About 75 million Americans have at least one tattoo, and there are roughly 240 million tattoos in the U.S. This equates to about 3.3 tattoos per person, and at least one-third of those 75 million people are dissatisfied with at least one of their tattoos. That's 25 million unwanted tattoos in the U.S. alone.

Why do people get tattoos in the first place? Many want to acknowledge a time in their life, a relationship, a challenge, or a milestone they have overcome. Tattoos are also a way to seek acceptance into a group and express beliefs and loyalty.

As celebrities like Pete Davidson continue to make headlines about the removal process he's undergoing for his film career (and Smartwater ads), we can all agree that it’s time to take a closer look at tattoo removal.

For those in Austin who may have a tattoo as a result of gang activity, domestic violence/human trafficking, previous incarceration, or racist/hateful past, we invite you to join Removery’s community outreach program, INK-nitiative. Removery has removed unwanted ink for hundreds of people, totaling more than $130,000 in donated services.

When you get a tattoo, the ink gets lodged into your skin. Your immune system naturally tries to remove it, carrying away ink particles. This is why tattoos fade over time. Many people seek out tattoo removal and fading to simply update faded tattoos from years past.

By applying concentrated energy to ink particles, tattoo removal lasers break down the particles into smaller ones, enabling your immune system to carry them away. The treatment works at different depths in your skin. Removery uses only the most state-of-the-art PicoWay® laser technology to safely remove or fade unwanted tattoos. Picosecond technology allows the laser to go in and out of the skin at a much faster rate than a Q-switch laser, which is also commonly used in the tattoo removal industry. This technology also allows Removery to remove color tattoos as well. The pressure wave technology of a picosecond laser also leaves the skin with less discomfort during removal and following treatment, offering better results and a better experience for clients.

Tattoos are an act of self-expression and have deep meaning for people in different stages of life. However, we recognize that people change. Gone are the days where “tattoos are permanent.”

At the end of the day, change is permanent, and Removery is committed to providing clients support throughout their fading or removal journey. People should be empowered to be proud of the tattoos they love, while also creating space for new art or removing unwanted ink.

Removery is the largest specialized provider of tattoo removal services in the world with locations across the U.S., Australia and Canada. Its laser specialists are highly trained in Candela’s state-of-the-art PicoWay® lasers. To learn more about Removery and tattoo removal, see before and after photos, or to schedule an in-person or virtual consultation, visit Removery.com.