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POSTED UNDER PicoSure REVIEWS

Picosure Tattoo Removal

ORIGINAL POST

I have an ankle tattoo that is 16 years old. It...

Edmond2528
WORTH IT$1,500
I have an ankle tattoo that is 16 years old. It goes all the way around my ankle. I had one Picosure treatment in July. Having had previous laser treatments, I will say the Picosure is FAR superior. I had substantial fading after the first treatment. I just had my second treatment yesterday and am anxiously awaiting the results. I would definitely recommend Picosure. The only issue is that there are not many available yet, and I travel 7 hours to have the treatments. Despite that, it's worth it because I desperately want to be rid of this tattoo.

Edmond2528's provider

Westlake Dermatology

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This facility is amazing. It is a gorgeous office, the front desk girls are extremely friendly and helpful, and both of the Dr.'s I have seen have been wonderful. They gave me realistic expectations and completely professional service. I can't praise them enough.

Replies (8)

August 22, 2013
I am going to Westlake for my first treatment on Monday! What exactly do you mean by realistic expectations? I am very concerned about hyperpigmentation due to my olive skin.
August 25, 2013
You will love them!!! By realistic, I mean they did not promise it to be cleared in 3 or 4 treatments, although it is a possibility. I too have olive skin, and actually had a tan when I began this. My concern is more with hypo pigmentation, as I got some lighter spots after the first treatment. At my second treatment I was told that the lighter spots should return to my natural skin color eventually. They have gotten better. But, for me, even if I have light spots, it's better than the tattoo. I'm okay with that. :)
August 25, 2013
I have been hiding my stomach from the sun to try to get it lighter. Really, you think 4 treatments is unrealistic for an all black tattoo? They did tell me that they haven't seen anyone with a black tattoo need more than 4-5 treatments so I'm hoping they are telling me legitimate things. I am prepared for hyper or hypo pigmentation but I am hoping it will look pretty normal in about a year. I guess I'll know more tomorrow after my first treatment. I'm scared. Lol
August 25, 2013
How far along are you Edmond2528? Are you experiencing either hyper/hypo or scarring? Thanks so much!
August 25, 2013
Oops never mind! I see you are on your second treatment with hypopigmentation
August 25, 2013
I definitely think an all black tattoo will only take 4 or so treatments. Mine is turquoise, pink, purple and yellow! The hardest colors to remove- of course!! I bet you will have excellent results- black is the easiest to remove :) I'm in the same boat, I'm hoping that mine will look decent by next summer too. Ugh! These stupid tattoos!!!! Don't be scared! It's over super quick!!!!!
August 25, 2013
How many treatments for $1500?
August 25, 2013
A package of 4 treatments.
UPDATED FROM Edmond2528
1 month post

2nd Treatment

Edmond2528
Okay, this is one week after my second treatment. It's really bizarre, because this time I did not blister AT ALL. In fact, it was barely swollen. A complete turn around from the first treatment, in which I blistered horribly and could barely put weight on my foot from the pain. So weird to me that there was such a difference. The fading is not as noticeable, but the DR said it wouldn't be due to less pigment. It seems to still be fading. I am posting a view from the top of the tattoo so you can see the light spots that occurred after the first treatment.

Replies (23)

