April 2009 Blog Archive
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Barbie Blunder
Yet another Barbie doll has been released that is causing a stir and outcry
among concerned parents. The doll is said to look more edgy than the
well-known preppy female. Barbie for years has been idolized by young girls
around the world as an icon of perfection, so for many parents their is a
concern and stigma against perfect barbie getting a tattoo.
Some of the public outcry was reported in the Daily Express saying, "Parents
have accused makers Mattel of dumbing down. One said: "What will they bring
out next? Drug addict Barbie? Alcoholic Barbie? "If this leads girls to get
a tattoo they might regret it for the rest of their lives." Mittel, who said
the tattoos give children the chance to be creative, is selling the tattooed
Barbies in America. The company has twice misjudged public reaction to
new-look Barbies – once with an earlier tattooed version and once with a
pregnant doll."
If parents are still threatened by the prospect of a body-art clad Barbie,
perhaps they should start considering the options for tattoo removal. But in
all seriousness, removal treatments do exist and can erase parental
concerns.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thousands Attend International Tattoo Convention
More than 5,000 tattoo aficionados attended the London based international
tattoo convention. The convention further solidified the fact that the
tattooing and tattoo removal industries are still strong even in economic
gloom and doom. Artists and fans flew from Singapore and Mexico to see some
of the industries finest and newest trends. With the influx of tattoo fans,
parlors and artists in the market, it is likely that tattoo removal will
increase in 2009-2010 as well. Since the trend has always been with an
increase in tattooing (especially among Generation Y), there is an increase
in tattoo removal due.
Just yesterday we noted that the removal industry has also seen positive
returns during the global financial crisis. This has been due in part to
competitiveness in the workplace, vying for jobs or simply buyers remorse.
Regardless both tattooing and tattoo removal seem to be on the rise
worldwide.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Removal Still Holding Strong
While many of us are pinching are pennies and searching for that next job,
the
tattoo removal industry is still succeeding. The downturn some would
say has in fact increased numbers of patients opting for removal. The job
market is difficult as is, meaning a visible tattoo may hinder your chances
of a job. Many people are choosing to spend on removal with hopes of
retaining or getting a position.
Chron.com a Houston based news source said, "So while Houstonians are
tightening their belts in the economic downturn, they are still paying for
tattoo removal - in greater numbers, in fact, than before the recession.
Clinics that provide the laser ink-fading service say they've seen a spike
in business since the first of the year, despite a slowdown in other corners
of the cosmetic industry."
If these numbers continue on the same path, we may be seeing less tattoos on
people. Especially with the recent tattoo regulations against police, fire
and some government agencies, forcing employees to either get rid of or hide
their visible tattoos.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Types of Ink
For those of you eager to remove your mark of youth and rebellion a few tips
and notes to keep in mind regarding ink and tattoo removal. Some inks are
easier and better to remove than others. More specifically, reds and blacks
are the ideal colors to remove. When lighter colors are added into the
picture, the laser fails to remove the ink as well; the laser has a hard
time reading the light colors.
Archeopress said, "These lighter colors merely fade or convert into a
"smudge" rather than disappear. Better Tattoo Artists Create Technical
Hurdles To Laser Removal. When you were impulsive, the idea of getting a
tattoo from a "virtuoso" tattoo artist would be the crowing touch to what
may now be considered "one of the dumbest decisions I ever made". When it
comes time for laser tattoo removal of a highly artistic and intricate
design, then the artist usually wins over the machine. Meaning? Some areas
of your tattoo remain impervious to laser removal therapy."
However for those of you still keen on removing the not-so-professional
tattoo from your young days, it is still a good idea to undergo laser
treatment for removal, since it is still a highly successful procedure.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Know-How
Doctors are being urged to learn more and participate in tattoo health. The
lack of numbers in removal clinics and the tattoo health industry as a whole
has drastically decreased in recent years, which is odd compared to the
stark increase among people getting tattoos. Clinics and parlors have been
springing up globally at a high rate, so it is slightly concerning that some
industry observers believe that those in the tattoo industry are lacking the
know how and knowledge of others.
At a recent conference based in Texas, some experts actually recommended
that the tattoo industry gets a series of more tattoo educated experts.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tattoo Parlor Hot-Spot
Kat Von D is known for her reality TV show's Miami Ink and LA Ink, but the
tatted up TV star is also seeing a boom in her tattooing fame. Her parlor –
High Voltage Tattoo – in West Hollywood is seeing a flurry of customers
hoping to get clad in some Kat Von D ink. Kat in fact has become so famous
in the tattooing and reality TV world she is releasing a book about her
endeavors in the industry.
But will the popularity and rising star of tattooing and the industry also
incite a peak in removal? Often times the surge of tattoos also translates
into a surge of remorseful patrons looking to remove their marks. I suppose
only time will tell if the Kat Von D customers keep their art or opt for
removal.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Tattoo Craze
For the past decade or more Chinese script writing has been a popular tattoo
among many young adults. From hidden meanings to travel tattoos, Chinese
characters are seen on thousands of westerners. But now a new fad has taken
over young Chinese tattoo-clad kids: many are seeking out English and old
English script as tattoos.
