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POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS

Laser Tattoo Removal - Having the Worst Experience Ever :( - Barrie, ON

ORIGINAL POST

I started out getting tattoo removal on my ankle...

JB22May 21, 2013
I started out getting tattoo removal on my ankle at one place in Toronto. It was gradually fading over 5 sessions. After the 5th session I heard about a new place that opened up closer to home in Barrie, and for a cheaper price, with a newer machine (one of a few in Canada!). It seemed like a good idea to go here. I got the 6th session done at this place, and also got the first session for a tattoo on my back. The one on my back healed fine. My ankle was a complete nightmare. it got badly infected, purple, and looked horrible. I made many visits to the doctor, was put on oral antibiotics and an antibiotic cream. They said it was cellulitis. I couldn't sleep and the pain and itch was unbearable. After waiting months, I thought it was healed. I went back for a 7th session on my ankle and 2nd on my back. My ankle had healed sort of raised, when he did the treatment it didn't form the white crust it was supposed to and the laser couldn't really get through the scarred tissue...what a waste of money! Both my ankle and back became completely infected. I was putting the cream on it that I was given by the doctor. They both were dripping with yellow puss and had red bumps. It was the most uncomfortable thing in the world! my ankle hasn't been fully healed for at least 5 months now! I went for a treatment on my back (3rd session) at the place I had originally started going to. It is once again all bumpy, puss dripping out of it and I am unable to sleep at night. Both my ankle and back look disgusting and it is ruining my life! I wonder if I am the only person this is happening to. I have an appointment with a dermatologist next month. I am in pain every day of my life. I have already spent so much money on these treatments that I will not stop until they are gone...what a long and painful process this is!

Replies (18)

