August 2008 Blog Archive
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tattoo Removal Program Suspended Due To Lack of Funding
There seems to be a common ebb and flow in the world of tattoo removal programs that are designed as a form of rehabilitation. People in non-profit and government work recognize that there is a serious value to be gained from offering tattoo removal services to troubled youth and former gang members. As a result, they launch a program that provides these services. Then there is a funding cut and the services disappear until more money can be located.
That appears to be the case with a tattoo removal program
in Arizona that is being cut (along with a variety of other programs) due to a problem with the budget and the organizational model that had helped to put this important tattoo removal program into place.
There are only twenty three young adults currently participating in the tattoo removal program so some might say that it's not a horrible thing that this program has been cut due to funding. However, if twenty three lives can be changed by something as simple as laser tattoo removal - and those people then no longer get in trouble with gangs or can't find work because of their tattoos - then that's a big change for the area that isn't going to happen if funding can't be found.
Question of the Day: Why is there this ebb and flow in the existence of rehabilitative tattoo removal programs?photo link
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Body Art For Grief May Lead To Tattoo Removal
When someone that you care about dies, what do you do to assist you in getting through your grief? Apparently a growing number of people (particularly young people) are going through the process by getting tattoos that memorialize the people who have died. While this may help with the process of grieving, it doesn't take into account the relative permanency of the tattoo. And therefore it is a growing trend that could be leading straight towards an increase in laser tattoo removal.
People who get tattoos to assist them with theri grieving don't believe at the time that they will ever want to get the tattoo removed. When you are going through intense grief, everything seems permanent. It feels like this loss is going to be painful forever. But the reality is that times goes on and the intensity of that pain fades away. Some people are still happy that they have the tattoo as a reminder of the loss but others wish that the tattoo would fade in the same way that the pain has.
Read more about this growing body art trend
here.
Question of the Day: Does the trend towards getting grief-inspired body art mean that there will be an increase in tattoo removal?photo link
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tattoo Removal Peels Off The Past
There was a recent article about tattoo removal with the headline "
Tattoo Removal Helps Man Peel Off His Past". The story itself is the story of a former gang member who is choosing to get involved with one of the many popular gang tattoo removal programs that have cropped up as part of rehabilitation services offered throughout the nation. What was attention-getting, however, was the title ... because it was such an apt description of what happens when someone chooses to get laser tattoo removal.
Okay, so technically the tattoo is not getting peeled away when it is being removed with a laser. Formerly, people did excision of the skin to get rid of the tattoo and then it literally was peeled away but now the laser just eradicates it from the skin. Still, though, there is the sense that the image is being peeled off or burned away. And that's precisely what most people are trying to do with the past when they are getting tattoos removed.
Of course, there are some people who get tattoos removed simply because they want to get new tattoos put on that spot and they don't necessarily think of it as getting rid of the past so much as staying current with their canvas. But most people do get rid of their tattoos to get rid of reminders of the past whether it was a bad relationship or a life in gangs.
Question of the Day: What is the best metaphor you've heard for what happens with laser tattoo removal?photo link
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
UK Explores Pain-Free Tattoo Removal Cream That May Actually Work
Tattoo removal creams have traditionally gotten a bad reputation because of the fact that they are mostly ineffective. Although some tattoo removal creams are efficient at fading out tattoos, most of them just don't work on the average tattoo which means you waste time and money to get no results. But what if the cream wasn't a topical cream, what if it was injected?
That's an option that UK-based tattoo removal doctors are exploring right now and one that they say is really working. The basic idea is that a cream is injected into the skin over the tattoo in much the same way that the tattoo itself was injected. The cream breaks up the pigment of the tattoo and forces it out of the body through the formation of a scab.
According to reports, the new procedures is less painful than laser tattoo removal and is just as effective. The main problem is that there seems to be a higher risk of scarring with this procedure than with laser tattoo removal although doctors say that you can do things to minimize that risk. It's not something that is available globally right now but it's a tattoo removal procedure to keep an eye on.
Learn more about this new tattoo removal technique
here.
