POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS
Laser Tattoo Removal - Buffalo, NY
ORIGINAL POST
Hello, I am writing to inquire about laser tattoo...
GeamrokJune 18, 2013
$500
Hello, I am writing to inquire about laser tattoo removal. I have a partial half sleeve of an owl in a tree with a moon and night's sky behind it, and in addition to that I also have a puzzle piece in the same area. I am writing because I feel completely hopeless and I am trying to remain positive while researching what my options are. My spouse and I got the puzzle pieces together and about a half a year later I got an owl in a tree. I completely loved my tattoos, until last December when I had the same tattoo artist add in the nights sky and moon. It wasn't that bad but definitely needed some touching up. I decided to go back to the same artist in March (So I would have time to heal before summer and be able to wear my favourite tops) which was the biggest mistake of my life. After tattooing my spouse the artist completely forgot I had made an appointment too, he seemed very annoyed, texted while he got the colours ready, and ended up using the completely wrong colour blue that he decided to blast all into the inner side of my tattoo. I was completely devastated. After that point, I was looking into laser tattoo removal but everyone told me I was silly and that it was fixable. So, just a few weeks ago I went to another artist (One who has a very good reputation) and he added a frame to the top to fix the messy lines, blended the sky at the top using more blue and black, re-outlined the tree and owl and added white stars on top of the 2.5" blue sky. Although it looks a lot better, I feel even more devastated then before, because it's still not what I had originally wanted. As you can see from the pictures attached, there is a lot of colour in my tattoo, and now even more colours that were added being the ones that I've read are harder to remove. I have now realized way too late that tattoos are not for me and I never should have gotten even one, I just want them gone. The way that I feel about my arm now has completely taken over my life, and consumes me. It's become my deepest darkest secret that I now hide from the world. It is starting to effect my work, social life, marriage and my self image and confidence has been completely shattered. I feel selfish for acting and feeling this way because I know a lot of people have it way worse than a silly tattoo, but I cannot seem to get past this. I have resorted to buying skin coloured sleeves to hide behind, but have still not found ones that work that well. I wish someone would just come out of no where to tell me they can help me and it can be gone, because I don’t know how I will ever bounce back from this if it can’t.
UPDATED FROM Geamrok
Feelings of sadness
GeamrokJune 26, 2013
... I have so much to look forward to right now but all I can do is stress over my arm. I've tried to reach out to doctors with no response. I can't imagine spending the rest of my life having to look at it and feel this way. I keep praying that it will be a cold summer so I can hide behind my clothes.
Replies (24)
June 26, 2013
I hear what your saying about wanting to hide behind your clothes, my style of clothing revolves around yoga, and running, and I have had to purchase lots of new items to fit my back to avoid the mess showing. My tattoo was actually UGLY, yours is not, but I do understand you being uncomfortable showing it. So sorry you feel this way, it's not easy to be so disconnected with a part of your body. Also being on your arm, it's on full display to you everytime you see yourself. All I can suggest is to work with a therapist, maybe you have a help like offered to you through your work benefits. There are many on line phone help lines as well that are free. You have to work on coming out of this, as difficult as it seems.
