POSTED UNDER PicoSure Reviews
Tattoo Removal for a Dense Cover-Up
UPDATED FROM girlwithafeathertattoo
Moving On
$350
Hello all. I have decided to discontinue laser treatments for my tattoo removal. My dad was asking me about it and how much it costs and when I told him and he did the math for how many MORE sessions I would need (so, not including what I've already spent) he said, "So at least $10,000 more?" I had never done the math. It's just too much. I believe for that amount I can find a surgical solution that will give me the results I need quicker and with less pain. I know it is a somewhat large tattoo, but I think maybe I can find a plastic surgeon that will do a staged excision, and I know it is possible if I graft it, and I may even end up at that, but I'm just not sure yet. I am fairly sure though that I will eventually end up with a plastic surgeon one way or another. The laser is just so tedious, time consuming, and as I've just realized, insanely expensive. I'm sure my case is rather unique as far as the price goes, since it is technically 4 tattoos all on top of each other, so it would take MANY sessions. I also believe the ink is simply too deep because of how many layers there are, therefore I would never be satisfied even if I did continue with the laser. I hope my profile still helps some people in their removal journey, so I will leave everything here that I have already done. I am somewhat more at peace with the tattoo than I have been in quite some time. I'm not exactly sure why, maybe it is because I made a new decision about it. My husband and I are trying to start a family now and I have bigger things to think about than this dumb mistake. It once controlled my thoughts every single day. I know how all of you feel. I promise you there is more to life, and I've finally started to see it. I'm sure I will still do something about mine eventually, but in the mean time I have better things to occupy my thoughts. :)
UPDATED FROM girlwithafeathertattoo
Update after my (technically) 6th pico, but only red, orange, and yellow were treated
One week ago on the 18th of March I had just the reds oranges and yellows treated in my tattoo. I finally found a place with the 532 attachment for the pico and was very excited to try it. I know it's only been a week, but I did think there would be more obvious change already. I can see some, but I'll take some more pics when it's full healed. I didn't blister too badly, which is common with the 532. I think it really helped to separate treatments of the blue/green/purple areas and the red/orange/yellow ones. It is much more tolerable and the 532 is much less painful than the 1064. I'm adding some pics, so hopefully that helps. I'll update again in about 7 weeks.
Replies (2)
EG
March 29, 2016
Your updates are really appreciated, thanks so much for sharing — looking at where you started you've come a long way. ☺
G
March 29, 2016
Thank you! I just have to keep reminding myself that it is working, and that I have come so far. I still have QUITE a long way to go, but there's nothing to it but to do it :) I do have faith that it will be gone, it just may take several more years. (and a lot of money haha)
EG
March 30, 2016
It's definitely a journey of time and patience...and costs lots of money. The money part used to bug me too, but, in the end — it's just money, there's more where it came from but you only have one body and to be happy and confident in your own skin is priceless.
G
S
April 1, 2016
I am relieved I found your story and this website! I wasn't sure if laser removal was an option for me. My tattoo appointment this past Sunday has given me a complete mental breakdown. I now have a failed, large, colorful, dense, and in places dark coverup on my arm! I am so glad you had the courage to share your personal story. I'm really embarrassed over the mistakes I willingly agreed to have tattooed. Seems like the picosure treatments are the best option for color. I am setting up a consultation at Tattoo Undo in Centennial. I am stoked to have found a current, local story... even though you moved now! Your experience has helped me moved forward with my life and deciding to do something about it. You have made sooooo much progress with removal! How much has the process cost so far?
G
April 5, 2016
Oh wow! You'll be going to the same place I went to for a few sessions. I definitely know how you feel. Mine is such a mess and I wish so often that I could just go back to the original little tattoo that was just two lines and never do a cover up, but oh well. I've accepted that the only thing to do now is continue with laser removal, and I know it will take years, but I am hopeful every time I have a session done. It definitely works and the pico is definitely worth it. It has cost me thousands so far. I saw Debbie at Tattoo Undo in Centennial 2 times I think, and she charged me $500 each time. It is nice though because she has more than just the pico, so if you have red/orange/yellow colors she also has a 532 laser for those. She also has numbing cream and the cooling tube machine lol I don't know what it's called. She's very nice though. Other than her I went to a dermatologist office in the Springs after I found them because I lived in the Springs and it was cheaper. I think I went there 3 times and it was $300 each, they also used pico. My husband is in the Air Force so we moved Mississippi, and there are very few places anywhere near where we are that have updated technology. I had 2 sessions at a medispa near where I currently live, and he only charged me $125 a session, but it was with the much more painful, much older technology of the q-switched laser. I then found a plastic surgeon's office in Louisiana about an hour and a half from me, so I've been there once so far, and they have the pico with the 532 pico attachment. She charges me $200 for the red/yellow/orange areas and $400 for the rest. (I don't do the whole thing at once anymore). So, yeah, a lot of money, but definitely worth it. I try not to think about the money anymore. Now it is just an investment in happiness and the school of life lol. Hope this helps.
S
April 5, 2016
Thanks for the swift reply! I'm sure I will be lingering on this site during my removal which will take months. I had my consultation with Debbie and she put me at ease. Think I'm going to remove it in sections. I told her I found her business through your review! Your experience with laser removal on a large cover up is the only one I've found. I too wish I never started with a cover up because it's been a runaway train. My husband told me whatever amount of money it takes to make me feel happy again is worth it. The information on different lasers and colors has been invaluable. Thank you!!! Its a shame so many "artists" have the confidence (or stupidity) to do cover ups. Feel like the only way to stop this for others is through education. I plan on posting my own progress once I start treatments. Would be happy to send a private message of my own mess if it'd make you feel at ease at how far you've progressed! Yes, everything you've shared helps..... :)
G
April 5, 2016
I'm just really happy my post could actually help someone else! It's funny, my husband said basically the same thing about the money and however long it may take haha. I feel the same about tattoo "artists", I feel like all of the different ones I've gone to just told me what I wanted to hear so they could get my money. I've vowed never to get another tattoo in my life! I have one other on my foot and I hope to get it removed some day too. I'd like a clean slate. I'm excited to see your journey! It is definitely worth it. I try to respond quickly, I'm pretty much on here almost daily just stalking around looking at others' stories and pics lol. Good luck with your first appointment! Always take pictures and always post updates, some times you may think it isn't looking any different, but if you have older pics to compare it makes a world of difference!
UPDATED FROM girlwithafeathertattoo
Day of final cover up versus now
I am so glad I found these old pictures! It makes me feel a lot better about my removal. Sometimes I think it looks no different, but now I have a real comparison!
Replies (3)
C
February 3, 2016
That's a huge difference! You'll get there!
G
February 4, 2016
Thank you! I certainly hope so. I've been at it since December of 2014. The thing is, I'm not sure which laser gave me the best results. I've been treated with pretty much all of them at different places haha. Good luck with yours!
E
February 6, 2016
That is some great fading!
G
February 7, 2016
Thanks! :) It makes me excited about it. Nothing to do but keep on going!
K
February 18, 2016
I really understand what you're going through. I had years of trying to 'fix' tattoos with cover ups. Now my arm is so dark
And it will take a lot of laser to lighten it. I think cover ups are the issue because when I had laser on an earlier tattoo it
Was much faster and came off easy. The artist has to dig deeper to cover the other art, making it harder to remove.
Thanks for sharing it really helps. If it helps you, at least yours is in a place where you can hide it.mine is on my forearm
So I have to wear long sleeve shirts constantly. I dislike it so much I even wear long sleeves when I'm alone in my room! Good
Luck and please keep us updated.
Replies (3)