Posted at: 06/05/2009 10:25 PM
Updated at: 06/05/2009 10:32 PM
By: Cris Ornelas, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

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More job seekers getting tattoos removed

Laser tattoo removal

That includes removing something many thought would be with them the rest of their lives.

Many are afraid that a simple tattoo could keep them from getting a job, so many of them are making a date with a laser.

Dr. Lauren Chavez runs Clear Waves Laser Center and says a lot more people want to get rid of visible tattoos.

Chavez said Friday, "We seen just in the last couple of months… a really high increase in desire for tattoo removal on the hands, wrists, neck, face anywhere that's visible."

She said, "Some of them tell me that their hopefully future employer told them that they wouldn't hide them, because of the visible tattoo. Some employers have even offered to pay for it, which is awful surprising— and that was a local bank."

John Morrow is getting his tattoo of a tiger taken off his upper arm. He says he got it when he was 19 and now it’s not as cool as it once was.

"I’m in a different part of my life now and its good to have it gone," he said.

Some are having second thoughts on their ink almost immediately after it’s done.

"I have people here lately I can tell it's a new tattoo and they'll say yeah I just got it last weekend or got it a couple of months ago but now I gotta find another job and I know keeping from getting a job," Chavez said.

She warns people to be careful and do their research before choosing where to have their laser removal done. She says some companies are better than others.

"I just saw a gentleman a couple of days ago that went to a place for laser tattoo removal came in here and, unfortunately, had a huge scar from just a bad laser and bad treatment," she told Eyewitness News 4.

People who have the procedure done say it hurts more than getting the tattoo.

An average sized tattoo takes between six and 10 treatments at $200 a pop.