Tattoo removal company seeks to ride a wave of millennial 'regretters'

Where some see a mark of regret, Soliton sees a market opportunity.

As more and more tattoo-bearing millennials age into their 30s, dermatologists are experiencing an uptick in tattoo regret syndrome. However, tattoo removal treatment has remained largely the same for decades, an expensive and painful procedure that can lead to varying degrees of success. Houston-based medical device company Soliton is betting its device will modernize the procedure and attract a whole new market of millennials.

Klemp says there are two distinct groups of tattoo owners his company targets: "regretters" and "considerrers." By making the tattoo removal process cheaper, faster and more comfortable, Klemp says he can flip the category of "considerrers" into following through on altering or removing a tattoo.

"We identified that there's a much bigger audience for tattoo removal procedures than what we call 'regretters.' This other group, this broader group is what we call 'considerers,' who are considering a tattoo removal," he said. "If you ask them whether they regret their tattoo, they're likely to say no, but they might say, 'I don't like this one anymore, or I'm not in love with this font anymore.' It's the people considering a change to one or more tattoos that turns out to be much bigger."

Klemp co-founded Soliton with Christopher Capelli while the two were working at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2012. With seed funding from the Hunt Petroleum family, the two invented their Rapid Acoustic Pulse, or RAP, Device in hopes that it will disrupt the industry that Klemp said has only seen incremental innovation over the past few decades.

Klemp estimates the tattoo removal industry to be worth billions, but of the more than 10,000 laser clinics that provide hair removal and skin treatments, fewer than 1,000 currently provide tattoo removal, according to laser product retailer Astanza laser. Meanwhile, the number of Americans with tattoos and those considering tattoo removal is on the rise, according to a 2015 Harris Poll survey. One in three Americans have a tattoo, the survey says, and half of all millennials have one. The survey adds that one in four tattoo owners experience tattoo regret.

One Houston-area dermatologist said about 30% of his business is tattoo removal and he's watched that figure grow every year as tattooed millennials age into their 30s.

The space is intensely competitive. Players in the tattoo removal industry include general medical device manufacturers such as Hologic-owned Cynosure, Cutera, Lumenis, Candela and Laserscope as well as some highly-specialized companies like Merz. Soliton plans to compete by providing a superior product, but warned investors this year that "competitive pressures may result in price reductions, reduced margins and loss of market share."

Soliton went public on the Nasdaq on February 19 this year, trading at $5.00 per share. It was last trading just under $11. A word of caution for investors, it's still a very small stock and they can be risky. Soliton's market value is just $182 million. Investors warmed on the stock following successful clinical trials and after their device received FDA approval for tattoo removal.

Executive managing director of Maxim Group Anthony Vendetti released a note earlier this month rating Soliton stock a buy and announcing a 12-month price target of $22 per share. He said Soliton is looking beyond tattoo removal at other applications like non-invasive cellulite treatment. Altogether, Soliton could be looking at a multi-billion dollar market, he said, but there's a long road ahead.

"[Soliton] is in the process of trying to commercialize it, building more prototypes, building enough systems that they can get in the hands of the key opinion leaders for feedback," Vendetti said in an interview. "It is a competitive industry, and also one that is very often disrupted by new technology and new strategies."

Despite the challenges presented by the industry, Klemp said he's betting that as Soliton's RAP device makes it easier and cheaper to alter tattoos, the growing group of "considerrers" will be swayed to commit to the procedure.

"More than half of the tattoo owners in the United States, close to 60%, would say 'I would consider changing one of my tattoos if I had the opportunity,'" Klemp said. "When we ask them why they're not acting on that, they give a somewhat predictable response: the current method is just not acceptable. It takes too long. There's too much pain involved. It's expensive. It's just something I don't want to go through."

The most popular tattoo removal procedure today is a laser treatment. A technician zaps the tattoo area to heat the ink particles in the skin and break them down into small enough sizes that the immune system can, over time, eliminate the tattoo naturally.

To remove a single tattoo, it can take up to 12 sessions spaced out over the course of two years for optimal results. Each treatment can cost between $100 and $400, depending on the size and location of the tattoo, and after each treatment, the tattoo area can be painful and needs to be regularly cleaned like an open wound.

Dr. Paul Friedman, director of the Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in Houston, says some tattoo owners are put off by the procedure.

"All the time, people come in for consultations and we explain the procedure, then we never see those people again," he said. "I've had also the reverse for people go to a non-clinic setting where there is not a physician performing the treatment, so they might end up with subpar results, they might end up with complications and there could be pain associated with the treatment."

Friedman said he's been seeing more and more millennials come in with tattoo regret. The reasons vary, he said, but often their tastes have simply changed and they'd like to update tattoos they got years ago. He hasn't used Soliton's RAP device, but often uses one of their primary competitors, Merz's PFD Patch.

The PFD Patch helped grow the market when it rolled out in 2016, he said, but the industry is due for a makeover.

Mother undergoing tattoo removal to end constant reminder of her baby's murderer

The owner of Tatt Cemetery, Lisa Herren, says the tattoo removal market is growing.

As more people have tattoos, many are looking to get them removed.

"Every tattoo has a story," says Herren, "It's either funny, they got drunk and got a tattoo... or it's something tied to a very emotional story."

A story she never expected to hear, is the story of baby Leon.

He was just one year and a few days old when he was murdered. His mother was left with a permanent reminder of the man who killed her son.

"It was a very different life," says Ashlyn Chehin. "He was someone I knew very well... I thought I knew very well."

They had matching tattoos marking their relationship and years-long friendship.

Chehin's mother, Jennifer Baldwin, says one night her daughter's close friend just "snapped," brutally killing the one-year-old.

"You relive it every single day and every single day you have to remind yourself that it did happen," Chehin says.

The marks on her fingers kept the memory alive, but now she's four sessions into getting them removed.

Since the day they met, Herren, Chehin and her mother have shared a close bond over the removal of a painful past.

Unlike her fading tattoos, Chehin says the memory "gets easier, but it doesn't ever fade."

© Copyright 2019 WBBH/WZVN (Waterman Broadcasting). All rights reserved.

Laser Welding With A Tattoo Removal Gun

Dating as far back as the early 1960's, researchers were zapping tattoo inks with laser light was an effective way to remove the markings from human skin. At the time it was prohibitively expensive. But the desire to have an undo-button for badge choices is strong, and thus the tattoo removal gun was born.

These days you can pick up one of these zappy, burn-y wonders for far less than a flagship cellphone put their high-power-output to alternative use. [Andrew] recently discovered that these devices can be readily repurposed into a laser welding tool with just a bit of work under the hood.

He first came across the technology via videos from [styropyro], whose work we've featured before. The tattoo removal gun features a YAG laser, which is pulsed to create a high power density. In initial testing, the p ulses were too short and of too high intensity to effectively weld with; instead, the pulses simply cratered the metal.

