Tattoo Removal Changes Lives
Dr. Emily Rubenstein with help from Medical Assistant Paulette Smith uses the PicoSure Laser to remove a patient’s tattoo.
“Since her tattoo has been lightened, it is the first time in her life she feels free and in control. She told me that she will never have to look in the mirror and see that reminder of a life she wants to put behind her. She thanked us for giving her that moment of peace.”
-Reflections from a human trafficking survivor told to Kelley Zamora, Practice Manager
Branded, inked and forced to wear a symbol that signals she’s property, a human trafficking survivor emotionally showed a Swedish staff member her face and neck tattoos. She was ready to escape her past and thanks to Swedish Hospital’s Vanish the Ink program, was finally provided the opportunity. Donations made to the Foundation enabled Swedish Hospital to purchase a PicoSure Laser, an instrument that effectively and painlessly lightens or removes tattoos over the course of several treatments.
Although a full course of treatment can run thousands of dollars, Vanish the Ink provides safe and professional removal of unwanted ink free-of-charge to survivors of human trafficking who are referred to Swedish Hospital. While tattoo removal may seem straight-forward, to the human trafficked survivor, the procedures are often filled with emotion that can stir up memories of previous trauma. Dr. Emily Rubenstein, who performs these procedures, notes that she and her staff focus on creating a safe and nurturing environment for the patient/survivor. According to Dr. Rubenstein,
“One of the challenges we have experienced is recognizing the role trauma may have played in a patient’s life. We work with the Pathways [program] on education and creating an environment of emotional and physical safety from the beginning of the visit to the very end. We use the same staff when treating these patients so they establish a level of comfort and safety. We also treat them at a time of day when there are limited or no other patients present in the office.”
Established in 2021, the Vanish the Ink program has helped remove tattoos and change lives in the process. According to Kelley Zamora, one of her patients tried many times to have her tattoo removed but found it impossible due to her financial situation. The patient told Swedish staff that seeing her tattoo every day was a constant reminder of a horrible situation and made a huge impact on her life— especially since it was her mother who put it there when she was a young girl. Removing this tattoo gave her a sense of empowerment that she had never felt before. Even though she will always live with the mental scars, the visual scars were finally gone. Dr. Rubenstein, Physician Assistant Ankita Patel, and the dermatology staff are so passionate about helping these survivors shed their physical markings of abuse, that they provide their services pro-bono.
Upon reflection, Zamora admits that, “Vanishing the Ink has opened our eyes to the myths and misconceptions of trafficked persons-- trafficking effects all ages, sexes, and ethnicities. We feel blessed to be in a position to give a moment of peace to someone who may have lived a life of trauma. This program will allows us to give back to the community and make a difference in someone’s life.”
You too can make a profound impact on someone’s life by donating to the Pathways program or learning more about the program HERE. For all other questions, please contact the Foundation office at: SCHFoundation@schosp.org or 773.293.5121.