SkinCare Physicians is pleased to participate in the New Beginnings Tattoo Removal Program. While president of the American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS), Dr. Jeffrey Dover of SkinCare Physicians and his colleagues at the union started it New Beginnings Programa national charity campaign offering radiation free mark (tattoo) removal for cancer patients and more recently a brand of tattoo removal for sex trafficking survivors.
Cancer patients undergoing radiation treatments are usually “marked” with 3-4 small tattoo marks on the skin. Marking ensures that the radiation therapist places the radiation therapy machine in exactly the same position each time. Skin tags are permanent unless they are laser removed after all treatments have been performed.
Sex traffickers sometimes tattoo their victims as a way of dehumanizing their victims and labeling them as their “property”.
Using ultrashort pulsed laser, a series of easily tolerated treatments are performed every 6 to 8 weeks until the radiation marks or brand tattoos are significantly lightened. In many cases they clean completely.
Over 117 ASLMS board-certified members, including several dermatologists at SkinCare Physicians, have volunteered to remove free radiation scars for cancer survivors and name tattoos for sex-trafficking victims so they can get the fresh start they deserve . And hundreds of patients across the country have benefited from the program since its inception.
“SkinCare Physicians’ state-of-the-art laser devices enable us to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and sex-trafficking survivors,” explains Dr. Jeffrey Dover, its founder New Beginnings Program. “We are proud to offer this wonderful pro bono service. This is one small way we can use our expertise to provide some comfort to those who have suffered from cancer or whose lives have been turned upside down by sex traffickers.”
Patients wishing to take advantage of this very special offer should contact SkinCare Physicians to schedule an appointment at 617-731-1600 or online. Cancer patients must provide an official letter from their oncologist or radiologist authorizing the removal of any radiation marks. Survivors of sex trafficking must have completed or are actively participating in a recovery program or recovery support group associated with National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance. We will need documentation from the case manager stating that they are at a safe and appropriate stage of recovery to undergo tattoo removal.
Learn more about it New Beginnings Tattoo Removal Program.
This blog was originally published on May 12, 2016.
