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Tattoo Removal: Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
CBS8 ^ | Ashley Jacobs

Posted on 11/08/2016 11:50:17 AM PST by nickcarraway

Regret, job searches and changing rules within the military are fueling tattoo removals.

The industry has grown at faster pace than ever before and it's estimated to be worth $83 billion within two-years.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 46-percent of millennials have removed tattoos before entering the job market.

The technology to remove tattoos has also come a long way since the 1990's.

La Mesa doctor Ellyn Levine said she has been removing more tattoos than ever before, and uses the most most effective method there is today.

"I think the technology has advanced literally in months. Some of them are coming to an age where they are regretting that decision," she said.

In June the Marine Corps changed its tattoo regulations banning tattoos on the head and neck, single tattoos that cannot covered on the hand and limited the size and numbers.

People like 33-year-old Melanie Besseck just want to make room for something new. "When I walk around I am my own canvas and I can tell you a story just by looking at my tattoos," she said.

By using a California made machine, Dr. Levine removed the first tattoo Besseck ever got.

The lasers on the machine blast energy through the skin - shattering the ink.

(Excerpt) Read more at cbs8.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Military/Veterans; Society
KEYWORDS: marinecorps; plasticsurgery; removal; removals; tattoo; tattooremoval; tattooremovals; tattoos
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To: cloudmountain
Why add a tat?

Having joined the Army at 19 I can begin to understand why a young kid...first time away from home...in the rough and tumble military...possibly facing combat (in '69 at least)...OK,I can begin to understand.Otherwise...sorry,no sale.

21 posted on 11/08/2016 12:27:37 PM PST by Gay State Conservative (Deplorables' Lives Matter)
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To: nickcarraway

Never had a tattoo but after recent shoulder reconstruction, I am thinking about a 3D zipper tattoo to cover the scars. Pure vanity, I know.


22 posted on 11/08/2016 12:29:12 PM PST by taxcontrol
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To: Tax-chick

I thought to operate those lasers one had to be an MD, Ie a dermatologist.


23 posted on 11/08/2016 12:30:32 PM PST by Tea Party Terrorist (Why work for a living when you can vote for a living?)
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To: nickcarraway

An entry level tattoo laser is about 150K-200K. In most states you have to be an MD to have one and treat people but you can get some level of nurse to do the actual treatment. You sometimes can find second hand tat lasers on Ebay, and (not that I think it’s a good idea) you might run a bootleg shop.

You have to have a Class 4 laser room. Laser goggles cost 200, 300 and up, which you need if you love your retinas.

In my personal opinion Alexandrite lasers working at 755 nm work best (but not on yellow).

I’ve been hit by one- it feels like a pretty good rubber band snap. At ten times a second.

It is indeed a growing business, the most common customer wants a name change or to fix up part of an existing tat. Absolutely required if you want to leave MS13!


24 posted on 11/08/2016 12:31:35 PM PST by DBrow
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To: nickcarraway

I was going to post a picture of a really stupid tattoo, but the search came up with too many and I couldn’t decide.


25 posted on 11/08/2016 12:33:02 PM PST by PLMerite (Lord, let me die fighting lions. Amen.)
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To: nickcarraway
I am 76, when I was young my parents told me that tattoos were only seen on men who had been in prison. That convinced me that tattoos were tacky and low rent. My opinion has not changed. Tattoos are tacky and low rent,

Then when I was grown, they were also on men who had been in the military. Then MrD came home from the USCG with one on each arm. I still hate tattoos and I cannot understand why anyone (especially women) would get one. Then MrD explained that it was because he got drunk twice.

26 posted on 11/08/2016 12:33:57 PM PST by Ditter (God Bless Texas!)
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To: cloudmountain

If they regret them now, just wait ‘till the canvas gets older and wrinkled. Splotch city!
One woman had a beautiful eagle on her back. When she got old the eagle sagged and looked like an old vulture. Lol.

I saw a girl at the local college who had “C’est la vie” tattooed in headline style block letters across her very large breasts. My first though was what irony when those start to sag.


27 posted on 11/08/2016 12:34:27 PM PST by CrazyIvan (Socialists are just communists in their larval stage.)
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To: colorado tanker
Sounds like the technology is much better today, so I imagine she got it removed.

