POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal Reviews
A tattoo I've wanted ended up being a tattoo I'd rather forget.
UPDATED FROM anchor_regret
Quick Update! From YAG to Picosure.
Hi everyone. Apologies for dropping the ball these last couple of months. Quick update:
-I had two YAG treatments (one in April, the other in May with 5 weeks in between)
-The first YAG treatment showed some decent fading, but I might as well not have even done the second treatment... No significant changes what-so-ever.
-I was also getting a sketchy vibe from the place I was going to (I got the impression that the laser they use is outdated... The woman who did my treatment the last time I was there said that the laser was recently repaired so the # it shows on the screen is lower than what it is actually blasting -- ummm... okay?!) so I decided to splurge (A LOT) and go with the Picosure laser for my third treatment at a place called Tataway in Manhattan (just read the Yelp reviews on this place -- all holds true.)
-I had the Pico treatment on Tuesday (June 17) and the woman who performed the treatment on me was NOT stingy at all. She was very thorough and went over a few spots twice to make sure the laser hit every area.
-I used NO numbing creams prior (just iced my arm for a few minutes beforehand) and it was virtually painless (less painful than YAG, that's for sure, but then again, I did not ice my arm before my YAG treatments)
-I blistered an INSANE amount afterwards (as seen in the attached picture)... a million times worse than with the YAG.
-The blisters have since subsided, but the loose skin from them is still covering the tattoo so I'm just waiting for it to naturally peel off. It's also red around the tattoo and starting to get itchy (my favorite stage of the removal process...NOT!)
-Last but not least... I'm really really really (did I mention REALLY?) hoping that the Pico will expedite the removal process. I'm going to give it two treatments before I look into the other laser Tataway has (I'm pretty sure it's YAG, but I trust their laser isn't shady).
So that's that... I'll be sure to update in a couple of weeks with a picture. HOPEFULLY there'll be significant fading to celebrate.
-I had two YAG treatments (one in April, the other in May with 5 weeks in between)
-The first YAG treatment showed some decent fading, but I might as well not have even done the second treatment... No significant changes what-so-ever.
-I was also getting a sketchy vibe from the place I was going to (I got the impression that the laser they use is outdated... The woman who did my treatment the last time I was there said that the laser was recently repaired so the # it shows on the screen is lower than what it is actually blasting -- ummm... okay?!) so I decided to splurge (A LOT) and go with the Picosure laser for my third treatment at a place called Tataway in Manhattan (just read the Yelp reviews on this place -- all holds true.)
-I had the Pico treatment on Tuesday (June 17) and the woman who performed the treatment on me was NOT stingy at all. She was very thorough and went over a few spots twice to make sure the laser hit every area.
-I used NO numbing creams prior (just iced my arm for a few minutes beforehand) and it was virtually painless (less painful than YAG, that's for sure, but then again, I did not ice my arm before my YAG treatments)
-I blistered an INSANE amount afterwards (as seen in the attached picture)... a million times worse than with the YAG.
-The blisters have since subsided, but the loose skin from them is still covering the tattoo so I'm just waiting for it to naturally peel off. It's also red around the tattoo and starting to get itchy (my favorite stage of the removal process...NOT!)
-Last but not least... I'm really really really (did I mention REALLY?) hoping that the Pico will expedite the removal process. I'm going to give it two treatments before I look into the other laser Tataway has (I'm pretty sure it's YAG, but I trust their laser isn't shady).
So that's that... I'll be sure to update in a couple of weeks with a picture. HOPEFULLY there'll be significant fading to celebrate.
anchor_regret's provider
UPDATED FROM anchor_regret
Side-by-Side Picture! (2 weeks post-treatment #1)
Here's a comparison of my tattoo a couple of weeks after getting it to 2 weeks after my first treatment. I couldn't quite get the same lighting, but you get the idea.
Replies (3)
April 17, 2014
I really do like your tattoo! How big is the tattoo? There are some areas that you can see fading! Give it more time and you should see more in the next few weeks!
April 17, 2014
Thanks! It's only about 3 inches in length on my forearm. Next time I do an update, I'll post a picture of my full arm so you can get a better idea of the size.
UPDATED FROM anchor_regret
2 Weeks Post-Treatment #1
Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since my first laser treatment with the YAG laser. The blistering is gone and now all I am really seeing is dry/flakey skin around the darker areas. I'm continuing to apply Bio-Oil and Cortizone-10 with Aloe to the tattoo, but aside from the very light shading inside the anchor that was almost instantly zapped off, I'm not seeing ANY significant fading (I feel like it only looks lighter right now because of all the dry skin).
I'm going to schedule my second treatment in a couple of weeks. I'm only now beginning to realize just how slow this process is going to be... :-\
I'm going to schedule my second treatment in a couple of weeks. I'm only now beginning to realize just how slow this process is going to be... :-\
Replies (1)
April 16, 2014
Thanks for the update. It is a long process but from what I've read, you don't really start seeing any significant fading until after the 6 week mark. You're 2 weeks in and the average removal takes 52+ weeks so it's still early. Be patient and just live your life. Don't let this process consume your life. Then, before you know it, it'll be over. You could also decide to do a cover up once it's faded more. That's what many decide since it's a really long process.
Replies (4)
Hey there, would love an update since your last post. How have you been making out with your removal?