Question of the Day: What do you think about the effectiveness of using an injectable tattoo removal cream instead of laser tattoo removal procedures?photo link
Monday, August 25, 2008
Gang Tattoo Removal Program Gets Second Chance
There is a California
gang tattoo removal program called Second Chance. The name refers to the fact that teens and young adults who leave gangs can fully leave the gang behind by getting their gang tattoos removed and that this gives them a second chance at life. However, the name also has a secondary meaning now because the program was almost shut down due to financial problems and has received a second chance itself due to an influx of new money.
"Second Chance pays $950 for four hours of tattoo removal at the clinic and brings 22 to 25 people for each session. The program invests more than $35,000 a year for tattoo removal assistance. Before the funding was restored, each tattoo removal visit was scheduled every six to eight weeks. Now the program hopes to increase the frequency." (source)
The program still has a long waiting list of former gang members who want to get a second chance on life by getting their tattoos removed. This will allow them to get job and start new friendships without the stigma associated with the gang tattoo. Hopefully the funding will continue and the program will be successful so that the second chance can continue to be available to many other people seeking to make this important tattoo removal change.
Question of the Day: How should funding be generated for gang tattoo removal programs?photo link
Friday, August 22, 2008
What Are Your Tattoo Removal Questions
There are a lot more people talking about laser tattoo removal today than there were just a year or two ago. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that people know more about it than they did in the past. Many people still have a lot of
questions about laser tattoo removal. Are you one of those people?
This blog is designed to provide you with news and information about laser tattoo removal including the latest in celebrity tattoo removal gossip and the most up-to-date info about medical techniques being used for laser tattoo removal. But you don't have to wait around for us to discuss the laser tattoo removal topics that are most interesting to you.
Use the comments section here to ask any questions that you might have about laser tattoo removal. Whether it's a question about whether or not a certain celebrity has gotten ink taken off or a more serious question about the risks and ramifications of laser tattoo removal, you cn ask it here!
Question of the Day: What are your questions about laser tattoo removal?photo link
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Male vs. Female Tattoo Removal Doctors
Imagine that you have a tattoo that you have been dying to get rid of. Let's say that you have saved up enough money to get laser tattoo removal and you are ready to select a tattoo removal doctor to do this kind of job for you. Would it matter to you if your tattoo removal specialist was male or female or would gender not be an important issue for a
tattoo removal doctor?
Some people find that tattoo removal is such a personal experience for them that they would prefer that their doctor be a specific gender. For example, a woman who is getting a tattoo removed because it's of the name of an abusive ex may feel more comfortable getting it removed by a tattoo removal specialist who is female.
However, most people don't really care about the gender of their tattoo removal specialist. Although the choice to get laser tattoo removal is very personal, the actual act of getting it isn't considered to be so private by most people that they would feel the need to select a doctor of the gender with which they are more comfortable.
Question of the Day: Does gender matter when hiring a tattoo removal specialist?photo link
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Finding Books About Laser Tattoo Removal
One of the best ways that you can get information about a subject is to find books that are related to that subject and to devour those books. However, there are some topics that aren't so easy to find in books - topics like
laser tattoo removal.
Because laser tattoo removal is a relatively new procedure that has only become fairly common in recent years, it may be difficult to find books written about this subject. Difficult, but not impossible.
Those people who are interested in laser tattoo removal should make an effort to find these books despite the difficulty of doing so because of the fact that you really get more in-depth information from well-researched books than what you are going to be able to get online.
There are a
few books out there that are specifically about the topic of laser tattoo removal. However, you should look towards relatively new books about the art of tattooing to find good resources because these books almost always have a section on the removal of tattoos.
Question of the Day: What books about laser tattoo removal can you recommend?photo link
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Are You Comfortable Talking About Tattoo Removal?
Have you heard anyone talking about
laser tattoo removal lately? There is a good chance that you have (or that you might in the near future) because laser tattoo removal is an increasingly common procedure that more and more people are getting done and that more and more people are talking about. But not everyone is comfortable discussing their laser tattoo removal.
