One in three Americans now tattooed

Tattoos have surged to 32% of Americans, including 13% of baby boomers, according to a 2023 Pew Research study. Body art is no longer a career dealbreaker.

Visible ink still kills job prospects

Tattoo artist Tony Parisi says hand and neck tattoos are "job killers" in many industries, even as doctors, lawyers, and rocket scientists now get inked.

“If they're trying to get something on their hands, we call that in the industry, that's the job killer.”

Officer removes hand tattoos for promotion

Baton Rouge Police Officer Dylan Sherman, 30, is removing hand tattoos and covering arm ink to improve his chances of promotion. Perception matters in uniform.

“How you keep your boots shined, how you keep your uniform clean, everything has an effect on how they perceive you.”

Laser removal shatters ink molecules

Laser tattoo removal uses energy pulses to break apart ink particles in the skin. Most clients removing tattoos got them between ages 16 and 22.

“Most people's tattoos that we remove are from the ages of 16 to 22.”

Blue ink is hardest to erase

Removal takes two to 15 treatments with weeks between sessions. Ocean blue and teal are the hardest colors to remove, while black ink fades fastest.

“Blues, ocean blue, teal blue, that is one of the hardest colors to remove.”

Removal costs start at $150 per session

Laser removal starts at $150 and causes pain, though lidocaine and cryotherapy can help. Younger clients are driving demand for removal services.

“So tattoo removal in general, it does hurt.”