June 26, 2013
I think yours is beautiful as well. I think a lot of the pain we are going through has to do w the REGRET of getting the damn thing n not the way it actually looks. It becomes much more "ug ly" to us b/c of this negative enrrgy w eve put into it. Stayin positive today!!!! :)
June 27, 2013
Thank you. I actually saw the pics of your back tattoo before I joined this site. I live in Canada and thought about going to Toronto to get the Alex TriVantage too, but I'm not sure it would be so successful on all my colour. I don't think your tattoo is bad at all. I agree with what's been said here though, it's not even about what it looks like so much as how it makes you feel. Thank you for always posting such positive comments... your constant positivity lifts my spirit :)
June 28, 2013
Hi Geamrok, I did a ton of research on the Alex TriVantage before committing to the treatment. I go to Advantage Laser Clinic and they treat me very well. The only thing I was hesitant on was the fact they did not provide before and after photos due to confidentially, that seemed really odd, but based on the reputation, and the fact they are all nurses and doctor on site, I trusted them. Prices were great too! My tattoo should have cost so much more to remove, but they worked with me and were very empathetic to my situation. I have seen results, and will post an updated picture very soon, and I do believe that based on my research and what was available to me I picked both the right clinic and laser. It is really working well on the green and yellow and black so far. The purple and orange have a way to go. I am so glad you are going to start therapy. I understand how the tattoo is always mixed in with your other thoughts, it not a food feeling. I kinda feel like the poster child for tattoo removal, and that is not what I wanted to be, however, I am glad that I can help others not feel so alone in this and empower them to move forward. When this first happened to me, I thought I was one of the only people who could have ever ended up in this situation, and in my case felt so stupid for what I had done, it wasn't until I received my first reply and then another and another that I started to realized, hey wait...I am not alone, this is a true reality for not only me, but others then you begin to feel normal. It's not our fault that we ended without the results we desired, we didn't do the tattoo, we trusted a qualified artist to do the work, and well...you know how it ends up. I blamed myself for months, I had to let go of that, there is nothing wrong with wanting a nice tattoo, I stopped hating tattoos (as my first response was I HATE them) and I got another, and I LOVE it, I call it my healing tattoo. It made me realize that not all tattoo artists are bad, or don't listen to you, just had a bad experience. Take care of yourself, and hold your head up high and be proud of who you are, who give a crap of what others think...they don't matter :)
June 26, 2013
Sinister Ink in Reno, NV has an alternative treatment to laser. I am having it done on a blue tattoo that wont respond to laser treatment. It works on any color, any tattoo. I would call them. My friend did it on his wedding ring and was gone way quicker that another I've gotten 5 laser treatments so far.
June 27, 2013
Would love to see the results! I have a blue I am trying to get rid of as well.
June 27, 2013
Hi, thanks for the info. However... I'm not able to find any information regarding what the treatment is. Do you have a direct link you can send me? Thanks!!
July 3, 2013
Girl, keep your tattoo, it looks so cool and cute... kinda dreami. Artist made good work.
I love it.
July 4, 2013
I wish I felt the same way... I've been really depressed over it this week. I feel like if it just went away all this sadness and horrible self image would disappear and I could be me again.
July 4, 2013
I'm sorry to hear that and can totally relate. I have been thinking of nothing else for 3 weeks and I even dream about it. I woke up today without a pit in my stomach.... First time in 3 week. I believe time heals all wounds and Send out love and comfort to u. Wish u lived closer.... I'd totally drag u out to meet for coffee and drinks. Xoxo
Wishing u a safe and happy 4th
July 4, 2013
It's been 4 months for me :( I can't focus on anything else. Whether to get lasered or not... whether it will work or not... I feel like I have ruined myself. Every time I'm out I'm miserable and think about how I would be acting if I felt beautiful again. I've never felt so helpless in my whole life. I feel wicked selfish :(
July 4, 2013
Geamrok, I completely understand how you feel, so much so that it's like I wrote your comment. Just just yesterday I had a moment that I felt very frustrated, it was so hot outside, and I had to go watch my son's soccer game. As my treatment was just on the weekend, I have it bandaged up (took it off today thank god) so there I sat in the car, feeling sorry for myself, with the air on as I could not stand the heat in what I had to wear. My husband is so supportive, he sat in the car with me while I put myself down for making this stupid decision, all the while he was reminding me that it changes nothing about who I am and it's getting fixed. He reminds me of who loves me and it's not important what other people think, however he understands how it must feel. I explain to him that I miss the fact I could just get up in the morning and put on whatever and feel great, now I have to think and plan what I am going to wear to make sure it covers....however when I am post treatment I don't care as much if it shows anymore, that comes with acceptance. I am glad I have my husband to talk it through with without judgement, I am sure you have someone that you can do that with too....what I am getting at, as I yap... know that it does get better....you are not alone. I know that does not change the fact you don't like your tattoo...but you're not the only person who has done this, we all make mistakes, decisions we wish we can change. Just try and stay in a positive frame of mind, remind yourself of all the good in your life, it's so easy to forget that, we tend to focus on the negative... Give yourself time. I honestly believe that getting out in nature helps, walk or just sit near water, forest...our bodies feel in balance when we are in nature....get away from the computer ( I know it seems like I'm on it all the time, but it's my job.,.so i'm kinda stuck on it) and just let your worries go....take care of yourself, being down constantly is not good for your health.