After delving in further, [Andrew] discovered that by removing the Q-switch optical component, the pulses from the laser could be lengthened. This reduces the power density, and allows the tool to weld various materials even on its lower power settings. Success was found welding steel, titanium, and other materials, though attempts to weld copper and silver faced little success. Test pieces included razor blades and small screws, which could easily be welded with the tool. Results of the razor blade welding is spectacular, with a high-quality welding bead achieved by taping the laser to a CNC mill for precise movement.

It could prove to be a useful tool for those experimenting with complex projects involving bonding metals at very fine scales. If you're pursuing something exotic yourself, we want to hear about it!

Tattoos that can be erased are here, and the tech startup that cracked it is raising millions more to launch its first parlors

Unsplash/Annie Spratt

A tech startup has developed an erasable tattoo ink that can be zapped away in a single removal session.

Inque is going after what it believes is a multi-billion-dollar market — people who want tattoos but choose not to get them because of a fear of permanency.

The company based in Lowell, Massachusetts, is raising early-stage funding with the goal of opening its first tattoo parlors in early fall 2020.

Click here for more BI Prime stories.

A tech startup wants to give you a tattoo you will never regret, in part, because the ink can be "turned off" instantaneously.

Inque is a venture-backed company that has developed an erasable tattoo ink. It's already tattooed about 3,300 volunteers over the last few years as part of product development, and is gearing up for its commercial debut sometime next year.

Inque is betting that while there are many tattooed Americans, the population that wants a tattoo but has chosen not to get inked accounts for a much bigger market.

Inque

About three in 10 Americans have at least one tattoo, roughly the same share of people with iPhones in the United States, according to an online survey by the Harris Poll in 2015. Tattoos are especially popular among the younger generations, it found. A rise in demand injected $1.7 billion into the U.S. tattoo market in 2019.

"There are people who want that tattoo but are frightened away out of a fear of permanence or a fear of safety," said Robb Osinski, chief executive of Inque's parent company, Bambu Global. "We have proven out that there is a latent market for people who want tattoos and have chosen not to get them for those reasons."

The company based in the unusual startup hamlet of Lowell, Massachusetts, has set out to raise early-stage venture funding with the goal of opening its first dozen tattoo parlors in early fall 2020. They will be scattered across the Boston, New York, and Philadelphia metro areas.

Inque had already closed $6 million in convertible debt financing from a group of unnamed angel investors in 2019.

Inque is not the first tattoo company to go after commitment-phobes.

Biomedical engineering students out of New York University developed a tattoo ink that fades and can be easily removed or changed. They said in old interviews that they expected to make the ink available by 2017, but their company, Ephemeral Tattoos, doesn't appear to have updated its website since that year.

How does it work?

Inque's tattoo ink doesn't fade, rather, it can be removed in a single session.

Inque

The ink is needled into the skin in the same method of traditional tattooing, but its molecular structure is different, Osinski claims. A low-power laser sends a specific wavelength of light to the ink particle, triggering a chemical reaction that makes the ink invisible. The process doesn't bombard and break apart the particles like conventional laser tattoo removal, which typically requires many sessions over months or years. The ink stays in place just under the skin but is turned off. This video shows it in action.

The tattoo business is invulnerable to the decline of brick-and-mortar retail

The plan is to open a dozen tattoo parlors across the Northeast where artists will use Inque's ink exclusively. Having its own studios will allow the company to control quality and technique, Osinski said. It's typical for tattoo artists to blend inks from different manufacturers to make new colors, but doing so would prevent Inque's ink from working, "which would ultimately bastardize the brand," he said.

Osinski, who said he is not tattooed, said the business isn't threatened by the closing of retail stores across America.

"People still have to go somewhere to get a tattoo," he said. "You can't do that online."

Still, the company's success could hinge on one factor: the artists it recruits.

People put their trust in artists to make permanent changes to their bodies. They often follow artists on social media before making a selection and return to artists they like for future sessions. Inque will still need to hire artists with a following or a brilliant portfolio to show it can deliver on skill and style as well as easy removal.

Regrettable tattoo? Robots with tiny lasers could soon erase the pain

They are the faded souvenirs of your questionable judgement, unbridled revelry, and/or dissolved relationships. But if you thought you'd be stuck with your bad tattoos forever—or face the pain and potential scarring of laser removal—take heart: A new robot-guided laser removal system being developed by the Brain Tool Laboratory at Duke aims to make the process quick and painless.

The Brain Tool Laboratory, which is housed within Duke Robotics, seems an unlikely birthplace for a tattoo removal system. Neurosurgeon Patrick Codd directs the lab, which primarily develops robot-guided laser surgical systems. Using preoperative MRIs as roadmaps, the systems can precisely scalpel away targeted tissue—or even vaporize it, if the chosen laser is powerful enough. But Weston Ross, who earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS) at Duke and who is now a postdoctoral scholar in the university's Department of Neurosurgery, said that targeting dermatological ailments, such as tattoo removal, has expanded how the lab's laser technology can be applied.

"With our robotic scalpel system, we can more precisely locate and treat the tattoos, without overshooting and damaging surrounding tissue, which happens too much with current handheld laser systems," said Ross.

With advanced imaging techniques, such as stereo vision, the system can precisely locate the tattoo's boundaries. A robot could then guide a laser along the trail of ink, bombarding it with light that disintegrates each ink molecule to be carried away in the bloodstream and disposed of as waste.

Though the Brain Tool Laboratory's system sounds similar to current laser removal techniques, it actually has a couple of huge advantages, according to Ross. For one thing, it is more targeted, which makes it less painful. "Currently, a dermatologist uses a handheld laser, moving it across the surface of the skin," explained Ross. "That causes a lot of damage and pain because of the overlapping that happens when the laser goes back and forth over the image. Using a robot, we can deploy a very tiny laser and trace precisely where the tattoo is—there's no overlapping, no extra damage and you get a uniform removal."

Moreover, the system allows the doctor to choose the best laser to effectively disintegrate the type of ink that was used to create the tattoo.

"With any given tattoo, we don't know what type of ink it is," said Ross. "There's no FDA oversight. A lot of the work is done in professional studios, but it's also done in the backs of vans." The lack of standardization means that though two black inks might appear identical to the human eye, Ink A might absorb purple light more readily than Ink B, while Ink B might absorb red light better.

"We want to choose the most appropriate laser for the job, to reduce pain and improve the patient experience," said Ross.

Right now, removing a tattoo usually takes between six and ten sessions, allowing time between sessions for your skin to heal. But the new system is expected to be much more efficient, requiring only a couple sessions, with the tattoo fading into oblivion over several months. The process itself—the "zap"—might take only tens of seconds.

The Brain Tool Laboratory recently won the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Jumpstart Research Seed Grant to develop the prototype system, which Ross expects to be finished by mid-2020. The interdisciplinary collaboration between engineering and the medical school will leverage the expertise of Patrick Codd (Neurosurgery/MEMS), Junjie Yao (Biomedical Engineering), and Jigar Patel (Dermatology), in addition to Ross.

To scale up beyond the prototype might take four or five years, said Ross, but he envisions tattoo removal kiosks at the drugstore alongside blood pressure machines in the not-too-distant future.

