i started with a very small word on my forearm - namaste. i never liked it even though it was in my own handwriting. a couple years later, i got it covered with a triangle which was also my choice. two months after that, i was still unhappy and got it covered with a moth which i let the artist have creative freedom in. i absolutely HATED it. i cried and considered clawing it off with salt the next day. i forced myself to like it but never really did. i then booked an appointment with a highly respected artist, waited 5 months for the cover up/addition session, then went thru with it. i felt like a monster. my forearm is now almost covered in black ink, and i've had one laser session done. it was extremely painful and they're saying 10-12 times will be necessary. every single person i see to remove it tells me it's pretty and they like it, which only makes me feel even more dumb. why hasn't there been some sort of instant removal yet?? i realize they're supposed to be permanent, but i would pay anything for something fast and minimally painful. the laser treatments give me anxiety that makes me physically ill as well.:( any tips on powering through them? i'm really not sure why i'm so scared.. the pain only lasts a few minutes. the swelling sucks, and blistering is tolerable. i just hate the down time and feeling sick after for days.