It is. I paid $1200 to remove my wife's tattooed eyebrows. Her natural ones grew back and even under close inspection you can't tell she ever had tattoos.

The key is several light treatments spread out over time as opposed to fewer heavy treatments. That's why it was expensive and took about a year. She had to quit smoking as well. Dermatologist's orders or she wouldn't do the procedure. Another plus.

The technology is there but it requires money, patience and self-control.

28 posted on 11/08/2016 12:34:30 PM PST by Drew68
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To: BipolarBob
The level of artistry has risen substantially in the last 10+ years ,, dotwork , 3d art , better inks that stay in place under the skin and don't look smudged years down the line... I am turned off by low quality work but I see nothing wrong with someone wanting quality art in their skin.


29 posted on 11/08/2016 12:35:42 PM PST by Neidermeyer (Bill Clinton is a 5 star general in the WAR ON WOMEN and Hillary is his Goebbels.)
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To: nickcarraway

I got my only drunken sailor tattoo lasered off 25 years ago, and have never even considered getting another. I see a woman with a tattoo, I automatically detract 25 IQ points.

I dislike body mods of any sort.


30 posted on 11/08/2016 12:36:51 PM PST by Ronin (Blackface or bolt-ons, it's the same fraud. - Norm Lenhart)
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To: nickcarraway

Anti-Biblical


31 posted on 11/08/2016 12:37:11 PM PST by onedoug
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To: Gay State Conservative

My son looks at their teeth if they have to work with the public, most Meth users have bad teeth.

If the Tats are tasteful and not to in your face small ones he will over look it.

I have only 1 a nice Cross that can be covered with a short sleeved shirt.


32 posted on 11/08/2016 12:41:11 PM PST by GailA (Ret. SCPO wife: A politician that won't keep his word to Veterans/Military won't keep them to You!)
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To: gunsequalfreedom
If they regret them now, just wait ‘till the canvas gets older and wrinkled. Splotch city!

I live in a retirement community. I'm always amazed and disgusted by the number of tattoos I see on female residents here. Some of the tattoos are recent additions.

You can't fix stupid.

33 posted on 11/08/2016 12:42:05 PM PST by TADSLOS (Vote Trump. Defeat the Clinton Crime Syndicate. Reset America.)
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To: PLMerite
"I was going to post a picture of a really stupid tattoo, but the search came up with too many and I couldn’t decide."

I retract my previous statement:


34 posted on 11/08/2016 12:43:07 PM PST by PLMerite (Lord, let me die fighting lions. Amen.)
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To: nickcarraway

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Q-Switch-ND-YAG-Laser-Tattoo-Removal-1064-532nm-Freckle-Eyebrow-Pigment-Remover-/351589830778?hash=item51dc63107a:g:P8MAAOSwwpdW1qKR

here ya go. Some goggles and you are good to go!

Anyone interested in the tech seriously should look up selective photothermolysis.


35 posted on 11/08/2016 12:43:23 PM PST by DBrow
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To: nickcarraway

Tattoos best represent the way the lower classes identify themselves to the rest of us, especially tattoos that are visible when the subject is fully clothed.

Often these same people enjoy accessorizing with pit bulls.


36 posted on 11/08/2016 12:45:31 PM PST by zipper (In their heart of hearts, all Democrats are communists)
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To: nickcarraway
Lev. 19:28: (NAS) You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD. Everyone would have saved themselves a lot of grief and money if they would have taken this advice. Instead they wanted to be "accepted" by those who knew no better than themselves.
37 posted on 11/08/2016 12:47:19 PM PST by Fungi
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To: PLMerite

Will her father step forward to claim her?


38 posted on 11/08/2016 12:47:24 PM PST by windsorknot
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To: Gay State Conservative

My mother, as well as her 3 siblings, were all tattooed with their initials on their forearm when very young (5-6 years old).

She always wore a long sleeve blouse.


39 posted on 11/08/2016 12:47:54 PM PST by Verbosus (/* No Comment */)
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To: windsorknot

“Will her father step forward to claim her?”

Her biological father, or her Heavenly Father?

Both yes, I would imagine. She probably has serious “issues” that mitigate the stupid.


40 posted on 11/08/2016 12:54:00 PM PST by PLMerite (Lord, let me die fighting lions. Amen.)
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