Did you know that 30 per cent of Aussies have a tattoo? And 57 per cent of us got our first ink between 18-24.
But with the rise in tattoo removals, could starting young be a reason?
Within the past year, Removery, a tattoo removal company, has seen a 30 per cent increase in removal treatments across Australia.
This surge in demand can be attributed to the advancements in laser removal technology, making the process safer, more effective, and more accessible than ever before.
However, why are more Aussies removing their tattoos?
To explore this trend, The Briefing features a conversation with Jo Kelton, co-founder and COO of Removery. She sheds light on why more Australians are opting to remove their tattoos and whether they are aiming for a clean slate or preparing for new artwork.
Ms Kelton explains that people decide to remove their tattoos for various reasons, including changes in personal style, life circumstances, or simply the desire for a fresh canvas.
“I was talking to a client who had a really beautiful dragon on her leg when she was in her 20s. She was really into the art, and she loved it, and now she’s in her 30s, and she said she hadn’t won a swimsuit in public for the last ten years because she was really self-conscious about it,” Ms Kelton said.
The number of Australians removing their tattoos is consistent with Removery’s research on North American trends, including those in the US and Canada.
“Around half of that number is people just saying their identity has changed or their taste has changed,” she added.
Ms Kelton says some customers would also regret removing a tattoo.
“We have stopped some removals partway through, and I think one of the more entertaining stories is people removing their ex’s name, and they’ve got back together. And so they’re like, hang on, stop. We need that still.”
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