Study: Women more apt to remove tattoos

LUBBOCK, Texas, July 22 (UPI) -- Women are more likely than men to remove tattoos, possibly motivated by the social stigma and negative comments, U.S. researchers said.

Myrna L. Armstrong of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas, conducted a survey of 196 people who visited one of four dermatology clinics for tattoo removal in 2006.

The 66 men and 130 women -- average age 30 -- answered 127 questions and their responses were compared to those generated by a similar survey conducted in 1996.

In 2006, 44 percent of participants reported they got a tattoo to feel unique, 33 percent wanted to feel independent or 28 percent wanted to make life experiences stand out.

The main reasons listed for seeking tattoo removal included: 58 percent just decided to remove the tattoos; 57 percent suffered embarrassment; 38 percent had a lowered body image; 38 got a new job or career; 37 percent had problems with clothes; 25 percent experienced stigma; and 21 percent marked an occasion, such as a birthday, marriage or newly found independence.

The findings are published in the Archives of Dermatology.