The Telegraph article said, "Only in the last five years have scores of
tattoo parlours sprung up, operating in a grey zone of legality. Chinese
clients have been inspired by footballers such as David Beckham and American
basketball stars. "We get 20 to 30 customers a month, and import our paint
and needles from Europe," said Mr Zhu, who charges an average of 1000 yuan
(£100) per tattoo, the equivalent of a factory worker's monthly salary. "We
get mostly college students, but we have also had doctors, professors and
bankers. Tattoos of letters have become very popular since last year, with
around three out of ten people going for them. They are simple and
graceful," he said."
With this sudden craze for English letters, symbols and tattoos in China
there may also be a significant number of tattoo removal clinics opening.
Because as we have seen in the past, an increase in tattoos may also lead to
an increase in tattoo removal. Perhaps, China like it's Western
counterparts will follow on the same path in the tattoo industry.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Possible Celebrity Tattoo Removal Case
There are claims in Hollywood news stories that Rihanna's new Sanskrit
tattoo has a spelling error in it. Is she going to be the newest celebrity
tattoo removal case? We'll see soon if the rumors are valid.
Some of the claims say according to Digital Spy, "The 'Umbrella' singer had
the ink done above her right hip. It was allegedly intended to read
"forgiveness, honesty, suppression and control". However, Sanskrit expert
Mark Fielden has claimed that the text, which comes from the Hindu Gita
scripture, is incorrectly written, according to *The Sun*."
The star herself has yet to publicize the information about her newest
tattoo, but the reports are running rampant in the news.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
New Tattoo Guidelines
On the wake of increased stringency in the tattoo industry, the Ministry of Health has stiffened protocols yet again. New infection control regulations have been placed on tattoo artists and parlors. Health officials are hoping this will lessen the chances of people contracting blood-related infections post-piercings and tattoos.
Soonews.com reported on these new rules about Algoma public health, "Among the new rules operators must use a CSA approved Autoclave to sterilize equipment which will provide a computer printout evidence to the health inspectors that equipment is properly sterilized."
Alongside these new infection protocols, the government has increased tattoo removal funding and tightened tattooing laws. The industry may now have more credibility and safety.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
New Zealand Ranks as Highest Number of Tattoos
New Zealand is said to have the most number of people with tattoos. So does this mean that the Kiwi's will be lining up for more tattoo removal clinics in the near future? Well, if they follow along the trend of their international counterparts in the US, UK and Australia – probably. Because in recent years studies and figures have shown that with an influx of ink and tattoo parlors there is also a stark increase in tattoo removal clinics. Tattoo removal has become big business in many countries worldwide.
Stuff.co.nz one of New Zealands largest news organizations said, "He believes tattoo removal will also become increasingly big business because of the number of home- tattooing kits available over the internet. "There's various problems with that ... but also some pretty badly done tattoos as well. "Most of the people getting tattooed by people at home are going to be in the 16 to early 20s bracket, so I think quite soon there's going to be quite a few people wanting them removed."
Even on a global scale, tattoo removal and the tattooing industry have become quite dominant. More and more people are aware of their options for removal, which may boost the removal industry as well.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Tattooing Regulated?
Should the tattoo industry be regulated? You tell me. Some residents and
even tattoo artists are saying the industry needs a stronghold of
regulations. In a large number of states in the United States to open a
tattoo parlor it's plain and simple: tattoo, artist and ink. However, some
states like Minnesota require licensing and other strict regulations
deployed by the state.
Star Tribune said, "The bill would mandate standard health-related practices
for artists and require training and inspections. If local regulations met
or exceeded the bill's requirements, providers would be exempt from the
license requirement but still subject to inspection. Supporters say the bill
would protect the health of patrons who visit these increasingly mainstream
businesses. Opponents call the changes burdensome, unnecessary and even
anti-competitive."
A large number of states have begun discussing more regulations and
sanctions, because the industry has boomed in the last 5-years. Officials
want to make sure the right people are inking the right customers,
protection from fraud and health issues is vital. However, for people
remorseful of their decision, tattoo removal options are readily
available.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
No More Negative Stigmas
For years there has been a taboo around tattooing and people with body-art.
However, with the increase in tattoos amongst the youth population and the
boom in tattooing among celebrities, tattooing no longer has a negative
stigma. Also another aspect that has aided in removing the stereotypes is
tattoo removal. I feel that because tattoo removal exists and it is so
readily available and effective (with time and cost), tattoos no longer have
a 'forever' permanent feeling. So since we can get them removed when we
want, they are not as edgy.
