"Gang Members only stay in a gang for less than one year…the stigma of the permanent tattoos branded on their hands, breasts, faces, arms label them for life."

Started in 1998 by board certified plastic surgeon Roger C. Mixter, MD and Cindy Graf as a means to give back to the Milwaukee community, Lose the Tattoos is a non-profit gang tattoo removal program that specializes in the treatment of unwanted  gang tattoos from “at risk” teens wanting to change their lives.  Tattoo removal is performed by using a laser that selectively targets the color of the ink, leaving the normal skin color intact, and several treatments are required to remove the unwanted tattoos.  Lose the Tattoos focuses on removing amateur gang tattoo symbols and slogans which label young people in their early years and prevent them from getting jobs even if he or she has decided to leave the gang life.  Many young people get these tattoos from familial ties or neighborhood alliances between the ages of 9-13, too young to really make a decision about one’s life.  Upon application to Lose the Tattoos, the young boys and girls must sign a contract to denounce all gang activity, refuse drugs and alcohol, keep all of their appointments and to not put any further tattoos on their body.  Members of Lose the Tattoos must complete 20-60 hours of community service to earn the tattoo removal treatments that are valued at $1200-2000 depending on the number and size of the tattoos. 

In 2001, Lose the Tattoos partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee to host the tattoo removal clinic and to channel these young people into positive neighborhood and school activities.  The Boys and Girls Club staff are instrumental in directing “at risk” youth to the Lose the Tattoos program.  Other referrals to Lose the Tattoos come from school guidance counselors, parole officers, community program counselors and word of mouth.  Volunteers from suburban high schools volunteer their time at the clinic, while Drs Mark Blake and Roger Mixter as well as Clinic of Cosmetic Surgery staff oversee the actual treatments. Prominent community members speak during the clinic night about their careers and pathways to a different life.  Lose the Tattoos is a multi faceted volunteerism project and is extremely rewarding to all involved.

Lose the Tattoos is a part of the FACE Foundation which treats children with facial deformities living in Mexico, Russia, and Cuba.  Dr. Roger C. Mixter is the foundation director and has donated many hours and resources to helping children here in Milwaukee as well as abroad.

For more information about how you can be a part of this important community project, Lose the Tattoos, contact Cindy Graf, Executive Director at cindy.graf@gmail.com or call 262.707.5313.