Older generations used to warn that people shouldn’t get tattoos because they’re permanent and someone may one day regret getting them. However, these days tattoo removal is an option. Although painful, it works after a few sessions but can leave behind some scarring. Either way, 35-year-old Leandro De Souza has decided to undergo laser treatments to remove almost 2 decades worth of ink.
Leandro De Souza is a native of Brazil and a proud father. However, his divorce almost a decade ago proved to be almost more than he could handle. As a result, De Souza went down a path of partying. During this time he accumulated more than 170 tattoos but his first ink was at just 13 years old. “I did the first one when I was 13,” De Souza explained. “The first ones were very much about the idolatry of the time.” However, he’s recently set out on a religious path of Evangelicalism. As a result, he’s decided to undergo the laser tattoo removal process.
Facing Heartbreak
Leandro’s first tattoos were inspired by his favorite bands, such as Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, and Metallica. However, the majority of his tattoos were from a decade-long binge following his divorce. During that time, Leandro admittedly experimented with drugs like LSD, alcohol, and ecstasy.
Finding Motivation for Tattoo Removal
“I couldn’t stand the life I was living anymore. I was an attraction at (events I attended) and it felt like a circus animal.” He said regarding his decision for tattoo removal. De Souza was visiting a shelter almost a decade after his difficult divorce. This visit would change the course of his life. “The first step in everything in life is to accept that you can’t do it alone, that you are an addict, that you are a drug addict,” de Souza said. “And I managed to do that, I entered the municipal shelter in Bagé. Within a week, there was a lady who referred me and started to evangelize me.“
Turning a New Leaf
It’s been 2 years since De Souza changed his life and opted for tattoo removal. However, it’s a long process that will be more so for De Souza’s 170 tattoos. Moreover, he now spends his time speaking with “parents and children in homes that are in prisons.”
Leandro began the tattoo removal process with the help of a tattoo studio in Franco da Rocha, São Paulo, which heard about the exciting changes Leandro was making to turn his life around. He’s now been clean from alcohol for 3 years, and free of tobacco and other substances for a year. De Souza still has 6 more tattoo removal sessions before his ink is gone and his transformation, so far, is astonishing and awe-inspiring.
Tattoo Removal is a Modern Possibility
For many, getting a tattoo is inspired by the desire to express one’s creativity, treating their body like a canvas. However, others may regret their ink choices as they mature or their interests and relationship status change. Fortunately, tattoo removal is possible with advancing technology but there are a few side effects like tenderness, skin irritability, and even scarring.
Tattoo Removal Methods
Interestingly, tattoo removal comes with options. De Souza’s treatment, laser tattoo removal, uses lasers to “heat the ink particles,” breaking them down and making it “easier for your immune system to remove,” according to Cleveland Clinic. Laser tattoo removal sessions are scheduled about 3 months apart and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the size of the ink. This method does come with side effects that range from mild skin irritation to painful blisters, but each person responds differently to treatment.
Skin Removal for Tattoo Removal
Another option for tattoo removal is surgical excision. The medical procedure requires a surgeon, who will “cut out the skin that contains a tattoo.” Then they will “stitch your remaining skin together.” The procedure probably sounds intimidating but it’s only used for small tattoos, as cutting an entire back tattoo and then stitching it up would be unpleasant, dangerous, and seemingly impossible.
Meanwhile, dermabrasion and chemical peels are used to remove the outer layers of skin. Unfortunately, both can cause severe skin sensitivity, especially in sunlight. Therefore, understanding the risks and how to treat the skin properly as it heals is essential to your skin’s health and physical comfort.
Not Recommended by Professionals
Lastly, and possibly least popular and effective, are tattoo removal creams. They can be used at home and often take months or years to yield results. Furthermore, they contain acids that “irritate or damage your skin.” As such, they’re usually advised against by medical professionals.
Can Anyone Get Tattoo Removal
In short, yes. However, some things are worth noting when considering tattoo removal. Firstly, tattoo removal takes time and similar or repetitive steps to be effective, regardless of your chosen tattoo removal method. The reason for this is that a tattoo artist applies ink in layers of the skin, so layers have to be broken down which can’t happen in one sitting, otherwise you’ll suffer severe and irreversible skin damage. Ultimately, that would put your overall health and immunity at risk. Additionally, your skin needs time between sessions to “flush out the ink” so, it’s recommended to wait a few weeks or months between most tattoo removal options listed above.
Secondly, certain ink colors are easier to remove than others. For example, blue and black are easy to remove during laser tattoo removal because “they’re better at absorbing light.” Meanwhile, colors like red are difficult to remove because their “molecular composition” is more resistant to the treatment options.
