Tattoos have been growing in popularity. One in eight Americans has one. The majority of them are under the age of 30. Gone are the days of only bikers and gang members getting them. These days tattooing is the sixth fastest growing business venture in the country.
Debbie Lenz and her husband first opened their shop, Artistic Dermagraphics in Youngstown, in the mid 1970s.
"We were so slow, we'd go a week or two before we would even do a tattoo. Now, throughout the year, it just kind of continues," Debbie Lenz said.
While the popularity of tattoos certainly is growing, millions of Americans do change their mind. When anchor Whitney Ward got a tattoo at age 16, her dad called it "permanent proof of temporary insanity." Years later, Ward started to agree with him.
That's why some companies are starting to launch a different kind of ink. One that is far easier to remove. Debbie Lenz has never used the encapsulated ink, because it's not available in this area. But she would like to try it, and says it could be a good option.
"Because they may have made a poor choice. It may be something really large, and they don't want to go with a tattoo large enough to cover it," Lenz said.
Dr. Jenifer Lloyd at the Lloyd Dermatology and Laser Center in Boardman said tattoo removal is a big part of her business these days. She performs several laser sessions each week, mostly on women. And since June, she's been helping Ward remove her tattoo.
After five treatments, it's fading but not gone yet. That will take another few sessions. But if Ward's tattoo had been done with the new encapsulated ink, Dr. Lloyd says it would probably be long gone by now.
"It takes one laser treatment. It breaks the capsule, the ink is water soluble, so the ink disperses and you're done," Lloyd said.
Many feel their tattoos are more than just a permanent marking, they're a one of a kind piece of art. But just in case you change your mind, at least now you can.
For more information on tattoo removal, visit the following websites:
Artistic Dermagraphics
Lloyd Dermatology & Laser Center
For more information on the tattoo artist featured in this story, visit:
Freedom 2 Encapsulated Tattoo Ink
