Tattoo remorse fuels boom for dermatologists

cnn ^ | 9-18-07

[LouAvul]

Laura Hathaway initially had no regrets after getting a tattoo on her lower back when she was 21. But now, 10 years later, she wants it gone.

The pharmaceutical sales representative from Atlanta, Georgia, says it doesn't fit in with her current lifestyle as the mother of a 2-year-old boy who just started to talk. "The other day I bent over and he said, 'What's that?' and it just confirms why I'm having it removed."

Dr. Scott Karempelis of Atlanta Dermatology Associates is performing a multitreatment laser procedure that will gradually erase Hathaway's tattoo with little or no scarring. The process is painful, expensive and time-consuming.

Karempelis says that in spite of the drawbacks, "business is booming." He and three other dermatologists in his office see more than 30 patients a day who want tattoos removed by laser.

The American Academy of Dermatology reports tattoo regret is common in the United States. Among a group of 18- to 50-year-olds surveyed in 2004, 24 percent reported having a tattoo and 17 percent of those considered getting their tattoo removed.

Karempelis uses a state-of-the-art laser that targets the pigment in the tattoo. "It goes through the skin without damaging it and hits the pigment depending on which wavelength and which color you have, and it blows it into small pieces."

The tattoo ink is then reabsorbed into the body through the lymphatic system. The process must be completed over several sessions in order to protect the skin from damage.

[Ditter]

I wish his WOULD fade, they are hideous. Good luck with yours.

[Ronin]

I was standing on the platform of Tokyo station just a couple weeks ago and saw this very sweet innocent looking young lady, immaculately dressed, with “Mother” tattooed on her upper arm. Just like any one of thousands of old style sailor tattoos.

Weird...

[Lijahsbubbe]

regrets after getting a tattoo on her lower back when she was 21. But now, 10 years later,

When an eagle turns into Big Bird ping.

[pandoraou812]

Thanks, as I said I would like some of them gone. I just wish people would realize that they need care & THINK long & hard before getting them. Its good to stick to a theme too. I see people with all kinds of tribal stuff & then roses and cartoon figures. I stuck to flowers & butterflys mainly. I would say I was pretty young & dumb when I got the first ones. Live & learn...~P~

[Lijahsbubbe]

Now, I am deliberately avoiding public places and events. I got rid of cable. I am trying to tune it out. I am moving toward a creepy reality like some old moviestar recluse --

That's just not good. You must get out and about. Don't seclude yourself!

[Ditter]

I was in London at a street fair. A young man had his shirt off and his entire back, from shoulders to his waist was a replica of his father’s grave marker. The shape of the stone with name dates and some kind of a poem, full size grave stone. I took a picture of his back.

[Thinkin' Gal]

When an eagle turns into Big Bird ping.

"I'll supersize that."

Moral of the story: tattoos and Micky D's don't mix. ;-)

[goldstategop]

I don't have a tattoo. Jewish tradition forbids one from mutilating one's body. Its not ours to do with as we please. It belongs to God as does the spirit that dwells within it. The human body is the pinnacle of creation and because Man bears the Divine Image, he is holier than the mere beasts.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[DesScorp]

Ok, conservatives, who didn’t see this coming?

[dragnet2]

I understand and respect people that do not share my view but I like tattoo’s.

That's fine. My only point was this tattoo fad is just that, a fad. I personally have never seen anything I'd want to imprint on my body, that I'd have to stare at for the rest of my life. A lot of young people get them, for the moment, on a whim, and they live to regret it.

[Lib-Lickers 2]

you could tattoo an M on each butt cheek and when you bent over it spells MOM

[Paulus]

Dontcha just love that “just think of me as one you never figured” feeling??

[Michael.SF.]

and when you do cart wheels it spells: WoW - MoM - WoW

[Lijahsbubbe]

A good trick for someone named Bob.

[Michael.SF.]

The idiots posting on this thread remind me of why I left this forum.

LOL. Yet you came back.

My guess is you will return again and again.

[Lib-Lickers 2]

LOL

[Constantine XIII]

I lol’d.

[LowOiL]

WoW - MoM - WoW

LOL, your not right you know...

[Berlin_Freeper]

I got a tat over 20 years ago of a small Cross on my chest, situated where it would be if one was on a neck chain. With a shirt no one can even see it. When i go to Church I never forget to dab it with Holy Water. They are going to have to blow a hole through me to remove it!

[Chunga]

Did your parents try to talk you out of getting tattoos?