Potential Magazine Mar/Apr 2014 | Page 19

THINK BEYOND YOUR AGE RISKS & REGRETS health risks Unsanitary body modifications can result in serious health risks, including infections like staph or dermatitis, blood-borne diseases like hepatitis or tetanus, or even keloid, which is overgrown scar tissue. In past years, fragments of metal have been found in some tattoo ink, leading to complications during MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) tests and has resulted in skin cancer for some (higher incidence with red ink). real life regret Despite objections from his parents, King Brown decided to go to a friend’s house last February to get his first tattoo — a decision he almost instantly regretted. The ink on the cross design he chose quickly seeped beyond the design’s borders, leaving him with a permanent ink spot and a lot of disappointment. “Most people come in (for tattoo removal) because it they don’t like it. They got when they were 17 or they nt want to be in law enforceme or the military and have to have it removed.” - Dr. Marla Wohlman, M.D. Montgomery, Alabama removing regret According to Dr. Marla Wohlman, yellow and green ink are very difficult to remove, and depending on the size and amount of detail on the tattoo, the patient will need multiple treatments 4 to 8 weeks apart before the tattoo is completely gone. The cost for a laser removal procedure can vary depending on the size and could take anywhere from 5 to 50 minutes per treatment. Dr.Wohlman charges by the minute: $360 for 15 minutes, $600 for 30 minutes, or $700 for 45 minutes. www.potentialmagazine.com 14% OF AMERICANS HAVE A BODY PIERCING OTHER THAN EAR LOBES 19