Getting a tattoo might have seemed like a great idea at the time, but circumstances change, and so do our preferences. Whether it’s an old flame’s name, a design that no longer resonates with you, or simply a piece that didn’t turn out as expected, tattoo removal has become an increasingly popular solution. However, before you jump into the removal process, it’s crucial to arm yourself with the right information. Here are ten essential questions you should ask before committing to tattoo removal. What Removal Method Will Be Used? Not all tattoo removal techniques are created equal. The most effective and widely accepted method today is laser removal, specifically Q-switched or picosecond lasers. These technologies break down ink particles beneath the skin, allowing your body to naturally flush them out over time. Be wary of clinics offering alternative methods like dermabrasion, chemical peels, or surgical excision as first-line treatments. While these might work in specific situations, laser removal typically offers the best results with minimal scarring. Ask your practitioner to explain exactly which technology they use and why it’s appropriate for your specific tattoo. How Many Sessions Will I Need? One of the most common misconceptions about tattoo removal is that it happens in a single session. The reality is quite different. Most tattoos require between 6 and 12 sessions for complete removal, though some may need fewer or more depending on various factors. The number of sessions depends on your tattoo’s size, color, age, and depth, as well as your skin type and immune system response. A reputable practitioner will assess your tattoo and provide a realistic estimate rather than making unrealistic promises about quick results. What Are the Total Costs Involved? Tattoo removal isn’t cheap, and the costs can add up quickly when you factor in multiple sessions. Prices typically range from a couple hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the tattoo’s size and complexity. Ask for a complete breakdown of costs upfront, including whether the quoted price is per session or for the entire treatment plan. Some clinics offer package deals that can save you money in the long run. Don’t let price be your only deciding factor, but make sure you understand the financial commitment before starting treatment. Will My Tattoo Be Completely Removed? While modern laser technology has come a long way, complete removal isn’t always guaranteed. Some tattoos fade significantly but may leave behind a slight shadow or ghosting effect. Certain ink colors, particularly light greens, yellows, and fluorescent shades, are notoriously difficult to remove completely. An honest practitioner will set realistic expectations about what’s achievable with your specific tattoo. When searching for trusted tattoo removal specialists Sydney, NSW, look for clinics that show you before-and-after photos of similar cases and discuss potential outcomes openly. What Are the Potential Side Effects and Risks? Like any cosmetic procedure, tattoo removal comes with potential risks and side effects. Common temporary effects include redness, swelling, blistering, and scabbing at the treatment site. Most of these resolve within a few weeks. More serious but less common complications can include scarring, skin texture changes, hyperpigmentation, or hypopigmentation. Your practitioner should thoroughly explain these risks and discuss any factors that might increase your likelihood of complications, such as skin type, location of the tattoo, or existing skin conditions. How Should I Prepare for Treatment? Proper preparation can significantly impact your results and recovery. Most practitioners recommend avoiding sun exposure for several weeks before treatment, as tanned skin increases the risk of complications. You may also need to avoid certain medications that thin the blood or increase photosensitivity. Ask about any specific pre-treatment instructions, including whether you should shave the area, avoid moisturizers, or take any precautions on the day of your appointment. Following these guidelines carefully will help ensure the best possible outcome. What Qualifications and Experience Does the Practitioner Have? This might be the most important question of all. Tattoo removal should only be performed by qualified medical professionals or highly trained technicians working under medical supervision. Ask about the practitioner’s credentials, training, and specific experience with laser tattoo removal. Don’t hesitate to inquire about how many procedures they’ve performed and whether they have experience with tattoos similar to yours. A qualified professional will be happy to discuss their background and show evidence of their expertise. Conclusion Tattoo removal is a significant decision that requires careful consideration and research. By asking these ten questions, you’ll be better equipped to choose the right clinic, understand what to expect, and achieve the best possible results. Take your time, consult with multiple practitioners if needed, and never feel pressured into making a quick decision. Your skin is worth the investment of finding the right professional who can safely and effectively help you move forward with confidence.

