POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS
Total Regret After my Latest Tattoo - Arlington, VA
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This being my 4th tattoo, I wasn't thinking I...
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This being my 4th tattoo, I wasn't thinking I would have such dislike for it. To be honest after each of my tattoos I love them immediately, but then a few days later have a bit of a freak out. This weird feeling of something being on you that wont come off.
Normally I spend months and months researching figure out what I want... and making sure this is something I can live with for the rest of my life. This was my first mistake. I had just recently gotten a beautiful pastel moth place strategically so that it shows only barely on the inside of my elbow. I loved it, like really loved it! I was drunk on tattoo juices! I wanted another immediately :p So exactly two months later I got my last tattoo. I love ferns and thought this is totally me. My tattoo artist followed my direction, but did make it a lot darker than I had asked for, but I figured the shading would fade. Then came the few days after. This time I freaked out more than ever!!! Why on earth would I put something so big and dark and sooo visible on myself.
After a week of being totally depressed, I decided I would go and get a consultation to maybe lighten it up. I went to several different locations and obviously no one would touch me until It had healed for at least a month.
After talking to a really nice and knowledgeable doctor I decided I just want to start fresh and get it completely removed. We scheduled my first session for the 6 week mark since from the initial tattooed date.
I went in on Sept first super nervous, but ready to get the ball rolling. The Doc was super nice and calmed my nerves. I have a very high pain tolerance and didn't use anything to numb the area. The session only lasted maybe 3 minutes. Yes it hurt, but not the worst pain I have ever experienced. I had minor blistering and swelling that lasted for about 3 days.
Since then, I have had two more session, all spaced 6 weeks apart. The second session didn't hurt much and for some reason I didn't get any blisters or too much swelling. I did notice he didn't increase the power this session, but the third he did bump it up. This by far was the most painful of them all. I bruised immediately and developer blisters within hours. I wasn't really able to use my hand much for about 2 days. The swelling and pain were excruciating.
Tomorrow I go in for my 4th session, which I am not excited about at all :P I'm hoping this session produces some mind blowing results. LOL. I'm not a super patient person, but with the result I have I am more optimistic, and am super happy it isn't jet black anymore.
I'll post some more pics, after tomorrows session... well depending on if I can use my had ;)
Normally I spend months and months researching figure out what I want... and making sure this is something I can live with for the rest of my life. This was my first mistake. I had just recently gotten a beautiful pastel moth place strategically so that it shows only barely on the inside of my elbow. I loved it, like really loved it! I was drunk on tattoo juices! I wanted another immediately :p So exactly two months later I got my last tattoo. I love ferns and thought this is totally me. My tattoo artist followed my direction, but did make it a lot darker than I had asked for, but I figured the shading would fade. Then came the few days after. This time I freaked out more than ever!!! Why on earth would I put something so big and dark and sooo visible on myself.
After a week of being totally depressed, I decided I would go and get a consultation to maybe lighten it up. I went to several different locations and obviously no one would touch me until It had healed for at least a month.
After talking to a really nice and knowledgeable doctor I decided I just want to start fresh and get it completely removed. We scheduled my first session for the 6 week mark since from the initial tattooed date.
I went in on Sept first super nervous, but ready to get the ball rolling. The Doc was super nice and calmed my nerves. I have a very high pain tolerance and didn't use anything to numb the area. The session only lasted maybe 3 minutes. Yes it hurt, but not the worst pain I have ever experienced. I had minor blistering and swelling that lasted for about 3 days.
Since then, I have had two more session, all spaced 6 weeks apart. The second session didn't hurt much and for some reason I didn't get any blisters or too much swelling. I did notice he didn't increase the power this session, but the third he did bump it up. This by far was the most painful of them all. I bruised immediately and developer blisters within hours. I wasn't really able to use my hand much for about 2 days. The swelling and pain were excruciating.
Tomorrow I go in for my 4th session, which I am not excited about at all :P I'm hoping this session produces some mind blowing results. LOL. I'm not a super patient person, but with the result I have I am more optimistic, and am super happy it isn't jet black anymore.
I'll post some more pics, after tomorrows session... well depending on if I can use my had ;)
dreamstorm17's provider
Replies (3)
January 13, 2016
Hey there, I got my tattoo a day before yesterday... it was my 3th one so I was very exited. Now I'm very angry that I let the artist influence this much my original design and now I just feel the same way you do. Please let us know how your removals work in the future, I wil get my first appointment as soon as I can :) Good luck!
UPDATED FROM dreamstorm17
4 months post
feeling insecure about my tattoo again
Its been 3 weeks since my 4th session. Ive felt a little down as of lately :/ I hate seeing my arm, and to be honest with it being winter and all I haven't had it distracting me. I guess I figured with my diligence I would be further along by now. My goal is to be 90% before June, that way I dont have to be insecure during the summer months. I feel so alone about all of it... just one of those weeks.
Replies (12)
January 28, 2016
You're not alone, I recently got one done on the outside of my wrist and the artist went so deep that it
January 28, 2016
blew the ink out. I hate it so much and have been kicking myself ever since. I spent the entire day in bed yesterday and haven't been able to eat or sleep. I hope that you find comfort here. It certainly has helped me
January 28, 2016
I was there in the beginning as well. It gets better, and know that if you decide to get it removed there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
January 28, 2016
I guess it doesn't "feel" like it's improving since you see it every day, but I see a huge difference between your first photo & the latest! I'm impatient too, so I know a little about how you feel. Plus, I was looking forward to winter all year because I figured I would be able to wear lots of long sleeves and cover my three mistakes... but it's been such a mild winter where I'm at, that I haven't even got that break :( I'm dreading summer.