July 4, 2013
Honestly, I'm on this site because I have no one to talk to about it. My spouse doesn't know how to handle it. She doesn't understand why I hate it so much. As for family, I won't even show it to them. I know people think it's nice and all, but it's not me. I can't stand taking my clothes off now... I feel so ugly.
July 4, 2013
I understand, It's so great to have this site! I think you mentioned this, and you already have, but you should see if you can get some help from a therapist, I did that, it helped. I get what you mean about not feeling like the tattoo fits you, if you don't like it, you don't like it...that's ok, so now you have to set a plan to fix it.
Re feeling ugly, I am going to get a bit firm, I don't want to sound blunt.... a tattoo does not make you ugly, plain and simple. Again, I understand that feeling, but I also know its an irrational thought. It's not like that tattoo is ugly, and I am certain you are a beautiful women, inside and out. LET ME BE CLEAR, beauty comes from within, your personality, it's how you carry yourself, your smile, your walk, your attitude. When you see someone and they are walking with pride and confidence and smiling, what's the first thing you notice, their shirt, their tattoo...no usually it's the beauty that shines from within, their smile, their confidence...and their positive energy. An example of this, Vino Alan, he is a singer songwriter, when I first saw him, honestly he captivated me, his voice his confidence, yet he has, what I consider not so nice tattoos, but honestly I find him very attractive and I am captivated by his charisma, his voice. So ask yourself, what is being beautiful really mean?? Does it mean what you see on TV, what you see in the magazine, NO - IT DOES NOT! Beauty is a characteristic of a person, it's not perfection, and it's not only based on looks. IF YOU FEEL beautiful, you will look beautiful. Re your spouse, she is probably feeling very confused, she does not entirely understand your feelings, and worries about your tattoo, but it's all in how you talk to her. If you let her know you just need someone to talk to, you don't expect her to fix it, just you need to get out your feelings. When I used to freak out, like I mean just break down, my husband would get upset, he was not understanding how I could let this tattoo bring down my whole world, it was through lots of talking and arguing that he can now support me...let me explain, I used to just blow up, and get pissed off at the world, blame the artist for what happened, heck I even blamed my husband for not talking me out of the tattoo...when he explained how my emotions/depression impacted the family, I was able to understand how if I changed my behavior and understand that even though they don't UNDERSTAND exactly how I feel, we can still talk about it (not the kids, rather my husband) if I just ask him if we can talk about it, all I need is for him to listen, he does. I usually start with "this is how I feel" and he does his best to make me feel better putting my feelings into perspective. He has a philosophical way of thinking, and it helps to just tell him how I feel, he doesn't have to fix anything, he just offers any support he can, a hug or a shoulder to cry on. I don't know if my words help, but I sure hope so...please take care of yourself
July 4, 2013
Geamrock, I understand that feeling, mines a huge black outline and I hate it!! I'd be 3/4 sleeved if I had finished which I refuse to... I remember sitting in the chair telling the artist I'm done, ill come back I promise, but I'm done... So much for that promise, I hated it!!! I wear half sleeves with an arm cover, at home I have learned to be in tanks but outdoors I won't... It takes time I think... My bf was horrible at being supportive for my treatments, he even told me what am
I going to do if some freak accident happens and my arm burns, that ass! I cried for weeks... Then I sat him down and asked him to research with me, to help me because I need his help, and not to judge me, he may not regret any of his tattoos but I do regret mine so I need his support... He finally understood me... He has taken me to my first appointments to drive me home, the third I did alone because he worked really late the night before... My tatto was done last yr in November and I'm barely getting to a place where I don't hate myself for it... I still regret it and hate it, but not myself...
