanent. This article really opened my eyes to the different removal options and how effective they can be. It certaintly makes the idea of getting a tattoo feel less daunting!


  • I am so terrified of getting a tattoo because of the potential pain and risks but also because it’s a lifelong decision to keep! I often hear people say that the removal process is worse than getting the tattoo itself and that has been enough to ever make me want to try getting one.


  • Tattoos aren’t my thing and I would personally never have one. Each to their own though.
    I have many friends who do have them though. Some have ones which have sentimental meaning to them and others have some which they got when they were much younger and now regret having.
    Don’t look great on ageing skin.


  • I quite like the look of tattoos (on a hot male body), but honestly anywhere else just doesn’t do it for me. It’s great to have the ability to remove tattoos but that’s the thing about tattoos, it’s meant to be permanent so getting one removed because you changed your mind, kind of defeats the purpose in my opinion. I guess it’s a bit different with errors (check first!) and removal of semi-permanent tattoos such as brows.


  • I don’t mind seeing tattoos that are tasteful and cover a small part of the body but all over tattoos look horrible. I just can’t help being reminded of the ad on tv that features the elderly lady with a sagging tattoo on her arm that doesn’t look very nice at all!


  • I have not one single tattoo, so easy for me; no removal needed. But so many people have tattoo’s these day and sometimes very extensive. I can imagine that you feel different about your tattoos indeed at a certain point and want to remove them. So good that this possibility is out there, although I bet it’s quite pricey


  • I find it so amazing that we’ve not only found a way to permanently draw on our skin but also how to remove it and yet there are so many illnesses and issues people suffer from that we haven’t yet found a solution to. I’m not ranting on people who get tattoos just amazed at how far technology has come and what is possible with it. Fingers crossed there’s great things coming for the future


  • I am surprised by just how many tattoos some people have. It must be very expensive.


  • I am not brave enough to get a tattoo as I hate needles but I know a few people who have had them and need to get touch ups or changed their mind and wanted it removed. I heard it can be a painful experience. I think it’s important to really know you want a tattoo before getting one as it is a costly experience to remove if you change your mind.


  • It just seems to be the thing now that everyone gets a tattoo. It used to be something to be different but now to be different you need to not get a tattoo. I think its best not to go there. Its like sticking to the same hairstyle for life.


  • I don’t have any tattoos and can’t see myself getting any. It’s good that there is an option for removal but it looks painful.


  • This is one reason I would never get a tattoo – it’s such a big deal if you need to change it. (Of course, there’s also the initial pain factor.) I have toyed with the thought of a small one to honor my dead son, but I just can’t think of anything I’m sure I’d want forever.


  • I’ve never had a tattoo and I can’t see me ever getting one. I know some people get them to remember loved ones or celebrate something. I can’t think of anything I love so much that I want them permanently etched on my skin. Tattoos are expensive and so is removal. No thanks


  • My husband is a tattoo artist and he always make sure that his clients are 100% sure of their tattoo choices, placements and sizes! Many trendy tattoos he sees covered over or laser off. While laser is doable these day it is crazy expensive and can be super painful for some people.


  • It’s incredible seeing what results people can get from tattoo removal. I recently saw Pete Davidson’s skin after quite a few sessions and it’s looking great. It sounds like it’s not a fun process but it must be worth it. The most I’ve been able to brave up to do was brow tattooing which lasted a year or so


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