POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS
All Hope is Gone in Laser Tattoo Removal, barely any results
ORIGINAL POST
I'm a 31 year old male, medium complexion/olive...
kfa2477April 8, 2017
$1,501
I'm a 31 year old male, medium complexion/olive color skin. First off, I would never write a review without going through an experience myself. To start, let me just say that a lot of doctors and tattoo removal "experts" advertise a lot of the same before and afters in their marketing. That's why you'll see the same before and after in 20 different websites across the country, from places who all claim that they can completely remove tattoos. That was the first red flag for me. Anyway, I have a 5 letter word on the back of my arm (tricep), very simple tattoo. Black ink, thin letters, 6 months old. According to what "experts" know, the easiest type to remove. Well I am 4 treatments in now, started in January, now in April...spaced 4-6 weeks apart, the first a q-switched, second a Picosure, third not sure, and 4th a revlite. Each laser has resulted in no difference of ink removal, folks I'm talking the ink is exactly the same as when I got it, the only difference is my skin is badly hyper-pigmented. I've spent roughly $1,000-$1,500 with 4 different offices (2 of them doctors!! who made promises that seemed very insincere). First thing I'll say to people is, don't just go to someone because they are an MD. The laser, the ink m, and your body work together to determine your results, not someone's degree. I've decided to end this nightmare with laser tattoo removal and think of a cover up idea. In my own experience, I believe this laser tattoo industry is a very sketchy industry that actually removes far fewer tattoos than advertised. For me, it actually did nothing at all, even with the hyped Picosure. I don't mean to be negative, but I have to share my story and show the reality of what is going on when I see laser tattoo experts throwing out promising one paragraph answers to get clients into their office for money. Much health and happiness to everyone out there.
UPDATED FROM kfa2477
6 months post
5 Laser Treatments In, Ready to Call It Quits
kfa2477July 13, 2017
This is not my first laser tattoo experience. I have a few tattoos, and have tried to remove 3. Out of the 3, the results were awful on 2 (scarring, hyper and hypo pigmentation, and ink was nowhere near removal). However, one did get removed (inner bicep, complete ink removal after 3 years hyper and hypo pigmentation). So going into this one, I was very skeptical about tattoo removal, since it failed on 2 out of 3. Fast forward to this tattoo, Which I got 8 months ago (December 2016). I have done 5 treatments so far, the last two spaced 12 weeks apart, but the first 3 only about 4-6 weeks apart. It's a very basic black letter tattoo, close to the heart (back of left arm, tricep muscle). I will not name each business I went to yet, but I have went to 5. Different one for each laser. I believe three were a q-switched, one was a rev or medlite (not sure), and one was picosure. Picosure did absolutely nothing, probably the worst out of every session, it darkened my skin and did not remove any ink. I have attached 3 pictures now. One is pre-laser. One is after 3 sessions. And the last after the 5th session last month. I think I have to cover it up with a tattoo, because the results have been extremely poor, in my opinion. If the tattoo looks like this after 5, I don't see it coming off for another 10, which would take another 3 years, IF it does in fact come off. If anyone wants to respond, just be honest. Let's call it what it is.
Replies (6)
July 13, 2017
You sound like you are very intelligent and are very skeptical of the tattoo removal industry - which you should be. There are a TON of liars and cheats out there that are in it for a quick buck. But I can say from personal experience with time and care, it works, but not as "fast" or "miraculous" as a lot of places claim. I guess I got lucky, my laser specialist has been honest with me since day one.
Here are two other reviews that give me hope and prove that it can be done:
https://www.realself.com/review/uk-tattoo-removal-complication-my-luck
https://www.realself.com/review/stockholm-sweden-tattoo-removal-removing-black-red-chest-tattoo
Also, somebody should have told you that the Picosure does not have the correct wavelength for black ink unless it has the add-on. The correct wavelength is 1064 nm for black. It's terrible that none of the "experts" explained that to you. I am using a Quanta Q+C Q-Switch and it has the correct wavelength and is working for me.
I feel really bad that you're having a terrible time with all of this. I guess it's possible that maybe your body/skin also doesn't react well to laser treatment. But it's true, there are a lot of scam artists in this industry trying to make money and it's horrible that you've experienced it first hand.
Here are two other reviews that give me hope and prove that it can be done:
https://www.realself.com/review/uk-tattoo-removal-complication-my-luck
https://www.realself.com/review/stockholm-sweden-tattoo-removal-removing-black-red-chest-tattoo
Also, somebody should have told you that the Picosure does not have the correct wavelength for black ink unless it has the add-on. The correct wavelength is 1064 nm for black. It's terrible that none of the "experts" explained that to you. I am using a Quanta Q+C Q-Switch and it has the correct wavelength and is working for me.
