A full sleeve, a chest piece and a forearm walk into a bar... - Sherman Oaks, CA

Hi all-

I have been scouring this site reading all of the reviews/input and it has been extremely helpful, so I decided to post about my first experience. I went to Dr. Tattoff in Sherman Oaks, CA for my first appointment yesterday. I am having 4 tattoos removed in total. A full sleeve (outline only), 2 birds on my chest (the only colored tattoos) and a tattoo on my forearm (the smallest of them all).

I generally have pretty high pain tolerance, but this was no walk in the park. If this is what it feels like with the numbing cream, I'd hate to know what it feels like without. We got through the forearm tattoo, chest piece and 1/4 of the sleeve before stopping (no breaks in between). The nurse advised that she did not want to laser the whole sleeve since I would probably look like the hulk today-the tattoos that we had already lasered were significantly raised and starting to puff up so she started to ice them immediately. For the record, I have always had extremely sensitive skin so I was not too surprised. I am returning in 2 weeks to finish the rest of the sleeve. I iced and kept the arms elevated for the rest of the night. I woke up this morning feeling pretty good. A little tight, but nothing major and have been applying aloe cort cream as advised. It is now extremely itchy.

I got the birds when I turned 18 (I am 29 now) and have regretted them for the past few years now. The forearm tattoo was after a break up and the sleeve was during a low point in my life so I am glad to be starting this new journey. I was quoted 13 sessions for the birds, and 12 for the two others. I know it will be a long (and painful) journey, but I am trying to keep optimistic. I know that the green might possibly not be 100% removed and am just looking forward to it fading as much as possible.

I hope some of this information helps someone else like the other posts have helped me! :)