Characterizing the Impact and Outcomes of Tattoo Removal on Recently Incarcerated and Gang Affiliated Individuals

Objective: To investigate the impact of tattoo removal on recently incarcerated and gang affiliated individuals and their attainment of higher education, employment, mental health, and personal relationships.Methods: We performed a survey and semi-structured interview on clients of Homeboy Industries' tattoo removal clinic in Los Angeles, California, from August 2022 -May 2024 with at least one tattoo removal.Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and Chi-squared.Interviews were coded through an inductive method.Results: Following tattoo removal, clients reported improvements in their financial situation, educational pursuits, mental health, interpersonal relationships, and safety from law enforcement and gang related violence.Conclusion: Our study is an important step in understanding how tattoo removal can facilitate the societal reintegration and gang disengagement of this vulnerable population, highlighting the importance of cost-efficient tattoo removal.Affordability of and access to tattoo removal pose significant barriers to the formerly gang affiliated and carceral population who seek this service to aid in their reassimilation into society.