And, added Ross, tattoo removal, while worthy, isn't the end game for the lab's new technology. "It would be super cool if the research we put together could target indications that are more detrimental—like skin cancers," he said.

Citation: Regrettable tattoo? Robots with tiny lasers could soon erase the pain (2019, December 12) retrieved 20 December 2019 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-12-regrettable-tattoo-robots-tiny-lasers.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Tattoo artists: It’s not pain-free, but getting a tattoo can be a pleasant experience

Be it a celebrity-inspired trend or something with a personal connection, tattoos can be tricky to choose and commit to. For first timers, the battle is not just about choosing the perfect design, but finding the right artist, learning how to care for the tattoo, all the safety measures and much more. A change in your look is always exciting, and while not pain-free, getting one's doubts settled can at least make the process easier. Here's a lowdown by tattoo artists on all that you should expect and know before heading for your first tattoo.'Follow the aftercare regimen properly' Tattoo artists say infections are rare, and happen only if one is careless about looking after their new ink. "If the aftercare regimen is followed properly, infections don't happen. One really has to go out of their way to cause harm to the tattooed skin," says tattoo artist Suhasini Gour. Infection, which leads to redness and swelling of the skin or pimples and boils around the tattoo, can h appen if you are not careful or have an unhealthy lifestyle. Be careful if you are diabetic or allergic to certain food," says tattoo artist Aaryan. Lokesh Verma, another tatto artist, adds, "If one has sensitive skin, they should get a patch test done before getting a tattoo or consult a doctor." Sometimes, Tattoos need touch-ups"Tattoos in tricky positions that are difficult to take care of sometimes need touch-ups, which can be done right after the tattoo heals," says Suhasini. While some people need touch-ups within 90 days of getting inked, some require touch-ups after years of exposure to sunlight and water. Aaryan adds, "Touch-up requirements vary according to tattoo designs, sun exposure, lifestyle, and how the tattoo heals. If the tattoo doesn't look like what you wanted, if it's not dark and detailed, then you should get a touchup after 90 days." If you want to avoid the need to get a touch-up, Aaryan suggests, "Get tattoos on areas that remain covered, as it helps in protecting the colours and keeping the tattoo sharp and neat. Get average sized tattoos as in small ones, the artist is not always able to capture the details well and they can fade over time."'Trust your tattoo artist' Getting a tattoo for the first time can be a daunting task and s ometimes customers begin to panic. "Book a consultation appointment where you can get all your questions answered before starting the procedure," says Aaryan, adding, "The outcomes are never the same for all customers and even the artists can't be a 100% sure about the end result, but one must trust the artist and be patient with the healing." For a pleasant experience, Suhasini says, "Don't drink alcohol before an appointment, have a healthy meal, and don't get waxed right before an appointment so that the skin is in good shape." 'Script tattoos are in trend right now'Tattoos are a form of self-expression and most professionals suggest turning something personal into body art and choosing a design with personal meaning or connection. Customers, however, are often influenced by celebrities and trending designs. "When Priyanka Chopra got a script tattoo, I had many customers asking for similar designs. Most people directly or indirectly try to copy celebrities," says Aaryan, owner and tattoo artist, Aaryan Tattoos. "Lately," he adds, "Hindi and Sanskrit words, and religious symbols and portraits have surely been gaining popularity." Lokesh Verma, owner and tattoo artist, Devilz Tattoos, says, "Minimalistic floral designs and calligraphic designs are the latest trend among girls. Many people are also opting for large portraits of Shiva." 'It's better to cover up a tattoo mistake with another tattoo' Tattoo removal procedures are still new and one must consult a specialist, say tattoo artists. "Laser and radiology experts can remove tattoos over multiple sittings. It can take up to six-seven sittings to remove tattoos and each sitting needs minimum 30-45 days of healing period. Laser machines are only helpful with black or dark inks, they cannot detect light colours, so, if someone wants to remove light tattoos, it's best to get dark ink on it and then go for laser removal sessions," explains Aaryan. Meanwhile, artists like Suhasini and Aaryan suggest getting a cover-up tattoo to hide the old one instead of going for a removal. 'Tattoos on bony areas hurt more than fleshy ones'The pain caused while getting a tattoo is bearable for most, however, it also depends on factors such as an individual's pain tolerance, size and the kind of design as well as the body part one is getting tattooed, say professionals. Bony areas, like fingers, elbows, lower back, collars bones are the more painful spots. "The fleshier the area, the less it hurts. Bony areas are comparatively more painful but the experience on the whole is bearable," says Suhasini Gour, co-owner and tattoo artist, The Rabbit Hole. When it comes to designs, Aaryan adds, "Big tattoos with deep shading, also known as colour packing, in which the ink needs to be bold and dark, are more painful." Treat tattoos like you treat a wound, say experts"Tattoos heal just like any other wound except they're not as deep and heal much faster," says Ali Burrni, owner, Burrnink Studio. The new ink must be left undisturbed and clean. "Do not prick or scratch the skin. Also, one cannot go to the gym or exercise for 7 to 10 days to avoid sweating and stretching of the muscle. The tattooed skin should not be soaked in water for long for at least 20 days, so one cannot swim. It is also best to avoid direct contact with sunlight," says Lokesh. Avoid consuming citric foods and alcohol for at least two weeks, and keep your tattoo well moisturised with a tattoo wax or mild oils and moisturisers, say professionals. "Your artist knows the best way to heal their work. Do not apply ointments or creams without asking them for at least a month," concludes Ali. 'Visit the studio prior to fixing an appointment' Safety and hygiene standard are extremely important while getting inked. "Visit the studio before booking your appointment, so you can get a better idea about the place, hygiene standards and safety measures followed by the studio," says Aaryan, adding, "It is also important to go through the artist's portfolio, and ask questions about the ink, cartridges and the equipment used at the studio as sometimes, the artist is good but he/she doesnot always employ the right procedures which can lead to dangerous skin problems."

Soliton Announces Successful Completion of Safety Testing at SGS to Support FDA Filing for Second Generation Device

HOUSTON, Dec. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Soliton, Inc., (Nasdaq: SOLY) ("Soliton" or the "Company"), a medical device company with a novel and proprietary platform technology licensed from The University of Texas on behalf of the MD Anderson Cancer Center ("MD Anderson"), today announced its Rapid Acoustic Pulse ("RAP") device successfully completed the IEC 60601 safety testing being conducted at SGS, the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. The testing was led by a team at Sanmina Corporation, a leading electronics manufacturing services provider.

Soliton, Inc. is a medical device company with a novel and proprietary platform technology licensed from MD Anderson. The Company's first planned commercial product is designed to use rapid pulses of designed acoustic shockwaves in conjunction with existing lasers to accelerate the removal of unwanted tattoos (RAP device). In addition, higher energy versions of acoustic pulse devices are in early stages of development for potential stand-alone treatment of cellulite and other indications. (PRNewsfoto/Soliton, Inc.)

