kahelelani

A Dream Becomes a Nightmare but the End is in Sight - Hawaii, HI

aloha courtW13          You have some wonderful things in your favour:  black ink on fair skin (good contrast excellent for laser removal), think lines (again promising for laser removal) and the option of the new picosure.  You were smart and brave to stop the tattoo process when you felt it was wrong.  I so wish I had done that.  You have also a wonderful trusting consultation and you have full confidence in your technician, this all sounds wonderful.  Yes, laser removal is expensive but in my opinion so worth it.  I will be so happy when this is completed, in the meantime from my experience that I'd like to share with you:  the first appointment is often filled with anxiety not knowing what to truly expected despite reading others' experiences.  Take a deep breath and release all the anxiety, it's going to be okay.  After a few sessions your expected results may be more definitive.  One thing I've learned from this process and from reading others' experience is that it takes time, so be patient, it takes multiple treatments so be persistent and it can be taxing on your psyche so be positive...all of this will help you heal and help you stay focused on the task at hand.  Ink regret sucks big time, we've all experienced it but modern technology will evaporate that nasty tattoo and the future will be bright and ink free or at least faded.  Good Luck!  aloha...k

aloha JessB2,  Your experience sounds alarming but it's good that you have an appointment with a dermatologist, I'm sure they will be able to help you.  I think waiting until you've heard from a specialist until you pursue further laser treatments would be a good thing.  From what I've read cellulitis is a serious bacterial infection.    I have five laser sessions on my wrist and hand (two single laser passes and a R20 session with three passes separated by 1/2 hour breaks) with the trivantage laser and have never had the experience you are describing. I hope the dermatologist has answers for you and you heal nicely.  Good luck! aloha...k

Now as I read this I see that clarification is in order:  It should read "I did not get a tattoo when I was younger but made another life-alternating decision".  I did get a tattoo (my sixth or seventh) recently and it has filled me with ink regret,  I started laser removal in December, it's a slow process but I'm trying to stay positive with the help of supportive people on the forum.  Good luck!  aloha...k

Yes, I know the whole obsessively looking at the blasted ink all too well.  I also decided to not look at the ink nor inspect it...which is hard because it's on my hand.  But I work hard at not looking at it, I look at the ring or a bracelet instead.  I read on another reviewer's experience that patience is really important, and it's true.  We're all experiencing this.  The time will pass and we can either spend it obsessing about the ink or enjoy life.  (A wonderful friend's husband said this and he's right).  When we look back on this time obsessing we might regret the lost time, we could have done something more enjoyable instead (again this is my friend's hubby talking and again he's right!).  Enjoy life, blast the ink and hope for the best.  Good luck!  Hurray for taking that first step, the first session is often the hardest.  aloha...k

aloha fullofregret,  It's too bad your cover up didn't work out.  I understand this and the depression that follows.  But it was just a mistake and we're all entitled to make mistakes.  Now you're working towards fixing that mistake and you're fortunate to live in an area that offers multiple attempts at removal.  I would not recommend TCA, I have not heard anything positive about it.  It only burns the top layer of skin and the ink is much farther down in the layers of skin.  Scarring the skin will hinder healing and could possibly block any laser sessions in the future.  I know that many people have sung the praises of TCA but often those praises are on the company's website.  Again you have some wonderful options:  the laser school session, R20 and the picosure are within your reach.  I have had single sessions and the most recent was the R20 (a total of five sessions on the new offending ink).  I do see fading but it'll take some time.  But everyone is different, your ink's location is often favourable for removal, it's close to the center of your circulatory system and this is good for removal.  I would encourage to move forward with laser removal, have a test area done and know that we are all here in the same boat.  The forum is a very supportive area and we've all made the same mistake, we understand.  Many of us understand the "obsessively looking for answers on the internet".  I spent many hours into the wee early mornings searching on the internet instead of sleeping, but once I started removal I began to feel better.  I also speak often on the forum and seek guidance from others, and in turn can offer hopefully some words of encouragement.  Good Luck!  aloha...k