Tattoo Removal: Stories

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My Tattoo Removal - Toronto ON

palmtree16
updated 25 days ago

Not Sure
Cost: $2,000
Toronto, ON

Immediately after getting my tattoo and taking the...

6 Feb 2013

Immediately after getting my tattoo and taking the bandage off I knew I hated it and it wasn't me. I didn't rush out and get it. I thought about it for a long time. But unfortunately I didn't end up loving it the way I thought I would. It's been almost a year and a half since I got it. I immediately started looking into removal options and went for a few consultations. I started removal only a few months after getting it.

I have now had 6 removal sessions. The first 5 were done with the medlite C6 laser. For my 6th treatment I switched to a new removal place because they have the new TATTX laser. I was started at a very low setting there since all my other sessions were at a different clinic and they didn't know how my skin was going to react. I have not noticed a difference since that treatment but I'm hoping when I go for my next session and the laser gets turned up I'll notice more fading. I really hope I can get rid of this thing, and without scarring. There are only a couple people who even know I have it and I hate the thought of anyone else seeing it. I dread summer because it's not exactly in a easy spot to hide.

I wanted to post a review because when I was looking for options I couldn't find many reviews from actual people undergoing removal.

I have a few photos I am going to try and post but I'm not sure of the exact date of them or what treatment it was. I don't have any recent ones since my sixth but nothing noticable has changed.

I went for my my 8th treatment yesterday. (3rd...

28 Apr 2013

I went for my my 8th treatment yesterday. (3rd treatment with the Tattx laser). The laser was turned up to the highest setting and it hurt so bad! (They don't use numbing cream there - just cold air and ice packs for a couple minutes before). Immediately after the treatment my back felt super hot and sore but that didn't last for too long. Today it is just a little tender and very red.

I asked them to send my pictures to me so that I can post on here for everyone to see but I haven't received them yet. For now I tried taking a picture myself to show it but I apologize for the crappy quality! lol The picture definetly doesn't show how red it really is.

The tattoo is definetly lighter then before I started treatments but at the same time I was hoping for better results by now :(. The lady doing my treatment said she thought maybe 3 more sessions but said its hard to tell. I was told I would probably only need 3 or 4 treatments when I went for my Tattx consulation and it's already been 3! Hoping since they laser was turned all the way up this time I see greater fading (and no scarring).

I have also noticed this time that the spots with...

28 Apr 2013

I have also noticed this time that the spots with lots of shading still left look sort of white / grey - I am hoping this isn't the start of scarring / hypopigmentation :S. Does anyone else experience this right after a treatment?

Great review?

Comments (32)

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Regretful99 29 Apr 2013

Your fading looks great! Stay positive :)

kahelelani (RealFriend) 29 Apr 2013

aloha palmtree16, You are doing so great, I think you'll have excellent fading. I don't think you'll be having any scarring or hypopigmentation, from what I understand from others' treatments this type of thing happens with more treatments that are agressive. Don't let anything stand in your way of removing the ink. As for the number of treatments: during my initial consultation I was told ten, then after my second session I was told 15. This lead me to believe that there really is no way to tell how many sessions will be necessary, everyone is different, ink varies, and all of this is one big crap shoot. But I think it's worth the gamble. I have had one R20 session with three passes about five weeks again. The area still feels raised but I'm thinking this is just part of thehealing process. I slather on vit e oil and hope for the best. I know many people don't want a scar, but for me I'd rather have ink free visible skin with a small scarring that I could treat with mederma. Good luck! aloha...k

Unink Me 28 Apr 2013

I think the R20 method is definitely worth a shot. I've never heard of the TattX laser. Do you think it's working better than the Medlite? Maybe the tech had the settings low... sometimes they do that to keep customers coming back. You should look into the Revlite or the Picosecond laser. You are getting a lot of fading! Sometimes I guess these things just take time. I am scheduled for my first R20 on June 1st and I hope the outline of this newly applied tattoo goes away FAST!

