[Closed] Tattoo removal

Some friends have, they tell me it's more expensive and hurts a lot more than getting it done in the first place.

Get a decent cover tattoo as an option?

yes. hurts like nothing you can possibly imagine. works - but leaves a bit of damage. I gave up on mine after 4 sessions because of the damage it was doing to my skin (I'm white but fairly dark skinned and it was growing back without much pigment). 7 years later and there's just a smudge there and a few faint lines, so I don't even notice it any more. That one was all black, other colours might not be so easy to get off. Did I mention how much it hurts?

Much like tattooists there are both very responsible and competent laser removal specialists (often tattooist themselves) and then there are the cheap and nasty Scratcher equivalents.

Many places with offer a free patch test. Depending on where in the UK you are One Shot Charlie's in the West Mids does removals with free patch testing.

Some friends have, they tell me it's more expensive and hurts a lot more than getting it done in the first place.

Get a decent cover tattoo as an option?

Not an really an option 😕

[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5726/23744837461_a0d575cbfb_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5726/23744837461_a0d575cbfb_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/CbfuVk ]Dot dot[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/90489422@N06/ ]Alpine160[/url], on Flickr

They stand out more in winter. I had an interview for a promotion last week and during the interview I noticed the CEO looking at my hand. Feed back from the interview was that my hand was a concern. I have a sleeve on my right arm that they don`t care about just the hand

chop your hand off? or keep it in your pocket whilst maintaining eye contact at all times?

Yep I'm in the process of getting one removed. It's painful, more painful than having one done. I'm on session no.5 and although it's faded, it's not disappearing as quickly as I'd like. I'm going to give it another few sessions and if there's no marked improvement then I might start looking into have it covered over.

those dots on your knuckles are the problem? they will be gone in no time.

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Yup , had a dragon that went round my forearm and a large shaded horse off the other removed - THE MOST PAINFUL procedure ive every had - 9 sessions in total , months apart to allow full healing with plenty of e45 applied for weeks before each session . Only light scarring now that just shows went I get a sun tan .
I can recommend the New Life laser clinic in Wolverhampton , very professional and very knowledgeable.

Burn your knuckles so it blisters. Pick the scabs and the ink comes out. Painful but cheaper than laser.

The real issue is your employer, I'm not a fan of tattoos but frankly telling an employee that a promotion hinges on those dots is very poor IMHO.

The real issue is your employer, I'm not a fan of tattoos but frankly telling an employee that a promotion hinges on those dots is very poor IMHO.

Don't you think it says a lot about a person that they would be mindless enough to self-inflict tattooed dots on their knuckles??

No offense AST, but your experiences with your potential employer are EXACTLY why it's such a dumb idea to do something like this.

Getting all hoity about narrow-minded employers like the beautifully appropriately named "Leftyboy" won't pay the mortgage!

Good luck with the removal...

Don't you think it says a lot about a person that they would be mindless enough to self-inflict tattooed dots on their knuckles??

Getting all hoity about narrow-minded employers like the beautifully appropriately named "Leftyboy" won't pay the mortgage!

Are you using a different login? Seem to remember someone else with a very similar view point.

Everyone has done things that they may later come to regret. IMHO it very much depends on the position that the OP is aspiring to as to whether the tattoos may be a drawback. If he is dealing with customers to whom tattoos are a problem, for example gatsby, then it is probably inappropriate to appoint him. If the role is not particularly customer facing then I don't really see a problem.

@gatsby Nice response,

the beautifully appropriately named "Leftyboy"

I guess the OP did this when he was much younger and I for one have done stuff In my youth I've regretted but I'm old enough and wise enough to have moved on.

A tattoo doesn't define the person, narrow mindedness perhaps does.

Utter hogwash. I wouldn't employ someone with self-inflicted tattoes across his knuckles, simple because, at some point in his life, he was stupid enough to make a ridiculous error of judgement and injure/deface him self in the most moronic fashion! You can't even blame a misguided notion of aesthetics, or some sort of hackneyed commemorative gesture; this is just idiocy.
Again, no offence to the the OP - you've clearly now seen the error of your ways, but what on earth possessed you to do that in the first place?

What do you think "Leftyboy" means? It's my STW name because I rode a Lefty fork way back when they were first out.

I understand exactly why you go by the name Leftyboy, which is why I pointed out the irony of you spouting such lefty nonsense. Do keep up...

