Fredrik Skold/Getty Images
DCL
It turns out that some tattoos may be toxic--but fear not. Now you can get that ink removed in a newly greened procedure.
That's right?the green revolution has even influenced things as unlikely as the procedure of tattoo removal.
Here's how it works:
Tattoo removal typically requires laser surgery?and when using lasers, doctors have to make sure they don't heat the skin too much. If the radiation heats the skin above 70 degrees, it could cause serious damage and scarring. So they use a chemical called tetrafluoroethane, an extremely cold liquid that keeps the skin at a manageable temperature while the surgery is performed.
Problem is, tetrafluoroethane is a greenhouse gas that's far worse for the environment than carbon dioxide.
That's where the greening comes in. A new carbon dioxide based spray has been introduced to replace the old polluter, greatly increasing the eco-friendliness of the procedure. The new spray is essentially dry ice?and it has much the same effect. Now, if you were going to go in to get a tattoo removed, the greenness of the process was probably the last thing on your mind. It just goes to show that the world is going green in places where you'd least expect it.
Are you a green hipster looking for all things green and cool? Then you'll love actor and eco-activist Adrian Grenier and his team of environmental experts, who live it up with sustainable style on Planet Green TV's Alter Eco.