More

This safety testing is a requirement of the supplemental 510(k) filing for the Company's RAP device for tattoo removal, improvement in the appearance of cellulite, keloid (scarring) and additional pipeline indications. The tests are intended to insure that devices meet standar d safety metrics to protect users and patients. The supplemental 510(k) filing will provide an update to Soliton's current FDA 510(k) clearance, which was received in May 2019 for tattoo removal, with respect to the step changes made to the device to improve usability in the field.

Dr. Chris Capelli, Soliton's President, CEO and co-founder, commented, "We are pleased, but not surprised by the safety testing results of our RAP device. The safety of our second generation device mirrors that of our first, and these results reinforce this. We look forward to submitting this safety data in early 2020, simultaneous with the Special 510k filing of our second generation RAP device. This step is an important one in our plans to commercialize the device being launched for tattoo removal to a select and limited number of dermatologists in mid-2020."

Join our more than 200K fans here to follow the Company: https://soly-investors.com

About Soliton, Inc.

Soliton, Inc. is a medical device company with a novel and proprietary platform technology licensed from MD Anderson. The Company's first FDA cleared commercial product will use rapid pulses of acoustic shockwaves as an accessory to lasers for the removal of unwanted tattoos. The Company is based in Houston, Texas, and is actively engaged in bringing the Rapid Acoustic Pulse ("RAP") device to the market. The Company believes this "Soliton" method has the potential to lower tattoo removal costs for patients, while increasing profitability to practitioners, compared to current laser removal methods.  Soliton is investigating potential additional capabilities of the RAP technology in clinical and preclinical testing, including the potential to improve the appearance of cellulite by creating mechanical stress at the cellular level and inducing significant collagen growth and the potential to treat keloid and hypertrophic scars by targeting the stiffened environment in the intracellular matrix. 

For more information about the Company, please visit: http://www.soliton.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, the ability to submit the safety data for the second generation RAP device in early 2020, and to commercialize the device being launched for tattoo removal to a select and limited number of dermatologists in mid-2020. These statements relate to future events, future expectations, plans and prospects. Although Soliton believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may pro ve to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Soliton has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including ''believes,'' ''estimates,'' ''anticipates,'' ''expects,'' ''plans,'' ''projects,'' ''intends,'' ''potential,'' ''may,'' ''could,'' ''might,'' ''will,'' ''should,'' ''approximately'' or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those discussed under in our SEC filings, including under the heading "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2018 we filed with the SEC and updated from time to time in our Form 10-Q filings and in our other public filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of its date. Soliton undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/soliton-announces-successful-completion-of-safety-testing-at-sgs-to-support-fda-filing-for-second-generation-device-300976380.html

SOURCE Soliton, Inc.

San Antonio's Leading Medical Spa, Spa Black, Delivers Fast Hair Removal and Vascular Lesion Removal with Astanza ReSmooth

SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Spa Black, San Antonio, TX's unrivaled medical spa, has expanded and improved their aesthetic services with the Astanza ReSmooth diode laser. Founded by renowned Dr. Thomas Jeneby, Spa Black offers state-of-the-art medical spa services including long-lasting hair removal, facial rejuvenation, injectables, cellulite treatments, and much more. They've upgraded their hair removal technology to the ReSmooth to deliver faster hair removal sessions, painless treatments, and optimal vascular lesion removal.

"At Spa Black, we're always looking for new technologies and innovative procedures to give our clients the best care and results possible. That's how we've established ourselves as the leading medical spa in San Antonio," said Dr. Jeneby, owner. "Adding the ReSmooth was a no-brainer. It delivers the fastest treatments and can treat a full back or full legs in as little as 4 to 6 minutes. The ReSmooth vascular handpiece specifically targets unwanted vascular lesions and spider veins for optimal results. I'm so excited to bring this powerful laser to Spa Black and enhance our clients' treatment experience."

The Astanza ReSmooth is a powerful diode laser that uses a unique combination of wavelengths for better penetration in order to destroy the deepest follicles for long-lasting hair removal. Featuring the largest spot size on the market at 9.1 cm2 and an interchangeable small tip at 3 cm2, the ReSmooth can treat both large and small hair removal areas precisely and faster than ever.

Furthermore, the ReSmooth is designed with an integrated skin cooling system that cools the skin immediately before each laser pulse for maximum patient comfort. Dr. Jeneby has also invested in the ReSmooth's Vascular handpiece to deliver selective and efficient treatment for vascular lesion removal.

"We're so excited to welcome Dr. Jeneby and the Spa Black team to the Astanza family. Their strong desire to deliver the best treatments and aesthetic results to San Antonio is displayed through their hard work ethic, strong client relationships, and investment in great technology," said Garrett Rossero, Astanza Sales Representative. "We are proud to partner with Spa Black and can't wait to see all the outstanding results they'll deliver with the ReSmooth."

About Spa Black

Spa Black is a leading medical spa in San Antonio, Texas that is owned and operated by Dr. Thomas Jeneby. Dr. Jeneby is an Ivy League Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who obtained his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. He specializes in Cosmetic Surgery with a focus on noninvasive face and body rejuvenation.

Spa Black offers a multitude of cutting-edge aesthetic services ranging from laser hair removal, vascular lesion removal, injectables, cellulite treatments, microdermabrasion, facials, snoring reduction, and much more. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit https://spablack.com/ or call one of their two locations. Spa Black North is located at 19323 Stone Oak Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78258 and can be reached at (210) 890-2385. Spa Black Wurzbach is located at 7272 Wurzbach Rd, Unit 804, San Antonio, TX 782540 and can be reached at (210) 682-8916.

About Astanza Laser

Astanza is the leader in lasers for tattoo removal, hair removal, and additional aesthetic procedures. In addition to developing cutting-edge medical laser devices such as the Etherea MX, Duality, Trinity, MeDioStar, and DermaBlate systems, Astanza offers its customers a complete range of training, marketing, and business consulting services specific to achieving success in this growing field.

Astanza Laser is headquartered in Dallas, TX with customers throughout North America and Europe. For product, investor, or press information, call (800) 364-9010, or visit https://astanzalaser.com/.

SOURCE Astanza Laser

Related Links

http://www.AstanzaLaser.com

A fresh start: Kentucky nonprofit removes tattoos to help former felons find work

[unable to retrieve full-text content]A fresh start: Kentucky nonprofit removes tattoos to help former felons find work In Northern Kentucky, the nonprofit Tattoo Removal Ink removes tattoos, free of charge, for the formerly incarcerated.

Eraser Clinic Laser Tattoo Removal Brings Picosecond Technology To Texas

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Eraser Clinic Laser Tattoo Removal, a Texas-based laser tattoo removal chain, has introduced next-generation picosecond laser tattoo removal technology into their ten clinic locations. The new laser, the 2019 Candela PicoWay®, has replaced outdated nanosecond technology.