"but what on earth possessed you to do that in the first place? "

Its one dot for every narrow minded self righteous forum warrior he has killed.
I think 😀

"Leftyboy"

[img] [/img]

🙂

Utter hogwash. [b]I[/b] wouldn't employ someone with self-inflicted tattoes across his knuckles

You are absolutely correct in this and you should be commended in your stance, I wonder how many able, knowledgeable and talented staff you've refused employment too simply on the basis of them being inked. Your business, your choice and ultimately your loss.

I can tell you exactly... I keep a tally of them by tattooing a dot on my knuckles for every one. 😉

understand exactly why you go by the name Leftyboy, which is why I pointed out the irony of you spouting such lefty nonsense.

I assume from the above that you lean to the right.

So a man with 4 dots on his knuckles cannot better himself yet a man who shagged a pig's head is fit to be PM? A man who allegedly took cocaine and consorted with prostitutes is fit to be chancellor?

#edit - You really do sound like someone who previously posted. Ran a printing business in the north west I think.

They've got my vote... At least they weren't stupid enough to tattoo themselves!

You can get as upset as you like about potential employers judging people based on their tattoo's but that would just be ignoring reality. In many roles initial impressions do matter, so looking professional will help both in getting the job and when first meeting customers. It'd be nice if that wasn't the case but it is, so if you want those sorts of jobs then consideration does need to be given to conforming with the mainstream.

One of my nephews is complaining about not being able to get a decent job but doesn't help himself by going with a hairy, unwashed, leather clad Goth look. I suspect if he cut his hair, shaved and wore business clothes then it'd increase his changes of getting the jobs he applies for.

Very well put Steve. I wouldn't even consider employing anyone that couldn't present a professional, approachable and respectable public image.

So no tats, 'flesh tubes', visible piercings other than ears on ladies, no obese, no ugly, no sinister-looking, or those with a propensity for excess perspiration, no goths, no shifty people, or those with a predominantly melancholy countenance. Oh, and no Scottish and/or ginger.

Seems to be working rather well for me...

Same tattoo as Orwell.

They've got my vote... At least they weren't stupid enough to tattoo themselves!

I think all you tattoo-huggers are missing the point. Self-inflicted knuckle tattoos are NOT art, they are not symbolic or esoteric, the only 'symbolism' they could possibly claim would be to show that the owner is 'a bit of a thug'.

[b]the only[/b] 'symbolism' they could possibly claim would be to show that the owner is 'a bit of a thug'.

I understand exactly why you go by the name Leftyboy, which is why I pointed out the irony of you spouting such lefty nonsense. Do keep up...

Bloody happy to stand up and be counted at least I didn't vote for the present government who think fairness means giving to the rich and forget the poor!

Bloody happy to stand up and be counted at least I didn't vote for the present government who think fairness means giving to the rich and forget the poor!

As I said, beautifully appropriately named... How ironic. 🙄

Not going to bother to reply any more after this to this obvious troll 🙂

Shibboleth lives!!!! 😈

And **** of the week goes to.......

So no tats, 'flesh tubes', visible piercings other than ears on ladies, no obese, no ugly, no sinister-looking, or those with a propensity for excess perspiration, no goths, no shifty people, or those with a predominantly melancholy countenance. Oh, and no Scottish and/or ginger.

Wow, you are a complete gentleman, you must have the ladies flocking to you

Can't report any problems on that score Chubster... :p

The last bellend to troll like this was some fat cry baby called Adam G. He soon ****ed off when he realised what people thought about him!

they've got my vote... At least they weren't stupid enough to tattoo themselves

Didn't Winston Churchill have a tattoo ? (And his mother did too)

The last bellend to troll like this was some fat cry baby called Adam G. He soon **** off when he realised what people thought about him!

Was that Shibboleth?

[img] [/img]

I dunno Njee. Possibly, although I can't remember anyone as bad as Adam G. It wasn't that he was a troll, just a nobhead.

gatsby - Member
A tattoo doesn't define the person, narrow mindedness perhaps does.
Utter hogwash. I wouldn't employ someone with self-inflicted tattoes across his knuckles, simple because, at some point in his life, he was stupid enough to make a ridiculous error of judgement and injure/deface him self in the most moronic fashion! You can't even blame a misguided notion of aesthetics, or some sort of hackneyed commemorative gesture; this is just idiocy.
Again, no offence to the the OP - you've clearly now seen the error of your ways, but what on earth possessed you to do that in the first place?

