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POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS

Laser Tattoo Removal on Chest Area - Don't Get Touch-Ups - Georgia

ORIGINAL POST

I have a tattoo of 5 smallish symbols in all black...

donatsu
$300

I have a tattoo of 5 smallish symbols in all black ink across my chest. I got it done towards the end of '09. I'm a quite pale caucasian female. The artist used black ink only, and after it got some sun damage in '10 I went back to get a touch-up. I'm not sure many people think about this when they go in for tattoo removal, but my laser specialist says that a touch-up will drastically increase the average number of laser tattoo removal sessions you will need because you're getting more ink put under the skin. I was happy and completely fine with the tattoo for about a year and a half. And then it was as if I woke up one morning and was ashamed of it. I thought about laser tattoo removal for a few months and then made an appointment with a dermatologist in my area in September '11, paying 300$ per session.

They didn't offer a package deal and they don't try to trick you into spending more money by getting you to sign contracts. I just had my 5th session last week and I can't see so much while it's still scabbed, but I constantly worry about when I will finally start seeing a major difference. I'm ready to go out and stop hiding it with high collar shirts everyday, but it's definitely going to be a while still. I guess you could say I really screwed up by getting a touch-up that one time when I still liked it.

After 2 laser treatments I started seeing small white dots on the inside of the tattoo, but it wasn't fading. After treatment 4 there were more dots and my friends would see them too if they were standing near to me, but from a distance the tattoo looks exactly the same as it did before starting laser tattoo removal. I am moving to Europe in May and will have to find a new laser tattoo removal specialist there, where it costs nearly double the price. I might post a future update, but I hope you, as a reader, learned something from this.

donatsu's provider

Gardner Dermatology

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I have a nurse lasering the tattoo each time and have only seen the doctor when he priced how much each session would cost. The staff here is very kind and really want to help me, and it always smells nice in the waiting room.

Replies (4)

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March 7, 2012
Do you have any pictures? Mine looks a bit faded from a distance, but when you get really close up thats when you can see how much it has changed.
March 7, 2012

That is really good information about how the touch up changes the removal process. I don't think you screwed up by getting the touch up, if you liked it at the time you made the best decision you could have made. Sometimes things just change. I am sorry its making your removal more difficult though.

March 8, 2012
@Tena I actually don't have any pictures. I have been wearing high collared shirts for 2 years now because of it. But after it's healed a bit I might post pictures with a before version and current version. I am so jealous of your pictures haha! I hope yours comes off soon. Thanks for replying!

@Megan Thank you for trying to make me feel better. I am hoping this last session made a larger difference than the previous ones.
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March 11, 2012
You should take pictures before each session! When i look at mine in the mirror I can't see that big of a difference because that's what I see every day, but when i see the pictures I know it is working. So i think taking pictures for you will help to really see if it is truly fading at all.
UPDATED FROM donatsu

I will be posting more pre- and post- treatment...

donatsu
I will be posting more pre- and post- treatment photos after I go in for my 6th treatment. Still not much of a different even after treatment 5 though, really.

Replies (7)

March 19, 2012

Thanks for posting a picture for us. I hope treatment 6 goes well for you!

June 1, 2012
Really good information posted above.This will help me in my research in tattoo removal techniques.
Laser Tattoo Removal
June 1, 2012
I have recently done laser tattoo removal from my neck and I am totally satisfied with it as it has no specific effect on my skin. I would like to suggest laser treatment for those who want to fade off their skin tattoo.
http://drtattoff.net/
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October 2, 2012
We all make mistakes, I am a walking one - had a small tattoo, hated it, got a cover up and touch ups and still hate it (The artist who said he would sue me if i mention his name ) did such a bad job, but has such a great profile it makes no sense to me...anyways, I have had one laser treatment, I have a large tattoo 6 X 12 at its biggests points, lots of dark black/purple, little bit of blue from the orig tattoo, like the size of a quater, and some pink, orange, green/teal stems, you name it, oh even white that thankfully didn't turn black after treatment (least I don't think it did) god what an idiot I am!!! I hate this tattoo so much, it has ruined my life, and I am trying to remain optimistic, but I am so worried it won't be a successful removal based on the colors, the clinic I am goinng to seems positive, but they always would right...as they are performing the procedure they won't tell you any different. I am going to Advantage Laser Clinic in Toronto ON, they gave me a great pacake deal that worked out to $166 per treatment after taxes. Basically I have up to 14 treatments, and if I need more, they will drastically reduce the cost, or possibly treat for free, they said when we get to that bridge we will cross it basically. I am never getting another tattoo, they don't work for me or I just had really really bad luck. I wish anyone out there going through this mess all the best of luck for a successful removal.