#deletetattoo

My Journey is Nearly Complete - By Tatum Davis

Last week I went in for my 9th treatment on my arm tattoos. As time goes by, the power of the laser gets turned up in order to target the deepest ink in my skin. It's uncomfortable sure, but I still stick with the opinion that getting the tattoo is more painful than removing it, especially since I had it numbed! 

With more than 49% of Americans having one or more tattoos, the working world has had to undergo dramatic shifts in policies regarding the appearance of tattoos in the workplace. Companies such as Revana, Bank of America and Dell Computers now allow employees to have non-offensive tattoos visible.  Traditionally, business establishments such as these required employees to completely cover tattoos and make their ink invisible to customers. In fact, it’s not only these few companies that allow tattoos; most do. Unfortunately what these businesses don’t report is that for those who have visible tattoos, receiving a promotion is highly unlikely.

Right or wrong, acceptance of workplace tattoos has opened up doors that were previously closed and allowed many who would have been considered unemployable to now hold jobs in traditionally conservative fields. Diversity is both embraced and a cornerstone value of most corporations and businesses. Employment seeking individuals with tattoos can definitely land the job with the company of their dreams, but is it the job of their dreams?  Mark Brenner, senior VP of external affairs at Apollo Group says, “Depending on if they are visible or offensive in nature, tattoos can have an impact onprofessionalism. “  Despite the acceptance of tattoos in the workplace, many senior execs believe tattoos portray a lack of professionalism and dependability.  

Regardless of company owners’ and policy makers’ opinions on tattoos, Dr. Ira S. Wolfe expects, “there will be a sea change of attitudes toward tattoos in the next 25 years as tattooed and pierced peers begin running more companies.” Wolfe also predicts that policies banning tattoos will likely become a thing of the past.  Once the current generations shift into being the movers and shakers, it will be interesting to see how social norms will be tested.  In the meantime, 25 years is a long way away and Millennials looking to move up the career ladder might feel the need to choose between keeping their visible tats and possibly missing that promotion, or removing them to make that climb. Just as we have the freedom to get a tattoo, we also have the freedom – and should feel empowered – to delete our tattoos when they no longer represent our desired image.   

As Deleters, we believe that all people are individuals with valuable skills and aptitudes. Tattoos are a means of self-expression, period.   Having a tattoo doesn’t make anyone less qualified for a position.  But if the opportunity to move up presents itself and your ink is holding you back, turn to Delete – Tattoo Removal & Laser Salon for the most comfortable, effective and affordable tattoo removal possible. It’s about having options, but you need to be 100% ready to part with your art.

Realizations On Why You Should or Shouldn't Get A Certain Tattoo - By Jason Anthony

While helping a good friend move the other day (because that's what real friends do) we discussed the utter astonishment that some people get when you tell them  "No, these tattoos don't mean anything." "Wait, like, nothing at all?" "No, nothing. I like the pictures."

How on earth could you put something on your body that doesn't mean anything? The very idea seems so foreign to people. Tattoos are after all (semi) permanent. What are you going to do when you get old and have to explain them to your kids or grandkids? Did you know that they're permanent?

The fact of the matter is that for every single individual there's a different reason for getting tattooed. Sure, lots of times those reasons overlap, but that makes them no less important to the individual that is getting the tattoo. Thanks to the popularity that tattooing has gained through our mass media overlords, we as(good) tattooers, have become increasingly in-demand. But with that increase comes some of the ideas that were planted in our little brains about what a tattoo is, and should represent. It is after all(relatively) permanent, so it absolutely must mean the ENTIRE universe to you, if you're going to go through the pain of getting something (somewhat) permanently marked into your VERY FLESH.

With the vast ocean of importance that your tattoo holds, there has to be a story that goes along with it. A story that explains and showcases everything to a person about what makes you as an individual, tick. It should showcase the very essence of your every fiber, right? ... Sure ... Maybe ... But not really.

In the end, it's going to be a picture that has been tattooed by countless other artists onto countless people years and years before you were born. Even my most creative colleagues are still tattooing the same imagery that's been done by mankind since cave drawings. If there's a story to your tattoos, then that's awesome. However, sometimes people get tattooed simply because tattoos look cool. I don't live on a TV show. I'm not looking for that one epic and emotionally moving story to get ratings to increase the number of ad dollars I can seek out of sister companies with similar vested interests. I'm just trying to get a good-looking tattoo. For example, tigers can represent fearlessness, or royalty, or perseverance, or whatever, and that's cool, but it's still a bad ass looking animal that makes for a great tattoo. That's why my back has a giant tiger on it. But thank God these things are only kind of permanent, because some of those things that meant the world to me a decade ago (that I couldn't wait to get tattooed), are starting to look pretty busted.

With that said, take your own time thinking about the imagery that you'd have tattooed. It could be a few days or a few years...even a few seconds. Either way my goal as a tattoo artist is that you’ll love your tattoo even if it doesn’t have a great story. 