Their clinics are located throughout Texas at the following addresses:Austin: 1524 S Interstate Highway 35 Frontage Road #228, Austin, TX 78704Dallas: 12740 Hillcrest Plaza Dr #118, Dallas, TX 75230El Paso: 10470 Vista Del Sol Dr #101, El Paso, TX 79925Fort Worth: 6624 N Riverside Dr #320, Fort Worth, TX 76137Frisco: 9300 John Hickman Pkwy #1004, Frisco, TX 75035Houston: 3400 Bissonnet St #295, Houston, TX 77005North Houston: 110 Cypress Station Dr #165, Houston, TX 77090Round Rock: 595 Round Rock W Dr #101, Round Rock, TX 78681San Antonio: 7400 Blanco Rd #130, San Antonio, TX 78216Sugar Land: 12440 Emily Ct #504, Sugar Land, TX 77478

The 2019 Candela PicoWay® laser is the premier laser for clinical, dermatological, and aesthetic practices specializing in laser tattoo removal. Picosecond laser tattoo removal processes work by delivering extremely short picosecond-length pulses of energy into the tissue. The energy pulses create a photoacoustic impact that shatters the tattoo ink into smaller particles that the body can then safely flush out through the lymphatic system.

"We are completely dedicated to acquiring the latest technology for our clinics and the PicoWay is proving to be a true game-changer for laser tattoo removal," said Nicholas Tys, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Eraser Clinic Laser Tattoo Removal. "Picosecond laser technology is vir tually incomparable when it comes to efficiency. The PicoWay allows us to quickly and comfortably treat all ink colors and skin types. We're proud to bring this technology to Texas."

Eraser Clinic Laser Tattoo Removal was founded in 2015 by Nicholas and Rachel Tys and h as since expanded into Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso metro areas. Each clinic specializes in laser tattoo removal and fading. Using three different laser wavelengths, the clinic's certified laser specialists are able to treat clients of all skin tones and tattoos of all sizes and color composition.

"Laser tattoo removal is our sole focus and our area of expertise. It's literally all we do in each of our clinics every single day," said Rachel Tys, co-foun der of Eraser Clinic Laser Tattoo Removal. "Like your cell phone, laser technology is improved and upgraded every couple of years. In order to provide the most effective tattoo removal and fading for our clients, we are committed to upgrading our technology so that we are always providing our clients with the best possible outcomes. Picosecond lasers have been on the market for a few years, but the 2019 Candela PicoWay® laser was the only picosecond laser that truly delivered on its promises."

ABOUT ERASER CLINIC LASER TATTOO REMOVAL

Founded in 2015, Eraser Clinic Laser Tattoo Removal is the leading laser tattoo removal provider in Texas, offering services in 10 clinics throughout the Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso metro areas.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eraser-clinic-laser-tattoo-removal-brings-picosecond-technology-to-texas-300973658.html

SOURCE Eraser Clinic

Tattoo removal before and after: What laser treatment is really like

When I was 18, I was walking home from uni on allowance day and decided to spend a bunch of it on a tattoo - a Chinese symbol on the back of my neck. It had meaning for me at the time and I thought it looked cool, with the infinite wisdom of your average teen.

Fast-forward a couple of decades and the tattoo's meaningfulness has faded dramatically for me, as has its coolness.

I don't regret getting the thing, like my old mate in Hamilton probably regrets getting 'Korn' tattooed on his arm. But certainly, for a few years, I've definitely wanted my neck tattoo gone.

However, laser tattoo removal worried me for a number of reasons - I'd heard or imagined it's very expensive, very painful, leaves scars and doesn't even fully remove the ink anyway.

But then I bit the bullet, got it lasered off and those fears turned out to be almost entirely false. 

Related News

Why LED therapy is the brightest spark in skincare

Dermaplaning: It's going under the knife, but not as you know it

Basically, the technology of tattoo removal has advanced a lot over the last few decades and so long as you go to a decent clinic, the process isn't agonising and you won't finish it with empty pockets, scars or ugly ink remnants.

Be warned though, there are cowboys in Aotearoa's unregulated laser tattoo removal industry and it's a very good idea to research the clinic you want to use. 

"Anyone can go online and buy a $5000 laser, but the effectiveness of that laser will be far inferior to the sort of machines we have," says Briar Neville of Sacred Laser in Auckland.

"The reason why we got into the laser business is, as tattooists, we had so many people coming in and asking where to go for tattoo removal. There was literally nowhere in New Zealand we had the confidence to send people to."

Sacred Tattoo has been operating for 21 years and launched Sacred Laser six years ago. They first invested in a Medlite C6 laser and later added a PicoSure - high-tech, fast-firing lasers which Neville says are completely different from the "ancient technology" that once gave excruciating treatments and resulted in permanent scarring.

"But there are people out there in New Zealand, to this day, who are using machines that will cause scarring. There are no industry standards in this country," says Neville.

"Loads of people say they have 'Q-switched technology', but that's not enough. What I'd be looking for when researching laser clinics online is the brand of the laser they have, then I could research that online and see how it ranks."

There's another less time consuming and much more visual way to assess a laser clinic.

"People should look out for is a really steady stream of before-and-after photos the laser clinic puts online, and not just the generic ones that the laser company has supplied them," says Neville.

So, here's how my tattoo looked before treatment and how it looked after the first three Sacred Laser sessions:

And how about those initial laser tattoo removal worries? Let's go through them, one by one.

How much does tattoo removal cost?

It's probably cheaper than you think. The cost varies a lot depending on how much ink there is, how many sessions you need and so on, but I was wrong in thinking laser tattoo removal is very expensive.

With a little one like mine, Sacred charges $100 per session, which looks to be similar to what other places charge.

To get the tattoo fully removed would take 6 - 12 sessions, so in total that would be $600 - $1200. But those payments are staggered so you only pay per session, and those are a minimum of six weeks apart.

I thought of each $100 payment as like what I'd spend on dinner and a few drinks at a restaurant, which I usually do more often than once every six weeks. So it's very manageable.

Is laser tattoo removal painful?

Not really. It stings a bit but it's not that bad - certainly not as bad as originally getting the tattoo in the first place.

Each session starts with putting on laser-proof sunnies, getting into position and having soothing cold air blow your skin to make it nice and cool. The laser itself is then tested with one little zap, then it's used over the inked area for five to 10 seconds with a feeling like a series of tiny electric shocks.

That's it. 

Others describe the feeling like a hot rubber band snapping on your skin. It's a bit uncomfortable, but it's all over incredibly quickly.

Again, the size of the tattoo dictates how long the laser will be hitting your skin and causing discomfort for. 

Does laser tattoo removal provide effective results?

Yes. Really tricky tats might take many sessions with a longer period of time in between them; but if the treatments are kept up, the ink will eventually fade away.

A decent clinic will give you a free consultation and it's in their best interest to be honest about how well they'll be able to remove the tattoo.

Some tattoos and skin types could make 100 percent removal impossible - but this is said to be very rare.

Again, check on the clinic's social media feeds before you book to see examples of their work. If the pictures look suspicious or you want to be extra careful, reverse image search them to make sure the clinic hasn't knicked the photos from somewhere else.

Does laser tattoo removal leave a scar?

No. Unless you go to a bad clinic with an outdated laser, or if you don't follow your aftercare instructions post-treatment.