You really are a pompous, sanctimonious, posturing, self-opinionated snob. I truly pity any poor soul who has the misfortune to find themselves with you as their boss.
I find myself overwhelmed by the desire to punch you in the face, just to remove the smug, self-satisfied sneer.
It's probably a good thing you're highly unlikely to find yourself hospitalised in North Wiltshire, otherwise you might find yourself in the care of my quite heavily tattooed sister-in-law, who's a highly experienced anaesthetist.

He's too busy riding everywhere at 20mph to care CZ! 😆

Wow, just had a glance to see if anybody else had posted

Thanks for the positive posts, I will look into getting them removed.
I am well aware of what the dots on my knuckles look like and what sort of person usually has them. I did them when I was twelve. Second double period of art at the high school. Teacher didn't turn up and there was a big plastic bottle of Indian ink. A couple of the boys in the class lived at a care home and showed us how to do it.I can remember doing them as did most of the boys in the class. Stupid thing thing to do as I probably only did so to join in but I have done lots of stupid thing when I have been older a new better. Leaving school and then home at 16 have affected me way more than a bit of ink.
We had to do PE with out tops of at school and it was quite a site with names and crosses and other shit tattoos on show every week.

But my employer didn't judge enough to not give me the promotion they just mentioned it wasn't perfect. This is why I considered getting them removed. I agree that they don't sit well with my new role as most people think thug, borstal or prison when they see them. In a meeting they don't know me and I am not going to have a card to hand out saying who and what I am.

I guess whilst a few of us were getting home made tattoos at 12 to bond with the care home kids, gatsby was busy getting bummed by prefects

both activities are regretful and foolhardy, and both activities have repercussions that last into adulthood..
at least we can get our tattoos removed 🙂

Should the CEO have a copper in his/hers family I'm not surprised that he/she wasn't overly happy about the tat considering its meaning.

I don't think that OP would need many sessions to get rid off those dots, black ink apparently is one of the easiest to remove. All depends on the wavelengths.
Alternatively, a bit of a road rash should solve the problem 😈

@alexST: Good luck and I hope you'll get promoted soon!

I had something similar and it took six sessions, each a month apart, for them to be totally removed, cost around 200 quid, worth every penny. It started to fade after the first session. I now don't sit at meetings and social events with my hand covered and have to make covering statements about being 13 and stupid, etc..
Get it done, make an appointment now.

Pain wise it's like being ****ted with an elastic band, repeatedly in the same spot for 15 minutes, twice a second

I think it hurts more than getting the tattoo in the first place, 4 sessions in.

You really are a pompous, sanctimonious, posturing, self-opinionated snob. I truly pity any poor soul who has the misfortune to find themselves with you as their boss.
I find myself overwhelmed by the desire to punch you in the face, just to remove the smug, self-satisfied sneer.
It's probably a good thing you're highly unlikely to find yourself hospitalised in North Wiltshire, otherwise you might find yourself in the care of my quite heavily tattooed sister-in-law, who's a highly experienced anaesthetist.

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There's a lax in his early 20s at work, looks a bit chavvy, conspicuous colourful neck and hand tattoos. He's sharp, articulate and damn good at his analyst job. Pleasure to work with and an asset to the project, tats and all.

Wire brush and petrol will remove tattoos.

I had one removed with a skin graft.

The problem with tattoos is that they are a choice, unlike your sex/colour/race etc so it's unlikely there is ever going to be some sort of law that protects people who have had them from "discrimination". So I would say that, as its a choice much in the same way as what you chose to wear for the interview, it's perfectly acceptable to form an opinion on whether you think that person is suitable for the job. So when you decide to have one done you have to accept that it's going to change things for you. Most people as adults recognise this and get them so they are hidden when in normal work attire. The problem arises when you change your lifestyle and the tattoo which was ok before becomes a potential issues.

However, As we all know, tattoos can be very very different. A well done artistic tattoo from a professional says different things than crappy self done or poor quality ones.

I used to have a proper punk hair do - big spikes, shaved sides, bright blue colour. Loved it even though it took me a while in the morning to sort out! My current work has no problem with me doing it again if I wanted but I realised that the initial reaction I would get when I would go and inspect places for the regulatory role I do would make my job many times more difficult I decided not to bother. I was being selfish in the other way to the people who say "tattoos are ok, everyone should just accept them" - I can think from another persons point of view! Having more normal hair makes my job easier.

