Tattoo Removal: Forum
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Real Tattoo Removal Success Stories/Pictures - Do they really exist??

By DaveTat1234 on 18 Dec 2012

I have been searching for research, pictures and support since I began my tattoo removal. I have found that every site will have after pictures which make the tattoo look like it never existed. What I have never found is one real looking sequence to support that tattoo removal actually exists. It's like the sasquatch of searched online topics. Does anyone out there have a link to a REAL CASE where laser tattoo has actually worked, not some photo shopped images or a picture taken from some random website???

Comments (9)

patrickswant 7 Apr 2013
The tattoo can not be completely invisible, but it can be faded enough Check out this youtube (youtube.com/watch?v=GEUpNNi_TjQ)
Carmen6352 28 Mar 2013

Hi, i had a 2" x 3" black panther tattoo removed by laser from my chest. The panther was a cover up and the ink was very very dark. I had 6 sessions back in 2005 and it faded the tattoo to a very very light shadow. I stopped the treatments because i was getting a bit of scarring where the head of the panther was. I believe that if i had waited longer between sessions the scarring would not have been as bad. And it really isnt bad at all. I have pics somewhere....

blackberry11 (RealFriend) 22 Dec 2012
Hi, check out this blog http://tattoos-no-more.blogspot.ca/   She is going through multiple tattoo removal with color, and her images are very real. I agree it will take more than 10 treatments for large, color tattoos. I am in the process, on my 4th treatment...and I see some fading, and broken lines, but I feel it will take lots of treatments up to 20 to remove. Oh well, such as life! I have contacted many tattoo shop owners and asked if they have ever seen a full removal and this is from a very well respected tattoo artist/shop owner in California: "I Know that if you lighten it up you can work with it. I'm not sure why the laser wouldn't remove the color?? I have seen full color pieces removed like there wasn't anything there before. So I am not sure why it shouldn't take off the color. I know reds and greens may be harder but they still come off." Don't worry, it will work...just takes time. Take care! Oh I am posting my removal - Blackberry11      
vickimarie 20 Dec 2012
Hey Dave Check this place out. I've heard they do awesome work. It's called the Tattoo Removal Shop.
San Diego1834 20 Dec 2012
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DaveTat1234 20 Dec 2012
I've seen this sight. It is very encouraging! But I have seen that grim reaper on many other sites before. I feel like these sites give a false representation.
Megan P (Community Manager) 18 Dec 2012

You have definitely found the right place. I'm assuming you missed the stories that have been posted by our community members. There are currently 74 stories posted, and many of them have pictures with them (click here to see them).

Our community members are really supportive and helpful, so don't hold back from posting comments and questions for them. :)

DaveTat1234 18 Dec 2012
Hey Megan, I've actually been checking the site for over a year now. I, like so many others, represent the members who decided to get laser removal, posted pictures of a few sessions and have trailed off since. I am up to 5 sessions and each session after the first seems to be doing less and less. I was motivated to do the removal from your before and after pictures. I feel however that so many sites have the same amazing before and after pictures, I just don't see any similar progress in many of the community reviews. Google search 'tattoo removal' and you'll see great after shots of sequences from 6 sessions or less. The reality I fear is that it can take 20 or more sessions and that the effect of the laser is seen as scars to the skin. After the tattoo artists misrepresenting the tattoo and removal specialist misinformation on removal I'm feeling a little fed up. Just want some truth.
Megan P (Community Manager) 18 Dec 2012

Yeah, I realized who you were after I posted that comment, sorry I didn't before. The member reviews are often the best way to get a realistic idea of the process, since they are pictures posted by people actually doing the treatments. If you are referring to the pictures in the photo gallery, those are provided by doctors who have done successful treatments so people have a variety of images to see. Some people don't like the pictures in the reviews since the lighting and distance that the photo is taken at aren't as controlled as the pictures taken in a doctors office. From the reviews I have read, it seems you are right that it takes many sessions, but obviously each person/tattoo reacts  a bit different.

I'm sorry you are feeling fed up with the process. I can imagine its frustrating when you just want the dang thing gone!

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