Some people find that the procedure is so personal to them that they feel uncomfortable talking about it. For many people this is related to the shame that they feel specifically about the tattoo that they are getting removed. They have so much tattoo regret that they don't want to talk about the tattoo at all. They just want to be done with it.
However, there's nothing shameful about making mistakes and rectifying them. It's okay to feel confident and comfortable about discussing laser tattoo removal. It's something that a lot of people are doing these days!
Question of the Day: How comfortable are you discussing your personal opinions and experiences with laser tattoo removal?photo link
Monday, August 18, 2008
Places You Can Get Tattoo Removal News
Laser tattoo removal is an increasingly common procedure that more and more media sources are starting to talk about. However, it's not always easy to find news about laser tattoo removal.
Here are some of the sources to look towards if you want tattoo removal news:
- General news. You can search "Google News" with the phrase "tattoo removal" and get the latest news that being put out by major online news sources.
- Celebrity news.
Celebrity tattoo removal is some of the hottest tattoo removal out there so search celebrity news for more information on who is getting tattoos removed (and who should be!)
- Aesthetic medicine news. Places that report on med spa news are regularly going to have news about the latest things happening with tattoo removal lasers.
- Blogs like this one that bring you the latest in tattoo removal news on an ongoing basis.
These are just a handful of the places that you can get information on tattoo removal. There are lots of places out there publishing this news now - you've just got to look around to find it!
Question of the Day: Where can you go to get laser tattoo removal news?photo link
Friday, August 15, 2008
Ink Mag Collector's Editions Could Become More Valuable with Tattoo Removal
There is a
press release out this week for the Urban Ink Magazine's latest issue. This magazine is designed to share information about tattoos for people of color with a readership interested in that niche topic of tattoo art. The magazine has only released a few issues so far but it's found a strong following. That following may grow stronger with this new magazine release which includes two collector's edition covers that show off the tattoo art ink of hip hop superstars Lil Wayne and The Game.
What would be interesting would be if Lil Wayne eventually decided to get laser tattoo removal. Celebrity tattoo removal is increasingly common. Even those stars that like their body art often consider getting tattoo removal in order to be able to replace older images with new body ink. If that is every the case with Lil Wayne, those collector's editions of Urban Ink could end up becoming highly valuable since the showcase the tattoo art on his body the way that it is today. That's something to keep an eye on!
Question of the Day: Will photos of tattooed celebrities become more valuable if the celebrities opt to get celebrity tattoo removal and those tattoos disappear?photo link
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Important Gang Tattoo Removal Program Resumes
Laser tattoo removal is a fairly new topic of conversation in the mainstream media but that doesn't mean that it just began in the last year or two. In fact, there were gang tattoo removal programs in place more than a decade ago.
One of the most successful of those tattoo removal programs had to shut down in 2004 after the laser tattoo removal equipment used to get rid of gang tattoos as part of criminal rehabilitation broke down from over-use.
The rehabilitation group that was involved with removing the tattoos has now been able to raise the funds necessary to purchase a new laser tattoo removal machine and will begin resuming its program.
This is considered to be an important achievement in the California city where the program is located. The gang problem there is bad and it has been show that laser tattoo removal of gang tattoos can help lead to successful rehabilitation of gang criminals.
Learn more about the resurrection of this laser tattoo removal service from
this recent newspaper article.
Question of the Day: How important is it that money was raised to re-launch this laser tattoo removal program designed to rehabilitate gang members?photo link
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Celebrity Tattoo Removal: Peaches Geldof
Peaches Geldof is kind of like the young Paris Hilton of the UK (not to be mistaken with
Anna Ivanov, the Russian girl who just got plastic surgery to make her look more like Paris Hilton). Geldof is a nineteen year old socialite and reality TV star who has
made headlines this week by spontaneously deciding to marry a little-known American musician in a quickie Vegas wedding.
It is unclear whether the couple is truly in love or if they are just in the lust stages and made a spontaneous decision to be wed or if this is actually a
publicity stunt designed to get attention for the hubby's band which is about to go on tour. Whatever the case may be, there's the hint of potential celebrity tattoo removal in the air because Geldof has a tattoo designed by an ex-boyfriend.
