Tattoos: think before you ink

     College is the first chance for many students to experience  complete freedom. Their parents are not around to tell them to do their homework, go to bed at a decent hour, or not get piercings or tattoos.
     “I think getting a tattoo is something that should be thought out. Getting a tattoo will effect your future, whether you realize it now or not,” said freshman nursing major Brittney Sheppard.
However, spur of the moment tattoos often has unforeseen consequences.
     According to CNN.com, “The American Academy of Dermatology reports that … 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.”
     Tattoo regret seems to be moderately high, according to the American Academy of Dermatology’s report, and the cost of getting a tattoo removed comes at an even higher cost. Since most dermatologist charge for laser surgery by the square inch, the cost of removal can vary, but it definitely start in the thousands.
    David Kent and David Cohen both practice dermatology at their local business in Macon, and have found an increase in patients requesting tattoo removals according to their front desk clerk Ann Gilliam. While there are other dermatologists in the Milledgeville area, none of them cater to laser treatment, so Kent and Cohen seem to get the bulk of the local residents.
When it comes to the actual process of removing the tattoo, there are several brief sessions lasting a little under a minute, according to CNN.com. However, there is a new ink on the market that may limit laser treatment to one brief session.
     According to CNN.com, “Freedom-2 is a microencapsulated dye. It is designed to be easily removed by a single laser treatment.”
     Even though Freedom-2 may be the easier solution for people who find that they no longer want their tattoo, not everyone supports this new ink. Thomas Kimberly, owner and tattoo artist of Wayne Street Tattoo Company, which is located in downtown Milledgeville, is in no way a fan of the new ink.
Kimberly explains that the ink that is used now has been tried, tested, and proven to be safe.
    “Other new inks,” said Kimberly, “have not had good results.”
His main concern about the Freedom-2 is the fact that this polymer substance is being hit by a laser and dissolving.
     “What the hell does it turn into, where does it go?” asks Kimberly.
     Being a tattoo artist himself, Kimberly does not believe in the use of materials that are not created by tattoo artist who actually understands the art of tattooing. Since the inventor of this ink is not a part of the tattoo industry, Kimberly is not planning on using Freedom-2 ink in his shop any time soon.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Nov 16 2007. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry