Tattoo Removal - Inner Forearm (Peony) - Halifax, Nova Scotia
Very Late Update
Sorry for the radio silence. After my first 3 sessions, my tattoo was faded enough that I didn't think much about it. I knew I still wanted to remove it but it felt 'softer' as it faded and I minded it less. Fast forward a few years and I just healed up after my 4th session with QS laser. As many of you know, the fading process takes much longer than the healing process, so I will post another update in March when my 8 weeks have elapsed. I have noticed some fading already, especially in the remnants of black and some areas of darker green.
As for the future: we have a clinic in Halifax with a Picosure laser now, so I am going to go for a consultation with them soon. I have heard that it is very effective to combine the two lasers so I'm interested in having my next treatment done there. That decision has nothing to do with any issue I have with Clean Canvas or Marina (who is very sweet and knowledgeable), I am just interested in being as thorough as possible with my removal.
Hi, I'm a 24-year-old Canadian toy designer named...
Hi, I'm a 24-year-old Canadian toy designer named Morgan and I had my first tattoo removal session yesterday. I am also so happy to have found realself!
I decided to start the tattoo removal process on the peony tattoo I have on my left forearm. This is my most recent of 4 tattoos, and the only one I've decided to remove. I've chosen to do this because I hate the attention that it gets being so public - the rest of my tattoos are quite small and completely concealed. I also hate the fact that I didn't anticipate the attention it would get. I do still quite like the look of the tattoo (and it does kind of compliment my personal style which is a little on the nostalgic/vintage inspired side of things) but I hate that people so often seem to notice my arm before anything else. I've started this process in hopes of someday not having to withstand any further comments about my tattoo counting as 'ice breakers', for lack of a better term.
I had my first laser session yesterday (Q Switched YAG) and found it far more bearable than I had expected. The laser portion lasted for about 10 minutes, and I didn't need a break due to my relatively high pain tolerance (small victories, am I right?). I bled little pinpricks all over the place and I am a bit swollen, but other than that I feel fine! I'm planning to keep my arm covered for at least 7 days (vaseline, gauze, tegaderm bandages) as per my laser technician's suggestion, so I'll take some photos of session 1's results after its healed up.
I should also mention that I am pretty optimistic about this removal, solely because my tattoo's colouring is not particularly dense. That may not be extremely visible from the photos, though. I had specifically asked the artist for muted colours and 'highlights' that were actually my skin tone peaking through (as opposed to a different colour or white ink). I know that there will be challenges over the next year or two, but I am very resilient and patient, so I'm going to give it my best shot.
For now, here are some images of the starting point!
Replies (5)
Welcome to the community, I have to say - I love your 3rd photo, it looks like it's out of a magazine. I wanted to wish you luck on your removal, keep us posted.
Replies (1)