Professional Beauty guest contributor and founder and manager of Victorian Cosmetic & Dermal Clinic, Victoria Chakkour explains how to introduce tattoo removal in your salon.
In 2013, a study from Sydney-based McCrindle Research found 20 per cent of Australians with a tattoo regret getting it, but are not considering removal. Why…?
Horror stories of burns and permanent scarring are common, so consumers are naturally fearful of removal procedures that may leave them worse off.
Aside from the ethical failing and neglect of duty of care, these short-sighted businesses also inevitably land themselves in legal trouble, so it’s essential to be aware of the different types of technology used for tattoo removal and vast differences in the safety of each method.
Here are some simple steps to get you started…
1. Don’t cut corners! Only use a Q-switched laser.
Forget creams, surgical removal or cryosurgery – they will certainly cause scarring. The other cheap option is intense pulsed light (IPL), which many clinics refer to as laser tattoo removal, although this is not accurate. IPL causes redness, pain and swelling and is much more likely to result in scarring.
Q-switched lasers are lasers that shoot in short bursts in order to maximise intensity. The light they produce can be tuned specifically to target certain colours in a tattoo, thus minimising damage to the surrounding skin. The safest method of tattoo removal is that which uses a Q-switched laser that employs an Nd-YAG crystal.
2. Carry out regular staff training and testing.
It is also important that all in-house practitioners are laser safety certified. They should receive regular training and evaluations to ensure that they are not endangering your clients and your business.
3. Know the local laws.
There is no Australia-wide legislation covering laser tattoo removal, but some states have regulations. Currently only Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia regulate lasers. In other states, such as New South Wales and Victoria, there are no restrictions whatsoever. However, the situation looks set to change in the coming years, due to pressure from health professionals.
About the author: Victoria Chakkour is the Founder and Manager of Victorian Cosmetic & Dermal Clinic. With two clinics in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne and highly qualified staff, she has a wealth of experience in the cosmetic laser industry.