Overview

SW Tattoo Removal Program (Southwest Tattoo Removal Program) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in San Antonio, Texas, founded to provide free and low-cost laser tattoo removal services to help individuals overcome barriers to employment and create better opportunities for their futures. Operating since 2016, the organization specializes in removing visible tattoos from faces, hands, and necks for unemployed individuals at no cost, while offering affordable services to the general public with proceeds supporting the mission to help previously incarcerated individuals, trafficking survivors, and others seeking second chances.

About the Clinic

SW Tattoo Removal Program was founded in 2016 by Loretta Kent, a former emergency room nurse who was inspired to create the organization after her earlier involvement with a police and plastic surgeon-led gang tattoo removal program that closed due to staffing challenges. Haunted by the thought of young people marked with tattoos that affected their lives and employment prospects, Kent invested $20,000 to $30,000 of her own money to purchase a refurbished Astanza Duality laser and establish the nonprofit, operating part-time on Saturdays while continuing full-time nursing work until her retirement in 2020. The practice now operates full-time with Kent handling the business side and Nicole Miller serving as the laser technician—herself a former client who became a volunteer before joining as paid staff. A dedicated volunteer manages client scheduling and front office operations. The organization’s mission is to provide low-cost tattoo removal that opens better job opportunities and allows participants to obtain employment or enter military or police service free from prejudice or discrimination. SW Tattoo Removal Program performs approximately 300 treatments per month, with 40% of clients meeting the mission criteria for free or heavily discounted services and the remaining 60% paying affordable rates that subsidize treatments for those in need. Services include complete tattoo removal, fading for cover-up preparation, and selective tattoo removal using FDA-approved Astanza laser technology. The program removes tattoos from faces, hands, and necks completely free for unemployed individuals, while all other body locations and services for employed clients start at just $45 per session—significantly less than typical commercial rates. The organization partners with probation and police departments, military recruiters, and youth programs, and appears at job fairs and in prisons to spread awareness about free removal opportunities.

What Clients Are Saying

Clients seeking tattoo removal at SW Tattoo Removal Program can expect professional, compassionate laser treatments delivered with expertise and genuine care for helping individuals achieve life-changing transformations. The program’s commitment to making removal accessible through free services for qualifying individuals and extremely affordable rates for others positions them uniquely in the San Antonio community. Founded on the principle that everyone deserves an even playing field and second chances to clear skin, the organization demonstrates its social mission through both its pricing structure and its dedication to removing barriers that prevent people from moving forward in their lives. Nicole Miller’s journey from participant to volunteer to employed technician exemplifies the program’s impact and the caring, supportive environment fostered by founder Loretta Kent. The practice’s use of advanced Astanza laser technology, comprehensive aftercare support, and customized treatment plans ensures clients receive safe, effective removal regardless of their ability to pay, with complimentary consultations allowing prospective clients to understand the process and determine eligibility for assistance programs before committing.

Laser Type Used

Astanza Duality
Q-switched lasers represent the industry standard for professional tattoo removal, utilizing rapid, high-energy pulses to thermo-acoustically break down tattoo ink particles into minute fragments. These advanced laser systems emit ultra-short pulses of light (measured in nanoseconds) at specific wavelengths that target tattoo pigments while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. The ‘Q-switched’ designation refers to the quality-switching technique that allows the laser to store energy and release it in extremely brief, powerful bursts that create photoacoustic effects to shatter ink particles. Common Q-switched laser types include Nd:YAG lasers (1064nm for darker inks, 532nm for lighter colors), Ruby lasers (694nm), and Alexandrite lasers (755nm), with wavelength selection depending on ink colors and skin type. Once fragmented by the laser energy, the microscopic ink particles are naturally absorbed and eliminated by the body’s lymphatic system over several weeks, with the process typically requiring multiple treatment sessions spaced 4-8 weeks apart for optimal clearance results.

Business Hours

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
By appointment only – Contact (210) 420-8385 to schedule

Unique Features

SW Tattoo Removal Program stands uniquely as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to removing employment barriers caused by visible tattoos, providing completely free removal services for unemployed individuals seeking to eliminate ink from faces, hands, and necks. The organization’s social mission-driven model uses revenue from affordable general services (starting at just $45 per session) to subsidize free treatments for previously incarcerated individuals, trafficking survivors, students, those on probation or parole, and others whose visible tattoos prevent employment opportunities. Founded by former ER nurse Loretta Kent, who invested tens of thousands of her own dollars to launch the program, SW Tattoo Removal Program demonstrates authentic commitment to community service rather than profit maximization. The practice’s innovative business model reaches approximately 300 treatments monthly, with 40% qualifying for mission-based assistance and 60% paying affordable rates that remain significantly below commercial pricing throughout San Antonio. The organization’s partnerships with criminal justice systems, military recruiters, youth programs, and community organizations extend its reach to populations most in need of removal services. SW Tattoo Removal Program’s use of text-based consultation and scheduling makes access convenient and removes barriers for potential clients who may be intimidated by traditional appointment systems. The practice offers bundle pricing for multiple tattoos and special discounts for large areas like sleeves, maximizing affordability while maintaining quality care through FDA-approved Astanza technology and comprehensive aftercare support that ensures safe, effective results for all clients.