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The Tattoo Writer (2022), a book of photographs by Akimitsu Takagi and edited by Pascal Bagot. Known particularly for the novel Irezumi (1948), which sold several hundred thousand copies, Akimitsu Takagi—born in 1920 as Seiichi Takagi—made a mark on the world of crime novels in the Showa era. Although tattooing is central to his writing, the author’s photographic archives offer a unique record of this universe, especially the position occupied by women, away from the stereotypes. Discovered in 2017 by French journalist and specialist in Japanese tattooing, Pascal Bagot during a meeting with Akiko Takagi, Akimitsu’s daughter, these archives were unveiled in 2022 in the book The Tattoo Writer, which brings together 130 medium-format photographs. A collaborative history and work Akimitsu Takagi’s passion for tattooing, those involved with it and its enthusiasts echoes his own story. As a child, he was struck by the image of a tattooed woman in a bath. He moved closer to this world, and forged friendships within it when carrying out the preliminary research for his novels. The photographs taken between 1955 and 1965 document the work of the greatest tattoo artists of the time: Horiuno II, Horiuno III, Horigoro II, Horigoro III and Horiyoshi II, the latter being the tattoo artist based in the Azabu district. They present the tattoos done on clients’ bodies, and also those that adorn the members of the Edo Choyukai, one of the oldest (if not the oldest) clubs of tattooed individuals, and in various contexts, including outdoor gatherings. To produce The Tattoo Writer (in English and French), photographs were scanned from the original negatives, a project that was made possible by a crowdfunding campaign. The book includes statements from Akiko Takagi, Akimitsu’s daughter, and Gérald Peloux, a French academic who specialises in the history of crime literature in Japan. Pascal Bagot co-directed a documentary on the topic, La voie de l’encre (‘The Way of the Ink’) (2009). In 2014, he was the scientific advisor for the exhibition Tatoueurs, tatoués (‘Tattooists, Tattoed’) that was held at the Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac in Paris. _________________________________________________________ Akimitsu Takagi (1920-1995) was one of the greatest Japanese crime writers of the 20th century. Crazy about tattooing, he entered this underground scene and documented it with his medium format camera. In the Japanese capital, he photographed the greatest tattoo artists of the time, their clients and their tattoos, thus constituting an archive of his time that is as rare as it is unedited. For this edition, the photographs in the book were scanned from the original negatives. These old documents are almost 70 years old and although they arrived in an exceptional state of preservation, they have been specifically cleaned and restored. Book release: May 2022. The Tattoo Writer: 200 pages – 134 photographs – Bilingual English/French – Three texts (“The Tattoo Writer” by Pascal Bagot; “My Father and Tattooing” by Akiko Takagi, daughter of Akimitsu Takagi; “Tattoos and crime novels” by Gérald Peloux, specialist in Japanese popular literature).  