Does 'tattoo removal cream' work?

No. Seriously? Of course not. 

In short, the process of getting a tattoo removed these days is simple, not very expensive, not painful and the results are very satisfying.

If you have ink you don't want any more but have been too scared to get it removed, it's almost definitely not as bad as you're thinking.

Soliton Appoints Mary Stoll as Senior Director of Clinical Development

HOUSTON, Dec. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Soliton, Inc., (Nasdaq: SOLY) ("Soliton" or the "Company"), a medical device company with a novel and proprietary platform technology licensed from The University of Texas on behalf of the MD Anderson Cancer Center ("MD Anderson"), today announced the appointment of Mary Stoll as Senior Director of Clinical Development. Ms. Stoll will have responsibility for direct oversight of all clinical activities of the Company's Rapid Acoustic Pulse ("RAP") device for tattoo removal, improvement in the appearance of cellulite, keloid (scarring), and additional pipeline indications.

Dr. Chris Capelli, Soliton's President, CEO and co-founder, commented, "In line with our growth plans, Mary is a welcomed addition to the Soliton team and her appointment corresponds with our strategic increase in clinical activity planned for 2020. Mary brings deep knowledge and related experience, which gives me great confidence in our ability to execute our on-going clinical strategy."

Mary Stoll joins Soliton from Cytrellis Biosystems where she served as Senior Director of Clinical Operations. At Cytrellis, she oversaw and lead all clinical operations activities for new technology targeting skin laxity and was responsible for promoting, executing, and establishing clinical strategies in line with the Company's mission and vision. Prior to her tenure with Cytrellis, she was the Executive Director of Clinical Services at Cynosure, a laser Company acquired by Hologic, Inc. Ms. Stoll holds a Bachelor in Science Health and Science Studies and a nursing degree both from Quinnipiac University.

"We believe Mary's directly-related clinical dermatology experience will help Soliton accelerate and improve our research and development activities. It is evident that Mary's experience directly overlaps the role she will fill at Soliton," states Joe Tanner, the Chief Operating Officer, "but more importantly, we believe she is exactly the right fit within our culture of strong teamwork."

Join our more than 200K fans here to follow the Company: https://soly-investors.com

About Soliton, Inc.

Soliton, Inc. is a medical device company with a novel and proprietary platform technology licensed from MD Anderson. The Company's first FDA cleared commercial product will use rapid pulses of acoustic shockwaves as an accessory to lasers for the removal of unwanted tattoos. The Company is based in Houston, Texas, and is actively engaged in bringing the Rapid Acoustic Pulse ("RAP") device to the market. The Company believes this "Soliton" method has the potential to lower tattoo removal costs for patients, while increasing profitability to practitioners, compared to current laser removal methods.  Soliton is investigating potential additional capabilities of the RAP technology in clinical and preclinical testing, including the potential to improve the appearance of cellulite by creating mechanical stress at the cellular level and inducing significant collagen growth and the potential to treat keloid and hypertrophic scars by targeting the stiffened environment in the intracellul ar matrix. 

For more information about the Company, please visit: http://www.soliton.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, the ability to successfully complete the clinical trials planned for 2020. These statements relate to future events, future expectations, plans and prospects. Although Soliton believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Soliton has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including ''believes,'' ''estimates,'' ''anticipates,'' ''expects,'' ''plans,'' ''projects,'' ''intends,'' ''potential,'' ''may,'' ''could ,'' ''might,'' ''will,'' ''should,'' ''approximately'' or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those discussed under in our SEC filings, including under the heading "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2018 we filed with the SEC and updated from time to time in our Form 10-Q filings and in our other public filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of its date. Soliton undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE Soliton, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.soliton.com

Thirteen Friday the 13th Tattoo Deals to Celebrate the End of a Decade

It's hard to believe 2019 has one more Friday the 13th in it — but it does, and, as usual, Denver tattoo deals abound. So here it is, your last chance of the year — the decade, in fact — to get yourself a bargain tat in Denver. So what are you waiting for? Pick from the following thirteen inky bargains:

EXPAND

Celebrate thirteen years of Certified on Friday the 13th.

Jake Cox

Certified Tattoo11 a.m. to 8 p.m.8025 West Colfax Avenue, LakewoodWell, well, well, a deal of deals at Certified Tattoo in Lakewood. Certified is celebrating its thirteenth anniversary this Friday with $20 tattoos and $20 piercings, jewelry included, though some restrictions apply — as in you can't get your junk pierced at this price. Check out sneak peeks of designs on social media leading up to Friday.

Clean Slate Tattoo and PiercingNoon to 9 p.m.6620 South Broadway, CentennialHead down south to Centennial for Clean Slate's event, dubbed the Nightmare Before Christmas. The shop is offering $31 tattoos, one per customer.

Crimson Hilt Tattoo10 a.m. to midnight2907 East Colfax AvenueCrimson Hilt has this Friday the 13th thing down to a science. Back in September, the line stretched down Colfax, and the artists are expecting the same this week, with $20 pieces from their special flash sheets. Check them out on Instagram.

Dead Drift TattooNoon to 7 p.m.774 North Santa Fe DriveEach artist at Dead Drift Tattoo will be offering different specials, but the shop is posting flash options on its Instagram page. Specials run all day at Dead Drift's new location and include decreased pricing for small and large tattoos.

Dreamscape Piercing and TattooNoon to 9 p.m.474 Malley Drive, NorthglennIt's $13 for special flash deals and 13 percent off all piercings. Check out the bargains now on Facebook to plan ahead.

Elevation is offering multiple specials this Friday the 13th, plus a raffle.

Courtesy of Elevation Arts Tattoo & Piercing Studio

Elevation Arts Tattoo & Piercing StudioNoon to 9 p.m.2260 South BroadwayIn September, Elevation only had one artist participate in Friday the 13th. This time it's a shop-wide affair, with $20 black pieces and $40 color pieces, plus free piercing aftercare. Enter a raffle to win a $100 gift card for just $5.

Endless Ink Tattoo & Piercing10 a.m. to 9 p.m.7507 East 36th Avenue, Unit 120Endless Ink is hosting an entire damn party on Friday, with twelve artists, $13 tattoos, pizza, drinks, and even a Bad Santa. The shop will also be hosting its tenth annual Toys for Tats event, where, for each approved item you bring in, you get a $50 gift certificate.

Aurora's Mad Alchemist is offering both tattoo and piercing deals on this Friday the 13th.

Courtesy of Mad Alchemist Tattoo & Piercing

Epiphany Tattoo 10 a.m. to close15254 East Hampden Avenue, AuroraThe Aurora shop will be opening two hours early, at 10 a.m., for $31 tattoos from flash sheets. This round includes Christmas designs and more.Mad Alchemist Tattoo9 a.m. to close994 South Peoria Street, AuroraOnce again, Mad Alchemist is charging only $31 for its Friday the 13th tattoos. It's first come, first served, and you can get back in line after your first one. Piercing specials start at $20.