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kahelelani
May 22, 2013
aloha JessB2,  Your experience sounds alarming but it's good that you have an appointment with a dermatologist, I'm sure they will be able to help you.  I think waiting until you've heard from a specialist until you pursue further laser treatments would be a good thing.  From what I've read cellulitis is a serious bacterial infection.    I have five laser sessions on my wrist and hand (two single laser passes and a R20 session with three passes separated by 1/2 hour breaks) with the trivantage laser and have never had the experience you are describing. I hope the dermatologist has answers for you and you heal nicely.  Good luck! aloha...k
JB22
May 22, 2013
Hi :) thanks for the comment. My appt. with the dermatologist is the second week of June so I won't be due for another laser removal session before then anyway. It sucks getting them done in the summer because I was at the beach last weekend and had to try to keep them covered. When I make trips to the nurse to look at my ankle (he works with my mom so I can go whenever) he takes samples of my ankle. It was only cellulitis the first time it looked bad...the other 2 times it showed that it was nothing, although it LOOKED like I had some sort of flesh eating disease...yikes!! I will wait to see if someone can give me answers. The nurse told me he is going to call the clinic I get the tattoo removal done at and see if they will look at it again for me.
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kahelelani
May 23, 2013
aloha JessB2, So glad that you having medical attention (didn't doubt it, but I'm relieved, it's the mom in me I guess).  I think it's a good thing that the nurse will be talking with the clinic to find out what's going on.  Aftercare is so important, slather with antibiotic cream, keep it covered and not picking/itching  (all of which I'm sure you're doing, again it's the mom in me).  Yes laser removal is hard in the summer time, although I'm in eternal summer here and my offending ink is always visible.  I wear lots of amazing bracelets, loads of cream and just look past it.  It's hard at times, but it's the only thing that keeps me sane!!!  Good luck with your treatment and take care.  Thanks for updating, again the mom in me was worried!  :-)   aloha...k
Patienceismyname
May 25, 2013
is the 3 passes making the fading faster at all? did u have any visible scarring? xx
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kahelelani
May 25, 2013
aloha Narci,  I have had one R20 session, each pass of the laser beam was separated by a 30-40 minute wait period.  I'm not sure if the fading was faster but the tattoo does look like an old tattoo.  Scarring? Well nothing to report.  The skin does feel rough in places but I have found a new product that helps.  Come to think about it, I should update my review and describe all the products.  I am postponing the next session until the end of July.  This means that the sessions will be four months apart.  I'm sure the rough skin will be a thing of the past by then.  Thanks for your questions.  aloha...k
Patienceismyname
May 26, 2013
there is another laser that really smoothes the skin and u can do chemical peelings to smooth too, im doing that...is a hell of a journey this removal process...
JB22
May 28, 2013
Yes. I will admit that I was scratching my ankle. Every time it would start to itch, I KNEW it would become infected again but it was actually unbearable. I was even scratching it in my sleep!! Even the pills the doctor was giving me wasn't helping. I am trying my best not to touch them now. Thanks a lot :)
JB22
May 28, 2013
On which tattoo, the back or ankle? Both of them actually faded nicely after 3 sessions. I think there will be scarring on my ankle because of all the damaged skin.
JB22
May 28, 2013
I just heard about that R20 thing. Way too expensive!!!
JB22
May 28, 2013
Chemical peelings?? Can you give me more information about that please? Do you think I should try getting that after it is completely healed?
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Blackberry11
May 23, 2013
Which removal clinic was it in Barrie?
JB22
May 28, 2013
The Tattoo Removal Place I am now going back to The Toronto Cosmetic Clinic in Toronto...should have stayed with them in the first place
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Blackberry11
May 28, 2013
sorry to hear that JessB2, I was actually going to go try that one in Barrie, yikes  - not good.  I spoke to the owner, he was new to the business, he said he had the best laser etc.... again, sorry it didn't work out for you.
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KokoW
May 23, 2013
How big are the tatttoos? Would you consider excision?
JB22
May 28, 2013
The one on my ankle is about 2 inches by 1 inch. The one on my back is about 3 inches by 2 inches.
JB22
May 28, 2013
Oh and no I think excision sounds really scary!! I will continue to get the laser and suffer through the pain...I'm so stubborn! I've already spent so much on laser treatments and now have these faded things...I won't stop until they are gone. :)
Patienceismyname
May 25, 2013
I feel sorry for u...maybe u have an allergic reaction to it? what the hell do we know about all this lasers anyway.
JB22
May 28, 2013
Thanks. It sucks...most uncomfortable thing ever and sweating makes it worse. You may be right...it might be some sort of allergic reaction. I think the appointment I have in a couple weeks is with an allergy specialist (or whatever they are called haha).
UPDATED FROM JB22
1 year post

Healing

JB22May 28, 2013
Well the antibiotics seem to be working. My back is pretty much healed, just peeling a little. It actually looks quite faded after 3 sessions!
My ankle is also healing but the skin is discoloured (dark red). The tattoo is still raised and the skin over it is tough and shiny. I am wondering if they will ever be able to get through the skin!

Replies (5)

Patienceismyname
May 28, 2013
yes they will...just maybe leave the ankle for a while and do some chemical peeling sessions as they do smooth the skin. Im doing them in between laser sessions.
JB22
May 28, 2013
Yeah they told me to leave the ankle until the Fall. I will go get another treatment on my back after the 8-10 weeks. I will look into the chemical peeling, thanks.
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Blackberry11
May 28, 2013
excellent news!!!
JB22
May 31, 2013
thanks :)
JB22
July 3, 2013
I just made an appointment for another treatment on my back. My ankle looks better than it did, but still not fully healed...it's been 6 months since I got a treatment done on it!!! I also have an appointment with a dermatologist out of town but not until November! The skin on my ankle is tough...I have a feeling the laser will not be able to go through it again. I am going to talk to the place next week to see what my options are.
UPDATED FROM JB22
1 year post

Almost time for another treatment

JB22July 3, 2013
I just made an appointment for another treatment on my back. My ankle looks better than it did, but still not fully healed...it's been 6 months since I got a treatment done on it!!! I also have an appointment with a dermatologist out of town but not until November! The skin on my ankle is tough...I have a feeling the laser will not be able to go through it again. I am going to talk to the place next week to see what my options are.

Replies (0)

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