Tattoo Removal: The Fastest Growing industry in North America

Not long ago, most North Americans associated tattoos with dead bodies, sailors, bikers and sideshow freaks. But tattoos have become much more popular in recent years, and people who have gotten them are as diverse as the designs and stamps they choose. And, some people who would never think of stamping graffiti, pictures, or symbols into their hides use permanent make-up--a type of tattoo- intended to emphasise their eyes and lips.

So you didn't believe your Dad or Mom when he or she said you'd regret getting that small flower (tramp stamp) tattoo 0r the multicoloured, fore-breathing dragon that starts at the small of your back, reaches up to your shoulder blades and wraps it's orange flames around your biceps--or those "Smoking Hot-Peace Makers" that point to your groin. Now, a mere seven years later, you have grown up and you have a shot at a terrific job in banking--still one of the more conservative businesses around, and you are concerned that your symbol of youthful "SELF- EXPRESSION??"could create problems in your new career.

Well you're not alone; for while tattoos have become part of North American culture over the past couple of decades (some estimate that more than 12 million North Americans have at least one tattoo, and there are  about 8000 tattoo studios now in business in North America) more and more people are now viewing "tramp stamp", "fable-label", "Fargo cargo", "stable label" and other tattoos as passe (strictly "Smooth Move Ex- Lax" or " Shit For Brains"and strictly NOT cool. Of all the once popular fads in the various fields of human aspirations tattoos are currently seen as HOT-S-NOT.

There are a lot of reasons for possibly wanting a tattoo removed--far more than there are for wanting to ever get one in the first place--the positive element of tattoo removal is that you are no longer burdened with that ugly multicoloured scar/blotch  you so seriously regret. If a tattoo is holding you back from getting the job you really want or keeps you from attaining goals you have set for yourself, a little more pain and scaring may be worth it to you.If you have a gang- related "graffiti tattoo and are no longer associating yourself with that gang,  any gang or any other losers (good for you), it would be in your best interests to have it removed. If you have a tattoo that symbolises hate or prejudice. I hope that you  will decide that it is time to let it go. If you are wearing a tattoo of a past love and you have a new "special person" in your life, if your special person hates tattoos, it would be unkind NOT to get rid of the old tattoo and the old "ghosts".

One busy physician who now specialises in tattoo removal--he's removed tattoos from some of the most famous tattoo artists--estimates that about 50% of those who get tattoos later admit regretting them and at least another 20 % regret them but are ashamed to admit it--or will not admit so because they feel they can't do anything about it or that it is much too painful in any case. But that's changing.

Removal cost now varies from doctor to doctor, but it generally ranges somewhere between $125-$200 PER VISIT. And it usually takes between 5 and 10 visits before you start to see results.

Laser Removal
Today, lasers are the most common method of tattoo removal an three phase lasers are claimed to be QUITE effective.Just as digital tattoos, work by targeting the ink with pulses of highly concentrated light.In this case to break the ink into tiny fragments, which are then hopefully cleared away through your immune system.. However, this is never done with one treatment. the more treatments you have, the more the laser can penetrate to destroy the poisonous chemicals of the ink. but, the more treatments you have, the more damage you do to your already damaged skin, increasing the already massive scaring, and causing additional painful blisters, scabs and even more scarring.

On top of still being physically painful (it has been described as feeling like being spattered with boiling hot tar)laser removal is painful to your wallet as well. A large, professional tattoo, in colour, could cost thousands of dollars to remove, a non-professional tattoo even more, and the effectiveness of the removal is never guaranteed.