Tattoo Removal: Stories

After having about 10 laser sessions at one place I found out there were actually different lasers so I did some research. The place I 1st went to apparently has a bad reputation. When I got it done at the original place my stomach and foot would swell(where the tattoos are), have heaps of blood blisters, my foot tattoo bled so much my shoe filled up with blood. It was painful of course. The pain afterwards was much worse when I went to this place. I remember writhing in pain I couldn't stop moving. It felt like a major burn. My body would also go from hot to cold- I think this is a form of shock. My sister considered taking me to the doctor or hospital. My whole tattoo would turn into a giant blister by the end of the first day. The only way I got over the pain was to try and fall asleep with ice packs and take pain killers. I would then wake up feeling much better. I thought this was what the norm was for laser tattoo removal..so I went for approx 10 sessions So the 2nd place I went to had the Medlite laser. The place was a lot better. It still hurt a lot. Afterwards was bad but not as bad as the first place. note: I Used Emla numbing cream for all times I have had it done..Still hurt! But it is quick. I had one session here Reading on here I heard the Q-tag laser (not sure of exact name) was the best. It took me awhile to find one in my country. There is only one place here who has it. Skin Institute. So my 3rd place, Skin Institute, I had the Q-tag switched laser. I was not expecting to have the laser done right then as I thought I would have a consultation. But she told me ice works really well and I could give it a go. So we iced up my foot, I was nervous but she really put me at ease. Best service ever. The lady was lovely. She iced it afterwards for a few minutes. I had that same burn feeling but not the horrible feeling I had at the first place. In fact when I got home I didn't even ice it with frozen peas. I don't know if it was better because (A) the Laser (B) the ice worked better than numbing cream. I was walking around and fine during the day. My foot did puff up to a giant blister. it has been really itchy!! First night it was soooo itchy and today (1st day after) it is really itchy. I have heard that means it is healing?? I really hope this gets the blue ink I am having trouble with. Also Green on my stomach I am also surprised that the reddy pink bits on my stomach haven't faded that much If the blue does not fade, I am considering getting the foot tattoo cut out.

Blister is huge and hasn't gone down at all. Feels less sensitive. Decided to let it go down naturally rather than pop it

This is really gross...but blister finally popped by itself. It didn't explode or anything but sort of came out a drop at a time. Still hasn't deflated completely
tomorrow I get my stomach done. I think I will take a bag of peas and ice for a long time afterward. I think because I didn't ice after my foot for the first time it blistered up fast
took some photos..

Today I went to get my stomach done. With green, purple, black, red, yellow and a bit of orange. Such a rainbow of colors!
The lady adjusted the laser for each of these colors and took her time making sure everything was perfectly done. She also fired a test shot for each colors to see how the ink reacted. It took awhile but I like how she really cared and did a good job
Yellow I barely felt, red was fine, green was ok and purple hurt with black being the worst pain. I had iced beforehand and also numbing cream. There was hardly any pain after the treatment and only felt sore when rubbed or touched. Did not swell up like it has done in the past (usually my stomach looks lopsided from swelling) No sign of any blistering. I iced with frozen peas for 2 hrs afterwards.
In regards to my foot. The lady was very surprised and concerned that it had blistered and had never and a patient blister before. I have blistered before though and think perhaps this is because it is on the foot and right on the bone without any fat/cushioning. She gave me some antibiotic cream to put on it and some dressings and told me to monitor it and call in a couple of weeks. It had completely drained by itself now. Will post a pic tomorrow when I change the dressing.

Looking much better,

See photos

No pain or anything. stomach is now healed and foot is just a bit pink where blister is

Waiting to see fading

another thing to add is I have noticed some of the yellow (see in banner) has changed colour..not sure what that means will have to ask next time

has healed completely. haven't noticed any major fading. the pink blister ring is still faintly there on foot. The skin is quite damaged and when i cover it up with make up I can see leathery skin. the tattoo skin is a different texture now. I am thinking I will get the blue part cut out. It will be quicker more effective, less painful and I don't want another blister situation. For the stomach I think I will keep going with laser and see what happens

It has been 4.5 months roughly since I had my laser done. The stomach tattoo looks similar. the parts that changed color have stayed the same black color. The green does look like it has faded but only a bit. My foot-the blister ring has finally gone, only faint if you look closely. The skin is still leathery and scarred/damaged and the color- I haven't noticed a change in the blue. The wings have continued to fade I feel even though they were not lasered again. When I am able to take the time (prob whithin a couple of months) I am going to get the blue part cut out. I talked with a doctor that had done a lot of research about lasers and he mentioned it would be the best way to go and would have a better result. The scar wouldn;t be too bad if done well, would fade. Now that it is just the blue left behind it would be a smaller scar too as that part would only need to be cut out.
Sounds painful but really after all the laser I have been through seems like the best way to go. Faster, Cheaper in the long run.

After everything I have been through I would say test your tattoo with laser as it may fade well (like the bird wings faded instantly. obviously black is easy to remove) if it doesn't fade after 1 or 2 times seek alternative like getting it cut out. I would really think about it if you have blue or green color. just seems so tricky. laser is very painful, adds up cost wise and the most annoying factor for me is the time it takes. I am sick to death of telling everyone what the blue blob on my foot is and why I decided to get it removed etc its like a given convo starter haha

Will keep you updated on getting it cut out! For the stomach I think I will continue with laser as it is fading (slowly) and not fussed as it is a covered place not like my foot

will take a new photo when I can