At Dr. TATTOFF, we’re seeing more patients seeking laser tattoo removal who are participants in the armed forces or interested in joining. It seems that the military is becoming more strict in what type of tattoos they allow. According to Jennifer L. Bean of The News-Sentinel,  ”Although getting a tattoo in the military was once almost a rite of passage, the armed forces now have new rules. For example, Marines cannot have tattoos on their head or neck or sleeve tattoos, which are large tattoos or groups of tattoos on the lower arm. Tattoos on the upper arm or the leg that are visible when wearing military-issued T-shirts and shorts are also prohibited. Military personnel already in the service and who have tattoos in those locations can keep them if they have documentation the tattoo existed before April 1, 2007. Army regulations prohibit tattoos on the head or face, except for permanent makeup such as eyebrows or fill-in lip color. Two years ago, the Army began allowing tattoos on the backs of hands and necks. Navy regulations are less restrictive, stating a tattoo that is “obscene, sexually explicit or advocates discrimination of any sort is prohibited.” Otherwise, it considers content, size and location of tattoos on a case-by-case basis.”

The above is also posted on Dr. Will Kirby’s laser tattoo removal blog.