We often think of the nonprofit sector as the main origin of charitable activities, but the for-profit corporate space can also be a significant source of philanthropic and social action. INK-nitiative, a charitable program of the tattoo removal company Removery, is an example of a for-profit company leveraging its unique skills to address the social impact of tattoo removal and drive meaningful social change through an integrated not-for-profit service.

The for-profit corporate space can also be a significant source of philanthropic and social action.

By offering free tattoo removal to individuals marked by painful pasts, such as gang affiliations, hate symbols, or reminders of human trafficking or incarceration, the program empowers participants to reclaim their identity and dignity. This effort restores self-esteem and removes barriers that can block access to employment, housing, or social acceptance.

The ripple effects of programs like INK-nitiative often extend beyond the individual participants. By helping people move forward, they can contribute to stronger families, more inclusive workplaces, and healthier communities.

Through this program, Removery provides a blueprint for other socially conscious companies looking for innovative ways to address systemic challenges while leaning into corporate social responsibility.

A New Approach to the Social Impact of Tattoo Removal

Removery is an international tattoo removal company that calls itself “the worldwide laser tattoo removal leader,” and has as its mission “to normalize tattoo removal and empower people to feel confident in their skin.”

Around 2019, the company’s leadership saw an opportunity to engage in charitable work. By adopting and expanding a program originally started by The Finery, another tattoo removal company that Removery acquired, the company was able to make a significant impact on people marked by their past through INK-nitiative. The program offers free tattoo removal services for the formerly incarcerated, former gang members, survivors of human trafficking, and those who want to remove hate symbols or racist tattoos from their bodies.

Read the full article about the social impact of tattoo removal by Jennifer Johnson at Nonprofit Quarterly.