Tattoo regrets spur Sudbury residents to cover up, remove old ink

Morning North6:23Removing unwanted tattoos

Got tattoo regrets? We heard from a plastic surgeon in Sudbury who removes unwanted ink. He spoke to the CBC's Olivia Stefanovich about the process and why people see him for tattoo removals on a daily basis.

Tattoo removal is on the rise in Sudbury as people use new technology and creative ways to get rid of their unwanted ink.

"Me and a handful of friends, back in the 80s, were all between 16 and 19, and we all got our tattoos, said Susan Mihaichuk, who has spent the last 20 years hiding her tattoos with clothes and makeup.

We all hate them now."

The 44-year-old of Sudbury is now replacing her flame and scull tattoos with butterflies that feature her grandchildrens' favourite colours.

"I feel like a million bucks having my tattoos covered."

Mihaichuk said she wanted to remove her tattoos in the 90s, but laser treatment was expensive and the sessions would've taken over 15 years in total.

Now, the process is still pricey, but it takes less time.

The Barr Plastic Surgery clinic in Sudbury uses laser technology that can remove tattoos in about four- to 12 sessions.

Although the process is effective, Dr. Scott Barr said he warns people not to get a tattoo thinking it can be easily removed later on.

"It's not like a piece of art on the wall and you go and take that picture down.

But getting a tattoo is one of those things people sometimes come to regret, and Barr said he's seen a spike in the number of patients who want their tattoos removed.

When you're getting a tattoo make sure it's the right tattoo for you and it's going to last your lifetime, because tattoos are permanent, he said.

If you choose at a later date that you don't want to have it, then we've got to do a fair bit of work to get the skin back and to remove the tattoo.

Barr said tattoos can be removed by a laser or surgical incision.