Marion Street Tattoo9 a.m. to midnight2823 East Colfax AvenueNo strangers to the Friday the 13th game, Marion Street Tattoo will be offering $20 all black tattoos. It's first come, first served, arms and legs only, with plenty of pieces to choose from off a special flash sheet. Bring cash.

Boulder's Metamorphosis offers two different deals this Friday the 13th.

Metamorphosis Tattoo Sideshow

Metamorphosis Tattoo SideshowNoon to 10 p.m.1325 Broadway, Suite 218, BoulderWith $13 tattoos for basic black and $31 for color pieces, Metamorphosis returns with six artists and over 200 designs. It's first come, first served, at the Boulder location only. Expect to tip around $20.

Satori TattooNoon to 10 p.m.133 East 4th Street, LovelandWorried about Friday lines? Satori has you covered. Get your $31 special beginning at noon. Choose from a custom flash sheet and, as the shop puts it, "Get in where you fit in" on the schedule.

Bonus: If you're dissatisfied with your old Friday the 13th deal, try this:

Wise Choice Tattoo Removal9 a.m. to 5 p.m.190 East 9th Avenue, Suite 220Wise Choice Tattoo Removal is an up-and-coming woman-owned business in Capitol Hill, once again offering its own deal this Friday for those who need to get rid of a past piece. For new clients, offers start at just $13 per square inch and go up from there.

What are your favorite Friday the 13th deals? Let us know at editorial@westword.com.

Father Gregory Boyle has an ambitious plan to expand Homeboy Industries

Homeboy Industries has long been known for Father Gregory Boyle's slogan, "Nothing stops a bullet like a job."

But when former gang members and convicted felons walk through the doors at Homeboy headquarters seeking help, Boyle's ambition goes far beyond just getting them a job.

The goal is healing, he says, and that's why Homeboy provides a suite of wraparound services, including education, mental health counseling, substance-abuse support and a tattoo removal operation run by volunteer doctors and nurses. Soon, Boyle hopes to see a further expansion of services as Homeboy moves forward with plans to build its own housing center.

"The number of homies who are living in their car or couch surfing is astounding," Boyle said during an interview about his book, "Barking to the Choir." "Sixty percent of all gang members are essentially, effectively homeless."

Boyle will join the L.A. Times Book Club on Dec. 16 for breakfast and a conversation with author Héctor Tobar about his book and his work with formerly gang-involved youth and adults. (The book club event, which includes tours of Homeboy Industries, is sold out.)

A Jesuit priest, Boyle began working with gang members 31 years ago as pastor of Dolores Mission Church in East Los Angeles. He initially worked on finding employment opportunities in an enterprise started in 1988 as Jobs for the Future. When jobs were not forthcoming, Boyle founded Homeboy Bakery and later expanded that into the nonprofit Homeboy Industries.

The organization provides jobs and second chances through nine revenue-producing enterprises including Homeboy Bakery, Homegirl Café, catering, a silkscreen shop, farmers market stands and a grocery division selling salsa and guacamole. Preparing formerly incarcerated people to enter the workforce is just part of Boyle's mission.

His focus now is on healing the "whole person," which Boyle describes as the only way to make sure clients stay clean and don't reoffend.

Homeboy currently offers access to various sober-living facilities and temporary housing. But Boyle longs for something more permanent. He says the nonprofit now has approval from its board of directors to make this dream a reality by adding transitional housing near Homeboy headquarters on West Bruno Street, at the edge of L.A.'s Chinatown.

The housing facility, which is being designed, would be intended for former gang members enrolled in Homeboy's flagship 18-month training program. Homeboy CEO Thomas Vozzo says the new building would house about 100 residents as part of a broader campus expansion. Given the need to acquire land and financing, Vozzo did not expect to break ground before 2021.

"We're just kind of bursting at the seams," Boyle says. In addition to the transitional housing for former gang members and their families, the Homeboy team hopes to create a day-care center and develop space for mental health counseling, much of which is currently done by volunteer professionals off-campus.

The planned expansion reflects a striking turnaround for an enterprise that was struggling to survive less than a decade ago, when it was forced to lay off 300 employees to close a $10-million budget gap. These days, Boyle says, Homeboy is doing well financially, although it relies on grants and donations for nearly half its $22-million annual budget.

In "Barking to the Choir," Boyle preaches the "power of radical kinship," the idea that everyone belongs in what he calls the "circle of compassion," including people who have committed acts of terrible violence.

"On a micro level, we're helping gang members redirect their lives, but on some larger level we're proposing: What if we were to invest in people rather than just incarcerate our way out of problems?"

Boyle asks the reader to offer compassion to killers as well as victims of violence. "Every homie I know — every one — has carried a load 100 times heavier than I have had to carry, weighed down by torture, violence, abuse, neglect, abandonment, or mental illness," he writes. "Most of us have never borne that weight."

Boyle began working to broker peace in his deeply impoverished parish in the 1980s, and later moved his gang intervention program to its current headquarters downtown. Boyle recently buried his 231st young person killed as a result of gang violence.

He says there is one reason any young person joins a gang, and that is a "lethal absence of hope." "No kid is seeking anything when he joins a gang, he's always fleeing something," he writes. "There are no exceptions."

For more than 14 years Boyle has battled leukemia, and he writes that his diagnosis is one of the things that has shaped his faith. "I would never trade it for anything," he says.

"Homeboy is not about just reaching gang members but allowing yourself to be reached by them," he says. "Once you can be on the receiving end of their tenderness and goodness, and feel cherished by them, that's a therapeutic moment for them. They're able to inhabit their truth, and that would not have happened in exactly the same way if I had not received that diagnosis."

Boyle, who previously wrote "Tattoos on the Heart," is working on a third book called "The Whole Language" that he said will focus on "the power of boundless compassion." The book takes its title from the story of a former gang member from Uzbekistan, nicknamed "Russian Boy," who did time in SoCal. A former cellmate recounted to Boyle that the inmate would go to the hallway to call his mother, and they would speak in Russian. The cellmate recounted the experience with amazement, saying, "Damn, G, he spoke the whole language!"

To Boyle that is the perfect description of what he calls his mystical quest to reclaim the "whole person."

"What if we spoke the whole language, which for me is about tenderness, and how that is the highest form of spiritual maturity?" Boyle says. "So I have a title, I just need a book."

———

©2019 the Los Angeles Times

Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Criminals allowed to store sperm to have kids after prison release

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Other inmates can access complementary therapies such as aromatherapy, iridology and, in special cases, cosmetic surgery and tattoo removal in jail as part of an inmate health policy. In 2006, the ...

Minnesota Brow Lash & Academy Provides Laser Tattoo Removal Treatment and Training with Astanza Duality

EDINA, Minn., Nov. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Minnesota Brow Lash & Academy, a leading beauty academy and cosmetology school in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul, is now offering advanced laser tattoo removal treatments with the Astanza Duality laser. Minnesota Brow aims to remove unwanted body art and cosmetic makeup tattoos with their new Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. In addition to performing laser tattoo removal treatments, Minnesota Brow Lash & Academy has partnered with New Look Lase r College to offer informational and hands-on training courses for individuals interested in receiving laser tattoo removal certification.

