Clean Slate helps former gang-affiliated youth and young adults take the final step in dissolving all their past gang ties through offering removal of gang-related tattoos. Job and educational assistance are provided. Having visible gang-related tattoos removed dramatically increases employment opportunities.
Sessions are held once a month. Participants are eligible to receive free family planning services while they are enrolled in Clean Slate.
The number of sessions needed may vary depending upon the color of the tattoo and the depth of the pigment of your tattoo. The average number of sessions are between 8- 12.
Most clients have said that it feels like being stung by a dozen rubber bands. While it can be painful, participants all say that the pain is worth it!
Clean Slate currently limits tattoo removal to 14-24 year old participants who have visible gang related tattoos that are barriers to employment.
Contact Clean Slate at (707) 544-3299 x227. After an initial intake process to assess eligibility, you will need to pay a $50 one-time fee to enroll in the program and complete 10 hours out of the 25 hours of community service that are required before your first session. Sessions are scheduled once a month, or every other month depending upon funding.
At your first session, you will meet with the doctor to sign an informed consent. You will be instructed to wear a pair of goggles over your eyes and then the laser technician begins the procedure. After the procedure, you will be given ice, ointment and after-care instructions. Depending on the size of the tattoo, the procedure can take anywhere from 3-12 minutes. Multiple sessions over several months or years may be needed to fully remove the tattoo.
A certified laser technician administers the tattoo removal procedure and a medical assistant from the clinic processes paperwork and distributes after care instructions.
A one-time fee of $65 and 25 hours of community service is required for each participant aged 14-25. For participates 25+ it is $75 per session. Research shows that it would normally cost anywhere from $400- $6000 to have a tattoo removed outside of the Clean Slate program.