Student Working Hard to Afford To Remove This Mistake - Edinburgh, GB

Hi, I'm Rebecca and I'm a 19 year old Student in Edinburgh and im grateful to have stumbled across this forum! I was having a very rough time a while back and impulsively decided to get a tattoo thinking it would make me happier - however it did the opposite! I didn't need an appointment and the tattoo artist just did it there on the spot and it did not turn out how i had hoped. I always wanted an elephant, but i imagined it to be a lot smaller and not so dark and dense. Also, I didn't really take placement into consideration, I think it looks ridiculous and far too big on my body (im 5ft, size 8) and would much rather have it somewhere hidden (im finding it very hard just to post a picture of it on here). I aim to pursue a career in fashion and constantly having to cover up and avoid wearing nice dresses is getting me down because I care a lot about my appearance and what others think - the fashion world is a very bitchy place.
Anyway, I am seriously considering laser removal. I've searched and searched for months but have been putting it off due to shortage of cash (if i start, i might not be able to keep affording it and then id end up with even more of a mess??) and the thought that it might not actually work. I just wondered if anyone has any thoughts about whether removal would be effect on such a dark and dense tattoo? even if it was just to be lightened and then covered with makeup.
Any support would be fab, I dont feel i can talk to anyone else about this, especially not my family, and my boyfriend is agaisnt me spending so much money on removal too.

Thanks!
x

My tattoo actually hasn't been bothering me as much as usual the past week or so because I've been busy but I started looking for a dress to wear for my birthday night out and realised how much I really don't want it on show, so I'm having to search and search for a dress that covers it up (not ideal for a hot nightclub on a summer night) - i just keep thinking about the freedom I used to have when getting dressed! I think I'm going to go for a consultation for laser removal before the end of the week hopefully and I'm really quite nervous about what the cost will be and how long the process is actually going to take. I'm reluctant to start because there's so many other things i could spend the money oh, like learning to drive!
Has anyone started laser removal and regretted it? Or is it a relief to know that the process has started?

I wasn't planning on updating this until I has actually begun my laser removal, but I've found myself no further forward and still trying to pluck up the courage to even go to a consultation... How will I manage the whole journey if I'm too worried to even start it?! I keep putting it off thinking it's not worth it, but I've got my birthday night out coming up and am desperate to wear an open back dress for once and not restrict myself. However I feel so self conscious having my tatt on show and don't want to spend the whole night worrying what people are thinking about me. I admire those who can go out in a vest or whatever and not give a damn!!
Anyway, I guess I'm just needing a kick up the backside to actually get started with my treatments.