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POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS

Q-Switch, PicoSure, Revlite and Engliten

ORIGINAL POST

Like the title mentions, I have been treated with...

Brittany M
$5,000
Like the title mentions, I have been treated with 4 different lasers and have had 19 treatments over the course of 5 years. As you can imagine, I’m pretty devastated over the fact that the tattoo is not only still there but also very visible. And on top of that, I have moderate to severe scarring from when I was burned during the second treatment with the q-switch.
The tattoo is a cover up of a messed tattoo that I ended up hating shortly after I got it. It was just too bold and too large for my small frame. Its size and awkward placement does not make me a good candidate for excision, so at this point I have 3 options: continue with treatments and hope for the best, discontinue treatments and just accept my disfigurement, or get another cover up. None of these options are appealing so I'm at a loss. I’ll admit that the tattoo is very much faded, but not nearly what I expected 4 lasers and 19 treatments later.
I have also started treatment on an ankle tattoo, and that too was a mistake. Granted the tattoo is a little faded after just 2 treatments, I have suffered from loss of pigment which may or may not be permanent.
Seeing people who have achieved full removal (or close to it) used to motivate me, but now I feel completely discouraged. Based on my own experience, laser tattoo removal is absolutely NOT worth the time, money, and physical/emotion pain that you go through. I've spent over 5 grand to be left with an ugly, faded, scarred tattoo. Maybe someday they will develop technology that will guarantee full removal rather quickly but today is not that day.

Replies (14)

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April 15, 2017
Wow that's a lot of lasers and treatments! I too am afraid of this happening.. I see complete removal stories and I pray that I can be one of those but then I look at the reality and it may not be that for me. How dark was the tattoo before you started removal? And how spaced out did you have your treatments? Also how many treatments of each laser?
April 16, 2017
The tattoo was VERY dark. Like sharpie black lol. If I can find a pic of it I'll post it. I started out spacing them 6 weeks apart, then moved up to 8 and then 10. I had 4 treatments with the Q-switch, 8 with picosure, 3 with revlite and 4 with enlighten. I think your tattoo would do very well because it looks like mostly shading. See if you can find a place that does patch tests and see how your skin reacts.
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April 16, 2017
That's a lot of laser for your tattoo to still be very visible. I'm sorry you didn't have a good outcome. I wouldn't suggest a cover if you really just want to be rid of all tattoos. Technology is always improving and maybe in the future there could be a better solution. I pray every night for this and I truly believe that soon we'll have the answer to successful tattoo removal. I wish u the best on this journey.
April 16, 2017
Thank you! Good luck with yours as well!
April 16, 2017
hey, I know it is super expensive but maybe picoway can remove the ink that is left? I am sorry to hear that you have to go through this :(
April 16, 2017
Thank you for the kind words. Isn't picoway made by the same company as picosure? I only ask because they have a lawsuit against them currently. Apparently the laser is a big ripoff, which sucks since I had the bulk of my treatments done with them. Just my luck
April 16, 2017
Oh no! I am not sure, from what I understand the Picoway has the 1064 wavelength which is best for black, picosure doesn't have this one. I am currently treated with the picoway but ive only had 1 treatment, when I am a bit further in the process I will start a review. It seems to work but it is still a super slow process unfortunately!
April 16, 2017
The enlighten has a 1064 wavelength as well but I haven't been responding to it as expected. It could be that my skin is just over-lasered.
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May 23, 2017
Could you try to work on the scarring maybe get a couple treatments for that so when you continue laser it will be more effective?
June 7, 2017
Perhaps, but I've been told that it wouldn't make a difference. At this point I can't really justify spending any more money towards treatment
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June 8, 2017
I'm sorry to hear that. Have you thought about what you are going to do?
June 28, 2017
November 22, 2017
Hi. I was thinking of starting with the Enlighten laser. Did you get any clearing of ink at all? My tattoo is black and white and a cover up after a series of q switched treatments. I gave up due to hypopigmentation and got discouraged I could ever get total removal. I don't want to waste more time and money if not possible for total removal. Thanks for any advice.
April 25, 2023
Can you show a before and after?