Astanza Laser is the leading laser manufacturer for aesthetic procedures like laser tattoo removal, laser hair removal, and more. (PRNewsfoto/Astanza Laser)

More

"We're so excited to add the Astanza Duality to our practice and training school. Laser aesthetics is tak ing over the beauty industry and providing faster, better solutions to various skin concerns, especially laser tattoo removal. Many of our clients have expressed interest in removing unwanted permanent makeup and tattoos, and we're thrilled to finally offer them a safe and effective removal solution with this new technology," said Kay Holtz, owner. Best of all, we're able to train our students alongside the experts at New Look Laser College and equip interested laser technicians, entrepreneurs, and tattoo artists with the skills and knowledge to perform laser tattoo removal or start their own business."

The Astanza Duality is an innovative Q-switched Nd:YAG laser recognized industry-wide for its power, reliability, and efficacy. Featurin g two of the most trusted wavelengths, 1064 nm and 532 nm, the Duality can successfully treat and remove a wide variety of tattoo colors safely from all skin types. The Duality's ultra-short pulse duration and high pulse energy produce intense peak power for unrivaled ink clearance in the fewest number of treatments.

New Look L aser College will be partnering with Minnesota Brow Lash & Academy to host five courses at Minnesota Brow's Edina location in 2020. Each course includes hands-on laser practice on a diverse pool of real patients and covers a comprehensive laser tattoo removal curriculum over the span of two days. Click here to sign up for a laser tattoo removal training course at Minnesota Brow Lash Studio & Academy.

Click here to see New Look Laser College's full 2020 course schedule.

"We're eager to partner with Minnesota Brow Lash & Academy and bring our extensive training course to the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area," Justin Arnosky, Astanza Laser VP of Clinical Education and department head of New Look Laser College. "We can't wait to get out there and start training the next wave of future laser tattoo removal business owners and practitioners ."

About Minnesota Brow Lash & Academy

Minnesota Brows Lash Studio & Academy is Minnesota's leading destination for learning the newest procedures and trends in the Beauty Industry. They offer training for a wide variety of cosmetic and laser services, including laser tattoo removal, permanent make-up, microblading, microneedling, eyelash extensions, and more.

All staff members are highly skilled artists and technicians who provide training to help students grow in their aesthetic careers. Minnesota Brow Lash Studio & Academy has partnered with New Look Laser College to provide in-depth laser tattoo removal training for body art removal and permanent tattoo make-up removal.

Story continues

To schedule a consultation or book a training course with Minnesota Brow Lash & Academy, call (952) 938-0358 or visit https://mnbrowlashacademy.com/. Minnesota Brow Lash & Academy is located at 5500 Lincoln Dr. #120, Edina MN 55436.

About Astanza Laser

Astanza is the leader in lasers for tattoo removal, hair removal, and additional aesthetic procedures. In addition to developing cutting-edge medical laser devices such as the Etherea MX, Duality, Trinity, MeDioStar, and DermaBlate systems, Astanza offers clients a complete range of training, marketing, and business consulting services specific to achieving success in this growing field.

Astanza Laser is headquartered in Dallas, TX with customers throughout North America and Europe. For product, investor, or press information, call (800) 364-9010, or visit http://www.astanzalaser.com/.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/minnesota-brow-lash--academy-provides-laser-tattoo-removal-treatment-and-training-with-astanza-duality-300964827.html

SOURCE Astanza Laser

Soliton Initiates Significant Step Towards Commercialization

Engages Tailfin to Support Brand Development Effort for Limited Launch in Tattoo Removal

HOUSTON, Dec. 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical device innovation company Soliton, Inc. (Nasdaq: SOLY) today announced that it has engaged Tailfin, an Atlanta based brand and marketing firm, to help develop brand strategy and marketing and sales materials to help power the launch of Soliton's Rapid Acoustic Pulse ("RAP") device for tattoo removal. RAP is a novel and proprietary platform technology licensed from The University of Texas on behalf of the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Tailfin, a firm with nearly two decades of experience in bringing medical device brands to market, will help shape positioning and messaging for the new technology launch.

Soliton, Inc. is a medical device company with a novel and proprietary platform technology licensed from MD Anderson. The Company's first planned commercial product is designed to use rapid pulses of designed acoustic shockwaves in conjunction with existing lasers to accelerate the removal of unwanted tattoos (RAP device). In addition, higher energy versions of acoustic pulse devices are in early stages of development for potential stand-alone treatment of cellulite and other indications. (PRNewsfoto/Soliton, Inc.)

More

"Our partnership with Tailfin is an important step in the commercialization of our innovative RAP device – a device we believe may revolutionize tattoo remov al. Tailfin is an ideal partner to help us build the brand around this technology, with engaging, effective and informational brand storytelling that will clearly articulate the advantages our new technology delivers," says Dr. Chris Capelli, Soliton President, CEO and co-founder. "We are excited to reveal our pointed and powerful marketing strategy which we anticipate will drive physician and consumer awareness and fuel sustainable growth we believe will support long-term shareholder value."

Join our more than 200K fans here to follow the Company: https://soly-investors.com

With work already well underway, the Soliton and Tailfin teams look to have initial brand elements ready in Q1 2020 with planned enhancements scheduled to roll out in the months to follow.

About Soliton, Inc.

Soliton, Inc. is a medical device company with a novel and proprietary platform technology licensed from MD Anderson. The Company's first FDA cleared commercial product will use rapid pulses of acoustic shockwaves as an accessory to lasers for the removal of unwanted tattoos. The Company is based in Houston, Texas, and is actively engaged in bringing the Rapid Acoustic Pulse ("RAP") device to the market. The Company believes this "Soliton" method has the potential to lower tattoo removal costs for patients, while increasing profitability to practitioners, compared to current laser removal methods.  Soliton is investigating potential additional capabilities of the RAP technology in clinical and preclinical testing, including the potential to improve the appearance of cellulite by creating mechanical stress at the cellular level and inducing significant collagen growth and the potential to treat keloid and hypertrophic scars by targeting the stiffened environment in the intracellular matrix. 

For more information about the Company, please visit: http://www.soliton.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, the ability to successfully market and launch the Soliton RAP device, and the timing of the planned enhancements to the RAP device in 2020.  These statements relate to future events, future expectations, plans and prospects. Although Soliton believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Soliton has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including ''believes,'' ''estimates,'' ''anticipates,'' ''expects,'' ''plans,'' ''projects,'' ''intends,'' ''potential,'' ''may,'' ''could,'' ''might,'' ''will,'' ''should,'' ''approximately'' or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those discussed under in our SEC filings, including under the heading "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2018 we filed with the SEC and updated from time to time in our Form 10-Q filings and in our other public filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of its date. Soliton undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its date or to reflect th e occurrence of unanticipated events.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/soliton-initiates-significant-step-towards-commercialization-300967766.html

SOURCE Soliton, Inc.