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| Use of 'cheap' tattoo removal equipment sparks concern | Use of 'cheap' tattoo removal equipment sparks concern |
| (30 days later) | |
| Specialist Wayne Joyce said he had seen an increase in people getting tattoo removals | Specialist Wayne Joyce said he had seen an increase in people getting tattoo removals |
| A tattoo artist who has seen an increase in tattoo removals is warning customers to beware of people using cheap and unsafe equipment to get it done. | A tattoo artist who has seen an increase in tattoo removals is warning customers to beware of people using cheap and unsafe equipment to get it done. |
| Removal specialist Wayne Joyce, who runs Reset Room in Bristol, said he had seen a rise in the number of people being left with permanent scarring and, in some cases, body dysmorphia - a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance. | Removal specialist Wayne Joyce, who runs Reset Room in Bristol, said he had seen a rise in the number of people being left with permanent scarring and, in some cases, body dysmorphia - a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance. |
| Common techniques used for tattoo removal include laser surgery, surgical removal and dermabrasion. | Common techniques used for tattoo removal include laser surgery, surgical removal and dermabrasion. |
| "The biggest concern in the industry right now is the access to equipment that doesn't do what it's supposed to do," Mr Joyce said. | "The biggest concern in the industry right now is the access to equipment that doesn't do what it's supposed to do," Mr Joyce said. |
| "Yes, they can remove tattoos, but the condition of the skin afterwards can be completely damaged and then leaving the client in a worse-off space than they were before." | "Yes, they can remove tattoos, but the condition of the skin afterwards can be completely damaged and then leaving the client in a worse-off space than they were before." |
| Wayne Joyce has spent more than seven years removing tattoos | Wayne Joyce has spent more than seven years removing tattoos |
| Scarring can happen after most types of tattoo removal but infections or skin discoloration are possible as well. | Scarring can happen after most types of tattoo removal but infections or skin discoloration are possible as well. |
| Mr Joyce said some people are now obtaining dangerous cheap lasers that "don't work properly" and using them in home visits in unsanitary environments. | Mr Joyce said some people are now obtaining dangerous cheap lasers that "don't work properly" and using them in home visits in unsanitary environments. |
| "There is a difference between people who have been trained and obtained a specific tattoo license from their local authority to carry out tattoo removal work at a proper clinic and unregulated people who buy cheap lasers, put them in the back of their cars and advertise on places like Gumtree," Mr Joyce said. | "There is a difference between people who have been trained and obtained a specific tattoo license from their local authority to carry out tattoo removal work at a proper clinic and unregulated people who buy cheap lasers, put them in the back of their cars and advertise on places like Gumtree," Mr Joyce said. |
| He explained local authorities had their own rules and regulations on tattoo removal and established clinics had to get a special licence from them to carry out the procedure. | He explained local authorities had their own rules and regulations on tattoo removal and established clinics had to get a special licence from them to carry out the procedure. |
| "People also try to use at-home hair removal lasers on themselves for tattoo removal, which is also dangerous," he added. | "People also try to use at-home hair removal lasers on themselves for tattoo removal, which is also dangerous," he added. |
| A common technique used for tattoo removal is laser surgery, which breaks down the ink particles under the skin | A common technique used for tattoo removal is laser surgery, which breaks down the ink particles under the skin |
| Tattoo removal is normally privately funded and can also be accessed through the NHS as a self-funded treatment or sometimes via a referral. | |
| Mr Joyce said the cost of getting a tattoo removed "is not cheap", often costing more than the actual tattoo. | Mr Joyce said the cost of getting a tattoo removed "is not cheap", often costing more than the actual tattoo. |
| "You are talking about a few hundred pounds. For larger tattoos, like sleeves, back pieces, then you're looking at a couple of thousand," he said. | "You are talking about a few hundred pounds. For larger tattoos, like sleeves, back pieces, then you're looking at a couple of thousand," he said. |
| Mr Joyce said the technology had rapidly improved over the past 10 years but explained that while tattoos could take a few hours to complete, their removal could take a year "and sometimes even longer". | Mr Joyce said the technology had rapidly improved over the past 10 years but explained that while tattoos could take a few hours to complete, their removal could take a year "and sometimes even longer". |
| Jade James has suffered with low confidence related to a tattoo on her arm | Jade James has suffered with low confidence related to a tattoo on her arm |
| Despite this, Mr Joyce said many people were turning to him for removals. | Despite this, Mr Joyce said many people were turning to him for removals. |
| Jade James, who is getting a tattoo on her arm removed before her wedding in May, said the procedure would help her get her "confidence back" before her big day. | Jade James, who is getting a tattoo on her arm removed before her wedding in May, said the procedure would help her get her "confidence back" before her big day. |
| "I started really having low confidence because of my tattoos," she said. | "I started really having low confidence because of my tattoos," she said. |
| "I thought I was never going to be happy with how I looked anymore. | "I thought I was never going to be happy with how I looked anymore. |
| "I heard about laser tattoo treatment and decided to start trying to gain my confidence back. I just want to get rid of it." | "I heard about laser tattoo treatment and decided to start trying to gain my confidence back. I just want to get rid of it." |
| Betsy Davies said it was "dreadful" to think she would have the tattoo for the rest of her life | Betsy Davies said it was "dreadful" to think she would have the tattoo for the rest of her life |
| Betsy Davies was offered a free tattoo when the South African rugby team won the world cup last year. | Betsy Davies was offered a free tattoo when the South African rugby team won the world cup last year. |
| "I do still really like it, but it's too big for my body," she said. | "I do still really like it, but it's too big for my body," she said. |
| "It was a dreadful thought realising it was going to be on my body for the rest of my life." | "It was a dreadful thought realising it was going to be on my body for the rest of my life." |
| After finding Mr Joyce online, she got herself booked in and said getting the tattoo had been more painful than the removal. | After finding Mr Joyce online, she got herself booked in and said getting the tattoo had been more painful than the removal. |
| "It makes me feel happy knowing it will be gone," she added. | "It makes me feel happy knowing it will be gone," she added. |
| "It's also made me more cautious about getting tattoos in the future." | "It's also made me more cautious about getting tattoos in the future." |
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