An estimated 45 million Americans have a tattoo, but that is a conservative estimate based on anecdotal surveys.
But there is now growing anecdotal evidence that nearly as many may have already or are thinking about having a tattoo removed.
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It's due in part to many factors, including the availability of a less expensive laser removal treatment, that leaves no scar whatsoever.
Medermis Laser Tattoo Removal offices also say the economy is partly to blame as well.
The worse the economy, the better their business.
Mike Livermore, from Medermis Laser Clinic, says, "They are having to get rid of visible tattoos to go and interview again or to get specific jobs, or even just to hold onto a job."
The problem for many people is the stigma attached to tattoos as you grow older.
Tracy White was happy to get one on her lower back when she was in her early 30s. Today, she's removing it, in part because it's created an image issue.
"If I don't have a long enough shirt on, when I bend over, it'll sneak out. Being a business professional, it's not something I want other people to see," she said.
One poll showed 16 percent of adults and 36 percent of people aged 25 to 29 had at least one tattoo.
The Harris poll went further, noting that at least 17 percent on them regretted it already. That was a 2003 poll, and those people are now lining up to remove them.
Mia Novak is one of them.
She likes most of her tattoos, but several of them she says are gaudy.
What's more, she added a tattoo to cover a name that is no longer relevant.
Now she's removing all the artwork.
"There was a name underneath it, and then they put a purple rose on top and they made it way to big, too dark, you couldn't even tell it was a rose," she explained.
She admitted however that she will continue to add ink, but will be more careful with the style of the art. Her removal process also makes it easy to commit to a tattoo today.
"It's uncomfortable, but for such a short period of time, it's not really significant," said Novak, who is into her second of 10 laser treatments at MEdermis Laser Clinic.
It offers $99 tattoo laser removal per small tattoo, and says it's faster, less painful and there is no scar left behind.
Their website is http://www.medermislasterclinic.com.