March, 2007 By Rita Templeton
Tattoos, What We Get, Why We Get ‘Em, and
What to Do if Yours is a Tatt-Oops
You no longer have to be a biker or a sailor, a rock star or a sideshow freak to have a tattoo. Even my churchgoing, degree-holding, tee totaling mother bears a small rose on her thigh—a testament to the fact that these days anyone could have a tattoo hidden beneath even the most modest of garments. You just never know.
For thousands of years, civilizations from all over the world have worn tattoos as status symbols, identification, rites of passage, indications of religious or social affiliations, declarations of love, even protection. Whatever the reason for its use, though, tattooing is a near-universal custom, one that dates back over 5,000 years. And it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon; according to AOL’s search engine, for example, “tattoo” was its eight most popular search topic in 2006, ranking among the likes of “weather,” “horoscope” and “American Idol.” An equally significant indicator of tattoos’ popularity are shows such as A&E’s Inked and TLC’s Miami Ink that give an intimate look at tattoo studies, their artists, and their clientele.
What’s In
You might think
that something as highly individualized as a tattoo would escape the ebb
and flow of trends, but that isn’t true. Just look around at the sheer
volume of “tribal” designs—a style that is, unfortunately for its
bearers, out of style among tattoo aficionados. So what’s hot these
days? Japanese-inspired designs such as koi (the big goldfish), dragons,
fire and water, simple lettering done in Old English script, and Chinese
symbols are what those in the know are having inked right now. Also,
religious symbols—such as the Star of David or a rosary—are making a
comeback.
But…
These days, tattoos
are worn to express identity and make the bearer feel unique.
Unfortunately, perception of our individual identity will change many
times throughout the years during different life stages, and what may
have been meaningful at one time may not hold such a special
significance later. Maybe the nickname that you earned during your
hard-partying college days—and consequently had tattooed on
yourself—embarrasses you when you reach a certain age (what, you don’t
want anyone to ask what “Tailgate” means?). Or perhaps you part ways
with the “love of your life,” whose name you had inked across your
ankle, or dramatically change your beliefs and are stuck with a symbol
representing a religion you don’t belong to anymore.
Can It Ever Be Erased?
If you’re looking
to erase your little (or not-so-little) memento, there are several
options for removal. Your best option will vary depending on several
factors, so it’s important to make an informed decision.
Laser Removal: Lasers produce short pulses of intense light that pass harmlessly through the top layers of skin and are absorbed by the tattoo pigment. The energy from the laser causes the tattoo pigment to fragment into smaller particles that are then removed by the body’s immune system. Generally, a topical anesthetic is used during the procedure.
Dermabrasion: A rapidly spinning, abrasive tool is used to remove layers of skin. Dermabrasion can often removal all pigment in a professionally applied tattoo, but if the pigment has migrated or been deposited deep in the fatty tissue, complete removal may not be possible with this particular method. As with laser removal, a topical anesthetic is normally administered to minimize discomfort.
Excision: This method is suitable for smaller tattoos; the results are immediate and the treatment is among the most expensive because it only takes one procedure. The tattoo is literally cut out of your skin, and the wound sutured. It is relatively simply and has a mild recovery phase if no infections or other complications arise. This procedure is normally performed under local anesthetic.
Salabrasion: In this method, salt is used as an abrasive to remove layers of skin. This procedure is probably one of the oldest resurfacing techniques known, and can take several treatments. This procedure is also performed under local anesthetic.
Mary Arnold-Ronish, founder of Las Vegas-based Professional Permanent Cosmetics (sm), uses a different method altogether at her clinic: a sterile needle is used to open up the skin, the same as with a tattoo, and then a sea-salt mixture is applied which breaks up the pigment. “More than one procedure is usually needed to obtain optimal results, but usually much fewer than with laser treatments,” she says. Another reason it’s more effective than lasers, Arnold-Ronish claims, is that it’s not color-sensitive, whereas “laser treatments do not respond to tattoos containing green and some blue ink and other colors.”
The Cost of Getting De-Inked
Whatever your
chosen method of removal, it’s difficult to determine a generalized cost
because there are so many factors involved: your particular tattoo, its
size, its age, the amount of treatments needed, and so on. It’s safe to
say that you can expect to pay $200 or more per session. Not sure where
to go? Plastic surgeons, dermatologists, permanent cosmetic studios, and
laser hair removal centers are likely to specialize in the area, check
out
http://mytattooink.com/tattoo-removal/cities/tattoo-remova-las-vegas.htm.
A Breakthrough: Real “Temporary”
Tattoos
Fortunately, there’s good news on the horizon for people who
want to get inked but are worried about the permanence of it: removable
pigment. New York-based Freedom-2 LLC, a company founded by doctors,
announced in December that it will begin selling the pigment sometime
this year. The ink is applied just like any other tattoo pigments, and
stays in the skin as long as you want it to. But if you decide it’s not
your thing anymore, the tattoo will remove completely with a single
laser treatment.
As for me, I got my first tattoo, a small butterfly on my chest, at the tender age of 16—the perfect age for making regrettable decisions—yet I am still as fond of it now as I was when it was brand new. Sure, the effects of pregnancy (and the cruel toil of gravity) have stretched out the wings a bit, and by the end of my life, my pretty butterfly will probably more closely resemble a pterodactyl. My tastes have changed, and if I were to get another tattoo now, I definitely wouldn’t get something as teenage-girlish. But every time I look at my butterfly, it reminds me of that part of my life—and how far I’ve come since then.
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