January 29, 2016
Just remember to keep your side of removal going- healthy lifestyle, hydration, immune support, and even....patience :) . Please prepare yourself for the process to take longer than "90% gone by this June". Be encouraged that it can be removed, but in a time frame that might be out of your comfort zone or expectations. Wishing you well. Ferns are awesome and such a great sight to see on the shady forest floor.
January 29, 2016
This is crazy! I just recently (for my b-day gift to myself in Sept.) got my third tattoo, also a fern, also on my right forearm, also black and gray and huge! Ha! I also have a moth (that I love!) above it near my elbow pit!! Crazy I know! and I hate hate hate the fern! I had an idea and let the artist give me some direction and am in total regret! On top of it all i feel he did a very poor job! And this guy does really amazing work and I can't for the life of me figure out why that wasn't put into my fern. I recently had it colored in hopes to improve it, which it did to a point but now i feel even more stupid because i really am getting to the point where i think i want it removed and it will now take longer and cost more, and that kind of money will take me forever to save up as I am finishing grad school. I have come to the definite conclusion that I hate the placement of it more than i thought, it curves around my forearm from elbow to wrist on the top. I originally was going to place it more on the inside but sadly followed his suggestion like a dumb ass. Ack! now i too have this big regret haunting me every time i see it. Some days are better but I am feeling really anxious with the warmer weather around the corner. I am so embarrassed to have my arm be seen :( I am so thankful for finding these posts and community of people, especially yours!!! I look forward to your updates.
January 29, 2016
You're definitely not alone!
It's good that you come here when you're feeling down because there are so many other people here, myself included, going through and feeling the SAME THING! I personally have a black mess of ink on my freaking chest! Eek!
I still have my highs and my lows too. But I just want you to know that you're doing the right thing, and if you just find the strength to keep moving forward you'll be happy again before you know it.
We'll try our hardest to lend you some of the strength you need. :-)
It's good that you come here when you're feeling down because there are so many other people here, myself included, going through and feeling the SAME THING! I personally have a black mess of ink on my freaking chest! Eek!
I still have my highs and my lows too. But I just want you to know that you're doing the right thing, and if you just find the strength to keep moving forward you'll be happy again before you know it.
We'll try our hardest to lend you some of the strength you need. :-)
January 29, 2016
Thank you for you kind words! I am definitely feeling better after all the support over these couple of days!
January 29, 2016
@Sequoia, That is crazy! To add to this... when I got the notification in my inbox I was like cool, "Sequoia" the name of my childhood dog that I had a very strong connection with! Thanks so much for your support, and I know that you will get through this as well :)
February 3, 2016
Must be a kindred connection of some sorts. Sequoia was my loving cat of 13 years that just recently past away. We/your family has good taste in furry baby names :) Thanks for the positive input, just waiting on some sort of funds to start my process. Wishing you the best on your journey and looking forward to following your results!! This too shall pass.....and hopefully fade away!
UPDATED FROM dreamstorm17
1 year post
A long patient road
It's been a really long time since posted an update. I have come to term and no longer feel super insecure showing my forearm! I have had 11 treatments, and my tech said I'm his most stubborn tattoo, which is super discouraging, but I'm past all that. I'm have been super diligent about staying on schedule and trying everything to kick up my immune systems. I'm hoping that I will have a total removal by my 17th treatment. That's my lucky number ;)
Replies (9)
February 6, 2017
Have you thought about trying out a different laser? My tattoo is all black and was being stubborn. I switched to the Enlighten laser and have had phenomenal results and I know that I'll full removal.
February 6, 2017
WOW, it has faded significantly! But I know the feeling.. I have THREE all black tattoos that I'm working on removing. They're also being pretty stubborn, but then I only just had my fifth treatment :(
Have you considered spending more time in between treatments? I don't know how true it is, but from my loads of reading reviews on here, it seems that people almost get better results if they wait longer. Then again, I dunno! Mine are not fading as quickly as I'd like :/ Another user (khris81) just commented about switching to the Enlighten laser. I may have to do that too.
Have you considered spending more time in between treatments? I don't know how true it is, but from my loads of reading reviews on here, it seems that people almost get better results if they wait longer. Then again, I dunno! Mine are not fading as quickly as I'd like :/ Another user (khris81) just commented about switching to the Enlighten laser. I may have to do that too.
May 28, 2017
Fantastic fading with no scarring!! Congrats. Also, for whatever it's worth - I kind of dig how the faded tat looks!! It really is a lovely design, so there's that : )
Sending good wishes your way
Sending good wishes your way
October 27, 2017
Wow, such a difference! I really like the faded look at this current stage, good luck to you.
Hi there, thanks for joining us and sharing your journey. You're certainly off to a great start, and I hope today's session kicks your fading into high gear!
Do you know what type of laser you are being treated with?
After doing some research I decided to go with the Quanta Q-PLUS laser. I have been told its the best for all black tattoos. I do believe this specific laser can switch between wave lengths so that you can get multiple colors treated in a single session.