Tattoo Removal Methods and Myths

With many, if not most, people regretting their tattoos the tattoo removal industry is booming. There's many methods available, but not all are safe or effective.

Myth: My tattoo will be completely gone after getting it removed.

Although some methods work better than others, tattoos will ultimately leave their mark behind permanently. Tattoo removal methods are great for fading tattoos and making them less noticeable, but ultimately there will be a faded picture indicating there was once a tattoo there.

Myth: Laser tattoo removal is an option for anyone.

Removing tattoos with lasers is the most popular method of tattoo removal, but also the most costly. It uses high beams of light to fade the color, with 2-4 treatments required, depending on the tattoo and with each session at hundreds to thousands of dollars. A consultation is also required to see if the tattoo is a candidate for removal. So between cost, the type of tattoo and the pigment of the patient's skin, many people can't afford laser tattoo removal or aren't eligible.

Myth: It's just as effective to use at home kits.

Between Wrecking Balm and Tat B Gone, it may be more convenient to buy tattoo removal products through infomercials, but they won't be as effective as professional care. The products only change the pigment of your skin by lightening it, thus making your tattoo appear as if it faded.

Myth: Removing a tattoo will leave a scar.

It's extremely common to find scarring after a tattoo is removed, which happens in most cases. However, this isn't from the process of removing the tattoo. The scarring was initially from getting the tattoo in the first place, but it was hidden from the ink in the skin. So no, unless you're removing a tattoo through dermabrasion (the removing of skin), then removing a tattoo won't cause a scar.

Myth: Dermabrasion is just as effective as laser.

Dermabrasion remove the top layers of skin on your tattoo, which causes scarring in itself and is less effective than laser. It's less expensive than laser, since all you're doing is sanding down your skin, but it doesn't leave better results. There is more pain involved, several treatments, and takes longer so the skin can heal in between treatments.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Restaurant Review: Kitchen 24

It's easy to be skeptical when looking for a restaurant in Downtown L.A. at one in the morning. As much as you don't want to resort to Pink's Hot Dog stand, it can be tempting when you're running thin on options.

When you thought Denny's was the only legit restaurant still open, there's something even better on Cahuenga Blvd. Kitchen 24 sits in an old jazz nightclub and serves up home style cooking, but with an upgrade and better ingredients, at all hours of the day. They're big on eggs and breakfast, so try the Wakey Wakey Eggs and Bakey. They always have a homemade soup of the day, but still go big on traditional items like their burgers.

There's an even larger selection of drinks at the bar, but they also have a fun list of shakes and smoothies they make, like the Raspberry Mint Smoothie.

While you take a bite of your Grilled Veggie and Mozzarella Sandwich, you'll be sitting in modern booths with modern tables. Everything in Kitchen 24 is creative and unique, even the overhead lamps are made out of old spoons. You can sit at the bar if you're feeling like being talkative, but there's usually plenty of seating at the booths and tables at any hour. There's always fun music playing and if it's dead outside, there's still something going on in Kitchen 24. The only downside to such a popular place is that it gets so loud you feel like you're screaming across your table to whoever you came with at times.

Drinks are served six a.m. to two a.m. each day with unique mixes like the Jalapeno Margarita and the Root Beer Margarita. They specialize in cocktails, and also have a menu for dessert cocktails.

To curb your sugar craving, go for the cupcakes that are displayed at the entrance of the restaurant. They're cute and tasty at only a few bucks a piece, always decorated as if there's something to celebrate. For desserts, there's also the Waffle Ice Cream Sundae or the Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Skillet with Ice Cream (think BJ's Pazookie).

A minor problem I had with Kitchen 24 was getting charged twice for my meal and finding the mistake after leaving. Although they fixed the mistake, it took more work than necessary to correct the charge and a has made me a little apprehensive next time I visit.

For more info visit www.kitchen24.com.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Styles of Sunglasses for 2010

Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can tuck away your sunglasses in Southern California. Make sure you get the latest styles, both new, old, and enhanced from a collection that celebrates the best decades of the past century.

Plastic Aviators

These aviators work for both men and women, but are more down to earth by ditching the gold glam for basic colors and thicker frames. They're the best type of sunglasses to get in neon colors.

Miami Vice Sunglasses

Jump back into the 80s by wearing the best eye wear straight out of Miami Vice. The best part about these Miami Vice glasses is that they're related to the aviators, but come with lens that are multi-colored.

Vintage Glasses

The 50s are here to stay for a season. This vintage eye wear is the most retro of the latest styles and comes in unique colors for both the lens and frames. They're also in season for regular eye wear when you need a good pair of reading glasses to catch up on your latest Twilight novel.

Extreme Bugeye Glasses

Someone channeled Jackie O when making a contemporary version of these bug eye glasses. Although they're fashionable, they only work with certain face shapes, like long or oval ones. Certainly use caution when wearing the purple ones, they have a scary resemblance to Elton John.

