Beckley, WV (WOAY) According to Pew Research, 80% of Americans say tattoos have become more accepted in the past 20 years. However, about a quarter of Americans with tattoos say they have regrets later in life. According to Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and Laser Technician Ashley Linzy at Healing Springs Medical Spa in Beckley, many clients have their tattoos removed for their career goals, among many other reasons.
“I have a lot of unfortunate divorce tattoos that might have been matching. I have a lot of people trying to get into the military and want to stick to their standards, and we start that removal process. I have a lot of people trying to get back into the workforce. As far as visible tattoos, I have some people who have really beautiful, artful tattoos that they’re just not into anymore.”
Linzy’s clients have their tattoos removed for many reasons, but job requirements are sometimes the hardest. While some companies like UPS and Virgin Atlantic have relaxed their policies in recent years, many workplaces still have restrictions against visible tattoos.
“I have some people that can’t get into a retail position because the world hasn’t changed yet to be accepting of tattoos… I view tattoos as a personal expression of art, but not everyone does. So that’s why I’m here to help people.”
Laser tattoo removal is safe and effective when done by a professional, but it’s not instant. Photoacoustic laser technology like Linzy uses breaks up specific pigments, which the body then expels over time, and it often takes multiple treatments.
“I don’t ever want to fall back and say, you know, ‘think about that tattoo before you get it!’ Because again, it’s their own form of art expression. And I think art expression is beautiful. But again, due to the world and how it hasn’t really changed as much, maybe put a little temporary tattoo; get one of those tattoo Sharpie markers and wear it in the area that you’re considering for a good while before you make that permanent decision. Because [with] what a 2- to 3-hour tattoo session might be, you’re going to be with me for about a year, if not more, with the tattoo removal sessions.”
So while getting a tattoo is not a decision to be made lightly, it is nice to know that you can express yourself and still have options if you change your mind.