And this is no ex that's been gone for years and years. The girl had a big blowout argument with him just days before her new wedding. It wasn't too long ago that she was telling the world that the noose tattoo represented the hold that the ex would always have on her. Now she's married to someone else and that she begs for laser tattoo removal if she's going to truly move on from that old relationship.
Question of the Day: Will Peaches Geldof get celebrity tattoo removal for the tattoo designed by her ex now that she's married to someone new?photo link
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Increase in Youth Tattoos Could Increase Tattoo Removal
Children across the world are more and more likely to get a tattoo than generations before them were. This doesn't mean that young people are more likely to get a tattoo after reaching the age of eighteen than their parents were. It means that there are actually more teenagers getting tattoos today than there were in the past.
"In the pediatric age groups 8-13 percent of children, 12-18 years of age have a tattoo and those who do not, about 50 percent considered having one. The age of the first tattoo in children is getting younger from sixteen years to 14 years of age." (source)
This shift towards a decreased age for getting a tattoo could have a direct effect on increased rates of tattoo removal in the future. People who get tattoos when they are young are more likely to get tattoos that they will regret in the future. Teens are known for making impulsive choices that can lead to regret down the line. Tattoo regret is not uncommon among teens who get tattoos and therefore tattoo removal for teens and young adults is likely to rise in direct proportion to increased tattoo rates among younger age groups.
Question of the Day: How young is too young to get laser tattoo removal?photo link
Monday, August 11, 2008
Tattoo Removal on the Rise in Chennai
The trends that we see taking place in the United States are usually not just limited to beng American trends. Tattoos, for example, became widely popular in the United States but they have also been globally popular all throughout the world since long before the United States was attached to the fad. The same is true for tattoo removal. Although most of the news that we hear about the removal of tattoos comes out of the United States, laser tattoo removal is popular throughout the world.
Chennai is one example of a place that is reporting a high increase in tattoo removal in recent years. The same reasons that people are compelled to get tattoo removal in the United States (changes in life, broken relationships, etc.) are the reasons that people in Chennai are citing for the trend there to get tattoos removed. And the same barriers (high cost, fear of pain) are causing some people to be hesitant about laser tattoo removal in Chennai even as the numbers of people doing it grow.
Question of the Day: What are the leading hot spots for tattoo removal?photo link
Friday, August 08, 2008
Tattoo Removal Is a Topic That Appeals to Creative People
A small magazine called Fifteen501 has just announced that its new issue is about to
hit the shelves. The issue covers a variety of different topics that would appeal to a highly creative, forward-thinking, intelligent, DIY-type of person. Such topics include homebuilding with sustainable materials, creative re-use of discarded products at a scrap exchange center, and issues regarding electronic waste. The magazine is also going to be covering news about the latest technologies used for tattoo removal.
This speaks to the fact that
tattoo removal is a topic that is of interest to a diverse group of people including those people who are creative and intelligent. People who get tattoos come from all walks of life but there is certainly a segment of that population that is involved in cutting-edge alternative ways of living that involved creative solutions (such as green living solutions). These people may find that they no longer want certain tattoos that they have gotten over the years and therefore they are drawn to intelligent reports about the methods of tattoo removal that are available to them.
Question of the Day: What type of person is most likely going to take an interest in media reports about tattoo removal methods?photo link
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Gang Tattoo Removal Programs Help To Kill Off Gangs
http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/1138066.htmlThere is an interesting opinion article available online which discusses the importance of using intervention to counter gang activity. Anyone who has worked with gang members before knows that there is a strong pull towards the gang life in certain areas. Arresting people who are involved in these gangs doesn't seem to be nearly as useful as actually fostering the hopes and encouraging the dreams of people who will join gangs if they aren't given a better alternative.
If you're wondering what this has to do with a tattoo removal blog then you probably haven't heard of the increasingly common rehabilitative tool of gang tattoo removal. Communities across the nation are funding efforts to assist teens and young adults to break away from gang life by helping them to get their gang tattoos removed with laser tattoo removal. This is just one step in the process of intervention but it is proving to be an important one!
