Dr. H.L. Greenberg of Las Vegas Dermatology and tattoo artist Mario Barth of Starlight Tattoo in Las Vegas, are joining forces to create “Fresh Canvas.” This collaborative effort allows those who desire a new, more contemporary tattoo to replace their older faded ones. Mario is considered one of the leading tattoo artists in the country. His clientele includes Lenny Kravitz, Sylvester Stallone, Tommy Lee and Usher to name a few. He runs five tattoo studios including Mario Barth’s Starlight Tattoo at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas as well as his latest venture, Starlight Tattoo at the Mirage.
“It’s natural that Tattoo Artists see the skin as their canvas. If you have an old tattoo and you would like to get a better one as times have changed, you need a Fresh Canvas to begin again. This was the original thought behind our joining forces,” explains Barth. The process begins with Dr. Greenberg lightening the original tattoo to prepare for the newer ink. “It is essential that the tattoo artist talks to the removal specialist to remove or lighten specific areas only of the tattoo. So it actually becomes a collaboration of the doctor and the tattoo artist,” Barth continues.
This process allows Mario to create the newer tattoo over the lightened skin and allows for different colors and shades of the tattoo to look like they have been applied to fresh skin. “You need to be a little bit careful but if you let the skin heal properly before you start it’s as good as new,” he elaborates. The process can vary from person to person depending on the size and age of the original tattoo.
Tattoo lightening is accomplished with a tattoo removal laser. Different inks respond differently to the laser removal process. Black ink is the easiest color to remove and turquoise colors can be more difficult. Individual skin pigment characteristics will also determine just how quickly the skin responds to the laser. People who have lighter or more fair skin will see the lightening process occur more quickly than individuals with more darkly pigmented skin. Amateur and older tattoos will respond more quickly to the lightening process than newer more professionally applied ink. The location of the tattoo on the body is also a consideration. Skin in different locations varies in terms of sensitivity and thickness.
Dr. Greenberg and Mario Barth have overseen many successful lightening and reapplication procedures. They only see the demand for this service increasing as tattoos become more and more a part of mainstream American culture. About twenty three percent of Americans today have a tattoo and thirty two percent of people ages thirty to forty five have at least one, according to a study by the Pew Research Center.
Mario considers the collaboration a learning process. “I work to improve my tattooing skills on a daily basis and I am also learning from academics like Dr. Greenberg to have a better understanding of the skin before and after the removal process.” Dr. H. L. Greenberg can be contacted at Las Vegas Dermatology for a lightening consultation at 702-456-3120. His business website is: http://www.lasvegasdermatology.com. Mario Barth can be reached by calling Starlight Tattoo at 702-255-7827. His business website is: http://starlighttattoolasvegas.com/.