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It doesn’t matter whether you were inspired by celebrities’ cute tattoos or got inked with that one design you thought best expressed who you were. Sometimes, you reach a point in life where your tattoos just don’t feel like they belong anymore.

The only trouble is, tattoos are permanent and removing them isn’t half as quick as getting them done. Since getting tattoo removal requires patience (i.e. time), perseverance (i.e. some pain), and pulses (i.e. laser beams zapping at your skin), you really want to choose a tattoo removal clinic that’ll get the job done well.

To help you out, we’ve rounded up some of the best tattoo removal clinics in Singapore and – before you rush head first into getting your ink erased – some things to expect about the treatment process!

What to Expect Before a Tattoo Removal

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South Korean actress Han So Hee’s tattoos (seen on her waist and forearm), before she got them removed.

1. Not All Tattoo Removal Treatments Are Created Equal

Did you know that there are a variety of laser technologies used to remove tattoo pigments on the skin? Some lasers are more painful on the skin or cause scarring or damage to the surrounding skin tissue, whereas others are less so.

For this reason, it’s always best to consult an experienced aesthetic doctor in Singapore to find out the tattoo removal laser treatments that are suited for you, before getting your ink removed in the safest, most effective way possible.

2. It Takes More Than One Session

If you thought you could walk into the clinic, let the doctor zap at your skin, and – just like that, bid your regretted tattoo good riddance, we hate to be the ones to break it to you. You’re mistaken.

Tattoo removal typically requires between six to eight sessions, spaced between four to eight weeks apart, before the tattoo is completely removed. Larger tattoos often require 10 treatment sessions or more and can take about a year.

Don’t head down to the clinic expecting your tattoo to be gone in one session, otherwise, you won’t just be sore but sorely disappointed.

3. You Can Remove Coloured Ink Too

The dated belief about tattoo removal is this: only black pigments can be destroyed in the process, whereas lighter colours will still remain.

Thankfully, today’s laser technologies allow for even “stubborn” colours like red, yellow, and green to be zapped at and removed completely. The lasers’ multiple wavelength features allow them to penetrate the skin to different degrees, thus targeting different coloured pigments during the treatment.

4. You Might Experience Some Discomfort

Even though you might experience some pain or discomfort during the tattoo removal treatment, it really varies from person to person.

Usually, a topical numbing cream will be applied to your skin, where the tattoo is, so the discomfort is dulled. Some clinics also use a chiller to direct cold air onto the area that’s being treated, which offers added pain relief during the session.

Doctors might even prescribe painkillers, especially if it’s a large tattoo that you’re getting removed.

Feel free to discuss pain management options with your doctor during the consultation, so you’ll be able to walk into your first session with greater peace of mind.

5. You Can Lighten Your Tattoo Enough to Cover It up With Another

Instead of removing your tattoo completely, you can also opt to have it lightened enough so that a new one can go over it. Doing so will save you some sessions, and you’ll get to flaunt a new inked design on your skin too!

Where to Go For Tattoo Removal in Singapore

Featured image credit: Han So Hee, Sozo Aesthetic Clinic