MOBILE, Ala. -- A tattoo can symbolize a pleasant memory or a painful one. Removing that reminder can hurt and leave scars, but a new procedure can painlessly remove your tattoo like a distant memory.

Once viewed as an anti-social activity, tattoos have evolved into a trendy fashion statement. A nationwide survey of young adults 18-39 showed 30 percent had tattoos -- up 300 percent since 1980.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Steven Martin said removal methods can cost up to $4,000 and can be painful. He said it involves different methods of sanding the skin where the doctor basically grinds the tattoo off -- that would be dermabrasion -- or might use CO2 laser where they're vaporized.

Both procedures leave scars but a new procedure, called the Aurora System, is less expensive, less painful and leaves no scars. Pulses of light penetrate the skin and treatment takes only seconds before the ink begins to break up.

Over time, the body's immune system expels the fragmented ink.

Removing a tattoo with Aurora takes up to 12 treatments with each treatment six weeks apart. The cost is between $1,000 to $2,000. Viewers wanting more information on this story can contact Dr. Steven Martin at (251) 344-7474.

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