VOA标准英语2012--Tattoo Removal Gains Popularity

Tattoo¹ Removal Gains Popularity

Tattoos² have become popular in the United States among younger age groups, and having one on your body no longer marks you as a rebel. In fact, so many people have been getting tattoos in the U.S. that a reverse trend is now emerging, tattoo removal.

David, who does not want to use his full name, says his large tattoo protected him in combat when he was deployed³ with the U.S. army in Iraq.

"It's just a double-headed eagle with a shield in the middle," he explained.

But today, David is the father of three young children - and like many others across the United States he's had a complete change of heart about his tattoo.

He went to a laser tattoo removal clinic in Washington to get rid of it -- for good.

"I didn't think that one day I was going to have kids and what they were going to think about it," he said. "I want to be a good role model for my children. And with my recent addition, I just had a newborn baby and I'd really like it if he never even saw it."

Ken⁴ Saler, who runs this laser center, says his typical client is a professional woman, who feels the tattoo she got during high school or college is holding back her career.

"Some are extremely emotional and they say 'This is the best day of my life. I've looked at this thing for 20 years. I've wanted it off. You can't imagine how much I've wanted it off,'" he explained.

According to the Pew Research Center, more than one in three Americans, between the ages of 18 and 40, have at least one tattoo. As they grow older, more and more of them are going to clinics to have their body art removed.

Clinics and training schools that specialize in laser tattoo removal say business is booming, doubling each year by some accounts.

Jennifer Bezdicek, an attorney in Washington, went to Ken to have a small tattoo of a heart and a rose removed from her ankle.

"I got this tattoo when I was 18," Bezdicek explained. "Wasn't the smartest decision I've ever made. It was not conducive⁵ to seeing clients or being in high profile places. So I just want to get rid of it altogether and not have to worry about it anymore."

New laser technology makes the procedure less painful and much more affordable⁶. The laser breaks up the particles of tattoo ink, until the pieces are small enough to be absorbed and removed by normal body processes. It takes several sessions for the tattoo to fade completely.

"I thought it was something I would want to have forever, but you don't always need to have an image on your body to portray⁷ who you are and how you feel. That should be something that's just inside of you," David noted⁸.

As more and more Americans like David come to regret their tattoos, clinics will be ready to zap away those images from the past.

1 tattoo   

n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于

参考例句：

• I've decided to get my tattoo removed.我已经决定去掉我身上的纹身。
• He had a tattoo on the back of his hand.他手背上刺有花纹。

2 tattoos   

n.文身( tattoo的名词复数 )；归营鼓；军队夜间表演操；连续有节奏的敲击声v.刺青，文身( tattoo的第三人称单数 )；连续有节奏地敲击；作连续有节奏的敲击

参考例句：

• His arms were covered in tattoos. 他的胳膊上刺满了花纹。
• His arms were covered in tattoos. 他的双臂刺满了纹身。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

4 ken   

n.视野，知识领域

参考例句：

• Such things are beyond my ken.我可不懂这些事。
• Abstract words are beyond the ken of children.抽象的言辞超出小孩所理解的范围.

5 conducive   

adj.有益的，有助的

参考例句：

• This is a more conducive atmosphere for studying.这样的氛围更有利于学习。
• Exercise is conducive to good health.体育锻炼有助于增强体质。

6 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。

7 portray   

v.描写，描述；画(人物、景象等)

参考例句：

• It is difficult to portray feelings in words.感情很难用言语来描写。
• Can you portray the best and worst aspects of this job?您能描述一下这份工作最好与最坏的方面吗？

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。