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POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS

Depressed Young Woman in Desperate Need of Large Tattoo Removal

ORIGINAL POST

I spent months saving and prepping for what was...

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kk0999
$364
I spent months saving and prepping for what was going to be a beautiful amazing chest piece. I am covered in many other tattoos that I will proudly wear to my grave, (half of them were impluse) but I have cried every day since I got home from the tattoo and I cannot look at myself in the mirror anymore. I am sick to my stomach. Biggest regret. It has gotten to the point where I will be attending counseling to deal with this, as my whole self image has been shattered. High collar shirts are a saviour, but being a young woman in my 20's the realization that I can't wear half my clothes anymore is a lot.
It is mostly my whole chest, although stops at the breasts and doesn't extend onto the neck. It is very new which is my biggest concern for removal. It is entirely a black outline (there is a small faded black and grey cover up on my shoulder, but I am only concerned about the middle of my chest, so I know results wont be great in that specific location and that doesn't matter). I am very very fair skinned, and it was done professionally. Infact the artist has done others on me that healed perfect.
After feeling like I had just straight up ruined my life by my own stupid choices and ruined my self esteem, I realized there MAY be hope. I have seen lots of success stories on here but there are only 2 certified technicians in my area and one isn't a doctor. The registered doctor, however, is quoting me 500$ PER SESSION with the q-switch laser!? I know it's a big piece, but my understanding was that the q-switch procedure was cheaper and slower and that you would be looking at close to $500 per session for the picosure.
I know I am looking at a MINIMUM of 8-10 treatments to remove a giant tattoo.. Likely more. Is this pricing totally abnormal or am I being unrealistic? I knew removal was expensive, but I estimated a max of maybe 4-5 grand at the end of it all.. but knowing it is more likely to take up to 20 sesssions that was a discouragement.
I have a consultation next week so maybe they over estimated. Is this abnormal? They are also a legitimate medical office and claim to have "pain free" tattoo removal so they are able to administer local anesthesia, so maybe if I opt out of the freezing it will be cheaper?
I don't know. Feeling pretty hopeless at the moment, but I cannot move forward without getting this off my chest. T shirts for the next few years of treatment I suppose. I have a consultation the day after at the other place as well to see what they say, but it is just an aesthetics studio and the laser technician only has a few years experience I believe, where as the other place I am getting treatment by a doctor.
Thoughts, opinions, support, anything would be appreciated. I've spent the past year overcoming a major depression and anxiety melt down that forced me into hiding, only to be right back where I started (only worse, because I ACTUALLY hate my skin this time..)
If these 2 clinics in town don't work my only option is a 5 hour commute to Surrey. Fantastic.
I know this is entirely my fault, but I have to own that and try to fix it now.

Replies (5)

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May 6, 2017
Hey! $500 does sound kind of pricey for q-switch. I got quoted $300 flat per q-switch session. My pico sessions are $400/each. It depends on the size of that tattoo, too, and what's available in your location. Is it color or black and white? I'm curious to see it! I know it's a long and expensive road, but based on all the reviewers who stuck it out, I'll be so worth our happiness in the end!
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May 9, 2017
Hey there! I thought I would pop over and read your story. My tattoo is small (about 5 square inches) but I can give you prices on the two places I've been. One place wanted $375 for a q switch removal, the other wanted $200 for a q switch and teeny tiny bit of picosure. They don't have the ability to treat red with pico at the place I went to. Neither place had a doctor doing treatments but one of them (the $200 one go figure) has a doctor on site. The other more expensive place had a doctor or supervisor but I don't think that meant much. I have pinned a few reviews that inspire me onto one of my notebooks if you can see that link in my profile. They really help me when I am feeling down about this stupid thing. Feel free to check them out. I wish you all the best of luck. Keep us posted on your decision. :)
May 10, 2017
Hey there! You are in the right place for support.... we all get you here! We are in the same sucky boat... Pricing is going to depend obviously on the size of the tattoo, $500 seems like a lot, but I don't know exactly how big your tattoo is. I had mine done with the same laser and it was $100 per session. It should have been $150, but I received 3 free treatments as a promotional kind of offer and by the time it came to my fourth session, I had built a relationship with my technician, so she gave me a little discount. I'm very very lucky in that aspect. Also, her husband is the tattoo artist who did the tattoo LOL and he is the one going to cover it also, since I decided I didn't want to go for full removal but rather a cover up. I love tattoos, and I love my other 4, just not the one. Are you thinking of maybe doing a cover up? It might save you a little money in the long run. This might be a good option for you since you have many other tattoos you love. Is it the tattoo itself you hate, or the placement? If it's the placement, then you would probably be better off to go for full removal. Hope these words help, even if it's just to know you aren't alone!! I promise, it will get better! Get a couple sessions in and you will be feeling so much better... It is a long process, but try not to think about it much between sessions, and it makes it go by much faster!!! Also, unless you are like immune to pain, I probably wouldn't skip out on the cooling process, even to save money. My technician accidentally started to laser an area she hadn't cooled yet, and I had to tell her to stop. The pain was 10 fold from with the cooling. And the pain is bad enough with the cooling!! Just my advice of course! Do whatever is best for you!! Good luck and keep posting! I wish I had posted from the beginning!
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May 29, 2017
How did your consultations go?
November 14, 2018
Dude, I did the same thing. I’m glad you were brave enough to share your story because it helps ME! To relate, I got my tattoo in May or 2018 and I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror for the longest time. I started therapy myself and even one session has helped so much. I encourage you to be strong and keep your head above water until you are able to start your procedure and hopefully regain some peace of mind. I’m looking into removal by picosure and was quoted at $4000. So I’m not sure about your pricing. Good luck!