The Growth Of Tattoos And Tattoo Removal Services
The popularisation of tattoos across the world has been a growing trend in recent years. According to research produced by Dalia Research in 2018 of 18 major nations, the average percentage of people surveyed who had at least one tattoo was 38%. The leading “most tattood countries” were identified as being Italy (48% of respondents), Sweden (47%), USA (46%) Australia, and Argentina (both 43%).
However, as interest in getting tattoos has increased, so has the interest in laser tattoo removal! According to some surveys, as many as 20% to 25% of people with tattoos have considered (or are considering) having their tattoos removed.
While the idea of tattoo removal is strange to many people (particularly those who just paid to have their dream tattoo applied) there are many reasons why this service has become a growing trend.
Why Do People Get Tattoos Removed?
This “tattoo regret” can be for many reasons. Truth is that as humans, we all regularly experience “buyer’s remorse” — a feeling of regret in making an earlier purchase which seemed completely perfect at the time. And tattoos are no different! Here are the eight most common reasons people want to get rid of their unwanted tattoos:
1. Low Quality Workmanship
The internet is full of “tattoo fails”: misspelt words, tattoos created by inexperienced (possibly intoxicated) tattoo artists, or problems caused by inferior tattoo equipment. These kinds of tattoos can cause significant embarrassment and stress, especially when the tattoo is in a prominent area which cannot be easily covered-up.
2. Change In Beliefs Or Interests
When you’re in our 20’s, your beliefs and your interests are not necessarily the same as when you are in our 40’s. Very aggressive or “opinionated” tattoos you once loved in your youth, may now bring a sense of shame or awkwardness as you grow older. In the same way, you may have been passionate about a particular sport, musician, or celebrity early on in life, but now, not so much.
When it comes to tattoos, sometimes changing your mind can also mean changing your physical appearance!
3. Career Opportunities
While many modern workplaces will happily overlook small or out-of-site tattoos, there are some industries where tattoos are still viewed as a “barrier to entry”. Client-facing roles in corporate environments may not look favourable upon a job applicant with a face or neck tattoo, for instance. Other industries or roles where tattoos can prove problematic to the hiring process are education, healthcare, military, the police force, law firms, receptionists and some government roles.
4. Relationship Status
Who wants to be constantly reminded of an ex-partner every time they look at their own body? That is the problem with tattoos based around your “significant other”, which is why it is one of the most common reasons people seek laser tattoo removal treatment. Whether it is your ex’s name or an image which was designed to honor / represent them, it can be an ongoing source of pain, anger, or disappointment.
5. Bad Memories
People often get tattoos to represent key moments in their lives. Over time however, those events may start to bring about feelings of regret, sorrow, or fear. Having the ability to remove that memory from your skin can also allow you to be freed of the emotional ties connected to it.
6. Body Image
Some inked people believe they will look better without their tattoo. Often this belief may be tied to other psychological issues beyond the tattoo itself; but it is still one reason why people seek tattoo removal, with around 30% of people saying they feel more attractive sans-tattoos.
7. Prejudice Or Stereotyping
Despite tattoos becoming more popular in the western world, as we’ve already established, there are still certain taboos and clichés surrounding tattoos — particularly in more contemporary circles. These can include the belief that people who have tattoos are rebellious, uneducated, or aggressive. While these thoughts are clearly prejudiced and based in ignorance or fear, some people with tattoos find the stigma too much to deal with on a daily basis and opt to have their tattoos removed.
8. Clear The Canvas
Sometimes people just want to remove a tattoo (in whole or in part) to make way for a new, more relevant tattoo. For these people, laser tattoo removal provides the opportunity to “start again” with a clean slate, and get the tattoo they really desire. Out with the old, in with the new!
Why Laser Tattoo Removal?
You will find a lot of articles and videos online about how to get rid of tattoos. The most popular method is tattoo removal creams. It is obviously an attractive concept, especially when you consider the cost (much less than laser treatment) and the discomfort (compare rubbing cream on your skin vs the zap-zap-zap of a laser against your skin). Sadly (but probably not surprisingly), there is no known scientific backing to the claim that a cream has the ability to effectively remove tattoo ink from the skin.
Moving beyond creams, you will find stories of people using hot stones and even cheese graters (yes, really!) to try and get rid of their unwanted tatts. It probably does not need to be said, but these methods cannot be recommended for many obvious reasons!
When it comes to tattoo removal, the only consistently-effective method is laser tattoo removal. While it certainly costs more money than creams and other DIY approaches, the difference is that laser tattoo works.
For best results, we recommend going to a tattoo removal clinic, which uses the advanced PicoWay technology; older laser tattoo technology (such as PicoSure) has been shown to be less effective. As well as ensuring the technology used is up to date, you’ll also want to enquire about the training and experience of the person operating the laser — even the best equipment can result in scarring in the hands of an inexperienced technician.