palmtree16 28 Apr 2013

I'm not really sure. Its hard to tell. I noticed a lot more fading with the medlite but that was because there was a lot of light shading and that is always the easiest to remove. I have noticed more lines breaking up. Most of the shading was gone by the time I started with the Tattx and linework takes a lot longer to remove. I do notice that my skin doesn't seem as damaged after the Tattx treatment though. The area usually looks back to normal pretty quickly and I haven't really blistered. I did ask them about the R20 method but she told me there is a greater chance of scarring with it. So I would rather continue doing it this way. As much as I want it removed I don't want a scar left in its place. Good luck with your treatment! Do you have a review posted?

blackberry11 (RealFriend) 28 Apr 2013

You're doing great!! Thanks for the update and hang in there ok :)

palmtree16 28 Apr 2013

Thank you! :) I'm always so worried after my treatments until it starts healing because it always looks so awful and I'm afraid I will scar. Now that the weather is getting hotter too its even worse because its harder to find clothes that will cover it. I'm hoping one day I can go out in public in a tshirt again! lol

John0109 26 Mar 2013

Hey, I just read that the Ruby laser is the best for dark colors such as black ink. That Picosure laser is awesome for blues and greens. They can do multiple Ruby laser treatments one sessions after another if desired. Usually up to a maximum of four per session. I see your tattoo is all black, so you will want to make sure that they are using that Ruby laser.

kahelelani (RealFriend) 15 Feb 2013

I'm so glad you are posting your experience. I've been watching Blackberry11's experience as well as Barbiedoll90. There are so many experiences out there. And I know about ink regret, the bandage came off of mine and I instantly hated it and made an appointment for removal. I didn't jump into this decision, had been waiting for four years, talking with the artist, had designs and it just didn't turn out the way it was intended. Note to self: always speak up, you are the customer and you have rights. I have had two sessions with alex trivantage (I think) and the next session will be the R20 technique. I read the intial medical study done in Greece and it is available to read online through the NCBI database. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22036610 The participants did not have scarring and the technician who does my treatments is trained by a noted plastic surgeon. I have full confidence that it will be the best way and the clinic I go to will adopt this treatment as their standard practice as they have clients who fly into the area for treatment. By the end of May I will have had 8 treatments (two singles and two R20) andhopefully it'll be fading. I do like your pictures and I do like your tattoo, it's beautiful! But if it's not for you, then it's not for you. Many people say my tattoo is beautiful but it is just not for me. Good luck with removal and keep us posted.

palmtree16 15 Feb 2013

Thank you so much for your response! It's nice to know I'm not the only one going through this and I'm glad I can help others! You're right... It's just not for me. I felt like the tattoo artist rushed my tattoo. He had another appt scheduled close to mine and I felt like he was trying to hurry up and get mine done. He asked me at one point if I would want to come back another day to finish it and I said I wanted it all done that day like planned. (now I wish I stopped and left!! lol) Another artist walked in and commented on how he still had at tons to do and wouldn't finish in time. He said he would "get it done". Another mistake I made was letting him freehand some flowers that weren't on the original design. I feel like it looks so uneven and awful and some of the flowers were poorly done. I realize removal is a very lengthy process but I feel like after 6 treatments I'm not seeing the fading that I should be. I'm always so worried I am going to be stuck with this forever. Best of luck in your removal. I would really love to see pictures of your tattoo/progress as well. Do you have a review posted?

blackberry11 (RealFriend) 16 Feb 2013

Hi, I wanted to remind you that your fading is significant, I really feel that your removal is going very well...it just may not seem like it to you. So sorry this happened to you, when you speak about your artist sounds much like mine. He also was nearing the end of his day and had one more tattoo...oh well :)

John0109 16 Feb 2013

They are actually coming out with a permanent tattoo ink, that upon contact with a certain laser, will totally disintegrate and disappear. It's ink contained inside small tiny bubbles underneath your epidermis. If we push the FDA enough, and write letters and emails, maybe we can get this ink to be a mandatory standard. So in the future, a tattoo mistake will be more forgiving, less costly, quicker, and less painful. Freedom-2 is the name of the company I think. I read that the FDA is evaluating it.

blackberry11 (RealFriend) 16 Feb 2013

I heard about that ink to, is it available for sale, or is it only in review right now?

