INVISIBLE INK

TIRED OF STARING AT A QUESTIONABLE TATTOO FROM YESTERYEAR? HERE’S HOW TO REMOVE EVERY TRACE…

Are you the not-so-proud owner of some regrettable ink and considering tattoo removal? Welcome to the club.

If you’ve heard anything about laser tattoo removal, it’s probably along the lines of it being quite painful – some even say 10 times more than getting the tattoo in the first place (eek!). But while there’s plenty of info on what to consider before getting one, there still isn’t a whole lot of discussion surrounding the dark side of ink jobs and what happens if you no longer love the illustration you chose.

Seeing as so many of us go through the process of tattoo removal (celebs included), we thought we’d go straight to the experts to examine what’s involved, how much it costs and the potential side effects.

1 DOES TATTOO REMOVAL ACTUALLY WORK?

When done with a laser, yes, tattoo removal is possible.

“We use the latest and most powerful medical laser technology called Discovery Pico Plus to effectively remove most or all traces of unwanted tattoos,” says tattoo therapist Hang Nguyen from Sydney’s Next Level Clinic.

2 WHAT IS DISCOVERY PICO PLUS?

A multipurpose, short-pulse laser by Cynosure, it effectively treats pigmentary conditions in the skin, and can also be used successfully for tattoo removal.

“It delivers a photoacoustic effect to shatter tattoo ink, leaving the surrounding tissues unharmed, which helps to minimise the chance of scarring,” says Hang. “The skin heals quickly and evenly, and there is little risk of permanent scarring or discolouration.”

3 HOW MUCH DOES IT COST AND HOW MANY SESSIONS DOES IT TAKE TO REMOVE A TATTOO?

“Cost depends on the size and complexity of a tattoo, as well as the patient’s health,” explains Hang. Removal normally takes between five and 10 sessions, and the cost can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars per session – often much more than it cost to actually get the tattoo.

4 HOW PAINFUL IS THE TREATMENT?

It’s probably not what you want to hear, but if you don’t do anything to numb the area, tattoo removal can be very painful. Thankfully, there are ways to help.

“At our clinic, we use prescription-strength numbing cream, external skin-cooling devices and relaxation therapies such as LED light therapy and gentle massage,” says Hang.