LASER tattoo removal is on the rise.

But if you have a dodgy design you want to see the back of, how do you know the place you go is reputable, how long will it take — and will it hurt?

Shattered Ink in Mawdsley Street has been helping to banish unwanted tattoos in Bolton and beyond since 2011 — including a pretty terrible bumblebee which sat on the shoulder of this Bolton News reporter for nearly two decades.

Owner Lizzi O'Keane has been personally administering this treatment over the past two years using a top-of-the-range grade four Quanta Q Plus C machine with in-built ruby to get rid of blues and greens — and the results are amazing.

The cost can be anything from £20 a session to £100 depending on the size, and they offer a free consultation.

Lizzi admits it is frustrating that some TV programmes add to the misconception of laser treatment.

She said: "People come in and often expect that you can erase their tattoo in one session because they have seen it on TV. But it is very misleading. I know they want to make good TV but it isn't right.

"Some programmes make out that a tattoo can be removed in one or two sessions and that it is agonising pain. But this isn't a true reflection. There are options such as numbing cream for those who do find it a bit painful, for example.

"People always want to know how long it will take to finish their treatment, but it is impossible to tell because there are so many variables such as skin type and the way the tattoo was done. We are up front about this but advise that on average it could be anything between eight and 15 sessions."

Laser treatment at Shattered Ink is only administered after a medical consultation has been completed.

Lizzi, from Tottington, said: "Everything is gold standard here and treatment is done in a safe and professional manner.

"Laser removal is more in the public eye now but sadly some tattooists are buying inferior machines without offering a proper medical consultation beforehand. We have a lot of people ringing up saying that they went to get laser treatment somewhere because it was cheap, but inferior technology will affect how well the tattoo is removed, so people really need to do their homework and not just walk into the cheapest place they find."

Vickie added: "Two years ago I couldn't wear tank tops or swimwear on holiday because I was so embarrassed by the black splodge of ink on my shoulder. But after 11 treatments, it's like the monstrosity was never there. I am delighted with the results."

For more before and after treatment photos, visit theboltonnews.co.uk. To enquire about laser treatment, visit shatteredink.com.