John0109 16 Feb 2013

http://www.laserskinsurgery.com/Tattoo-Removal That website has plenty of info about that R0 method I was talking about.

John0109 16 Feb 2013

I'm not really sure, it was invented in 2007 but I don't know if it was release or cleared through the FDA yet. Either way, if its cleared, then we need to have the FDA make it a mandatory standard.

blackberry11 (RealFriend) 16 Feb 2013

Agreed, as it would make things so much easier as you mentioned. It's so frustrating to hear that some artists just don't care - for example how palmtree16 mentions she feels her artist rushed the tattoo, you simply don't do that! How dare anyone be so careless...I know with my tattoo artist, he just didn't care either. When I look back all the signs were there and for some reason I just ignored them...stupid stupid stupid! When I look at my tattoo and think about what we discussed I just don't understand. I clearly said no dark black, and keep it lower on the neck so I can wear normal T shirts to hide it - it did the opposite of both! In addition to that, he did a horrible job - looks nothing like the sketch, oh well. I am planning for it not being 100% removed as I just don't feel it going to be. So probably have to do a cover up, but I will not rush it and it will need to be perfect. I have already spoken to some artists who feel once it's faded enough it will be a super easy cover up...larger tattoo of course ( scary) but turn it into a beautiful back piece and I will need to accept that if that is the outcome. I know I adore other back pieces on women, I just hope it looks as good on me as it does on the women on the internet...

John0109 23 Feb 2013

I just read about this new laser that came out this month. It's called PicoSure, and it runs at higher pulses, or faster pulses, and it's more effective than a Q-Switched laser. It's supposedly the biggest development in tattoo removal since the Q-switched laser. This website has more on it. http://digital.miinews.com/publication/?i=146736

Mark38419 23 Feb 2013

sounds good

blackberry11 (RealFriend) 24 Feb 2013

Thanks for the information!

kahelelani (RealFriend) 25 Feb 2013

aloha palmtree16, No I don't have a review of my experience posted. I just comment on others, the brave souls that post pictures. I've shared my picture of my tattoo with others via email but nothing more than that. I'm still negotiating with the artist about contribution towards the expense of removal. As you comment above, there were signs that this wasn't the day for a tattoo but I ignored them because I had been waiting for so long, was so excited to get it done and most importantly I trusted this artist because I had been to him before. But alas I have learned the hard way and the expensive way. I won't be doing it again. I have other tattoos by him and they are lovely but this was a mistake, plain and simple. But luckily with technology, time, patience and some money the mistake will be corrected. I might consider posting in the future, but for now just know that I am supporting you in your ink regret journey. Your tattoo is beautiful but alas if it's not what you want, then it's not what you want and off it shall go. But don't let it stop you from doing the things you enjoy. Keep us posted, good luck. aloha...kahelelani

palmtree16 25 Feb 2013

Thank you very much! :) And I really hope your artist will contribute towards your removal for you. It is definitely expensive. But hopefully worth it :) I am hoping to go for my 7th treatment this weekend. I will never get another tattoo again!!! lol

kahelelani (RealFriend) 25 Feb 2013

Good luck with your treatment this weekend. The beginning of the month, a new beginning for you! I hear ya on the "never another one". I have several from this trusted artist, but alas it was the last. I'm going to celebrate removal with a commemorative bracelet or something. Yes removal is expensive but I think the peace of mind that it brings is worth the price. I look forward to hearing your update after lucky no. 7 treatment

John0109 13 Feb 2013

You should do the R20 method. There's also an R0 method out but only in NYC.

palmtree16 13 Feb 2013

I have read that scarring is more likely with the R20 method. As much as I want this thing gone I'm trying to be very careful since I don't want to be left with scars in its place. What is the R0 method?

John0109 14 Feb 2013

That's interesting. I read that although there is more epidermal injury with the r20, there is no extra scarring. That's what all of the websites say. The r0 method is the same as the r20, but a topical cream is applied first, so there is no need for the 20 minute wait in between. Saves an hour and 20 mins per session. laserskinsurgery has a website about it. It doesn't allow a direct link.

blackberry11 (RealFriend) 11 Feb 2013

wow, tons of fading, awesome!!! How many sessions did they predict for you for full removal?