Back of the neck tattoo regret, fresh ink - done last week . Will this remove easily? (Photos)

Question

I work in the corporate world so the possibility of putting my hair up is non existent now when it was a near everyday occurrence pre-tattoo. I also feel like it looks like a C, and that is the first initial of my S/O first name... I feel extra lame. It is supposed to be a crescent moon. I've read that it takes at least a month to heal before I should attempt any laser removal.How many sessions would this take to remove? I've heard mixed reviews on new tattoos being easier or harder to remove.

Anna Avaliani, MD · Answer

Hello and sorry to hear about your experience.  The good news is that your tattoo can easily and safely be removed using the latest laser technology called PicoSure.  You must wait at least 6 weeks before attempting to treat it.  It is definitely easier to remove fresher tattoos.  On average, it takes about 4-8 sessions to clear a tattoo with new technology but individual results vary.  You want to trust yourself to an expert.  Hope this helps. Best, Dr.Avaliani

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Scarielle. Sorry to hear about your situation.  Your tattoo can definitely be removed but it's going to take some time.  We would estimate 6-8 visits for the darker areas and we do them 6-8 weeks apart.  If the ink is acrylic (the ink that looks shiny) this generally takes more visits.  To see examples of tattoo removal at our Orange, CA office location, click on the link below.

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and posting a picture.  Tattoo regret is very common.  Almost every tattoo can be completely removed with enough time and treatments.  The most important factor is patience.  You have to give your body time to absorb the ink.  For laser tattoo removal you have two routes.The older nanosecond or Q-Switch lasers that came out about 20 years ago.  The majority of former Q-Switch patients we see have significant hypopigmentation (ghosting) around and under their tattoo.  The Q-Switch lasers have trouble differentiating between the melanin in your skin and ink.  The technology uses heat to burn the pigment out of your skin.  In addition, we have seen patients with raised scars as if they have been branded.  Both of these condition are irreversible.  Picosecond laser came out about 3 years ago.  Every laser manufacturer has a different marketing hook to make you choose their laser.  At the end of the day, it's about the technology and experience of the clinician.  All PicoSecond lasers (like the Enlighten, PicoWay & PicoSure) fire 1000 times faster per second, using a pressure wave rather than heat to shear the ink molecules apart.  The hype of extra wavelengths does not make that much of a difference.  The 755 nm will get rid of most of the ink colors.  For red and pink ink, you would need to make sure they have 532 nm.  After using the PicoSure for almost 3 years, we have only seen pinpoint hypopigmentation in a very small number of patients usually of darker skin tones.  We cannot say it is impossible to get burned with a Picosecond laser, but it is highly unlikely.  We tell every PicoSure tattoo patient to expect at least 6 treatments, but don’t be surprised if it takes 10 to 12.  Patience is the key for our patients.  We typically see our tattoo removal patients every 8 to 12 weeks initially.  If they have more time than money, we encourage them to come every 6 months as the tattoos seem to continue to fade while they wait.You need to wait until the skin is completely healed before you start.  Treatment prices vary by market. The cost for picosecond treatments will be higher, but you should need less than half the treatments compared to a nanosecond laser.  Best of luck.

Back of the neck tattoo regret, fresh ink - done last week . Will this remove easily? (Photos)

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Back of the neck tattoo regret, fresh ink - done last week . Will this remove easily? (Photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about PicoSure

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.