Students waking up from a two-day bender now have a place to get rid of that unwelcome visitor.

Dr. Travis Flanders is celebrating the grand opening of DeKalb’s first tattoo removal facility.

Removing Ink 182, 182 Sycamore Road, has the latest equipment to safely and effectively remove all tattoo impressions.

“I got the idea after grocery shopping,” Flanders said.

He noticed a number of college-aged students with some form of ink. This made him realize that something on a 22-year-old body might not look as great on one three times that age.

“Kids are getting tribal band tattoos and crazy, nonsensical designs above their butt or one of Jesus in an Escalade surrounded by Rottweilers,” Flanders said. “But they’re not picturing how the tattoo is going to look when they reach retirement.”

Though DeKalb has banned tattoo parlors, Flanders did not see any risk in his venture.

“Just because something is outlawed doesn’t mean college kids aren’t going to do it,” he said.

The doctor explained that next to casual sex and drinking alcohol, getting a tattoo is the best way to earn “cool credit.”

Flanders said cool credit is like college credit, but with a real purpose.

“Cool credit lets others know that you exude awesomeness. That, in actuality, is an illusion,” Flanders said. “But it is much more significant to have people think you’re cool than know you’re intelligent.”

The tattoo removal process begins at $150, but can be as expensive as $900.

“I treated a man in Los Angeles who had a tuxedo tattooed on his entire body,” Flanders said. “It cost nearly $1,000 and took two weeks.”

Flanders said the procedure can normally be complete within two visits.

To remove the ink, Flanders uses a Clean-Slate laser. A certified technician uses a tattoo needle and traces the tattoo using synthesized petroleum jelly. The laser then fuses the jelly with the ink which, after a few hours, causes the tattoo to surface, allowing it to be wiped clean.

“This place is going to be a gold mine after this generation sobers up,” said co-owner Jack Donaghy.

Becky Comforte exemplifies Flanders’ typical customer.

“I went a little crazy after Phi Beta Delta’s ‘Rock Out for Multiple Sclerosis Weekend Jamboree’ last semester and got a tattoo of Amelia Earhart riding a pterodactyl,” she said. “I’m just so glad there’s finally a place I can get rid of this monstrosity.”

Flanders’ slogan, “Because you’re going to get old,” encompassed why Huberto Rencho was getting his Wilford Brimley riding a walrus tattoo removed.

“My uncle is pushing 55, and I saw his giant Pancho Villa tattoo on his chest,” Rencho said. “It’s looked like Villa saw someone open the Ark of the Covenant.”