I have a fair amount of tattoos, but I don't know what I was thinking with this one. The sad thing is, I love the artist who did this, but it didn't turn out how I wanted. It doesn't look like his other work. I hate the shading and how it lays on my arm. It all started with a Friday the 13th tattoo I got on a whim with my best friend (you can't see it in the picture). For whatever reason, I got it on my arm. It's small. I hated it after a few weeks. So what do I do? Get a bigger tattoo around it, of course! So on Feb 3rd 2017 I got this monstrosity inked into my skin. I must have had a serious lapse of judgement for a few weeks. When I got home and removed the wrapping several hours later, I cried. I cried for days until I realized I could get it removed. Why the hell didn't I think of getting the Friday the 13th tattoo removed before this happened?! It would have been much easier and cheaper. Hindsight = 20/20. I let the tattoo heal and immediately scheduled an appointment: consultation and first treatment all in one. I am currently two treatments in. My last was two days ago. I keep dreaming the tattoo is much lighter, but then I wake up and it's still there. As of now, I'm hoping for complete clearance. I'm open to getting a cover up, if necessary, but I'll see where I am after a few more treatments before I cross that bridge.
(*note- the cost I entered is per treatment of a 6" tattoo, plus the smaller ~2" tattoo I mentioned)
Updated on 30 Apr 2017:
They said treatment 3 is when you see the most dramatic changes. I'm trying to stay positive. This is going to be a long emotional road.
Updated on 5 May 2017:
The tattoo is peeling now and a little itchy. I think I see the ink breaking up in some of the darker shaded areas. The lines in the bud look like they're starting to break up too. Don't think the darker outlines are going to budge quite yet, but let's see what the next 5 weeks bring.
Updated on 18 May 2017:
Just shy of 3 weeks post treatment 2. Not seeing much difference. I need to stop looking at it every 10 minutes. Treatment 3 is scheduled for 6/23.
Updated on 29 Jun 2017:
Just wanted to post a little update before treatment 3, which is today. The appointment was initially supposed to be the 23rd, but I postponed a week. I picked up an 8 hour shift tomorrow morning and I hope it won't be too painful (my job is active-- RN in an ER).
Updated on 29 Jun 2017:
Updated on 2 Jul 2017:
I had 3rd treatment on Thursday. The blistering is minor this time and I'm nowhere near as swollen and sore... I hope that doesn't mean it wasn't as effective?? I took 650mg Tylenol about an hour before and it really made a difference in the hours afterward. The laser tech said she thinks most of the shading will disappear this time. Let us hope!
Updated on 30 Aug 2017:
Here I am 8 weeks after my third treatment and I'm definitely seeing progress! I'm going to try to wait longer between sessions because I think the results didn't really become obvious until week 5,6 or so. I've also stopped staring at it obsessively which I think helps, hah! I'm aiming to get my next session around week 12 or so.
My skin in this area has become so broken out and it's so difficult resisting the urge to pick at it!
Updated on 31 Mar 2018:
I had my 4th treatment in October and had my 5th treatment in mid-Feb. Every 4 months is the best way to go about this, for results, healing, and my wallet!
It may be hard to see in the photo, but the lines are breaking up. The laser tech did a little experiment with the thickest line to see if going over it twice with the laser would help it budge. I can't see the lines breaking up, but the ink looks hazy, if that makes sense.
I'm planning my next treatment for mid-June.