Cutera Enlighten Tattoo Removal on Sternum

I have been researching laser tattoo removal for around 4 years now. When I was 18 I got a tattoo on my sternum that I almost immediately regretted. I found myself endlessly looking at before and after photos and places that offered the procedure to get it removed. I was interested in the Picosure laser for a long time but could never afford the treatments and every place that offered it was a few hours away. I decided to wait because technology was always changing and I needed some time to save some money. Just a couple of weeks ago I was looking again for somewhere local to get the removal done and I came across The Albany Plastic surgery Groups page. They offer tattoo removal treatments with the Cutera Enlighten laser and they are right down the street from me. I made my appointment for a free consultation and the doctor told me we could start treatment that same day. The nurse brought me into the room and told me to put the ice over my tattoo before we start to help with the pain. They do have numbing cream but she said it wasn't great for the pain and that the ice works best. Because my tattoo is located on my sternum and was very painful to get I knew that removing it would be pretty bad too. The pain I thought I would experience was actually x10 worse in real life. I found the ice numbed me a little but I still had to stop and take breaks throughout the whole procedure because I found the pain to be quite unbearable. I would definitely suggest taking a couple advil before getting the treatment done to try and get ahead of some of the pain. I was scrambling when I got home to find something to help because it was still excruciating even after I left the office. It is currently the day after my treatment and I am blistering up pretty good. My next appointment is for 8 weeks from now and I look forward to seeing how much it fades by then.