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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Lifestyle
Tory Shepherd

From former Nazis to refugees and DV survivors, tattoo removal is giving Australians a ‘second chance’

Close-up on a person having a tattoo removed
‘It can be life-changing for people to not have to look at that same tattoo, and to be reminded of that, day in and day out,’ says Amanda McKinnon, director of removal service LaserTat. Photograph: ruizluquepaz/Getty Images

A former Nazi who regrets his swastika tattoo. A refugee who was “branded” as someone’s property. A woman coerced into inking her body by an abusive partner.

Australia’s tattoo removal industry has almost tripled in recent years and most services still involve removing an ex-partner’s name or a cartoon that someone has outgrown. But many are also done to remove Nazi symbols, gang signs, racist messages and more.

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