I feel really bad that you're having a terrible time with all of this. I guess it's possible that maybe your body/skin also doesn't react well to laser treatment. But it's true, there are a lot of scam artists in this industry trying to make money and it's horrible that you've experienced it first hand.
July 13, 2017
Thank you. And the Picosure laser was done by a medical doctor. They're even in on this scam, either that or completely clueless.
July 13, 2017
Hm, that's a thought too. Maybe they aren't "scamming" people so much as just completely clueless and blinded by $$$.
July 17, 2017
Hi. I have a black tattoo that was done at a house, so it's an amateur tattoo, close to my heart area so you would like it would have good enough circulation to remove. Yeah, not really. I've completed my 7th treatment and I am finally seeing fading. Either the other there places I've gone to are purposefully using the wrong laser wavelengths or they are clueless how to work a laser. I went to this tattoo place that did laser removal in a seperate room and the woman only charged me 100 bucks for a 4 square inch tattoo. I thought that was such a good deal. Well she is over an hour away from me which isn't too bad but still, it adds up when I've paid 400 dollars to her and got nothing! She told me "it might not seem like it's fading but if you take before and after pictures you will see fading." 4 treatments spaced 8 weeks apart and it maybe lifted to a shade of dark grey. I gave up on that place. I just found a skin and vein doctor that specializes in laser removal and I finally got results. I can see spots where my natural skin is coming through. FINALLY. It's not like I haven't wasted 1100 dollars already. Geez it's disappointing. So you're not alone there and I definitely understand your skepticism because I was too. I've had mine for 2 years and have been going through removal for 1 year and 9 months. I took a year off after the first treatment, so maybe 9 months of treatment for me technically. Do you smoke? That can slow results down a lot.
July 19, 2017
Just me or I see significant fading in your before and after pictures?
Personally, I have removed a tattoo to near completion after 12 treatments with a Medlite laser (q switch) 6 years ago. It was about a 2 year process. But you are right that the laser industry can be a scam. I really think they need to bring down the costs. Aggressive treatments can cause scarring and hyper/hypo pigmentation. I think some overly aggressive treatments happen from over compensating for the fact that its a long process and in an attempt to yield results sometimes.
Personally, I have removed a tattoo to near completion after 12 treatments with a Medlite laser (q switch) 6 years ago. It was about a 2 year process. But you are right that the laser industry can be a scam. I really think they need to bring down the costs. Aggressive treatments can cause scarring and hyper/hypo pigmentation. I think some overly aggressive treatments happen from over compensating for the fact that its a long process and in an attempt to yield results sometimes.
July 28, 2017
It can be done my friend, but you have to accept it's a long, long process to obtain full removal. Check out my review and hopefully it gives you some hope.
UPDATED FROM kfa2477
6 months post
Don't know what to do
kfa2477July 28, 2017
It's such a hopeless cause. Waiting all this time for a procedure that doesn't do sh*t, I feel like my life is on a permanent hold because of these tattoos. I hate the world of tattooing and tattoo artists for being the platform of this agony for so many people. Technology sucks, the lasers are weak and only remove shadowing, the whole laser industry is a scam..go on eBay and see for yourself there are Medlite laser machines on sale for $500, meanwhile these laser offices charge that much sometimes for one visit. I have no idea what to do anymore, I can't live with these tattoos, so I'm left with no other choice than to waste my time, energy, life and money on this procedure. Maybe one day tattoos will be able to be removed, but it's going to be years and years before that happens. And I can't stand these lying doctors who claim it to fully remove tattoos. They're lying for money.
Replies (4)
July 28, 2017
Before you give up completely, you might consider doing a few more treatments consecutively with the same person , show them the pics you take so the setting can be adjusted, good luck to you
August 5, 2017
Just a thought, have you looked into excision? I would have done it in a heartbeat (even though it leaves a scar) but I don't have enough skin in the area. So laser it is for me. Best of luck! :)
September 8, 2017
No because replacing a tattoo with a 5 inch scar is almost just as bad. Once again medical technology is behind.
September 19, 2017
Any "medlite laser' on ebay for $500 is a scam. They cost $20,000+ used. And the maintenance for a laser machine is thousands per year.
Replies (12)
Look into it.
So if you never came to my office, used my medical services and by the way my pictures are all my pictures why would you post a negative review of 1 star when I never saw you or examined you. Plus the fact that my office is 30 miles from great neck please remove this post and post it on the correct physicians site. Also Im sorry you have multiple bad experiences.