August 26, 2013
Thanks for the support! Your's is fading nicely for all the hard colors! I'll post my hideous tattoo I suppose after I see some fading from my first treatment. Thanks!
August 28, 2013
Hello, were you told to lotion your tattoo twice a day with cocoa butter after treatments?
August 28, 2013
Hi! I was told to use Vaseline for a couple of days.
August 28, 2013
Ohhh ok, cause my doctor told me to apply the lotion...jw if it were the same for you. Thanks!
August 28, 2013
I got my first treatment on Monday. OMFG the itch! Also, you were right. They said it will definitely be more than 4. Possibly up to eight! but I'm hopiing the last four will be significantly cheaper. Especially since I'm driving from New Orleans to Austin every six weeks. They told me to def come back in six weeks and not to wait up to eight. Did they advise you of this as well? I heard that the longer you wait the better but I will obviously listen to the doctor over the internet.
August 28, 2013
I went back in exactly 4 weeks! I want this over as soon as possible!!! With this laser you don't have to wait as long. I really hope it doesn't take 8 treatments for me OR you! I guess as long as I'm finished by next summer it will be okay.
August 28, 2013
Oh wow. Okay, and your skin was healed and ready for the next treatment after four weeks? Good to know. I also want it to be done before next summer! However, I am willing to wait if it means a better result but yours looks great after a four week interval so that gives me hope. I really hope it takes at most 6. I will be tired of driving to Austin by then I am certain, LOL.
August 28, 2013
It was definitely healed. In fact, this Friday will be 2 weeks since my last treatment and it is already healed. I totally understand about the drive- mine is 7 hours from OKC. :(
August 28, 2013
Did the Dr say anything about the lighter spots (hypopigmentation)? Will it return to normal?
August 29, 2013
Yes, he told me it should regain color. It's weird, because sometimes the discoloration is noticeable, and sometimes it's not. Also, I had a tan when we started this, and the white spots are exactly where the scabs were. So it could be the tan coming off as well.
UPDATED FROM Edmond2528
2 months post

3rd Treatment

Edmond2528
So I had my 3rd treatment on Monday. This one was more painful than the last, and this one really swelled and blistered. The first one did as well, but the second one did not. The woman who did my procedure this time said the body can adjust to it, and therefore not react as bad. She said that is why they don't like patients to wait longer than 4-5 weeks before returning. Having said that, she also said the body can react differently each time, so the difference in each of my treatments is not unusual. I am 3 days out and still fairly swollen. Blisters still oozing. SUPER FUN!!! Anyway, I am still very optimistic about this tattoo coming off. The nurse said it was fading great and would DEFINATELY come off. She said my hypopigmentation should fade back to normal over time. Sounds good to me :)

Replies (14)

September 20, 2013
I am also thinking about going to westlake. I am excited to see your results progress. Possibly give me hope that one day when I have saved enough money I can get rid of a large tattoo on my back.
September 20, 2013
They are really great! Staff is very nice and accommodating! I am going back for my second treatment Oct 7th and I am hoping she can give a picture of how it looks compared to before I go my first laser tx. I need to post pics on here but I am not sure there is even a noticeable difference.
September 20, 2013
I highly recommend Westlake. They are great. Beautiful facility, very professional.
September 22, 2013
Hi how many treatments they told you will take to go away pls?
September 22, 2013
They said 4-6. I think it will probably take 6.
September 23, 2013
Edmond2528, I just tried to write my review and my computer timed out so I refreshed it and now this website is telling me I alreay wrote a review when it is not showing up on here! I wanted to show you my progress!
September 23, 2013
Yes!!!! Please! I want to see!!!!!
September 23, 2013
I tried. It is not showing up and is telling me I already have a review up. How do you update your existing review? Maybe I could try that. I thing uploading all the pictures made it geek out.
September 23, 2013
Can you see a review from me that for some reason I cannot see? =/
September 23, 2013
I looked under your username and cannot find one :(
September 23, 2013
Annoying =(
September 24, 2013
Do you think going every four weeks is a waste of money? I am not really sure who to listen to regarding amount of time in between treatments. Some people say six weeks for PicoSure some people say four. I would like to go every four weeks but if that is not enough time for my body to clean away the ink then I should wait right?
September 24, 2013
That's a hard one. My understanding is that the time in between treatments is to allow the skin to heal. Our bodies are constantly trying to eliminate the ink regardless. Each treatment just breaks up the ink more, making it easier for our bodies to remove. I don't think waiting 2 additional weeks is going to make much difference as far as fading. Once you get the next treatment it will be easier to fade anyway. The Westlake doctors have all told me 4 weeks. My three treatments have been exactly 4 weeks apart and I am happy with the fading so far. I know thats probably not much help!
September 24, 2013
No it is!! I will have waited 6 weeks by the tikme I get my second treatment October 7th but I have scheduled a flight exactly 4 weeks from then so I guess I will see what my body like better! Thank you!