July 4, 2013
My point is maybe ur spouse will understand if you sit down and explain everything...
Your tattoo is beautiful but I understand its not u, so research removal if you need to... :) we are here for I
UPDATED FROM Geamrok
Skin coloured sleeves
GeamrokJuly 9, 2013
For the last 2 weeks I've been wearing my skin coloured arm sleeve. Although it's noticeably not my skin, I feel better not having to look at my tattoo. I think most people assume that I have gotten hurt, but I'm not too concerned about what others think about me as much as I do. If it weren't for finding these sleeves on the net I don't think I would leave the house at this point. In this pic I'm wearing a type of sleeve called "Geri-sleeves" that I found on Amazon at $8.00 for a package of 2 (But I have to double them up because they are a little thin and then attach it to the shoulder of my bra with pins so that it doesn't fall down) ... I also ordered some from Ink Armour that I have to return for a bigger size, but they seem like they may stay up on there own. Ink Armour also has many types of sleeves and sizes... for arms, legs, and small and big tattoos. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning I think it was all just a dream, but then I look down and realize this is my reality. If you have any type of tattoo that you absolutely hate then I strongly advise buying some skin coloured sleeves until you have the money to do something about it. For now... this is me.
Replies (19)
July 9, 2013
They look great! What size did you order from ink armour? I wanted to order mine and we are about the same size.
July 9, 2013
Thanks!! I ordered a size small, but there are too tight so I'm going to send them back and get a medium.
July 11, 2013
Thanks! I'm going to order mine today. Did you get fair or tan? BTW if you do a search for picosure in the search box there was one person who had blue moon and the shading of blue was completely gone!
July 10, 2013
Well I would've just work half sleeves or three quarter leaves if I knew it would cover like urs, unfortunately mine extends about 3-4 inches from that so I bought the arm cover, it looks odd tho in shorts sleeves, I mean urs blends better then mine, mine looks like I have a fake arm or something :(
July 10, 2013
Those arm covers do help tho!! It helped save my sanity in many ways..
July 10, 2013
Nothing anyone says will make you feel any better unless it's that they've just invented a new tattoo removal procedure and it completely removes your tattoo. Yours really isn't bad, I can see what areas on your tattoo you're unhappy with but trust me, it's such a small problem. I have a full sleeve, two large tattoos on my other arm & a big chest piece. I absolutely hate every one of my tattoos & I understand how these things can get you down. It's consuming but only if you let it. Look into tattoo removal, look at your options, go for a consultation, it'll give you hope & show you there's a way out of this hole you seem to be in. Stay positive!
July 10, 2013
That is so true. Yes, I agree with you that it is such a small problem compared to what others may be dealing with, but it has really consumed my life so much that I'm now in therapy. I've been doing a lot of research on Picosure, but the closest ones are all at least 8 hours from me. I'm really trying hard to push forward. Are you planning on removal of all your tattoos?
July 10, 2013
I'd love to have them all removed but I'm being realistic, one at a time & see how they shift!
July 10, 2013
It is completely possible to remove that with a laser. Now. . . that being said, it will cost in the range of $8,000 USD, and require around 10 treatments over the course of a year and a half. I think it's beautiful, but I know what you're dealing with. . . I have an arm piece that everyone loves and I hate. I'm in the process of removing it. I love it -- just not on me.
July 10, 2013
Thanks for the info! What kind of laser will remove it, Picosure? How come you haven't written a review? I would love to see your tattoo and its progress with removal.
July 10, 2013
I'm not sure which laser treatment is best? I am still researching it. I have written a review about mine, just asking questions really. Once I start the removal I will post pictures :)
Replies (37)