| The art of tattooing has been around for | | | | people have old tattoos that they regret because |
| thousands of years... and right now there are over | | | | it doesn't represent their life now - that "Taz" |
| 45 million Americans with at least 1 tattoo. Studies | | | | lifting weights or tribal sun they got in college |
| and polls have shown that between 17%-50% of | | | | didn't stand the test of time! |
| those asked experience some tattoo regret. | | | | 3. Employment issues |
| What's the main reasons for this regret? I | | | | - Employment issues also came up frequently - |
| interviewed patients in my tattoo removal clinic to | | | | both in people's current work situations and also |
| find out! (Most of these patients came from | | | | for those seeking new employment. As cool as it |
| came from Boston, MA to Providence, RI and | | | | may be, some employers just aren't impressed |
| everywhere in-between). | | | | with neck and hand tattoos! |
| During my research I heard a plethora of reasons | | | | 4. You are unhappy with the quality of the tattoo |
| why people want to remove (or cover-up) a | | | | piece |
| tattoo. I narrowed it down to the five most | | | | - It was very common for people to just have |
| common reasons: | | | | old tattoo art that the no longer liked - whether |
| 1. You've moved on and want a person's name or | | | | the problem was with the design itself or just |
| removed | | | | shoddy application work on part of the artist. |
| - Many of the people I spoke to had the name of | | | | Oftentimes in these cases, individuals opted to |
| an ex-spouse or significant other they wanted | | | | have the tattoo lightened to coverup with new |
| removed. Years ago, the only option was to line | | | | art. |
| that name out and put your newest girl or guys | | | | 5. Gang or hate related tattoos |
| name under it (this is reminiscent of the famous | | | | - People who have moved on from gangs or hate |
| Norman Rockwell painting)! Luckily today, with | | | | groups often want, or need, the symbols of |
| advanced tattoo removal lasers and techniques, a | | | | those groups removed. |
| name tattoo can be easily and thoroughly | | | | Whatever the circumstance - there is no excuse |
| removed in most cases. This probably makes for | | | | to be stuck with a tattoo you are unhappy with. |
| a much better quality relationship with your new | | | | The art and science of tattoo removal has made |
| partner as well! | | | | significant advancements in the last 10-15 years, |
| 2. You don't want, or can't have, any visible | | | | and with today's technology you can have a |
| tattoos (or at least the tattoos you have now!) | | | | tattoo removed safely, effectively, and |
| - For some people, their life circumstances have | | | | affordably. |
| changed and they no longer want, or can have, | | | | As always, when seeking a medical procedure be |
| any visible tattoos. This can be for a any number | | | | sure that you are dealing with a professional. |
| of reasons - some had a big event coming up | | | | Check with the provider to be sure that they are |
| (wedding, etc) that they didn't want visible tattoos | | | | using a Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser that is FDA |
| for. Others discussed how they had an inquisitive | | | | approved specifically for laser tattoo removal, and |
| child who had recently took notice of the tattoo. | | | | that the person performing the procedure is a |
| Still others didn't mind having visible tattoos - but | | | | trained specialist in tattoo removal. |
| didn't want the tattoo that they had now. Many | | | | |