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About three years ago I got two tattoos on my left...

About three years ago I got two tattoos on my left shoulder. Long story short, I hated them. My tattoo artist (who was also a personal friend) didn't care to tell me that my vision didn't quite look right... I would have loved the honesty. About a little over two weeks ago I got a half sleeve all black tattoo, to try to tie my other tattoos together. It's not finished, but it isn't what I was expecting... (we did the one huge piece, but it still isn't connected yet.)
I've been getting a little nervous to go to my next appointment because my artist won't answer my texts for the questions I have. When he showed me the picture on paper I LOVED it. I was so happy that it was drawn just for me and to fit my arm. When it was being tattooed on me I was exited, really too exited. I was really swollen for the whole thing which is fine, but When it healed it shrunk quite a bit. All the lines and likework in my tattoo shrank and became too close together in my opinion. It looks to me like my whole arm is black(I know it's a new tattoo, but I am very pale and the blackness in my tattoos don't fade THAT much) I really wanted to be able to see a lot of my skin behind the tattoo... My artist is planning on shading and highlighting with white ink to bring the "pieces" out of the lace background, but I've heard that when white in laser removed it turns brown or black... I really do like the idea of the white ink in the tattoo, I think it would lighten it up a bit and help with it looking more like "pieces" instead of just a whole bunch of scribbles... But would it go over black? Would it mix together and turn grey? Will it mesh even closer together??? But I'm really thinking laser removal and restarting something more thought out would be my best option to feel comfortable and pretty again.
I keep messaging my artist every few days asking if he can send me a picture of the other pieces that tie my tattoo together and he says "oh yeah sure" and never does, time after time. (By the way both my artists are professionals) I'm not really sure if I should go in for my next appointment "because it's not finished" and I could be worried for nothing... But I am very worried more shading will not make me happy, but make everything look darker and even closer together. Like I said I wanted to be able to see atleast half of my skin through the tattoo.. On paper, it seemed like that's what I wanted... Every time I look at it, it just looks like a huge black blob mess. I've been stressed about this since the night after the tattoo.
Please give me advice...

Replies (8)

May 7, 2016
If you see my review its a similar feeling. I got a deep, dense, all black outline done and never completed the shading. It was too bold and too dark for me. Looked like a black mess on my arm. I've seen embarked on removal but after 9 healed laser treatment it's still very there but SO much lighter. Patience is the only recommendation I have at this time.
May 8, 2016
Can I ask how much yours is so far...? It's fairly decently as big as mine... Not nearly as much lines... But I plan on doing a cover up.... I don't want NOTHING there... I just don't want this..
May 11, 2016
How much I paid? $1200 for a package deal. 10 treatments in, and my tattoo is still there, so much lighter yes but still there. My issue is slight scars from initial placement of the tattoo.
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May 9, 2016
I actually really like it but I know that you are struggling, I got a large black floral piece with shading in my back recently and I too feel that it looks like a giant black blob until you get up close . Short answer to your question about white is that no it will not make your black ink grey but could overall seem to brighten and break up the tattoo, however if you really aren't sure and are considering laser removal ( even a tiny bit) then don't put white in. White is the only colour that will not be picked by any laser , there is no colour there and no pigment so it won't be removable . Hope that helps x
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May 9, 2016
I would just chill an think a while b4 you do anything. Go with your gut feeling on this and the right Awnser will come to you. If you start shading and adding white, you may very well make a bad situation worse (not that I think your tattoo is bad). We all know exactly what it's like to hate your tattoo, I'm workin on removing 7 lol. Good luck to you, keep us updated
May 11, 2016
I actually really like the design. You may want to look in to ways to fill in some of that empty space with pops of color. I have something similar but it includes roses so I had the roses done completely in color and it's awesome. I hope this works out for you.
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May 16, 2016
My advice is do not go back to the tattoists that are avoiding you and your questions. Even if they think that someone is asking too many questions or nit-picking or whatever, you took that job knowing there would be people that are curious, and nervous, and maybe sometimes demanding (which I do not think you are). Having terrible customer service in an employment field that is permanently marking someone is a symptom of a bigger problem. They are jerks who do not deserve your business. I'm sorry that one of them is your friend. That complicates things for sure, but you have to do what is in your best interests.
May 19, 2016
Thank you... The thought that went through my mind...
UPDATED FROM Something123456789
2,016 years post

Consultation Day (test spot)

Something123456789
I just got back from my first consultation at the clinic Ink On Ink Off in Cleveland. It's was so nice and clean looking. They were very nice and very straight forward. Quick consultation because I knew what I wanted and she understood. I was happy to know we could do a test spot today. It wasn't so bad of a sock. It hurts a small amount more than getting the tattoo( mind I only had one line tested)

It frosted right away. I haven't taken off the bandage yet. I'll post a picture about two weeks later... If its healed!

Replies (3)

May 13, 2016
Congrats on the test spot, what laser did they suggest?
May 13, 2016
Picosure laser
May 14, 2016
hey that's where i'm going too! i love dr. miller.
fwiw, i think your tattoo looks amazing, but totally understand why you would want to remove.
good luck with your decision, i think you will find a lot of support here. :)
UPDATED FROM Something123456789
2,016 years post

How do I help the healing the quickest?

Something123456789
Hey guys... I have a few questions hopefully someone can answer.
It's been almost a week since I had my test spot done and my first question is how long should I wait to start my first treatment?

My other question is, I am a hairstylist, therefore constantly raising my arms is a must in my job.. It's on my left arm to where it's not moving the most... But I do need to have my arms raised for most of my day. I was wondering(because I know I'm going to blister with these close together, dense lines) will this disturb the healing? What could I use to help the blistering go down the quickest? I have Aquaphor that I have been using on my test spot.

I'll post screen shots I took of instructions of the healing process online... Hopefully you guys can give me a little more advice. Thanks for listening! I'll also post what my test spot looks like so far

Replies (3)

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May 20, 2016
What works for me, I use ice and frozen peas until the swelling goes down for a few days. I put a light cloth over them and do that for 25 minute intervals about 5 times a day. I leave it wrapped the day of with the Vaseline for a while then get it off cause the greasy felling drives me nuts. Then I just use aleo until the initial healing is done. After that, good healing lotion. I know what you mean though, I do architectural woodwork, and it's rough for a couple days afterward, but I get through it. You will too. I'm also interested in what some of us veterans on here are doing. Good luck!
May 21, 2016
Oh good!! I have a very high pain tolerance. I can probably handle it.. And hearing from someone else who does manual labor, that it's doable eases my anxiety. Thank you so much. I'm hoping I can keep it wrapped tightly with pressure so it doesn't hurt as much, I'm going to try and hide this as long as I can.
May 21, 2016
All the good Tattoo artists basically "retired" aka got other jobs since the popularity of tattoo/piecing ended 4-5 years ago and is no longer "cool" on the West Coast. Its just takes the Midwest, South and Eastern parts of the country a little longer to catch that vibe. The tattoo removal business has been flourishing quite well since so many other people realize that trend is now out of vogue. Good Luck !