Cat Eye Sunglasses

This contemporary version of Cat Eye Sunglasses are a mixture between Lisa Loeb and a blast from the past from the 60s. They're retro, sassy, and look great for upscale events or just driving through the town in your turquoise Thunderbird.

Enhanced Flattop Sunglasses

Although flattop sunglasses made their big debut in '09, they've been altered just a bit for the new year with a thicker frame and smaller lens. They work for both men and women, but only for particular styles.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Roller Derby Teams in So Cal

Roller Derby isn't just a fun, fictional sport that last year's movie, Whip It, is centered around. It's a real-live sport where women get in the nitty gritty of athletic competition and can let out some of their estrogen by racing each other on the track.

The OC Roller Girls began in 2006, specializing in competitive roller derby and offering fitness skating classes, skating school, roller derby training and ref training. The league travels both nationally and internationally, with their own nicknames like "Psycho" and "On the Roxy." They've even appeared on the Ellen Show, KROQ, Inside Edition and Gene Simmons Family Jewels.

Although the Orange County team plays competitively, they also skate to help the community. They've laced their skates for causes like breast cancer and animal shelters by giving a portion of their proceeds to the different causes.

You can watch OC Roller Girls in action this year in San Diego, Huntington Beach, Bakersfield, and Ventura by visiting their website for tickets at www.ocrollergirls.com.

LA Derby Dolls is another team that's based in Los Angeles and have been skating since 2003. They're the original team that Whip It is based upon after one of the former skaters wrote the screenplay. With more than 150 female skaters, they train four days a week, without pay, on a track that was handmade by the skaters with their family and friends.

The team recently hosted a roller derby camp for young girls, ages 9-17, for a week, earning themselves the "Treasure of Los Angeles" award from the Central City Association. They also assist the LA Junior Derby Dolls, ages 8-17, a team that doesn't hit or get dirty with each other because of their age group.

For their game schedule, visit www.derbydolls.com.

The Angel City Derby Girls share LA with the LA Derby Dolls and play on a flat track, but with a little more attitude than the other teams. They sell tickets to their practices at The Toyota Center and take pride in following the WFTDA rules as an official member, promising to only play other teams that abide by the same guidelines.

They've appeared on The Style Network and in an Anti-Flag music video. They participate in various fundraisers and practice three times a week.

Visit www.angelcityderbygirls.com for their game schedule.

All teams are currently recruiting women above the age of 21 that are up for some roller skating that gets too racey for the boys.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Hookah Lounges in So Cal

Noho's Royal Garden

11026 Magnolia Blvd.

North Hollywood, CA 91601

818.655.0412

Although it may seem sketch on the outside, Noho's Royal Garden is impressive with it's array of flavors and even better Persian food. You can smoke at an outside patio and enjoy the relaxing ambiance of a nearby waterfall and outdoor lighting. If you're looking to have your hookah with a drink, look elsewhere as Noho's doesn't serve alcohol.

Cafe Amsterdam

10905 Magnolia Blvd.

North Hollywood, CA 91601

818.506.1938

If you're strapped for cash, Cafe Amsterdam is the place to visit if you still want to get down with your hookah. There are no minimum orders and the price is by the amount of hoses you rent instead of individuals in your party. There's a back patio where you can lounge, but inside it's more cramped with little seating. Open mic nights are frequently hosted and there's free wifi with a large coffee menu.

Cafe Alibi

84 S. Fair Oaks Ave.

Pasadena, CA 91105

626.578.7779

Cafe Alibi has great service and fair prices for their hookah. Their food menu is one of the best in Hollywood, but the coffee could use an upgrade. There's a comfortable outdoor patio and even a checkers and chess table to play while you relax with your hookah. The cafe doesn't revolve around it's hookah, but is better if you plan on getting work done or just to hang out for an hour or two with an old friend.

Shoreline Hookah Lounge

16400 Pacific Coast Highway

Huntington Beach, CA 92648

562.592.5400

With a recent remodel, Shoreline is the latest hookah lounge to hit up. They're unique with their special mixes of hookah and futons to lounge on. They offer card games, bubbles to blow, music videos on the plasmas and a relaxing environment that makes you feel as if you're in another country. They also are big on their music, having a DJ on the weekends and different music always playing in the lounge.

Fusion

512 S Brookhurst St.

Anaheim, CA 92804

714.520.5661

Fusion is best known for it's exotic environment and one of the best hookah lounges in Anaheim. The ambiance is relaxing with all of the cushions, hookah, and laid back staff. They have fair prices and the pipes are clean and in good condition. The biggest problem is how busy they can get because of it's popularity, so don't expect their staff to wait on you as promptly as you'd like.

Hookah Lounge

831 E Colorado St.

Glendale, CA 91205

818.242.3442

This place is spacious and great if you're in a big party. There offer unique flavors, such as peach, and there's always a DJ playing middle-eastern music to make you feel more at home while you smoke your hookah. The food is just as notable, with incredible Mediterranean hummus on the menu, but the service is slow so be patient if you visit this lounge.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com