Ambulance turned tattoo-removal service wipes away worst memories

When it comes to tattoos, lots of people love them. There are also a lot of people who "rethink their ink" and that's where Moose Jaw's Sacha Elezplays a role.

His tattoo removal business, namedTattoo Medic, isbuilt into a late model Chevy ambulance thathe got from the Ontario Ministry of Health. Why an ambulance?

"I wanted it to be a mobile clinic because Saskatchewan's population is so spread out," he said. "And I thought it might be a little creepy if I just pulled up in a white windowless van and said, 'hey, let me zap your tattoo.'"

Elez got the idea for the service when he went to get his own tattoo removed. People couldn't recommend anyone in Saskatchewan, so he decided to treat it in Edmonton. Right away he realized there was a demand.

His had a tribal tattoo removed that he says hehad "outgrown". Now he removes similar tribal tattoos and Asian writing. Those lookswere popular more than a decade ago.

"About every ten years is the average age of a tattoo when somebody decides to remove it. I guess we all go through life changes every seven years or so and then it takes an extra three years for you to really start hating it."

Oops! Thought that said 'honour'

Tattoos that he has since removed include an ex-wife's name from the back of a man's neck, and a Chinese symbol someone thought meant "honour" but actually said "cheater".

People looking for Elez's services don't even need to leave their neighbourhood. He willpull his truck right up to their house.