A Melbourne mother, Lily Wright, is regretting her decision to get tattoos on her face and is now seeking their removal in hopes of moving forward with her life.
Wright, 28, has a heart, a cross, and the word “rotten” tattooed on her face, inspired by Harley Quinn, a character portrayed by Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad. Initially, these tattoos symbolized her past involvement in criminal activities. However, as she works to leave her old life behind, she finds that the tattoos often lead to negative judgments from others.
“I got into trouble with the law in 2016 and chose to tattoo my face,” Wright told Yahoo News. “I feel judged a lot because of them… They hold me back.”
After stepping away from criminal activities and completing rehab, Wright is focused on starting anew and finding employment. Removing the tattoos is a crucial part of her transition.
“I deeply regret getting my face tattooed. I need to get rid of them,” she said.
Tattoo Removal on the Rise in Australia
Tattoo removal is becoming more common in Australia as people seek to erase past decisions, according to Jason Erwin from Removery, a tattoo removal service.
“Ten years ago, tattoos were seen as permanent,” Erwin explained to Yahoo News. “Now, we’re working to normalize tattoo removal and help people move on from past decisions.”
According to data from McCrindle, over 25% of Australians regret their tattoos and are turning to removal services. In response, Removery has funded tattoo removal for 150 patients as part of their World Tattoo Removal Day initiative. Wright is among those receiving this support.
“We’ve conducted 50,000 treatments in Australia over the past three years,” Erwin said. “People seek removal either because they no longer identify with their tattoos or because they regret their designs.”
Wright is eager to begin her tattoo removal process next week, which will require a commitment of 12 to 24 months.
“Removing a tattoo involves assessing the tattoo for any scar tissue, discussing laser removal options, and committing to the process,” Erwin said.
Facts About Tattoo Removal:
Pain Level: “The sensation is similar to having rubber bands snapped against your skin rapidly,” Erwin noted.
Removal Speed: “Tattoos closer to the heart and with better circulation tend to be removed more quickly,” he added.