Good luck to all those people who either have a tattoo or are deciding to get one removed - maybe the people who are getting one need to have a chat with the people who have had one removed first before they make their final decision!! 😉

Can't say having tattoos has held me back in my career thus far but I can see why some employers wouldn't like it for something higher up in management etc. Luckily I work in a creative industry which tends to be a bit more open minded and I very rarely have to face clients so it doesn't matter. I wouldn't go further than the wrist or neck though as there are far too many judgmental pricks about.

Shibboleth! That's the ****. Was Adam G the same person too? Seem to remember one of them having a hissy fit when someone linked to his company website during one of his epic "Me. Me. Me." trolling sessions.

Oh and Count Zero, just so you know that I am available for coat holding duties.

It's because it looks rough and low class.

Not really an image we wish to portray...

End of.

(That's what happened to an old Uni friend at JP Morgan. Who is a nice guy really but looks like a yob.)

I thought it was becoming more acceptable but still wouldn't get one for the above reason.

Interesting that the OP shares some of the anti tattoo concerns expressed as the issue is not whether it's right to prejudge but that [i]some [/i] people do. I've mates with tattoos who totally contradict the negative views but we live in a judgemental world on lots of levels so fair play whether you adapt or stand your ground. Your choice.

we live in a judgemental world on lots of levels so fair play whether you adapt or stand your ground

Pretty much this..

If you choose to get a visible tatoo, then you have to acknowledge that you are going to limit your job options further down the line.

For example I wouldn't employ someone with a neck or knuckle tatoo into one of our customer facing roles. Not because I'm judging them as a person, but because I know there are plenty of people who they may come into contact with who would.

Unfortunately stereotypes exist, and if you want to run a business successfully you can't ignore that fact, regardless of your personal feelings.

How strange that someone should come on this forum to share his experiences of how his borstal dots have impeded his career progress only to find the over-entitled sit-down-pissers of STW trying to turn the thread into a left-wing right-on-athon! The man has had first-hand experience of why it's better not to have tats like this, and is trying to do something about it - probably one of the better decisions he's ever made, and as I said before, good luck with the removal!

Appearances count for an awful lot, and the overwhelming majority of people, whether they care to admit it or not (or even if they're conscious of the fact) make judgements on people based on how they look. If a person carries a physical marker that suggests they may not be an upstanding, law-abiding pillar of the community, they will form a judgement on that basis. Any businessman who fails to understand this, or chooses to make a stand against it, is quite frankly, a complete idiot!

It doesn't matter if the owner is a bona-fide wrong-un or just some immature pillock trying to impress the ruffians in his class. The damage has been done at the very first glance.

Sure, in certain market sectors, the right sort of tattoos might help portray an image and strengthen a brand, but for every hipster barista with bang-up-to-date ink, there's someone who didn't get the job because his 1990s tribal sleeve and Chinese takeaway menu just doesn't fit the company image.

In 10-15 years time, that hipster will probably be wondering why the best job he ever had was serving skinny lattes for minimum wage plus tips!

CountZero
I find myself overwhelmed by the desire to punch you in the face, just to remove the smug, self-satisfied sneer.

Comments like this reinforce my opinion about people who support tattoos and who are too thick to recognise how and why they will impede career prospects. I also find it rather worrying that you feel compelled to make implied threats of physical violence to someone you've never met, simply because they share a perfectly valid opinion about tattoos! I think this suggests you have far bigger problems than any you might think I have.

It's probably a good thing you're highly unlikely to find yourself hospitalised in North Wiltshire, otherwise you might find yourself in the care of my quite heavily tattooed sister-in-law, who's a highly experienced anaesthetist.

And I wonder how your sister - or indeed Avon & Wiltshire NHS Trust - might feel at your suggestion that a highly trained medical professional might bring harm to someone or discriminate against them based on their beliefs and opinions.

