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POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS

A very long and painful process - Pittsburgh, PA

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I have had 3 sessions so far and can see a...

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Tena G
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I have had 3 sessions so far and can see a difference. The red color is almost gone, but i am seeing difficulty with the black. Each session is $250, it is pricey, but hopefully worth it. My tattoo stretches across my chest. it's a quote and two roses. I don't get any anesthetic or numbing lotions and the process is the most painful thing I have ever experienced. The process only lasts a few minutes, but I hope it's over soon. I did it because I hate the tattoo and I am a college student soon to get my masters and realistically don't want to wear high neck shirts for the rest of my life.

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Replies (6)

February 28, 2012

Thanks for posting photos after each session - it is really helpful to see the changes. I know some other users (Sandra11500 & jo-26) both had blistering after their treatment. Does that happen with yours as well?

November 16, 2015
I don't understand, why go without anesthesia? Expense, time. I don't see why the procedure has to be painful for you. The older technology is going to hurt more. I'm a dermatologist, and I just bought a Picosure with 532 nm for the Reds, yellow and orange. I'm going to make it painless for my customers. There is no excuse not to. It gives laser treatment a bad name.
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November 26, 2015
What??? The tattoo removal process is going to painful regardless of the type of laser. I think having lidocaine injections isn't worth it unless you have a really large tattoo, and can't tolerate the pain. It would take longer to get the injections than just powering through the sessions...
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April 2, 2016
Did u use Qswitch or picosure?
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April 2, 2016
Did u use Qswitch? Or picosure
April 10, 2016
I can relate. I had a small tattoo on my ankle removed last and it took a total of 10 sessions. I kept pictures of the progression and it did seem like a long time before a saw a difference, then all of a sudden one day I did. It seems like forever when you are waiting. After your treatments, try not to look at it to much. (I know easier said than done!) I was looking at mine constantly. When I quit thinking about it and quit looking so much then I could see the change. good luck to you.
UPDATED FROM Tena G

I just had my fourth session today! It hurt much...

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Tena G
I just had my fourth session today! It hurt much more than all of the other times, but she forgot to put an ice pack on it. Every session, except for the second session blistered A LOT.

Replies (9)

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March 4, 2012
I had major blistering after the first and third sessions, but none at all after the second...it was strange!
April 26, 2013
Do you think that 9 is really high for laser settings for tattoo removal.I tried to tell her I want to go low and slow and she was like I'm ignoring you because I kind of kept second guessing her decisions.she said the max is 12.I'm like as long as you don't scar me.she said she's been working with lasers for 10 years and removing tattoos for 5.med spa she's not a derm doc so thats why I kept asking her this and that
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April 27, 2013
aloha bigmikev,  I understand your caution, no one wants to scar.  In addition you're feeling ink regret, so it's only natural to be cautious and curious.   I also think you have to trust the experts.  Your technician says she's been doing this for five years, and working with lasers for twice that.  I would see how your skin reacts and then next time mention your concerns if there is visible skin damage.  It does take some healing time.  I had a R20 last month and the skin is still healing.  That's why (according to my plastic surgeon) that the appoinments should be at least six weeks apart, preferably longer.  Good luck!  aloha...k
March 5, 2012

No ice pack - ouch!! Good job for pushing through it! Are you blistering up or is it ok?

March 6, 2012
I am VERY jealous! How many touch ups did you have before removal and how old is the tattoo? You have a much larger chest tattoo with more colors than I do but yours seems to be having much more success fading. Sigh.
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March 6, 2012
Megan P- I still have blisters. I have had them with every removal session except for one, so i feel it's just normally how my skin reacts!

donatsu- I never had the tattoo touched up. The roses are about 6 years old and the lettering is about 3-4 years old. I have very fair skin so maybe that could be why I am seeing good results.
March 21, 2012
Wow your tattoo has faded so much. Im thinking about getting my tattoo removed but kinda worried i dont want to do that and regret that too. Do you know what kind of laser they used? and was your tattoo professionally done?
UPDATED FROM Tena G

Today was my fifth session and my tattoo looks to...

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Tena G
Today was my fifth session and my tattoo looks to be making great progress. My doctors machine was broken so she had a loan machine that she said was much stronger. As always the left side of my body hurt much more than the right or the middle. The tattoo bled this time, which it has never done before.

Replies (17)

April 30, 2012

So happy to hear your tattoo removal is making good progress!! I'm sorry its such an uncomfortable process though. :-/

Would love to see another picture - things were already looking so faded after the 4th session I'm excited to see what this one brings for you.

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April 30, 2012
Thanks! I always take pictures right before I go into my session so I will have the next one in about two months!
I will take a picture of what it looks like all blistery though so people know what they're getting into.
May 1, 2012

It is great that you posted the picture that shows what it is like right after. I know that will be very helpful for people to see.

I hope those blisters heal up as quick as possible for you - they look pretty uncomfortable.

May 3, 2012
Wow! That looks painful...I just recently had an old tattoo covered up and hate it...I literally just got the new one on sunday(4 days ago). I am now looking into laser removal..my tattoo is from my elbow to my shoulder blade... :(
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November 17, 2012
Hi Jess11, have you started your removal treatment?
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May 4, 2012

The blisters aren't too bad, it's just the actual procedure that hurts the most. user donatsu is having trouble removing a tattoo that was touched up, so if you go through the process I would ask if it would be difficult because it is a cover up.

May 11, 2012
Just started my tattoo removal journey last week, so far so good & no blisters or irritation. Will post my pics soon, thanks for sharing.
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May 21, 2012
You are lucky that you don't blister, I usually always have!
I'd love to see your pictures.