POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal Reviews
Considering Laser Tattoo Removal Due to Complete Regret! - Canada
UPDATED FROM Canadagirl75
6 months later..
$1,000
Hi everyone! Hope you're all doing well. I thought since I've come to the 6 month mark of having my tattoo, I would write a review to update you all of where I'm at.
As I mentioned a few months ago, I made the choice to not pursue laser removal. Since then, I've been focusing on accepting the tattoo, accepting and forgiving myself for the choices made surrounding getting the tattoo. I still have days that are hard and the self pity finds it's way back into my thoughts but those days are getting further and further apart.
My advice to anyone who may have a new tattoo that they regret is to give it time before making the decision to get it removed. Let the shock wear off, let yourself at least try to become used to the tattoo. From what I've learned over the last 6 months about laser removal is that there is no turning back once you start. And in some cases, you may come full circle and end up having to get another tattoo to cover up the old one that isn't able to be completely removed. So, if your tattoo is not one that was poorly done but maybe you just realized after that tattoos are not for you, please just give yourself some time. If after a period of time, you feel that you still cannot live with it, then maybe removal is something you should consider. Just don't make a decision in haste based on your emotional state at the time.
My tattoo regret has taught me so much about myself and has made me look at other areas of my life that maybe I wasn't happy with. I'm now focusing on those areas of my life. It's difficult to explain but sometimes these things happen to make you a better person. It gives you the wake up call you needed.
Just remember: it's only a tattoo! It doesn't define who you are if you don't let it.
Good luck everyone in your journey!
As I mentioned a few months ago, I made the choice to not pursue laser removal. Since then, I've been focusing on accepting the tattoo, accepting and forgiving myself for the choices made surrounding getting the tattoo. I still have days that are hard and the self pity finds it's way back into my thoughts but those days are getting further and further apart.
My advice to anyone who may have a new tattoo that they regret is to give it time before making the decision to get it removed. Let the shock wear off, let yourself at least try to become used to the tattoo. From what I've learned over the last 6 months about laser removal is that there is no turning back once you start. And in some cases, you may come full circle and end up having to get another tattoo to cover up the old one that isn't able to be completely removed. So, if your tattoo is not one that was poorly done but maybe you just realized after that tattoos are not for you, please just give yourself some time. If after a period of time, you feel that you still cannot live with it, then maybe removal is something you should consider. Just don't make a decision in haste based on your emotional state at the time.
My tattoo regret has taught me so much about myself and has made me look at other areas of my life that maybe I wasn't happy with. I'm now focusing on those areas of my life. It's difficult to explain but sometimes these things happen to make you a better person. It gives you the wake up call you needed.
Just remember: it's only a tattoo! It doesn't define who you are if you don't let it.
Good luck everyone in your journey!
UPDATED FROM Canadagirl75
Still not feeling right
Today has been tough...Even though I made the decision to not have laser removal at this time, I still have huge anxiety over my tattoo..I cannot look at it. I keep covered up all the time. Super depressed today..I am thinking of going for a consultation. I really should get some information first so that I can make an informed decision.
Hope everyone else is hanging in there.
Hope everyone else is hanging in there.
Replies (3)
September 5, 2013
Not sure where you're from in Canada, but Skinpossible Laser & Light Solutions in De Winton (Calgary) Alberta is now offering Picosure. If you went with Picosure your tattoo would probably be gone in like 3 treatments.
September 5, 2013
I'm in Winnipeg. Glad to hear that the picosure is making more appearances here in Canada. I'm hoping the Dermatologist I'm considering gets one. It would be well worth his while as he says he has a lot of patients.
September 6, 2013
Thanks so much Geamrok for posting the news about the availability of the Picosure in Alberta! That's wonderful news!
September 6, 2013
Good Evening Canadagirl75,
I am glad you are not jumping into anything, and keeping your options open and researching, that is smart of you. You mention you are feeling super depressed today, that's understandable, as you are experiencing mixed emotions/regret. Please don't look at this as a personal weakness, this can happen to anyone. You have experienced something in your life that is traumatic to you, and possibly feel a deep loss, and or a disconnection from your body. Feeling sad/depressed is very normal in this situation. A suggestion for you, from personal experience as I am not an expert, takes care of yourself as you would when you say have the flu. What I mean by that is, when you are sick with the flu, you may go to the doctor and he/she may suggest to go home, get rest and drink lots of fluids and remind you to take good care of yourself, well this is no different, I once read that depression is like an emotional flu, so you should take care, get some rest/relaxation and allow yourself to heal as you would if you were sick. I hope that makes sense. Another thing you can try, well 2 things actually that worked for me is, keep something little with you, anything like a rock, a piece of jewellery and when you begin to feel anxious touch it and this will be your reminder to focus back on good feelings, positive thoughts. The other thing is, give your anxiety , sadness 10 min. of your time, allow it to express itself, but set a limit if you can, and then take back control....this will become an easier exercise with practice, I assure you. Take good care, B11.