Tattoo removal in my opinion has revolutionized the industry as whole
because it has shifted the culture of tattooing from mysterious and edgy to
mainstream and accessible. In fact many news stories throughout the day are
about celebrities getting a tattoo or removing one. Just today Access
Hollywood had a story about Lindsay Lohan going to a tattoo parlor.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Hiding Tattoos
For many of us tattoo removal treatments are an economic and effective
method to get rid of unwanted tattoos. They are proven to work within a few
sessions and are readily available across many western nations, more
specifically within the US clinics are very commonplace. However for those
of you wanting to test the waters of removal prior to jumping the gun and
getting your body art removed, there are beauty options to help you out.
Kat Von D tattoo concealer is being sold for people who want to temporarily
hide their body-ink. Similarly, there are tattoo inks that have emerged
which are 'less permanent' meaning they allow for consumers to get a tattoo
that can be easily removed with removal techniques. So if you want to hide
that tattoo before you invest in permanent removal there are options
available for you.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Facebook Reaching Tattoo Lovers
Normally I would not be inclined to write about happenings on Facebook (the world's biggest social networking platform) however I noticed something interested during my nightly perusal of the sight. Along with all random facts, interesting tid bits, funny TV shows of the past or simply online communities there was also a 'Facebook Group' and 'Facebook Page' called Tattoo and Tattoo Fans. Shouldn't this mean up next is fans of tattoo removal page? With tattooing becoming the expression of choice for many young adults, it must seem like no wonder that there is a fan page dedicated to body art.
Clearly, the tattooing industry has gained such regard and popularity among twenty-somethings, in fact, the many social networking sites, Twitter updates and blogs are discussing the recent earmark of $200,000 for tattoo removal. So evidently social networking and Generation Y go hand-in-hand with today's tattoo industry whether it be getting inked or removing unwanted ink.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Why Tattoo in Tough Times?
Many news sources are saying that tattooing is booming even in the midst of
a financial downturn. But why are people investing thousands in body-art
during such difficult economic times? Is the return on investment that
substantial? Some tattoo aficionados would say yes, while others say it is a
complete waste of money. Many industry observers believe the earmark put in
place by the government is in fact a viable option for spending.
Tattoo removal and tattooing seem to thrive even in these tough times.
Because frankly some people want to show their expression while others want
to remove their past decisions. Regardless, both industries seem to be
thriving quite well in the current global climate. While we may ponder the
reasoning behind tattooing and tattoo removals recent influx of clientele or
spending money, it seems to be something that is everlasting.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Skeptics want Answers
Many pundits and skeptics are hoping for answers regarding the tattoo removal earmark recently put in tact. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were given to a California tattoo removal initiative to remove tattoos of former gang members and troubled youth seeking a new life and career. But has the tattoo removal mandate proved to be successful? Will the money be put to good use? Many advocates are hoping the program will be a second chance for many former gang-members hoping to turn their lives around. In recent months tattoos have become considerably more taboo in the workplace, so those in favor of the earmark think this agenda will be highly successful.
CityWatch blogger said, "I know from years of my own observation that getting rid of gang tattoos-i.e. removing the gang label from one's body- is one of the most important steps in leaving gang life behind. At the most fundamental level, it's symbolic of a new start. Furthermore, there's the practical fact that it's fairly tough get a job at McDonald's if you've got, say, devils horns tattooed on your forehead. Plus a visible tattoo signifying one gang can make it, quite literally, lethally unsafe for you to work in certain parts of town."
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Tougher Tattoo Laws
Tattoo artists in Florida are in for more stringent restrictions. Penalties are likely to be increased if a tattoo artist is caught tattooing a minor without parental consent.
The Associated Press reported, "A House committee on Wednesday approved a bill (HB 1343) that would make it a third-degree felony to tattoo someone under 18 years old without parental consent. It is currently just a misdemeanor. Rep. Mary Brandenburg, D-West Palm Beach, says the penalty should be steeper because getting a tattoo is a "risky procedure" due to chemicals found in the ink used in tattoos."
In recent months the tattoo industry and tattoos in general have been highly scrutinized. Just a few months ago, government workplaces, police departments and even some fire departments have all urged employees with visible tattoos to either get them removed or hide them.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Tattooing Infiltrated the Internet
Tattoo parlors are making their way online. The New York Times did a blog about how many tattoo artists are venturing to the online platform not to attract business but rather ask their clientele to find the fonts and styles they want so the artist can then tattoo it on them. Will this internet tattooing bring about popularity for tattoo removal clinics as well? Because it has often been noted that with an increase in tattooing comes an increase in tattoo-removal, the more often people ink-up the chances are they are likely to opt for removal. The internet may be a new avenue for tattoo artists and removal clinics to follow.
The New York Times blog said, "Tattoo font shoppers can find a host of sites like tattoolettering.net and tattoofonts.org that have simple applications so you can see in advance what your tattoo will look like in the font of your choice. That saves time that would otherwise be spent leafing through the grimy font and image books at the front of the tattoo store. And the Internet has an endless supply of images, particularly when it comes to flowers - an especially popular option, Mr. Renteira said. He noted that about 1 in 5 tattoo recipients come in with an image they have found online – hoping to trade pixels for pin pricks"
