By Gil Diaz, News Channel 3 Reporter
gdiaz@kesq.com
PALM SPRINGS - In these tough times, the tattoo industry is not feeling any pain.
More and more people are getting inked.
At least 45 million people have at least one tattoo, and more than one-third of them are between 18-35 years old.
They say they get it to express themselves.
Kevin Alexander says he is getting his first tattoo to symbolize his life's hardships. "I've almost been shot. I've almost died," he explains.
Despite the growing numbers of people looking to get inked, some people are looking into removing their marks. One major reason is for a new job, according to a 2008 university study,
"There was actually a gentleman, the captain of a ship," says Paula Ferrerira, who works at a Los Angeles tattoo removal company. "The cruise line wouldn't allow for any markings or ear piercings. So, he would wear gloves to cover his tattoo because it was on his wrist."
Eve-Marie Andrews, a career counselor at the College of the Desert, strongly advises her students to cover up because employers frown on tattoos. She says if a boss had to choose between two equally-qualified candidates, it is almost guaranteed the one without visible tattoos will get the job.
"I think they associate it with drunken sailors and a certain group of people probably who are not 'with it' or not as sophisticated," she explains.
News Channel 3 encountered Michael Estrada, 27, at the Tattoo Expo in Ontario. 85% of his body is inked.
Reporter Gil Diaz asked him: "Do you have a job?"
"Honestly, I don't," Estrada answered. "Pretty much, I'm screwed as far as getting a 9-to-5 job pretty much."
Estrada's back is decorated with movie actors (Anthony Perkins as "Norman Bates," Anthony Hopkins as "Hannibal Lector" and Marlon Brando as the "Godfather"), mobsters (Al Capone) and others he admires (his grandmother).
Estrada says he is not done with getting inked. "I do not believe there's an ending, but I hope I'll be done with it soon. I still got a little bit more work to go on my upper legs."
In a less extreme case, Nicolette Purdy is getting her fourth tattoo. The 20-year-old doesn't have a job either. She is well aware prospective employers may judge her.
"But to an extent, I can cover it up which is why I get it in places none of them you can really see. I can put my hair down and cover this one," she says.
Riverside County's unemployment rate is 15%. So, making that first impression is more important than ever. Eve-Marie Andrews says it takes just 20 seconds for a prospective employer to make a decision about an applicant.
Ron Sharp, owner of 111 Tattoo Studio in Palm Desert, says he advises his clients to reconsider getting an extreme tattoo.
"I tell them: Go to your closet, pick out your favorite shirt, and wear that everyday for the rest of your life," he says. "That's basically what it's like if you're going to get a tattoo on your hands or face."
Some companies are clamping down on tattoos. Cal Fire, for example, is looking into writing a policy. Fire officials say tattoos may tarnish the department's professional reputation.
This issue was sparked by the Los Angeles Fire Department whose strict rule took effect last year.
"We have some members...They have it on their hands, or they have it on their neck," says LAFD Ronnie Villanueva. "They're going to have to find measures to be able to cover them up, either with gloves for the hands or bandages on top."
If you must get a tattoo, Eve-Marie Andrews says, get a job first then gauge how well your new company welcomes ink. Tattoos are more common these days --- compared to 50 years ago --- but people will still judge a book by its cover.
Instead of making your mark in a job interview, you may end up marked for life.
