thedrifter
09-10-08, 09:53 AM
Article published Sep 10, 2008
Think twice before tattoo: Removal is pricy, painful
Once a month, Dr. Jeffrey Sassmannshausen and his staff do nothing but remove tattoos at Three Rivers Dermatology, 7230 Engle Road. Fifteen to 20 patients on that day are given laser treatments to remove what patients once thought were images they would want forever.
“The most common reasons they want tattoos removed are people who have names, and the relationship is over, or they’re in a profession or the military and cannot have a tattoo showing,” Sassmannshausen said. In more than one instance, he said, people have called the office seeking tattoo removal the day after they got the tattoo.
While the cost of tattoos at Fort Wayne businesses registered with the county varies from $50 up to $1,000, depending on their size and the time they require, the price to take them off is considerably higher – and more painful. Treatments vary from $150 to $350, “and it takes many, many treatments,” sometimes dozens. Do the treatments hurt?
“Oh, yes,” Sassmannshausen said. “It’s very painful, much more than getting the tattoo. “People considering getting a tattoo should think carefully about what they’re going to get and where they’re going to get it.”
The skull and crossbones tattooed on the arm at age 18 may require coverage as a 24-year-old bank teller or nurse. The college student who goes to a tattoo parlor with her girlfriends may have difficulty landing a teaching job with a snake tattooed on her neck.
Sassmannshausen said removal of most tattoos is possible without scarring, although skin discoloration may remain, depending on the dye color used, the person’s skin tone, and the depth and size of the tattoo.
Although getting a tattoo in the military was once almost a rite of passage, the armed forces now have new rules. For example, Marines cannot have tattoos on their head or neck or sleeve tattoos, which are large tattoos or groups of tattoos on the lower arm. Tattoos on the upper arm or the leg that are visible when wearing military-issued T-shirts and shorts are also prohibited. Military personnel already in the service and who have tattoos in those locations can keep them if they have documentation the tattoo existed before April 1, 2007.
Army regulations prohibit tattoos on the head or face, except for permanent makeup such as eyebrows or fill-in lip color. Two years ago, the Army began allowing tattoos on the backs of hands and necks. Navy regulations are less restrictive, stating a tattoo that is “obscene, sexually explicit or advocates discrimination of any sort is prohibited.” Otherwise, it considers content, size and location of tattoos on a case-by-case basis.
Patients sometimes ask Sassmannshausen to recommend tattoo businesses, and he said, “There are some good ones in town.” Although he has not treated many tattoo infections, he said, “Anytime you do something to the skin, you’re at risk of infection.
“Keep (the wound) cleaned and covered,” he said, noting gentle daily cleaning is required during healing. Applying a thin layer of a vitamin A and D ointment is often recommended to keep the wound moist. “You should expect to be sore the first day, then each day it should get better.” The wound should heal in one to two weeks. If pain worsens, the wound becomes inflamed or if pus is noted, seek immediate medical care.
Ellie
Think twice before tattoo: Removal is pricy, painful
Once a month, Dr. Jeffrey Sassmannshausen and his staff do nothing but remove tattoos at Three Rivers Dermatology, 7230 Engle Road. Fifteen to 20 patients on that day are given laser treatments to remove what patients once thought were images they would want forever.
“The most common reasons they want tattoos removed are people who have names, and the relationship is over, or they’re in a profession or the military and cannot have a tattoo showing,” Sassmannshausen said. In more than one instance, he said, people have called the office seeking tattoo removal the day after they got the tattoo.
While the cost of tattoos at Fort Wayne businesses registered with the county varies from $50 up to $1,000, depending on their size and the time they require, the price to take them off is considerably higher – and more painful. Treatments vary from $150 to $350, “and it takes many, many treatments,” sometimes dozens. Do the treatments hurt?
“Oh, yes,” Sassmannshausen said. “It’s very painful, much more than getting the tattoo. “People considering getting a tattoo should think carefully about what they’re going to get and where they’re going to get it.”
The skull and crossbones tattooed on the arm at age 18 may require coverage as a 24-year-old bank teller or nurse. The college student who goes to a tattoo parlor with her girlfriends may have difficulty landing a teaching job with a snake tattooed on her neck.
Sassmannshausen said removal of most tattoos is possible without scarring, although skin discoloration may remain, depending on the dye color used, the person’s skin tone, and the depth and size of the tattoo.
Although getting a tattoo in the military was once almost a rite of passage, the armed forces now have new rules. For example, Marines cannot have tattoos on their head or neck or sleeve tattoos, which are large tattoos or groups of tattoos on the lower arm. Tattoos on the upper arm or the leg that are visible when wearing military-issued T-shirts and shorts are also prohibited. Military personnel already in the service and who have tattoos in those locations can keep them if they have documentation the tattoo existed before April 1, 2007.
Army regulations prohibit tattoos on the head or face, except for permanent makeup such as eyebrows or fill-in lip color. Two years ago, the Army began allowing tattoos on the backs of hands and necks. Navy regulations are less restrictive, stating a tattoo that is “obscene, sexually explicit or advocates discrimination of any sort is prohibited.” Otherwise, it considers content, size and location of tattoos on a case-by-case basis.
Patients sometimes ask Sassmannshausen to recommend tattoo businesses, and he said, “There are some good ones in town.” Although he has not treated many tattoo infections, he said, “Anytime you do something to the skin, you’re at risk of infection.
“Keep (the wound) cleaned and covered,” he said, noting gentle daily cleaning is required during healing. Applying a thin layer of a vitamin A and D ointment is often recommended to keep the wound moist. “You should expect to be sore the first day, then each day it should get better.” The wound should heal in one to two weeks. If pain worsens, the wound becomes inflamed or if pus is noted, seek immediate medical care.
Ellie