I got a tattoo a little over a year ago and immediately regretted it. I've had 7 treatments and the doctor told me it could take up to 20. I really shooting for full removal. It seems to keep fading after every one. I'm hoping in another year it will fade a lot more. Its a large piece on my forearm so I am forced to wear long sleeves now. Im am used to the pain of the procedure so that doesnt bother me. Updated on 27 Mar 2015: These are three pictures from the orginal and then after my first treatment and then after my latest one! Updated on 12 Feb 2018: Started laser almost four years ago. Now done with treatments. Took twleve treatments over three years. Very happy with my results.
I had severe redness and discoloration on my face, I did the Obagi treatment, it helped some for the uneven skin tone but not much more and cost $600.00. I went back to my dermatologist and discussed the redness. He suggested we do the Starlux 500 laser treatment, I agreed. ( Let me mention that I had a procedure like this done at a laser treatment center (not a dermatologist) and seen some results and did not have that much pain, but it worked a little and cost $350.00) I asked my dermatologist how much it would cost, he said $160.00 per session (great, much cheaper than the laser place). He said it would take one to three treatments depending on how happy I was and that it would feel like a rubberband hitting my face (again, the last time it did not hurt, so ok). He said that they could not use numbing gels because it interfered with the laser. He also stated that I could have swelling, the effects of a sunburn, and possible swelling (anything to get rid of this rednesss (severe redness). He put a gel on my skin like you would get when you are getting an ultrasound and protective eyeware. Let me tell you, it HURT. Wow It felt like someone taking the largest rubberband and holding it as tight as they could and snapping you and got even more painful toward my nose. Afterwards they gave me a ice pack to cool off my skin which felt great and an anti-inflamatory cream to use later. My skin was red and felt like a bad sunburn. Within a couple of hours my skin felt better and I noticed brown spots where some of the broken blood vessels looked like a dot from a marker. I woke up this morning and I have more brown spots (looks like freckles) and the difference in the redness is unbelievable. I cannot believe the difference. I can see other than the spots, that the spidery veins are gone, the redness on my nose is much less. My wrinkles around my eyes seem less and my pore size even seems smaller. I can not believe the difference and this is just the day after. I cannot wait to see the full results in about a week. I am scheduled to get my second round (not looking forward to the pain, lol) in three weeks, and I cannot wait to see the results of that. I finally feel that I am going to have a clear and even skin tone. I wish I had taken before pictures but I did not expect to have the proceedure the same day. I can honestly tell you that if you are suffering the same as I was, do not hesitate to get this proceedure. Just please don't do like I did at first and go to some laser spa (what they have is nothing in comparison and cost more). Forget Obagi, and save yourself $600.00, and just go to this. You will not be dissapointed. I never write reviews but felt compelled to help anyone with this, there is no reason to have to cover your face with full coverage makeup and feel embarrased anymore. I live near Binghamton NY and I went to Dr. Joseph Newmark who is in Vestal NY. I am telling you this in case you live in my area or you can look at his webpage so you can write down the exact proceedure and talk to your own dermatologist. Do not go to anyone who is not using the same laser Starlux® Intense pulsed light treatment. I will keep you posted after my next treatment. I hope you find this helpful, and please know, you don't have to waste money or live embarassed like I have done for years. Have a great day everyone.
