Getting your first tattoo is not only a memorable experience because of its novelty, but also because of its permanence. Or is it? Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker actually lost his first tattoo, although not through laser removal, but due to an unforgettable plane crash. Travis Barker and DJ AM were the sole survivors out of the six passengers of the 2008 flight. Barker was left with severe second and third-degree burns from the waist down. The heavily tattooed drummer had the ink burnt off of both legs. One of the tattoos he lost was his very first. It read 'Bones' (a nickname of his), yet after skin graft procedures, Barker was cautious about getting his ink replaced.
Last year, Barker discussed his tattoo loss during a Fuse interview: “I started getting some of the work done on my grafts, but it hurts like hell on my grafts for some reason just cause I don’t think all of the nerves have all the way grown back or settled. So in a matter of time I will… I think I have to give it a little more time,” he said. However, on July 13, he revealed to TMZ that it was finally time to get back under the needle now that he has a clean bill-of-health.
Despite rare situations such as these, World Wide Motion Picture Corporation’s documentary series Skin Deep takes a close look at the thrill surrounding a first tattoo, and thrives on saying that 'tattoos are for a lifetime!'