Will it come off? -Calgary, AB

November 24, 2013

Smoking effects the immune System's ability to remove the ink. I would strongly urge you to try and quit during the removal process so it's removed quicker

November 25, 2013

I've already started quitting, even if I don't decide on laser, it's still better for me not to smoke

November 25, 2013

Hey there, I am so sorry to hear you feel this way, I understand how upsetting it is when you don't like your tattoo ( I am going through removal as well). I actually think your tattoo is cute, but It's you that has to accept it. I would strongly suggest giving it some time, maybe you just need to get used to it, it will fade a bit as fresh tattoo's looks so dark...let it settle and then decide. I waited ...I think 6 weeks before I started removal on my fresh tattoo. Please don't be so hard on yourself, deep breaths when you start to feel upset and just relax, you need to eat, so please get some rest and some healthy food. I second what WillG says, no smoking...it impacts removal. If you decide to pursue removal then look at as your door to quit smoking, you will be healthier for it. You have found a great community for support, so stick with us and feel free to ask questions anytime. Take care of yourself :)

November 25, 2013

That's what everyone is saying, that I need to just get used to it, I know my brother had the same problem with his second tattoo and it's now been a year and he loves it, it just takes some time, but it's driving me crazy, and I don't want to jump into laser removal because that could just be an even bigger mistake for me, I don't know how I would deal with that. I just hate feeling this way, and I'm embarrassed and angry.

November 25, 2013

Hey eem91, check out this review, he felt very much the same and then ended up accepting and liking his tattoo.... you never know :) Log for a Long Painful Journey

November 25, 2013

You might possibly just be going through ink shock, as in often times, any new ink we get takes time for us to get accustomed to. It's done technically well and is a pretty cool theme/image. Like Eva and Will say, smoking is no good and will hinder removal. Also, it is best to wait a few months b/f going in to get lasered...it still needs to heal and there is ink in there now that will fade out over the next few weeks naturally b/c it is so new. Totally yr call though.. Like I have seen and know from experience, 100% removal is never guaranteed, as there are many factors involved. It's a long process too, and is a total test of patience (esp mentally). However if you do go ahead w/ removal, I'd probably combine a Picosure laser (for the colors) w/ a good quality Q-switched laser. And make sure the clinic/practitioner is reputable! I can't say that enough! Check out reviews on here and stay off google....some of those pics online are photoshopped. Just try not to feel so down and give yrself some time to decide or act; a lot of helpful supportive ppl here too! Good luck either way :)

November 25, 2013

If I am going through that ink shock then I hope it doesn't last that much longer, I can't take this anymore. I just want to know that if I do go through with removal that I have a chance of it being gone, maybe not 100% but close to that, because if it's just going to fade and still look like it's there, then I don't know if I can mentally handle that. I feel like such an idiot, this tattoo has made me super depressed.

November 25, 2013

I'm right there with ya. I feel the same way. Some days are better than others. Try to keep yourself occupied with hobbies, friends/family, and exercise.

November 25, 2013

I can't seem to find any reviews on any places that do tattoo removal where I live, there is one place that has the Picosure laser, all the other places don't seem to mention it, so I guess that would be the place to go and check out.

November 25, 2013

Well what made you get the tattoo (if you don't mind me asking)? I'm sure it has some special meaning to you..? You don't really have to tell me, but just think about that. It's hard to convince anyone to like anything if they don't, but I know I have a few tatts that mean the world to me and I had a brief moment of ink shock at first. I would never part w/ any of them now...it's the meaning that makes me love them. They're done really well too, as I think yrs is. But if yr tatt doesn't do that for you then I completely understand. Removal involves many variables so it's hard to say the outcome. Either way you should wait it out, if at least just to let it heal...who knows then, you may end up really liking it. If not, go for it! Just try not to blame yrself...what's done is done and life's about adapting, changing, yet not losing yrself during the process.

November 25, 2013

Yeah, I see yr in Canada. Hopefully, if at all possible, try and seek out a dermatologist, licensed doctor, or plastic surgeon who operates the laser. Otherwise, just ask a lot of questions when/if you go in for a consultation and ask to see real b/f after pics. Everyone responds differently to this so it's just best to be aware. It doesn't hurt to go to a few places for consults either, just to get various opinions.