Question of the Day: What role does laser tattoo removal play in the prevention and destruction of gangs?photo link
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Improving on New Tattoo Inks
There was a lot of hype last year about the release of new
tattoo inks that are much easier to remove with laser tattoo removal than are the tattoo inks that are currently used in the industry. In fact, removable tattoo inks were named one of the
hottest new products at the end of 2007. However, you probably haven't heard a lot about them this year.
Tattoo artists have been hesitant to start offering these new tattoo inks. There are a variety of reasons for this including the fact that many tattoo artists believe in the permanency of their work. However their main concern is that they don't want to use inks that are going to fade quickly or result in tattoos that don't look as good ten years from now as they do today.
There is one company working on a
new tattoo ink called Infinitink that has taken it upon themselves to create an easily removable tatoo ink that will be of a high enough quality to impress the tattoo artists. Tattoo artists report three criteria in a tattoo ink - it goes on easily, it doesn't fade and it's bright in color. The company says that Infinitink meets those requirements but that it's also significantly easier to remove by laser than the tattoo inks that are currently in use. And they should know since their CEO personally tests out the products by getting the ink tattooed on and lasered off every time.
Question of the Day: Are removable tattoo inks ever going to be the hot product people thought that they would be?photo link
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
The Media Is Hot For Tattoo Removal Stories
Laser tattoo removal is something that is getting more and more attention from the mainstream population. And that means that tattoo removal is something that people in the media want to report on because they know that there are people who want to read about this increasingly hot topic.
For example, take a look at this advertisement in a Florida newspaper:
"Regret the tat? Times-Union wants to hear from you! The Times-Union is working on a story about tattoo removal and want to talk to people who have gone through the procedure or are having second thoughts about their skin art."(source)
This is just one example of a mainstream media source that is seeking out information from people about their tattoo removal experiences. Celebrity gossip sites are hungry for celebrity tattoo removal stories. Teen gang prevention reporters are looking into tales of gang tattoo removal. It's a hot topic right now.
Question of the Day: What is making laser tattoo removal such a hot topic right now?photo link
Monday, August 04, 2008
Are Celebrities Still Fueling Desire For Tattoos?
More and more celebrities are showing up on the silver screen with tattoos on their bodies. As a result, more and more fans of celebrities are getting tattoos on their bodies after being inspired by their favorite stars. At least, that's the case according to numerous articles such as
this one.
However, a large percentage of the celebrities who get tattoos are also interested in getting tattoo removal. Celebrity tattoo removal is increasingly popular. And since celebrities are the ones inspiring people about getting body art then it would make sense that tattoo removal could increase in the general population as a result of the increase in tattoo removal among celebrities.
Of course, this assumes that the information being reported about tattoos and tattoo removal is correct. It is difficult to say if people do indeed get tattoos - or consider tattoo removal - specifically because their favorite celebrities are doing so. But celebrities do serve as icons for the culture and therefore this assumption is probably at least partially correct.
Question of the Day: Do celebrities inspire tattoos and tattoo removal?photo link
Friday, August 01, 2008
Tattoo Removal Could Be Caused By "Tattoos as Accessories"
There was an interesting article on a fashion blog earlier this week that discussed the fact that tattoos have become the latest fashion accessory - especially among celebrities. This is probably a true statements since people get tattoos to compliment the rest of their overall appearance. And the warning at the end of this blog post is definitely a word to the wise:
"So, if you are thinking about getting inked, I suggest you make sure that the design won't go out of fashion like a seasonal designer bag. Rather make it special and personal to you. After all, you'll want your body art to last as long as any classic designer piece right?" (source)
That statement points to a reason that laser tattoo removal might be on the rise. People get rid of their clothes seasonally (and celebrities get rid of them even more quickly than that!) Hairstyles change and we change ours with the times. Designers come and go. So if we're using the tattoo as a fashion accessory then it's no wonder that we're seeking to get rid of it after just a few turns on the catwalk of life!
Question of the Day: Is tattoo regret caused by the fact that more people are getting tattoos as fashion accessories?photo link