September 6, 2013
Thank you for the kind words B11. You can call me Tara :) I definitely feel traumatized and very disconnected from my body. I chose the wrong placement for my tattoo. I wish I had it on my back. But, because the tattoo has personal meaning, I wanted it to be somewhere that I could see it. I completely disregarded the fact that having a tattoo on my forearm would completely limit my wardrobe choices and it would be staring me in the face all the time. Friends have told me to take time to get used to it and that with time I will but I'm just not sure about that. I have trouble looking at it. Time will tell. In the meantime, I'm doing more research on laser removal. Without the guarantee of complete removal, it makes it a scary gamble. I'd never get a cover up. I'd rather live with what I have. We will see! Take care-Tara
November 19, 2013
Hey there just checking in to see how you are feeling :) Hopefully you are doing better and learning to love your tattoo :)
November 19, 2013
Hi there. I'm doing ok. Still have my days. I can't yet say I love my tattoo but I'm getting used to it. With it being long sleeved weather, it's been easier. It'll be interesting to see how I am when spring comes and the short sleeves come out.
November 19, 2013
Hi there. I'm doing ok. Can't say I love my tattoo but I'm getting used to it. Makes me sad to say that as you really should love your tattoo but it is what it is. With it being winter and long sleeves weather, it's been easier. Will be interesting to see how I do come spring. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I still pray very day that there will be a new tattoo removal procedure that works miracles. Hope "they" are working on it as I truly believe the need will only grow more.
UPDATED FROM Canadagirl75
decision made
For the last 3 weeks, I have been tormenting myself with the decision of whether or not to have the tattoo laser removal procedure. I needed to make a decision as it is just too difficult to live in limbo like this. So, my decision is to not have the laser removal.....yet. i think you are all amazing and brave to be undertaking this long, exhausting and expensive journey..I will be hanging around as I would still like to follow your journey's and offer support where I can! I pray that they will come out with advanced treatment to help all of us who have tattoos we want to be rid of. I believe that as the current fad of tattoos dwindles (and it will) the demand for tattoo removal will skyrocket. As we all know that tattoo regret, whether it is 5 minutes after the tattoo is completed or 5 years after, it plays havoc on our emotions and mental state..I just cannot imagine the state of the world when this starts to happen to more and more people. Anyway, enough of my ramble! haha..Good Luck to you all! I am cheering you on and here to support! :)
Replies (1)
September 4, 2013
Congratulations on your decision! And fear not, I am convinced that as soon as I am done with the laser treatments someone will invent a cream that easily dissolves any tattoo!
September 4, 2013
Well, I thought I had made a decision but now I am back to not being sure. I am going to book a consultation. Just to get some information. I still have major anxiety over my tattoo. I just cannot believe I did that! 38...and stupid!
September 4, 2013
Don't beat yourself up. We all make mistakes and in the grand scheme, a tattoo is fairly minor. Book a consultation and get informed. If you put too much pressure on yourself and rush to a decision, it may end up being one you regret. If you decide to pursue removal, patience is required!
September 4, 2013
Thank you. I'm sure you can all relate to this feeling. I almost look at my tattoo as a deformity. Like a wound or something. It's a strange thing. I'm going to book a consultation and just get some info. For those of you that are in this process, what are some good questions to ask at my consult? Besides the obvious, price, number of sessions and type of lasers. Anything else??
September 6, 2013
I felt so much better after my consultation. It not only gave me hope knowing about the possibilities. Ink regret is not a stupid decision on our part, it just happens. I don't spend too much mental energy, anymore, pointing the finger of blame. I focus on ridding the body of the offending ink and maintaining some sort of positive focus. Book the consultation, see what they say and go from there. If there is a cost, which is rare these days, the cost is often towards the price of removal. But I say your peace of mind is worth it. aloha...k
September 6, 2013
Thank you so much. I'm going to book a consultation since it doesn't hurt to find out the information needed to make a decision. I made a pretty good breakthrough today, I wore short sleeves all day today which I haven't been able to do. I'm now in my security blanket (long sleeves) but I'm making baby steps.
Replies (5)