An Alternative
Consider having them turned into something else, rather than removed. For instance, if you’re considering tattoo removal and the reason has nothing to do with necessity, for work, or because, like De Souza, you’re on a new path. Instead, you don’t like how it looks anymore, have separated from the person who inspired the tattoo, or have other interests. In this case, you might consider another visit to the tattoo shop to have them create something else by covering the existing tattoo. For many, this option may be more satisfying and less time-consuming.
GROWING PAINS” STAR KIRK CAMERON’S 31-YEAR MARRIAGE SECRETS REVEALED
Kirk Cameron was once a beloved Hollywood star, famous for his role in the 1980s hit TV show “Growing Pains.” He was a charming teenager who many girls admired.
But over time, Cameron’s image changed. He became very outspoken about his Christian faith and chose a different path from many of his former co-stars. His focus shifted from Hollywood fame to living a Christ-centered life with his wife, Chelsea Noble, and their six children.
Cameron and Noble have been married for 31 years. They have raised their kids in a home centered around their Christian beliefs. Cameron loves his wife deeply and is committed to her alone, refusing to kiss anyone else.
Many Hollywood celebrities think Kirk Cameron is too religious. They criticize and make fun of him because he openly shares his Christian faith.
Cameron’s recent acting and directing projects have strong Christian messages, which has made him less popular with some of his old fans. He himself has said:
“I’m kind of a Hollywood freak. I didn’t turn out like most people in this industry.”
Despite this, Cameron is well-loved by conservative Christians who appreciate his strong beliefs and the way he lives his life.
Before finding Christianity, Cameron was an atheist and his family didn’t go to church. One day, he went to church with a friend’s father and realized he was on a path to hell, which made him rethink his life.
Now 52, Cameron has made a vow to only kiss his wife, Chelsea Noble, and not any other women. His faith has deeply influenced his life, leading him to marry his “Growing Pains” co-star and build a family with her.
Kirk Cameron married his “Growing Pains” co-star Chelsea Noble after finding faith. They live in Los Angeles, close to the Hollywood sign, and have a big family.
The couple adopted four children: Jack, Isabella, Ahna, and Luke. They later had two biological children, Olivia and James. Chelsea Noble, who was adopted herself along with her brother, wanted to adopt before having biological kids so that their adopted children would know they were their first choice.
Noble says that, for her, there is no difference between her adopted and biological kids. She feels a special bond with all of them, which she believes comes from God. “It’s been an incredible journey,” she says. “You sort of forget who is adopted and who is not—it’s just your family.”
Cameron, who has a multi-racial family, wants to protect his children. He believes in using technology but advises families to set limits to ensure it doesn’t take over their lives.
Kirk Cameron, known for his role on “Growing Pains,” has become a strong advocate for family and marriage. After becoming a Christian, he married his “Growing Pains” co-star Chelsea Noble. The couple adopted four children and had two more together. Their adopted kids are Jack, Isabella, Ahna, and Luke, and their biological kids are Olivia and James.
Chelsea Noble shared that she was passionate about adoption because she and her brother were both adopted. She and Kirk wanted to adopt first so their adopted children would know they were their first choice. Noble feels deeply connected to all her kids, saying it doesn’t matter if they are adopted or biological; they are all her family.
Kirk and Chelsea have raised their kids in a Christ-centered home and have taught them to love and understand each other, emphasizing that families come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors.
Kirk is also focused on helping families navigate the challenges of living in a technology-driven world. He advises setting boundaries with technology to protect children and maintain strong family connections.
Their daughter Isabella once shared a heartfelt Instagram post, thanking her parents for adopting her and her siblings. She expressed her love for her family and her gratitude for their faith. Ahna, another daughter, praised Kirk on Father’s Day for his love of God and family.
Kirk and Chelsea married in 1991 after meeting on the set of “Growing Pains.” They have been strong advocates for marriages built on Christian principles, encouraging couples to focus on their own responsibilities and follow the guidance found in the Bible. Kirk believes many marital issues arise when spouses blame each other instead of addressing their own faults.
Kirk Cameron has shown his commitment to his marriage through both words and actions. In 2008, while promoting his movie “Fireproof,” Cameron was supposed to kiss an actress in a scene. However, he had made a vow not to kiss anyone other than his wife. To handle this, the filmmakers dressed his wife as the movie’s female lead and shot the scene in silhouette.
Cameron explained that when he kisses his wife behind the scenes, it feels like they are honoring their marriage. He chose “Fireproof” because it reflects his beliefs and his love for his wife.
Cameron and Chelsea Noble have been married for 31 years. In 2020, he shared a throwback picture from their 29th wedding anniversary and wrote, “So thankful that after 29 years and turning 50, Chelsea still hasn’t turned me in for a newer model! #grateful.”
Kirk and Chelsea see marriage as a sacred and precious thing. Despite the trend of divorces in modern society, they believe marriage should be cherished and celebrated.
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