Laser Tattoo Removal: A New Tool for Hospital-based Violence Prevention?
Autor: | Kazuhide Matsushima, Demetrios Demetriades, Briah Fischer, Damon Clark, Irene Meza Sanchez, Christopher P. Foran, Kenji Inaba, Torey Alling, Reynold Henry |
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Rok vydání: | 2020 |
Předmět: |
Adult
Male Adolescent Violence Peer Group 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Surveys and Questionnaires Humans Medicine 0505 law Social Identification Tattooing business.industry 05 social sciences 030208 emergency & critical care medicine Tattoo removal General Medicine Hospital based Middle Aged medicine.disease Juvenile Delinquency 050501 criminology Female Laser Therapy Medical emergency business |
Zdroj: | The American Surgeon. 86:1337-1344 |
ISSN: | 1555-9823 0003-1348 |
Popis: | Introduction Gang-related tattoos may increase an individual’s risk for violent victimization. We present our early experience using a physician-staffed tattoo removal initiative as 1 component of a violence prevention program. Methods Surgeons from our trauma department in partnership with a community advocacy group performed voluntary laser tattoo removal for individuals within our catchment area. Clients were asked to complete a voluntary, anonymous survey. This survey addressed tattoo acquisition, identified motives and goals for tattoo removal, and reported if those goals were met by the tattoo removal service. Issues involving gang affiliation and interpersonal violence were specifically queried. Results are listed as simple percentages. Results 81 of 122 (66%) program enrollees completed the survey. The average number of laser removal sessions at the time of questionnaire was 3 (range 1-15). 41% of respondents possessed gang or “crew” related tattoos. 22% of respondents possessed a tattoo related to an intimate partner who was gang affiliated. 21% of respondents desired tattoo removal for the motive of leaving gang affiliation with 94% of those respondents reporting success. 59% of respondents sought tattoo removal to improve employment opportunities with 81% of those respondents reporting success. 30% of respondents desired tattoo removal to improve personal safety or avoid violence with 80% of those respondents reporting success. Conclusion Stated client goals for tattoo removal and their subjective reports of success achieving these goals demonstrate the possible effectiveness of laser tattoo removal as a tool to help clients avoid future violence and progress toward gang disengagement. Trauma departments should consider laser tattoo removal as part of future violence prevention initiatives. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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