A Shrewsbury skin clinic at the forefront of leading edge treatment has launched a tattoo removal service after studies showed a surge in the number of people who deeply regretted ever having had tattoos.

The Skin Clinic based at the Dental Spa on Oxon Business Park in Shrewsbury, already performs several other types of laser treatment under the guidance of Dr Simon Reid. The company's research in tattoo removal over the past few months has also revealed why something which rocketed in popularity over the last decade is suddenly becoming so unpopular - and surprisingly it is not just a dread of the image on sagging flesh! 

Wendy Hartwig, an aesthetic and laser nurse practitioner with the company, explains: "Like so many things in life, tattoos can seem like a good idea at the time. But times change and so do lives. One of the biggest reasons for people wanting tattoos removed is because they are in a new relationship and have the name of a previous loved one tattooed somewhere on their body. Then there are the Brides who are suddenly embarrassed by tattoos exposed by strapless gowns, whilst others fear a visible tattoo could affect their chances of employment."

Depending on the complexity, professional ability of the tattooist and the colours used, full removal of a tattoo can require anything between one and twenty laser treatments. 

"Green can be a more difficult colour to remove" says Wendy, "but the laser targets and separates each different colour and a patch test will help determine the number of treatments required. As the laser treatment deals only with the skin's pigmentation and does not cut through or harm the delicate surface of the skin, scarring from the treatment is unlikely and any change in skin tone should gradually return to normal."