Tattoo removal businesses are experiencing a boom. This is no doubt due, at least in part, to a generation of terrible decisions, but there is more to it than that. On one side, you have increased accessibility to tattoo removal technologies, making the eradication of bad decisions more accessible, and on the other many tattoo enthusiasts who use the technology to change tattoos that are no longer relevant or attractive.
Before we start, it’s important to note that regulations and rules for starting a tattoo removal clinic in Australia vary from state to state. Therefore, this article will focus primarily on what is practically required when opening a clinic rather than the legal and regulatory requirements. Please remember to familiarise yourself with your obligations and get professional help before committing to anything.
Know Your Tattoo Removal Device
The machine you use is crucially important, and choosing your device can mean the difference between success and failure.
When researching devices, you will get used to terms like Q-switching, Wavelengths and Picoseconds. We’ll go into all of these terms in more details in later blogs, but you should understand that the effectiveness of devices is based in some pretty robust science. The different speeds – faster pulses mean faster treatments – and different wavelengths – 1064nn works well for black ink – mean that treatments are highly personalised. Some machines will promise the flexibility to do multiple treatments. Laser hair removal devices are sometimes used in tattoo removal, often with disastrous results (wavelengths and pulse speed are just the beginning of the reasons you shouldn’t use these machines for removals).
Choose your device based on the treatment you wish to provide, the number of treatments you hope to perform per day, and of course, your budget.
Choose Your Spot
Many blogs will tell you that location is less important for tattoo removal businesses than say, beauticians or waxing parlours. While it is true that people are usually quite happy to make a longer trip for tattoo removal, it’s also a fact that more clinics are opening up, increasing competition. Are your clients likely to come to you, even if there is a competitor next to their office?
The good thing about tattoo removal is that you don’t need a lot of space. Look for smaller locations in central areas where people can visit immediately after work or during their lunch break. Alternatively, seek out a location in the suburbs with plenty of parking.
Remember to refer back to your device before choosing a spot – there may be minimum power requirements.
Know Your Market
You can save yourself a lot of time (and make much more money) by having a marketing plan in place from day one. Invest in social media marketing, have opening specials, set up a referral program and let your imagination run wild. Tattoo removal is a marketer’s dream industry.
Sure, it’s a growth industry, but it’s also a flexible one. Tattoo removal lends itself to expansion into laser hair removal and other beauty treatments such as injectables. The health and wellness industry is a multibillion-dollar opportunity that you will not regret capitalising on.
