An article titled, “Motivation for Contemporary Tattoo Removal; A Shift in Identity” was released in the  July, 2008 issue of the Archives of Dermatology.  The study surveyed 196 tattooed patients presenting for laser tattoo removal from 2005-2006.  Comparison was made to a similar survey in 1996.

The study made several interesting observations.  It noted that the study subjects had more tattoos than in the 1996 survey (2.8 vs. 2.0) and were older when they presented for tattoo removal.  The mean waiting time for removal also shortened from 14 to 10 years.

In the first study, men outnumbered women, but it was the other way around in 2006.  Women reported more feelings of social stigma and negative comments associated with the tattoo as well as much higher reports of “hiding the tattoo” as a reason for removal.  Women in the study were also pierced more often than men (70% vs. 33%).

The survey appears to reflect general observations that can be made about changes in our society.  It seems that increased risk-taking behavior, such as tattooing, especially when it conflicts with societal expectations of one’s gender is more harshly punished in women than in men.  This may be reflected by the greater number of women getting tattoos and likewise greater number changing their minds later and wanting them removed.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 at 9:17 pm and is filed under Laser tattoo removal, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.