November 25, 2013

It's hard to want to do things right now :(

November 25, 2013

It does have a special meaning to me, and I've wanted it for god knows how many years, and i just don't like it at all, which is what makes me even more angry, is I wanted this and I waited and waited then decided to get it, never once thought I was making a mistake, and then as soon as I saw it done, I knew I had made a mistake. I'm so miserable. But the place that I found (which is actually quite close to me house) that has the Picosure laser is a dermatologist and licensed doctor place, I'm just scared about the outcome and the waiting in between, that's what I'm scared about, and maybe a little but of the healing process. I just want to know if this can be removed and how long it will take. Will it be worth it?

November 25, 2013

Only you can decide if its worth it. If your peace if mind is worth the time and money, then do what makes you happy

November 25, 2013

Thats hard to do when you're depressed :(

November 25, 2013

I am going pretty crazy, to the point where my mom is worried, I'm just not sure if the whole tattoo removal process will make me even more crazy. I don't know what to do. I hate this feeling

November 25, 2013

Will's right..only you can decide. I do believe complete removal is possible, but it may take years. It takes a ton of patience really, that is the hardest thing about all of this. I have been going at mine 2 years now...and yes, I am using only a q-switched but I was told (and know from experience) that, regardless of the laser, waiting months in b/w treatments is better for the fading results and for your skin to recover. The laser only breaks up the ink, your body actually does the majority of the work. What you should try and do is check out other reviews on here that have comparable tatts to yours and gauge their journeys to get more of an idea. No one really can tell you what you to do, all we can do is give insight from our personal experiences.

November 25, 2013

Its a really hard decision, and what if i go to get it done and I can't handle it and have to stop? Then I will have some crappy tattoo that I don't love. Could it really take years for it to be gone? I was hoping a year at the most.

November 25, 2013

Honestly try and let it go for a bit...focus on something else. It needs to completely heal b/f getting lasered, and I'm sure many removal clinics will tell you the same thing, so you have to wait it out for at least a bit anyway. Just know that no one will judge you on it the way we judge ourselves. We always judge ourselves harder than others. Give yourself some time, b/c even if you started removal today, it will take time too. Just try and find solace in family, friends, hobbies, and stuff to get yr mind off of it for a while like Will said. Many of us can relate to your regret and that in itself is helpful during all of this, knowing that yr not alone. *hugs

November 25, 2013

Everyone's different, so the time factor is unknown. But generally speaking, newer, denser ink takes more sessions and more time. I think if you waited a few weeks to let the excess ink fade (being that it's so new), it would be comparable to getting a treatment...b/c if you treated it tomorrow, I doubt you would see any diff in fading than if you waited a few weeks. Trust me, any brand new day old tattoo is already expelling excess ink. Just try an relax, as hard as it is..trust me I know the feeling. It will fade a bit over the next few weeks...

November 25, 2013

Okay :) Thank you, you've helped quite a bit

November 25, 2013

I think I'm going to try to live with it, see how it goes, it's not like I asked for a butterfly and he gave me this, I got what I asked for and it's a nice piece of work, my family thinks it's beautiful, even my mom said if she had this tattoo is wouldn't bother her (which shocked me) I'm just going to try to not stare at it for long periods of time and stress about it, and if in 6 months or a year it's still bothering me, then I'll look back into laser removal. It's going to be hard, I'll probably hide it for a very long time, which isn't so bad now because it's winter and long sleeves don't look weird, but when summer comes that's going to be difficult, hopefully I don't go crazy in the summer, I do like to wear summer clothing. I hope I can do this, maybe I'll grow to love it, is that possible? Am I just overreacting?

November 25, 2013

I really hope I can do this, get over this tattoo regret and learn to love it. It seems like it's going to be impossible

November 25, 2013

It's totally possible to grow to love it, hey instead of hiding it, why don't you just show it, I think it's easier to move past something when you stop hiding from it. I remember so clearly the day at the beach when I was I decided to whip off my shirt and enjoy the sun on my back...that really help me move past my fear of people seeing it...when it comes down to it, as Ulysses Roten says...no one really cares...and it's true - and for those that do...does it really matter to you? And hey, if you have your moms approval that says alot!

November 25, 2013

I really hope I can grow to love it, it's really hard though, and I think I'll wait to show it off, it's still healing so it doesn't look as pretty as it will when it's healed. And yeah, my mom saying that was a shocker, she doesn't have any tattoos so I wasn't expecting that, and my sister who has a bunch said she loves it and would have it on her body. It's just hard to look in the mirror and see it on my arm, I hope I can get over this depression that this tattoo has caused me, because if so, then maybe it won't be as bad.

