It is never ideal to go to prison, but having a mugshot go viral is especially painful. This is a reality for Ohio native, Alyssa Zebrasky, who has one of the most memorable arrest photos because of her face tattoo(s).
After her arrest in December 2018, her mugshot began circulating around various news outlets, detailing her skull face ink.
Getting in trouble was nothing new to Alyssa, but internet virality from a mugshot surely was. Although the occurrence was painful to live through, it marked a turning point in her life. She felt dissociated from who she truly was.
“I had enough. I just couldn’t live like that. I didn’t wanna go back to jail [or] prison. I didn’t want to get high anymore.”
She began recovery shortly after her charges in 2018, and she hasn’t looked back since.
With the then-viral ink still circulating online, her parole officer sent some suggestions for tattoo removal services in the area. Then COVID-19 hit, so any tattoo removal plans had to wait.
Eventually, Alyssa found the INK-nitiative program through Removery’s Instagram page. She applied for the program online and was swiftly accepted once the team heard her impactful story.
Alyssa started using pills at the age of 13 through an introduction from her stepsister. She hoped it would stop the desire to self-harm, something that was already a routine part of her life. It acted as a way to channel emotional pain into something tangible, something that she could pinpoint.
At the time, she knew about alcoholism – but she wasn’t aware about pill addiction. She had no idea what she was getting herself into, and her life quickly changed for the worse.
About one year into her addiction, she started getting into legal trouble. She was on house arrest for nearly 5 years and was arrested a few months after turning 18.
During her early young adulthood, Alyssa’s boyfriend was in a gang which she wanted to join. To be initiated, she needed to get her face tattooed. She decided to do it and didn’t think twice about how it could impact her life. She already had a criminal record, so she felt that life could never pivot itself to something more positive.
That assumption simply wasn’t true in the long run. Today, Alyssa is 2 years sober and wants to be free of the final thing holding her back: her face tattoo.
Removery’s Pittsburgh location had just started accepting clients through the INK-nitiative program when Alyssa started treatments. Becca, a laser removal specialist, has been primarily working with Alyssa on her journey. “When she came in, you could tell she was nervous. It’s a commitment for her,” Becca shares. “She’s never done tattoo removal before. We were nervous; she was nervous, but we warmed up to each other.”
Through the INK-nitiative program, Becca has gained exposure to people she wouldn’t usually meet. “I was very sheltered growing up, and [INK-nitiative] has given me a chance to see people in a different light. They’re good people that want to change, and we’re just trying to help them,” she explains.
Alyssa is now 29 years old and completely focused on living a normal life. “I’ve already kind of worked on healing,” Alyssa says. “Now more than ever, I just want to feel as close to ‘normal’ as possible.”
Though, feeling “normal” in public is tough with a face tattoo of any kind – but especially one like Alyssa’s. “I go into a store, and people stare at me. It makes me uncomfortable.” Some people say they love her tattoos, but others won’t even talk to her.
“I want to be looked at like a normal person. I live my life just like everybody else. I still work a job, have a boyfriend, have friends, and cook dinner. I live a fairly normal life besides people staring at me all the time.”
Alyssa’s face tattoos also affect her ability to get work, hindering her from achieving career goals. “I feel like once the tattoos are removed, better job opportunities will present themselves for me,” she says.
Following her tattoo removal journey, Alyssa hopes to go back to school for CNC machining.
Oftentimes, tattoo removal is the final step for those embarking on a journey of empowerment and self-discovery. Removing a tattoo can remove painful memories from the past and allow people to fully live in their present. Removery proudly offers tattoo removal services in a judgment-free, supportive space so all clients can reclaim their skin comfortably.
“Don’t be afraid to reach out. There are plenty of people that would love to help. There are plenty of people that will help,” says Alyssa.
Now, Alyssa is constantly imagining the sense of relief she’ll feel after her last laser removal session.
“For a very long time, I felt like I wasn’t free. Like I had to live a certain way because of [my] addiction and self-harm.
Now, I feel like I don’t have to live like that anymore. I’m finally free.”
We’re on a mission to give you the most straightforward, easy and efficient laser tattoo removal experience. Your estimate will be entirely bespoke to your tattoo; the size, the colors, the ink. It won’t take long and afterwards you’ll have a plan to finally get rid of your unwanted tattoo and get back to being you.
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