Tattoos are becoming more and more common the world over, but especially here in New Zealand.
What once was associated with undesirables, sailors and gang-members, is now today an expression of love, creativity or independence.
Aotearoa in particular has more than its fair share of tattoos, with te moko making up a large percentage of the body art we see here.
But unfortunately, people change, and so do their tastes, circumstances or values.
That cool tattoo you got at 18 looks ridiculous now, and it’s time for a change.
It’s time to call us.
What once was associated with undesirables, sailors and gang-members, is now today an expression of love, creativity or independence.
Aotearoa in particular has more than its fair share of tattoos, with te moko making up a large percentage of the body art we see here.
But unfortunately, people change, and so do their tastes, circumstances or values.
That cool tattoo you got at 18 looks ridiculous now, and it’s time for a change.
It’s time to call us.
What is a tattoo
First off, lets remind ourselves what a tattoo is, and why it’s permanent.
Your skin is made up of two separate layers, an outer and inner layer.
The outer layer is called the epidermis, and this layer heals itself easily. New skin cells grow underneath and over the next few weeks will gradually move up to the surface, replacing old skin.
This is why you can get a scratch, but a month later there’s no sign of it.
The inner layer of skin, the dermis, is different.
It's usually protected by the epidermis, so doesn't need to replenish itself every month. It is in this inner layer where the tattoo ink is injected, and because the dermis doesn't regenerate like the outer layer, the ink pigments stay where they are.
Your skin is made up of two separate layers, an outer and inner layer.
The outer layer is called the epidermis, and this layer heals itself easily. New skin cells grow underneath and over the next few weeks will gradually move up to the surface, replacing old skin.
This is why you can get a scratch, but a month later there’s no sign of it.
The inner layer of skin, the dermis, is different.
It's usually protected by the epidermis, so doesn't need to replenish itself every month. It is in this inner layer where the tattoo ink is injected, and because the dermis doesn't regenerate like the outer layer, the ink pigments stay where they are.
Tattoo statistics in New Zealand
According to a recent survey, nearly one in five adult Kiwis have been tattooed, with the rate rising to one in three for those under 30.
Surprisingly, women are more likely to get one than both men and young people, with 22% of women overall having been tattooed, compared with 17% of men.
Surprisingly, women are more likely to get one than both men and young people, with 22% of women overall having been tattooed, compared with 17% of men.
Reasons people have them removed
Few of those surveyed had any regrets, with only one in ten people with a tattoo saying they did regret it. Although out of the 10% that did, men were slightly more likely to have regrets than women.
Unsurprisingly, the most common regret for a tattoo is an ex’s name. Men are surprisingly more sentimental than women when it comes to everlasting love, or maybe women are just more realistic.
Other than names of old flames, there are a number of reasons why people choose to have their tattoos removed.
Your favourite band as a teenager looks pretty ridiculous now, or that tattoo in Chinese characters you thought said “Peace” turned out to say “no entry”.
Unsurprisingly, the most common regret for a tattoo is an ex’s name. Men are surprisingly more sentimental than women when it comes to everlasting love, or maybe women are just more realistic.
Other than names of old flames, there are a number of reasons why people choose to have their tattoos removed.
Your favourite band as a teenager looks pretty ridiculous now, or that tattoo in Chinese characters you thought said “Peace” turned out to say “no entry”.
How laser tattoo removal works
Your white blood cells see the ink as a foreign invader (which it is), and your immune system goes about the task of getting rid of the intruder.
The ink particles that are injected into your skin come in all shapes and sizes, and the smaller ones end up being eaten by your white blood cells.
The larger ones, well there’s nothing the white blood cells can do with those, so they’re just left there.
This is why tattoos fade over time – there literally isn’t as much ink as there was originally.
This is where the laser comes in.
Using short pulses of intense light, the laser literally bursts the bigger ink pigments into smaller fragments, breaking them up enough for the white blood cells to move in and finish them off.
Your body’s natural immune process take over, with the ink passing through your blood, liver and eventually out of the body through urine.
The ink particles that are injected into your skin come in all shapes and sizes, and the smaller ones end up being eaten by your white blood cells.
The larger ones, well there’s nothing the white blood cells can do with those, so they’re just left there.
This is why tattoos fade over time – there literally isn’t as much ink as there was originally.
This is where the laser comes in.
Using short pulses of intense light, the laser literally bursts the bigger ink pigments into smaller fragments, breaking them up enough for the white blood cells to move in and finish them off.
Your body’s natural immune process take over, with the ink passing through your blood, liver and eventually out of the body through urine.
What are the risks?
Tattoo removal is relatively risk free, although as with all medical procedures, there can be side effects. Risks may include redness and swelling or the treated area.
The treatment itself makes a popping noise as the laser “pops” the ink pigments under your skin, which is scarier to hear than to feel.
Much like getting a tattoo in the first place, the pain felt varies from person to person. Most people liken it to having a rubber band snapped against their arm.
The treatment itself makes a popping noise as the laser “pops” the ink pigments under your skin, which is scarier to hear than to feel.
Much like getting a tattoo in the first place, the pain felt varies from person to person. Most people liken it to having a rubber band snapped against their arm.
How we can help
We are experts when it comes to tattoo removal and skin repair.
Using the latest in laser technology, the M22 Lumenis modular system, we can tailor the treatment according to the type of the tattoo, gradually and gently revealing your skin, with minimal downtime.
All our staff are clinically trained with years of experience, and are continuously up-skilled, attending educational workshops and industry conferences both home and abroad, to ensure their patients are receiving the best and most up to date treatments available.
If you have any questions about laser tattoo removal, or any of the treatments we offer here at the Vein and Skin Clinic, book a consultation today and we’ll explain which treatment is best for you and your condition.
Our friendly and experienced staff will be happy to help.
Using the latest in laser technology, the M22 Lumenis modular system, we can tailor the treatment according to the type of the tattoo, gradually and gently revealing your skin, with minimal downtime.
All our staff are clinically trained with years of experience, and are continuously up-skilled, attending educational workshops and industry conferences both home and abroad, to ensure their patients are receiving the best and most up to date treatments available.
If you have any questions about laser tattoo removal, or any of the treatments we offer here at the Vein and Skin Clinic, book a consultation today and we’ll explain which treatment is best for you and your condition.
Our friendly and experienced staff will be happy to help.
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