Tattoos Are on The Rise - And so is Removing Them

Never before have tattoos been so prevalent and accepted across a wide demographic, than they are at present. Thanks to their rise in popular culture over the past 10 years, tattoos are now considered the norm and in Australia, reaching an all-time high, with an estimated 1 in 5 Aussies having at least one tattoo.

Behind New Zealand, Aussies are the most tattooed nation in the world; followed closely by the USA. Of course, the more people getting inked, the more tattoo regret there is, with the demand for tattoo removal services increasing significantly over the past decade. Of those 1 in 5 Aussies with ink – a staggering 34% regret the decision or are considering getting it removed. As such, the demand for tattoo removal services has seen a massive increase of 440% in the past decade.

What are the most common reasons people chose to get a tattoo removed?

It is very common for people to regret tattoos that were gotten in the spur of the moment, or that perhaps were not thoroughly thought out in advance. The lack of preparation, involvement and connection to the tattoo plays a major role when, later down the line, people are reevaluating their tattoos and considering possible removal.

According to Tim Jarvis who runs a Melbourne tattoo removal business “for some, getting a tattoo is a rite of passage and many people turn 18, decide to get a tattoo without putting much thought into the tattoo itself, only to regret the decision years or even, in some cases - several months later”. Its more about the idea or notion of getting tattooed as opposed to the actual tattoo itself and these are exactly the type of tattoos that people come to regret and decide to get rid of.

Does tattoo removal really hurt as much as people say it does?

The short answer is no, it does not. Whilst the process is not 100% pain-free, any discomfort can be minimised with the application of topical compound numbing cream applied to the area prior to treatment with a tattoo removal machine.

For those concerned about the cost or pain; current tattoo removal lasers are far less invasive than they used to be and much more effective also. Most people are prepared for tattoo removal lasers to hurt far more than they actually do, with most people being pleasantly surprised at a) how little discomfort they experience and b) how quickly the process is over with.

Do people always complete the tattoo removal process?

Interestingly, once having made the decision to get a tattoo removed, 60-70% of people drop out after having had several sessions and 20% after just the one session.

Although it is hard to know why people don’t complete their laser tattoo removal sessions, aside from the pain, the biggest reason is the overall commitment and is a combination of factors, the main ones being: cost, time and amount of sessions required.

Perhaps dissuaded by the length of time or just deciding its not worth the hassle, people lose interest, move on and it becomes no longer a priority remove it and deciding, albeit unconsciously to just keep it after all.

Any advice for people considering getting a tattoo removed?

Tim says “the biggest thing is be prepared to take on the commitment of getting a tattoo removed and be prepared to play the long game. You are after all, removing something that would otherwise be a permanent fixture on your body”.

Having made the choice to remove it, keeping that mindset going and making it a priority to complete the process will ensure your desired outcome. It could take a year or more to remove, with some tattoos being harder to remove than others. It really depends on variables such as the age of the tattoo, along with quality of ink and depth etc.

Lots of people will do 1 or 2 sessions, or perhaps even get to the half way mark (5 sessions) before dropping off, only to revisit the idea several years later, when they get motivated to pick it back up. However, the best results come from people who persevere and keep their end goal in sight.

In terms of other things to consider, we suggest looking for a location that is somewhat close to where you live or work, as for convenience this makes it a lot easier to follow through.

Want to learn more about tattoo removal or potentially getting one removed? Contact beauty equipment supplier, The Global Beauty Group on 1300 006 607 to find a treatment specialist in your area.