D'Inked: A Tattoo Removal Documentary

D'Inked is a documentary about the culture and technology of tattooing and laser tattoo removal. While it is likely the desire to remove or change a tattoo dates as far back as tattooing itself, it remains a cultural trope throughout the world that - barring gruesome mutilation - tattoos are the definition of permanent. This film follows the 5-year journey of a man with a full-color half sleeve who after using cutting edge laser technology is able to literally remove his tattoo. Also featured in the film are several people who have started or completed the removal process with varying levels of success, including a man who attempted to home-remove a face tattoo with a soldering gun and a woman who's laser treatment produced blisters the size of kiwis. Interviews with dozens of tattoo artists and industry leaders in laser technology shine light on how the culture of tattooing has changed and become more socially accepted in the 21st century. With the ability to remove or change a tattoo being embraced most enthusiastically by the tattoo artists themselves with many using it as an opportunity to free up their limited canvas space. While laser removal costs more, hurts more and takes a lot longer to complete than getting a tattoo - it does give a second chance to those who did not think before they inked.