THE TRUTH ABOUT TATTOO REMOVAL...
How much does it really hurt? How much does it cost? And what you should avoid...
Wandering around the many stalls presenting differing body parts on show, with the sound of buzzing in the air, there was no doubt you were at a tattoo expo.
One stall stuck out for its differences more than anything else, it was quiet, for one thing.
BeGone Tattoo Removal was started by Dr Neil Hewitt only 18 months ago and already business is through the roof.
Dr Hewitt, a surgical assisstant and doctor for twenty years, says the most important thing to remember is that not just any tattoo removal machine or therapy will do the job.
"There are some very risky and alternative treatments out there," he said.
"A lot of the time I am just cleaning up the mistakes of others."
The machine Dr Hewitt uses is a cue switch laser, which may not mean much to you unless you're in the biz, but basically it is the goods, state-of the-art from the United States.
Apart from using this superior laser Dr Hewitt says it is also about understanding and knowing how best to use it.
COST
This depends on the size, depth and intensity of the tattoo you want removed.
Dr Hewitt estimates approximately $150 per session
SESSIONS
Like the COST the amount of sessions you will need also depends on size, colour and thickness of the tattoo.
Dr Hewitt says it can range from 4 to 5 treatments up to 15 treatments depending.
In between each session Dr Hewitt says you need to wait for at least eight weeks to allow the body to heal and to produce the best possible results.
PAIN
Dr Hewitt says it is painful, no way to avoid that. However, he works with a compound chemist to make a localised anaesthetic as strong as possible to use in numbing the area.
He is also in the process of researching 'laughing gas', as a way to combat the pain.
"You need to know the specifics, any one can point and shoot a laser at something," he said.
"The important part is in the details.
"Knowing how to choose the proper settings for a patients skin tone is just one of the aspects you need to take into consideration."
One theme Dr Hewitt was very persistent in presenting was that what he does and offers is in no way medically elite.
"I'm like a tattoo consultant," he said.
"That said I do treat the whole procedure as if it is an operation.
"I want to make sure there is a level of reassurance for my patients."
What struck as a very smart move on his behalf, Dr Hewitt has developed strong relationships with the tattoo artists themselves. This means he receives a lot of referrals from them, usually to make way for more or better ink.
