POSTED UNDER PicoSure Reviews
Black Tattoo Removal
UPDATED FROM abs2411
4 years post
Switched to Enlighten Laser-- 4 sessions in (happy!)
abs2411May 11, 2018
$1,350
Thought I'd update. Was getting frustrated with progress of Picosure- last session in early 2017 felt like it barely did anything and I was getting frustrated with the lack of transparency with my removal provider who gave me q-switch treatments even though we'd always talked about me doing Picosure. I don't want to publicly call them out but if you're in the NYC area and want to ask me feel free to. Now I'm going to James Silberzweig, MD and switching to a dermatologist but him in particular has been way better. I feel much more assured by his expertise, his staff is great, and the Enlighten laser is working way faster and more dramatically (it's supposed to be better for black tattoos compared to Picosure).
I've generally been waiting about 2-3 months between treatments. I'm going to go in for my 5th treatment at the end of this month, and I'll have waited close to 5 months since the 4th. He recommended I spread the sessions out more to get the most of them.
I've been slowly also trying to address the raised scarring from the tattoo but haven't made a concerted effort, just applying scar gel semi-routinely. We talked about it at one point and he said there wasn't really a good way to address it, but I'll talk to him next time about it since things are always changing in this area. Might try microneedling/a dermaroller. I should mention that I'm insanely OCD and the progress is actually great-- up close I can see the scarring but it's really very minimal and there isn't really the ghosting that I was started to see with Picosure and was nervous about.
I've generally been waiting about 2-3 months between treatments. I'm going to go in for my 5th treatment at the end of this month, and I'll have waited close to 5 months since the 4th. He recommended I spread the sessions out more to get the most of them.
I've been slowly also trying to address the raised scarring from the tattoo but haven't made a concerted effort, just applying scar gel semi-routinely. We talked about it at one point and he said there wasn't really a good way to address it, but I'll talk to him next time about it since things are always changing in this area. Might try microneedling/a dermaroller. I should mention that I'm insanely OCD and the progress is actually great-- up close I can see the scarring but it's really very minimal and there isn't really the ghosting that I was started to see with Picosure and was nervous about.
UPDATED FROM abs2411
2 years post
1 week post 4th session shoulder, 3rd session arm
abs2411February 28, 2017
This is 1 week post 4th session shoulder (2 pico, 2 q-switched), 3rd session arm (1 pico, 2 q-switched)
Have a bit of ghosting/raised skin in the areas where the ink has mostly come off.
Have a bit of ghosting/raised skin in the areas where the ink has mostly come off.
Replies (4)
April 23, 2017
That shoulder part looks great! Has the raised skin gone down over time? The rest is coming along too I bet!! :)
April 29, 2017
The progress is slow and that part in particular is hard to photography so it's kinda hard to tell, but I think it has bit by bit. I've been trying to commit to massaging and using a scar cream consistently which is supposed to encourage things...
April 29, 2017
p.s. like I mentioned in the comment above, I found a Groupon deal for a different laser called Enlighten-- so I'm giving that a shot right now. Maybe that'll help things along.
April 26, 2017
I'm getting my second pico treatment on Friday. Like yours, my tattoo has thick raised lines and is all black ink. Seeing your progress gives me hope I'll have my old arm back!
April 29, 2017
I think you will!! I'm trying a new laser actually that's supposed to be better for black ink (Enlighten). I found a good Groupon deal that was less expensive than my Pico sessions so I had to try it. Just had my first session so will post pics in a couple of weeks.
April 29, 2017
I initially heard Pico is the best for black ink, but I'm hearing conflicting information! I had my second treatment today and am hoping there's better fading this time. I'm looking into Enlighten. Can't wait to see your progress pictures!
Replies (2)