(Jamaica Gleaner) What works when you are a teenager might not be acceptable in the working world or as you grow older.
That is the sentiment echoed by various dermatologists who revealed that there has been an increase in the number of persons wanting to remove tattoos.
Dr Patricia Dunwell, consultant dermatologist, told The Gleaner that in addition to persons coming forward to remove tattoos, many schools are sending students for treatment as visible tattoos are prohibited.
“Persons are having regrets but, in addition to that, there has been an increase in the number of schools sending in students to get tattoos removed because they are not accepting it. One is under treatment as we speak,” Dunwell told The Gleaner.
“It takes a long time to be removed, so it’s certainly not a case where they are kicked out of school. Once it has started and the doctor gives a commitment, then the principals are fine with that, but schools are adamant that visible tattoos will not be accepted,” she explained.
Dunwell also pointed out that persons wanting to be a part of specific professions are coming forward to remove artwork on their bodies.
“Particularly, persons in the army, among other professions, are actually coming in for treatment and, generally, persons are living with regrets,” said the dermatologist.
She added: “It’s something to think about because it’s a very expensive venture in getting it removed and in cases where a keloid develops, the area becomes very ugly. It has become a fashionable trend, especially among young people, but from what I have seen, persons usually end up wanting to remove them.”
Dermatologist Dr Dian Robinson voiced similar concerns, pointing out she receives calls every day.
“For the past three years, enquiries are made daily asking if we do tattoo removal, but we actually don’t have the laser for that. The number of calls I have received have me wondering sometimes if I should start it. I know I can attest to the fact though that I get at least one call every day asking if we do tattoo removal,” she told The Gleaner.
For Earl Jarrett, general manager of Jamaica National Building Society, it is something that will be thought about seriously.
“It is something that we have not developed a policy for because I don’t remember seeing anyone with anything visible, but it is certainly something we are going to think about because customers might, in fact, find it offensive and they come first,” Jarrett declared.
Similarly, Audrey Williams, corporate communications officer at the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS), said while there is not a policy, employees are expected to be professional.
“While JPS does not have a written policy on wearing tattoos, we do expect our employees to use their discretion in how they present themselves and, by extension, the company both in terms of dress and any type of accessory,” she responded in an email.
“In terms of the recruitment of individuals, the company stated terms of reference are the person’s qualification, ability to perform the task along with a range of other important qualities,” she continued.
Wayne Chen, former president of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF), cautioned persons to count the cost of their actions.
“There are some companies where the whole issue of grooming is important. We find that people tattoo guns to themselves among other slogans that might not be appropriate for work, so it is something that will have to be looked at on a case-by-case basis,” he said.
“There are others that are quite tasteful and would not pose a problem but one has to remember that the employees are the face of your business and especially in cases where you deal with clients and customers, I would assume that serious considerations are taken,” said Chen.
He further stated: “You can’t take away from an employer the right to determine the sort of image they would want to portray and certainly the staff would have to conform to that image.”
