Tattoo Removal - Forearm -All Black, Dotwork & Solid Black Sections

Just over 4 weeks after my 2nd session, the dotwork is beginning to get slightly lighter however the solid black hasn't seen much change. I don't know how many sessions it will take before the solid black will begin to lighten. I'm booking my next session around May 10th, leaving about 8 weeks apart since the last. Let me know if anyone has had solid black removed before and how long it took them to see results.

Thanks!

I had my second session on March 12th and it was much better than the first. I ran my arm under a cold shower as soon as I got home and kept repeating that throughout the first night. Last time I had lots of blisters and large swelling, however this time the swelling wasn't as near as bad and I had no blisters at all!

I practice bass guitar about 2-3 hours a day and after the first session i wasn't able to play for about 5 or 6 days due to swelling and pain. This time I could play fine without it hurting after 2 days.

Progress wise the dotwork is definately fading significantly, however i know it will be a few more sessions before it starts to impact the solid black. I'm looking forward to the next session which i've booked 7 weeks apart from the last.

All of my family have tattoo's and I've always loved them (still do!) I waited till I was 21 to get one. So it wasn't out of character when I got it done however something didn't feel quite right. I enjoyed the session and I'm still happy i've had the experience HOWEVER. The idea of something being on me for the rest of my life scared me and soon after my first session something didn't sit right with me.

With an abstract design of 3 separate tattoo designs and styles covering my forearm I was hoping that my concerns were just me being anxious to see it finished and unhappy with it in it's finished state. After the second session (The dotwork Mandala on the inside of my forearm) I was happy with the design until around a month afterwards I began having panick attacks at the thought of it being on me forever!

Realising that I'm too young to make such a big commitment to myself I looked at options and waited a couple of months before deciding to get the tattoo removed. My self esteem was at an all time low and I no longer can comfterbly wear t shirts in public without covering my forearm with a long sleeve (summer is going to suck!).

I've had one session with a Q-Switch on January 29th, it wasn't as bad as i thought but I experienced heavy swelling, mainly on my hand which wasn't lasered? It honestly looked like I'd broken it haha. That lasted for 3-4 days but shortly went after. I also didn't bleed apart from tiny sections that didn't last long.

The clinic I went to said I should estimate between 10-15 sessions for complete removal, which I'm fine with! Some days I absolutely loath myself for it but I know deep down that I'd rather regret the things I did than the things I didn't!

While looking for options these forums helped me so much and were one of the main reason for my panick attacks going away! That's why I thought I'd share my tattoo removal journey with the hope that it might help someone else.

Next session is March 12th!

Pictures attached,

Sam