November 25, 2013

My tip for you....get out and do something you enjoy and focus your thoughts else, the rest will fall into place, I promise ;)

November 25, 2013

I'm doing that, I gotta go to work, and I can't not go because of a tattoo, hopefully I can ignore the tattoo while I'm there. There are some moments where I think "this tattoo isn't too bad, I like it" and then seconds later I'm hating it and crying, this doesn't make sense to me

November 25, 2013

I read a story on line..if I find it I will private message it to you, about a girl who hated her first tattoo so much ...she wrote that after getting a few more tattoos she ended up loving her first tattoo the most and part of the reason she loved it was for it's imperfections. Enjoy your day at work :)

UPDATED FROM eem91

It's getting a little better

eem91November 26, 2013

Now that I've gotten out of my house and stopped hiding in my room crying, I have gotten a little better, maybe because I'm wearing long sleeves and I don't see the tattoo, I am pretty angry at myself and the amount of regret I have is enormous, but I'm going to try to love this tattoo. I saw a quote that made me think of this situation "when something bad happens, you can let it define you, destroy you or you can let it strengthen you" I'm going to try to live by that quote, it may be difficult it may not be, but life could be worse. I just need to focus on the good in my life. Wish me luck

Replies (4)

November 26, 2013

Glad to see you are feeling better. In all honesty, that tattoo is amazing. The work is impressive. I know you may want to remove it, but if you decide to keep it at least it is VERY well done

November 26, 2013

I like yr quote :) I really do, it kinda touched me a little...so true. I'm glad u feel better, 4reals! Take yr time no matter what u decide..we're here if u need us :)

November 26, 2013

I'm definitely going to take my time. I hope I can grow to love this tattoo

November 26, 2013

Also thank you :) Everyone on here is great, I'm sure you already know that this site is amazing, I'm glad I found it.

UPDATED FROM eem91

Interesting

eem91November 26, 2013

A day ago I couldn't even look at my tattoo without wanting to cry now I'm sitting here looking at (still not really wanting it) but I don't want to cry, I don't think I hate it. Maybe it's because I'm too tired to cry, or maybe it's because putting myself in this mindset is helping, I know it's only been a couple days, but hopefully I can grow to fully love my tattoo and not feel like I look like an idiot with this thing on my arm. Whatever the outcome of how I feel, I do know that getting another tattoo is very unlikely to happen. This site has helped, it stopped me from jumping into laser removal the second I got this thing, I probably would of regretted laser removal more then the tattoo, and the fact that getting rid of it can take years, well I'm pretty sure I can't mentally handle that.

Replies (11)

November 27, 2013

Happy to hear that you are feeling better, anchor those positive feelings down and keep moving forward! Way to go!!!

November 27, 2013

I'm trying! Sometimes it's easy and sometimes it's hard, I just have to try not to focus on it and move on.

tattooregret7

November 27, 2013

You know whats crazy? I got my tattoo two days ago in the same exact spot. It is driving me crazy. I can not stop crying and wishing I had listened to my parents. It was a spure of the moment thing... However I am either going to have it removed by lasers or have it surgically removed. I dont care if I have a huge scar I just can not even look at this tattoo.. I really hope you feel better. Your tattoo is very nice.

tattooregret7

November 27, 2013

I got a tattoo two days ago in the same exact spot as yours. I hate it so much I can not even look at it. I have been having panic attacks I hate it soo much.. I am looking to get mine removed by lasers or if not get it surgically removed, I dont even care how big that scar will be I can not take my tattoo. However, yours is actually really nice... but I really wish you can help me out to cope with my tattoo until I get it removed. I really wish I had listened to my parents.

November 27, 2013

Before you rush into things, give it awhile, let it heal and see what you think. I totally get where you're coming from and how you are feeling. I've had my tattoo for a week and it's slowly getting better, I'm not saying it's not hard, sometimes I still can't look at it, but I just need to keep telling myself that life could be worse, a tattoo is not the end of the world. Focus on the good in your life and maybe one day you'll wake up and realize you love your tattoo, I'm waiting for that day, I hope it comes. Just spend time with your family and friends, do things that make you happy to take your mind off of it, it makes things better. I'm here to talk if you need to. Also you should post a photo of your tattoo, I bet it's not a bad as you think it is :)