Out with THE OLD

As demand for laser tattoo removal rises, we asked some salon owners about offering this service to clients

While a tattoo can be a symbol of self-expression, there is no doubt that some people regret their inking, either soon after getting it done, or in later years. A Pew Research study in 2023 found that 32% of Americans have a tattoo, and about a quarter of them said they regretted it.

According to The Laser Club, which has clinics in Dublin, and Manchester, Leeds and Cheshire in the UK, laser tattoo removal has become a game-changer for those looking to lighten or completely get rid of unwanted tattoos, and it is a procedure that is becoming extremely popular in Ireland due to its effectiveness, and the use of advanced technology. It can also be used to erase semi-permanent make-up.

“We’ve been offering laser tattoo removal and semi-permanent brow removal for several years now,” says Róisín Leacy, owner of Eikon Beauty, which has three clinics in Wexford town and Gorey, Co Wexford, and Shankill in Co Dublin.

“The decision to introduce this treatment came from a demand from our clients. Many of them were seeking safe, effective and professional solutions to remove unwanted tattoos, and faded or poorly done semi-permanent brows. We wanted to provide a trustworthy, results-driven service in a setting that clients already knew and loved.”

Semi-permanent make-up artist Leah Cheung runs her own salon in Wexford town. A brows and lip blush specialist, she began offering laser removal in December 2024.

“I was seeing a huge increase in clients who had semi-permanent brows done years previously, but now wanted to get new ones done,” she explains. “This could be because they wanted a more updated style, or because of a change in the pigment in their skin. There is a lot of new information on pigment ranges, and how pigments heal in the skin, and many clients who got brows or semi-permanent make-up done years ago now have either very ashy or grey tones in their brows, or they have over-saturated brows that require a few sessions of laser tattoo removal to remove the older pigment and make way for a new set of brows.”

‘I was seeing a huge increase in clients who had semi-permanent brows done years previously, but now wanted to get new ones done’

Consult to begin

Like most services, this type of laser removal requires a thorough consultation with the client, and the treatment plan is tailored to their needs. “We do a consultation initially in order to assess the tattoo or pigment, and to set realistic expectations,” explains Leacy. “During the session, the laser emits short pulses of light energy that break down the ink particles in the skin. These are then naturally eliminated by the body’s lymphatic system over time. The number of sessions required varies, as it depends on the size, depth and colour of the tattoo.”

The client’s skin is also a factor to consider, notes Cheung. “There is a wait time between sessions of four to six weeks, depending on each individual’s skin-healing abilities. You need to allow the skin to heal before doing another session. For those who want to lighten the pigment they have in their brows, and then do a cover-up, I normally suggest two to four sessions before booking them in for a fresh set of brows.

“For traditional tattoo ink, I usually tell the client that it will take eight to 10 sessions at a minimum, because it's a much stronger ink, and is deeper in the skin.

“In terms of aftercare, I give the clients a soothing balm to apply to the area, and suggest to them that if it feels hot, put a cooling pack on it. Some may experience swelling, but it really is not normal for the area to bleed or blister. This means the laser strength used was too strong. I always start on a lower setting to see how each client’s skin reacts, and I can then increase the strength in the next session.”

Different devices

When it comes to the different devices available, there are a variety of options. For instance, some are designed to only do permanent make-up and tattoo removal, while other ones have several functions.

“We use the PhiLaser machine, which is a top-quality device specifically designed for advanced laser tattoo removal,” says Leacy. “While its primary function is tattoo and pigment removal, it is also suitable for treating certain skin irregularities and conditions, making it a highly advanced and multifunctional piece of equipment.”

“The machine I use is the Q-Switched Nd:YAG, which works on pigment removal for brown/grey/black tones,” says Cheung. “So it’s suitable for semi-permanent make-up and fine-line tattoos as well. Other stronger laser machines, such as the PicoSure, can work on more intense tattoos. There are also machines that can do laser tattoo removal and hair removal.”

Of course, regardless of the device you are using, training is required. “All our team members who carry out laser treatments are fully trained and certified in laser safety and operation,” says Leacy. “We take great pride in keeping our standards high, and ensuring clients are treated by knowledgeable professionals who are using the safest and most effective techniques.”

“Proper training is very important because too many technicians/artists are being led to think that blistering and bleeding is normal when the brows and lips are getting lasered,” warns Cheung. “When done properly, this shouldn’t be the case. I’d advise anyone to do their research before investing in a device, and make sure training is included.”

‘There’s also a growing interest among clients wanting to fade old tattoos before getting new cover-up work done’

Return on investment

When it comes to her own machine, Cheung says that the investment has been well worth it. “My device has been really good for business, and I am expecting demand for the service to keep increasing. Obviously, there is an initial investment required for the machine and the training, but you make your money back.

“I would recommend it to any professionals doing semi-permanent make-up because it guarantees them another income stream. I personally don’t do touch-ups on brows that have previously been done if they are too saturated because sometimes going over someone else’s work will not give you the results you or the client wants. So, if a client comes to me with oversaturated pigment in their brows, I will recommend laser removal first, and then we do a fresh set. Doing a removal will minimise this risk of an unhappy client.”

“For me, it’s been a fantastic investment,” says Leacy. “As an increasingly popular service, it has expanded our offering and brought in new business. We see a wide range of clients – from those wanting to remove tattoos they regret or that are faded, to those seeking to correct semi-permanent make-up work. There’s also a growing interest among clients wanting to fade old tattoos before getting new cover-up work done. The machine has proven its value time and time again – it delivers safe, reliable results, and allows us to confidently meet growing demand in this niche area.”