  About Jason Anthony:

  Hey everyone! My name is Tatum, I'm 18 years old, and a dancer for thePhoenix Suns. I'm young, and yet, depending on Delete—Tattoo Removal & Laser Salon already. I am a real example of why you're supposed to wait until you're 18 to get your first tattoo. Ha! I was 15 when I got my first tattoo. I was in Newport for New Years and managed to snag my older sister’s ID. I got a simple crescent moon tattooed on my left forearm that I absolutely adored and still do. My second tattoo is the holy grail of tattoo horror stories. I was 15 years old and under the very silly impression that I was in love. Yes, you see where this is going! I had the word "Endlessly" sprawled out across my right hip for LIFE. It turns out that endlessly in fact does end but the ink in your skin still remains!  My third tattoo was a tribute to my mom. Her signature lays across my right arm, right above the crease where my elbow is. I was 16 and still in that "tattoos make me cool!" phase and adoring my ink. Don't get me wrong; I adore my crescent moon and my mother’s signature; they are extremely meaningful tattoos to me.  And frankly, I still think tattoos make you cool! Haha! But my advice to my younger self and all of you readers: Try playing with hair color, makeup, or ANYTHING that isn't permanently embedded in your skin. Contrary to my belief, your mind does change, especially between the very formative ages of 15 to 18. At the age of 17, about to turn 18, I started putting a lot of thought into my future and began plans to try out for my dream job as a “Suns Dancer”! In my dream world, I would become a Suns Dancer and marry my dream man. Now that I really am a Suns Dancer, all I see I in this dream is myself covering up my tattoos!  Tattoos can’t show on the court and nor do I want them to show in my future wedding photos, (I know, I'm such a girl)! Many of you may be asking why did I even get the tattoos in the first place then? The answer is simple; I was a teenager! Now, the thought of my future husband looking at my "Endlessly" tattoo mistake makes me cringe. So, I turned to Delete Tattoo Removal for help. The first time I went to Delete, I was embarrassed. That barely 18, I need to have a laser used on my skin. Ugh! I can remember meeting Dr. Mundt for the first time and being blown away by her sweet and calming disposition. Delete was, and is completely free of judgment, and not to mention a safe and comfortable place to have my tattoos removed. The laser Delete uses is calibrated especially for my tattoos and the tattoo areas are even numbed before Dr. Mundt uses the laser! You really wouldn't think that anyone in their right mind would look forward to their tattoo removal appointments, but I can honestly say I do.  The fact that the process is practically pain-free is an added bonus. Delete has truly been a life... and a dream saver!

All of us at Delete Tattoo Removal & Laser Salon firmly believe in being the healthiest version of ourselves. In recognition of World Health Day we want to highlight not only this year's important WHO topic, but also some of our own tips on being healthy!

WHO’s main topics of discussion this year are vector and vector-borne diseases. These little organisms are more commonly found in places where drinking water and sanitation systems are problematic. Malaria and Dengue are the most deadly vector-borne diseases in the world. The presence of these and other vector and vector-borne diseases are showing up in places where they were previously unknown. There are now reports of Malaria and Dengue being in the United States. Florida and Puerto Rico have been hit the hardest, with over 20,000 cases being reported. We can focus our efforts at addressing these issues by donating our time and money toward organizations focused on improving health standards everywhere.

Donations can be made to the listed organizations by clicking on their names below:

- Donate to WHO

- Donate to the American Lyme Disease Foundation

- Donate to Malaria No More

 - Donate to Pan American and Health Education Foundation

Oftentimes, we find ourselves focused on things that either don't promote our own good health, or don't provide a healthy example for our family and friends. 

We’ve listed five actions that Deleter’s can take to help improve their overall health and possibly speed-up any tattoo removal process.

1. Fortify Your System

Give your immune system a boost of vitamins. We offer six customized Nutrient Infusions that can target and fortify your system with important vitamins and minerals to help boost, enhance, and replenish the nutrients your body's needs. 

2. Eat Healthy, Be Healthy

We read an article by Kathleen Squires from the Wall Street Journal recently on the benefits of some amazing foods that we as a society sometimes neglect. Here’s a list of some of those foods and their benefits.

- Avocados: Great source of monounsaturated fat. Contains potassium, vitamins C and K (which promote bone density), and folate. Folate is by far the most important nutrient, as it decreases breast cancer and colon-cancer risk.

- Grass-Fed Beef: The key words here are “Grass-Fed.” This type of meat contains more vitamin B and iron than corn-fed beef.

- Garlic: this pungent bulb is said to reduce your risk of breast and colon cancers, as well as being a great source of folate and sulfur (anticarcinogenics).

- Mushrooms: Fungi are more than just weird looking, they also contain minerals and vitamins B and D, which are vital to our health. Mushrooms are also said to help fight tumors of all kinds, as well as being an anti-inflammatory.

 3. Repair Your Skin

In addition to eating foods like mushrooms and avocados, which help to replenish your body, you can also use a treatment we provide called CIT (Collagen Induction Therapy). This treatment tightens, lifts, and rejuvenates skin by naturally stimulating collagen production. CIT is a holistic approach to skin therapy, and helps your tattoo removal process go more smoothly.

4. Remove Dead Skin Cells

Getting a microdermabrasion is not just for people who want to look younger, but also for those of us who have normal wear and tear on our skin. This facial treatment leaves your skin smoother, softer, and healthier!

5. Delete Harmful Inks

Many people don’t know that the FDA does not regulate the ingredients used in tattooing ink, so you may be shocked to find out that you could have a reaction to some colored inks. Reds, yellows, and glow-in-the-dark inks are the most harmful. These colors use mercury, cadmium, and plasticizers. Not all reds and yellows have these toxic ingredients, but a fair number of them do. The best way to reduce your risk of a possible reaction to harmful ink is just to ask before you get inked; and even if you still have that tattoo, we can help you Delete it!

6. Promote Awareness of Healthy Habits