I'd rather employ a tattooed person with a good work ethic than a narrow minded bigot who's likely to insult colleagues/customers who dare challenge their opinion.
As said earlier, tattoes can, at least, be removed if you so desire.

as mentioned, its maybe not right to pre-judge, but it happens, and its perfectly understandable for an employer to favour a smart, sharp-suited applicant over one with home made tattoos on their knuckles. wrong, but it happens, its a fact, and that can hinder your chances. chances that you need to try and maximise to put you above other applicants. and this is coming from a tattooed sad-ex-punk dealing with members of the public daily 😉

im surprised i havent seen this mentioned as a solution yet, but surely its worth looking at covering them cosmetically? i believe there are tattoo camouflage kits (probably just foundation or somethings?) but i cant believe itd take more than a couple of minutes to apply before work, certainly before an interview. surely itd be easy peasy over a couple of dots!! no pain either 😀

all the best OP.

EDIT: a quick google showed plenty on amazon between £10 and £30.

Just to be clear I DID get the promotion. As they had given me a chance on what is a massive leap in job responsibly and salary I thought about getting them removed. Not something I had really thought about before. The site I work at has a lot of creative types and I guess that's why there has never been an issue with the colourful arm.

Thanks again for all the positive posts

Shibboleth! That's the ****. Was Adam G the same person too?

And snigletrack iirc.

My enduring memories are of how remarkably clever he thought he was and how much he despised "poor people".

Still, he hasn't got any tattoos so perhaps we should judge him on that and not the fact that he's clearly a ****.

It wouldn't be a problem for me I must say.

When we needed a junior in the garage we gave the job to the only candidate that turned up in a suit. He was a useless ****ing waste of space dopehead.
Just goes to show that first appearances no matter how deceptive, count.

So I check and it turns out that Shibboleth got himself a lifetime ban due to his behaviour on another tattoo related thread :

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/stop-with-the-leg-tattoos-already/page/8#post-5935165

I thought the Shibboleth/tattoo threads were pretty amusing.

I think, in general (excluding the OP), the "tattooed" are easier to wind up than the non-tattooed. It's just a bit of ink FFS, don't take it so seriously.

[quote=njee20 ]The last bellend to troll like this was some fat cry baby called Adam G. He soon **** off when he realised what people thought about him!
Was that Shibboleth?

Well ernie got there first but yes serially banned for doing this on tattoo threads. Hard to say if it is really what he thinks or he knows it will get a reaction even harder to care what he thinks

I think the reference to Scots and ginger people on this thread shows that the principle motive is to wind people up. I suspect that he greatly enjoys the attention.

Link his business to this thread. That'll have him crying "Unfair" again.

Love the debate and differing opinions that STW offers but ****s like gatsby/shibboleth/adamg etc are just oxygen thieves.

*looks up Photocopier Sales & Service in the Yellow Pages*

Tomorrow at 10am I am booked for the first session of laser treatment. In a beauty salon, I will update with pictures if it is as sucsesfull as I expect it to be. I had to do a patch test last week and they took out a bit, shocked at how much came off with a few seconds of laser.

While you're there get a brazilian as a baseline for the pain level.

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I had tattoos on my fingers from when i was younger, i went for laser removal and couldnt do more than 2 sessions, it was agony and i have both arms fully sleeved which was a tickle in comparison

jimbo45 - Member
I had tattoos on my fingers from when i was younger, i went for laser removal and couldnt do more than 2 sessions, it was agony and i have both arms fully sleeved which was a tickle in comparison

Not suggesting your a big Jessie 😀 but I was genuinely shocked at how little pain there was. The last tattoo I had was joining the bits on my leg into a sock. Shin bone and behind the knee almost made my eyes water. I was expecting it to be quite brutal. So one session and it looks good so far.

[url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1616/24677139624_2fd2f4a3f8_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1616/24677139624_2fd2f4a3f8_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/DACMSy ]Bye[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/90489422@N06/ ]Alpine160[/url], on Flickr

I've dots on my knuckles, they aren't borstal dots that is a single dot under the eye. 4 dots on the knuckles stands for ACAB (all coppers are bastards). 🙂 The other classic 70's Indian ink tattoo is 3 dots in a triangle between your thumb & index finger meaning 'sign of madness'

Update picture, almost all gone. Cant beleive how much has come out. One more session in four weeks to take out the faintest of ink. If you look really close you can just notice it.
£28 Groupon bar[url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1686/25074403640_8be6beca50_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1686/25074403640_8be6beca50_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/EcJSC9 ]Bye byte[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/90489422@N06/ ]Alpine160[/url], on Flickrgain 😀