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The Philippines is home to 7641 islands, making it the world’s second largest archipelagic nation. One fourth of these islands are inhabited and home to more than 175 culturally and linguistically distinctive groups. With their ancient indigenous populations and vibrant maritime trade history, the islands’ communities have been thriving for more than 700,000 years, centuries before the arrival of foreign rulers. Migration from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas has only added to the diversity of the country’s landscape. When the Spanish conquistadors landed in 1521, they encountered heavily tattooed locals, hailing the archipelago as “the Islands of the Painted Ones”. Five-hundred years later, tribal tattooing is almost extinct, but there’s still a special group of practitioners in the mountainous region of the Cordilleras, in the north of the Philippines. For 1000 years, pre-Hispanic tribes of the archipelago earned their body art through victory in battle. The distinctive patterns marked the wearer by tribe, rank and triumphs, and were believed to provide spiritual protection. Women were also tattooed, as bodies emblazoned with meticulous designs were considered more desirable. The sprawling wings of an eagle symbolising strength; a rice field for fertility or abundance; and a millipede, the many legs of a community walking together as one. With a foot-long bamboo stick embedded with a thorn plucked from a calamansi citrus tree, the Philippines’ oldest and last “mambabatok” (traditional Kalinga tattooist) embodies her country’s time-honored customs at 100 taps a minute. In the village of Buscalan in landlocked Kalinga province, Whang-Od Oggay combines charcoal, water and sugarcane juice to imprint motifs imbued with meaning that can take days or even weeks to complete. A 15-hour drive north of Manila followed by a mile-long hike through lush jungle and rice terraces, Kalinga is one of the Philippines’ most remote regions. Ink enthusiasts from across the country and the world make the challenging journey not only to be tattooed by the smiling, wizened Whang-Od, but to experience a community that has mastered the art of cultural preservation. During the 1700s, with the encroaching Spanish military and ascendancy of the Church, tribal tattooing had almost disappeared from the archipelago, but not in the remote Cordilleras, where warriors had generations of experience defending their tribal lands from invasion. The first female of the Kalinga tribe to be taught the art of tattooing, Whang-Od began her training at 15 under the guidance of her father, a master tattoo artist. Though some say she is now more than 100, Whang-Od does not know the exact year of her birth. No matter her age, her eyesight remains true. She will only retire once her vision fades. With no children of her own, Whang-Od is keeping the tradition alive by sharing her knowledge with her two grand-nieces, Grace and Iliang. Her signature tattoo of three dots denotes the master and her eager apprentices. Perhaps one day, one of these young women will have signature tattoos of their own just like Whang-Od.   Story by BBC Travel

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Let me tell you about the lot you can do at the Rainforest World Music Festival. Workshops are 2pm to 5pm at three different locations; there you can you can spend time with the performers themselves and learn about their music and their exotic cultures. This year, for instance, I learned about bowed instruments by diverse performers from all over the world, about the Zapateado fiddle and requite styles from Vera Cruz Mexico by Son De Madera, I attended an interactive dance workshop by the Bidayuh and Malays and I listened about the story-telling and wedding ritual of the Mah Meri tribe. It was all so exciting. Besides workshops, you can indulge in various types of food, from local cuisine to International dishes in the food stalls present at the festival. Dishes include laksa sarawak, bbq corn, rojak (a local salad), Gula Apong ice cream, Kentucky Chicken from KFC (!), and you can even have a coffee from Starbucks! If you bring along small children, don’t hesitate to take them to the Pustaka Bookaroo workshops, designed for kids aged between 7 and 12 years old and held at the Malay House, with fantastic activities awaiting your kids. Among the activities conducted there was the Sape Special Story shared by sape player Mathew Ngau, as well as a Rainforest Rumble Session workshop where to learn how to make rainforest instruments, and a Mask Mania Festival fun with paper galore. Meanwhile, those who think they are music-intelligent, -creative and -innovative were all invited to join Mr. Shameer in 1 Drum Org by Borneo Stompers workshop. During this session, we made use of any music instrument as well as anything that can produce sound for an unbelievable make-shift orchestra. Shopaholic should not worry. They will not get disappointed at the festival as there are plenty of interesting handicrafts in the Rainforest World Music Festival bazaar: traditional clothes, beauty skin care, accessories, musical instruments, books, famous Iban textiles Batik and and Pua Kumbu perfect as souvenirs of gifts, and more. For those keen on relaxation I advise a foot and shoulder massage by the blind people while you enjoy the warm breeze of the rainforest. And if you think of getting tattooed, you can head to the Borneo Tattoo Showcase and chose from the several Borneo tribal designs. Year after year, the Rainforest World Music Festival is bigger and better, and the above activities and programs are just a taste of what you can expect. Therefore, don’t miss the chance to attend the Rainforest World Music Festival next year. Check out 2016 dates at www.rwmf.net Asianitinerary stayed at the Damai Beach Resort – http://asianitinerary.com/damai-beach-resort/

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