Tattoo removal hurts in every way

[Rat-tat-tat]

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...l=991929131147

Oakville resident Lon Katzmann wouldn't dream of removing any of his many tattoos, despite the diminishing free space on his upper body.

"I have no drunken tattoos," he says, noting his German family crest, Bible verses and a crucifix on his back. "Every one I've had I've thought out."

For those who do have regrets, the road back to clear skin is painful and expensive, explains Dr. Sachit Shah.

Shah, who operates his B.C. Laser and Skin Care Clinic in Vancouver, puts his patient under a local anesthetic. He uses a special laser to break down the ink, which the body's white blood cells dispose of.

It takes several treatments over six months to a year to be rid of the tattoo. Beginning at $50 per treatment, Shah tells his patients that removal usually costs 10 times what the tattoo cost. One of his clients spent $37,000 to get a large tattoo removed from his back.

And there is the wait factor.

One young woman came in after having permanent makeup — lips and eyeliner — tattooed on her face.

But the lip tattoo was badly done one side of the woman's lip appeared bigger than the other. The woman was in tears, but Shah wouldn't touch the tattoo for three months until the ink set.

In the early days, tattoo ink is mobile and the laser would spread the ink, staining the skin, he explains. The clinic taught the woman how to camouflage the mistake in the meantime.

Other methods of tattoo removal include creams, dermabrasion and excision. Larger tattoos may require taking skin from another part of the body for a skin graft.

[Dileca]

That goes to say that you should always put thought into what you are getting

[bluntmonkey]

Tattoo Removal now theres an oxymoron . It's a shame people put such a small amount of thought into their lives and bodies especially when young it must be what we call inexperience. What seems good today aint so good tomorrow. "How many times have I thought that? UGGHH" I love the finality of my ink it reminds me DAILY of the finality of life and that " I've already desecrated the temple and sorry folks but there aint no cleanin up that mess." Might as well move on there aint no goin back. Don't cry over spilled milk throw some cereal on the floor instead. "COVERUP!"
And since my rememberer is broke I NEED that or else I'd go round everyday thinkin i was perfect or god or sumthin cause thats the way I am and that wouldn't be good would it? (that was the therapy angle) How bout a mustache on the Mona Lisa hehehe. I am comfortable living within my "tainted, tinted" self at least for this moment which is all I really have anyhow. And if I do have to answer at the end, I think who is the pot to ask the potter why am I made this way? Because I am what I am the culmination of all i've been it aint much but it is what it is. And to those who find themselves seeking removal of their old trophies or ideas or whatever they were "nonthoughts?" my best wishes of luck and success in your endeavour and I hope you might find what it is YOUR looking for. E