Tattoo removal process to become less tedious with new ink

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Tattoo removal process to become less tedious with new ink
10/1/07
Kate Stickelmaier
The Daily Vidette Online

With the rate of tattoo regret among Americans on the rise, the release of the new Freedom-2 ink will help make the removal process less painful and, potentially, less costly.

The ink, which acts as microencapsulated dye, is designed to be easily removed by a single laser treatment, leaving the skin clear and ready for new body art, according to the company's Web site.

The ink is intended to completely dissolve upon contact with the laser, essentially eliminating the need for multiple treatments.

"It works really well," John Ray, a tattoo artist at Bloomington's Psychopathic Ink, said when referring to a similar type of ink he has used in the past.

"It brings the ink right to the surface of the skin [during application]."

Currently, the cost to have a tattoo removed varies among dermatologists, but patients can expect to pay thousands of dollars in order to see results.

"It would probably run about $200 to have it (a $60 tattoo) removed," Ray said.

Ray also mentioned that he does not intend to charge customers more for him to use the Freedom-2 ink on their bodies.

"It's pretty much the same price as a regular tattoo," Ray said.

The ink would also make having touchups or mistakes corrected much simpler for both the artist and the client, according to Ray.

However, not all local tattoo artists in the Bloomington-Normal area are on board with the idea of using such an ink in their designs.

Both Ray and Jamie Holtfreter, shop manager and body piercer at Artkore in Normal, agree that if you're going to get inked, it should be for life.

"No artists have said that they want to use that ink but I can't speak for everyone," Holtfreter said when referring to the tattoo artists she has spoken with at Artkore. "As far as I know, nobody is going to use it."

Freedom-2 Inc. plans to release this "first and only patented permanent but removable tattoo ink" within the year, according to their Web site.

Until then, the tattoo removal industry will continue to see patients endure long sessions to have reminders of their past removed.

© 2007 The Daily Vidette