Oklahoma City Doctor Helping People Remove Hateful Tattoos For Free

An Oklahoma City doctor is using his office and talent to give back to the community.

Dr. Clinton Webster and Oklahoma Plastic Surgeons are looking for people who want to take advantage of a more-than-a-year-long process by offering to remove hate-related tattoos for free in an event called “Erase the Hate OKC.”

 “We want to find people who are truly interested in making a change in their life,” Webster said. “As much as we would like it to be something like photoshop, where we just pass over it and it goes away, it doesn’t quite work that way. It typically takes between three and four treatments, usually spaced between six to eight weeks apart.”

Before they can change a patient’s outside, Webster said they need to make sure the patient has changed on the inside.

“We want to make sure that we’re choosing the best candidates where we can really deliver a good result for them,” Webster said. “And have them go on to [have] a positive influence in the community.”

When Webster and Oklahoma Plastic Surgeons first rolled out the program last year, Webster said they removed hate and gang-related tattoos for 28 people.

“The hate-based art can be pretty graphic. It’s scary,” he explained.

Webster said after getting the tattoos removed, many of the participants were able to advance in life.

Many earned jobs they might have previously been turned away from because of the tattoos.

“We really saw some great stories about some patients that changed their lives, and yet, still needed to change the ways they are seen in our community,” Webster said. “And that’s really been the nice thing about this.”

“There’s a lot going on right now. Just kind of known that we’re at least doing a little part to help point us in a more positive direction.”

If you’re interested in the program, you can apply here. Applications are due July 11.

The event starts July 17. Additional information can be found here.