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POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS

Painful but Worth It -Fort Collins, CO

ORIGINAL POST

I have many tattoos from when I was young. Half of...

areis918
WORTH IT

I have many tattoos from when I was young. Half of them were done by an ex-boyfriend with a homemade gun. He had spent years in prison "perfecting his art" and I decided to let him practice on me. Now it has been 18 years and I want them gone. Every time I look in the mirror I am reminded of him. I like the tattoos that I have paid for and put sober thought into. I just want the past removed because I have grown up.
I finally got the courage to go in and talk to a specialist about these horrible blobs of ink covering my body. I was quoted 100.00 per session and up to 12 sessions to remove the one from my stomach and hip. I decided to give it a shot. Anything is better than living with these for the rest of my life. I can tell you that I was not prepared for the pain inflicted on my from that laser. I thought it would be something like getting the tattoo. The one on my stomach was the most painful one I got and 5 times more painful to remove. I did this without any pain medication or local anesthesia. My technician was so patient and assured me I could take as many breaks as I needed. I wasn't being charged for the time it took, only for the treatment of the entire tattoo. He used a cold air blowing machine to help cool the area but it didn't help much. I bit the bullet and figured it's what I get for being so stupid in the first place.
He told me there will probably be bruising and blistering after he was done. Immediately after I was red and swollen and it felt like hot grease was being dripped on my body. It was very sore the first day but ice really helped. This is day two and the swelling is almost gone, no blistering, and barely red. The best part is that almost all of it is faded and I am told that it will only get better. I really think these will be gone in a couple of more sessions. I am so excited to see my skin again!

areis918's provider

Michael Scarpulla

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Mike is one of the most caring, compassionate, professional people I have met. He explains everything very well and listens even better. I would never go anywhere else. I highly recommend him at Tat2Undo if you are anywhere near Fort Collins, Colorado.

Replies (1)

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April 1, 2013
aloha areis918..ink regret...well it sucks doesn't it. We have all had, or are going through it, that's why we're heare. It's amazing how many of us there are out there and so many that don't speak up because we're afraid. But we're not alone. We all make mistakes. I made a doozy of one back in October and hopefully by Christmas I'll see a good portion of it gone. I'm glad you are having fading. Maybe it's because it wasn't done professionally but with a homemade gun and also because it's old. But everyone is different and it's great that you have fading. I hope you update with pictures, it would be great to see your success, it gives us hope and we can share in your happiness. Thanks for sharing. aloha...k
UPDATED FROM areis918

I figured it out! I just put 2 pics up that were...

areis918
I figured it out! I just put 2 pics up that were taken 72 hours after the 1st treatment. The one around my belly button used to be all the same shade of black. I can't believe how quickly it is fading. The roadrunner/peace frog cover up combo was done professionally and it is fading nicely too. Can't wait until the next few weeks to see if it fades even more.

Replies (9)

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April 1, 2013
That's great! I hear that older, non-professional tats are the easiest to remove so you should have great results. When is your next treatment?
April 1, 2013
My next treatment is scheduled for the end of May. I wish I had a before pic. I'll look around my computer for one. I am going to try to upload one from today though. Its been 3 days and I am really pleased so far.
April 1, 2013

Congrats on getting started with your removal, and thank you so much for choosing to share your story. Wow, your belly button one did fade a ton in areas. Its interesting that some parts faded more than others, but encouraging none the less! :)

April 2, 2013
Hi Megan, The one on my belly was started 18 years ago. The darker parts were done 9 years ago. So the older part really faded. I'm pretty sure it was a different type of ink used on the darker part. I so wish I had never tried to 'finish' that tattoo. :)
April 2, 2013

Ohhh, that makes sense. Thanks for clarifying that detail for me, I appreciate it. :) I'll be hoping the newer part fades well for you!

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April 2, 2013
I would talk to your technician about numbing cream. I didn't use any for the first six treatments but I found some cheap on eBay and it makes a world of difference
April 2, 2013
I have a prescription for a topical lidocain numbing cream stuff. It's the same thing I was offered for my next treatment. So I will be ready for sure next time! I didn't think it would make that much of a difference. I'm really glad to hear that it made such a difference for you.
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April 2, 2013
aloha Areis918, your fading is amazing! I agree with Tena G below. Being in pain isn't worth it. And it could inhibit healing. You'll wince up each time you go. The clinic I go to gives lidocaine shots and it is totally worth it. I don't feel a thing except the ding in my wallet. Use numbing cream and focus your energy on healing rather than the pain. Good luck! aloha...k
April 2, 2013
Thank you! I will use it for sure next time.
UPDATED FROM areis918

Itching! Holy cow! This just started last night...

areis918
Itching! Holy cow! This just started last night and was easy to get rid of by lightly rubbing on the outside of my shirt. Now I can't stand it. I want to lay on my belly and scrub it with the carpet! I wonder if ice will help. I am going to try some of this steroid anti-itch cream. I'm afraid to scratch it from all the reviews I have read and people said. So far, no blisters or peeling. Does the itching mean that will happen soon? Ugh.

Replies (3)

April 9, 2013
11 days post treatment and the itching is gone. Well, as long as I don't start itching it doesn't come. It seems like the minute I scratch, it flares up and itches uncontrollably. So hand off for me! I never did blister or scab but I do notice a small amount of peeling like when a tattoo first heals. I also notice that it is kind of red and still a little swollen. The fading is about the same as when it was first done too. There are some parts of the ink that I am seeing breaking up. I can't wait for the next treatment!
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April 9, 2013
Good-bye itch, hello fading and breaking of lines.  That's wonderful, areis918!  My fading makes the tattoo look like it is years old. In some places the ink is breaking up.  I understand now why people say it takes patience and perserverance as the tattoo will look just plain weird for awhile.   I slather on the coconut oil and keep it moisturized and simply don't look at it.  Good luck with your next treatment, when is it?  I'm coming up on post two weeks and can't wait for the next one at the end of May.  aloha...k
April 9, 2013
Sounds like we are about the same timeline here for treatments. My next one is the end of May also. I use coconut oil too. It really helps. One thing I did for the itching was add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the coconut. It took the itch right out! I'm glad you are seeing the fading and breaking up too. Its so encouraging! Thanks for your comments.