POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS
My Journey of Impulse, Regret and Triumph! 19 Year Old Tattoo Removal. - Leicester, GB
ORIGINAL POST
Hi everyone, I'm new to this but I'm happy to find...
WORTH IT$1,500
Hi everyone, I'm new to this but I'm happy to find so many others in the same boat as me. When I turned 18 I was so excited to get my first tattoo and I did exactly that, without much thought or understanding as to what I was doing. It read "viva la vida" under my right breast which I guess is now ironic given my circumstances today! After almost a year, I decided it looked unfinished and wanted to decorate it with some flowers of some sort, again I don't really know what I was thinking. I got some huge roses (beautiful artwork) tattooed down my ribs and instantly hated them to the point of depression. Almost a year on here I am! I convinced my parents to foot the bill whilst I am still studying and have promised to pay them back this summer! I guess parents will do whatever they can to make you happy and I will always be forever grateful for their kindness, support and understanding.
This past year has been a dark one for me as I am living with the guilt and regret of defacing my body in the way that I have. I must learn to forgive myself but I know this will be a long process. I will not allow a silly bit of ink to define me.
The writing on my tattoo actually scarred when I had it done, so I'm not holding out much hope for a successful removal there, but the flowers are apparently all good to go!!
I have chosen sk:n clinics (UK based) for my treatment and have already undergone my first treatment. I have seen spectacular results and I am thrilled. The flowers have broken up extensively, and although the writing hasn't really shifted, it's the flowers that I'm really not keen on so this is good!! The nurses are lovely and have made me feel so positive and at ease so I'm quite relaxed and excited about my next treatments! The pain is not to be underestimated though and I will say to anybody who is thinking of getting a tattoo, think so very long and hard because this process is beyond excrutiating!!
Anyway, I feel I'm finally ready to share my journey with you all and hopefully we can support eachother through these difficult times. Thanks so much everyone.
Rachael
This past year has been a dark one for me as I am living with the guilt and regret of defacing my body in the way that I have. I must learn to forgive myself but I know this will be a long process. I will not allow a silly bit of ink to define me.
The writing on my tattoo actually scarred when I had it done, so I'm not holding out much hope for a successful removal there, but the flowers are apparently all good to go!!
I have chosen sk:n clinics (UK based) for my treatment and have already undergone my first treatment. I have seen spectacular results and I am thrilled. The flowers have broken up extensively, and although the writing hasn't really shifted, it's the flowers that I'm really not keen on so this is good!! The nurses are lovely and have made me feel so positive and at ease so I'm quite relaxed and excited about my next treatments! The pain is not to be underestimated though and I will say to anybody who is thinking of getting a tattoo, think so very long and hard because this process is beyond excrutiating!!
Anyway, I feel I'm finally ready to share my journey with you all and hopefully we can support eachother through these difficult times. Thanks so much everyone.
Rachael
rach006's provider
UPDATED FROM rach006
4 days post
Just a quick update
Hi guys, not much to report but thought I would update you with a little pic after my removal on Sunday. I'm really lucky to have not experienced any blistering or scabbing, but I have got extensive bruising at the moment which you can see from the pic. I'm already seeing some break up among the flowers which I am so happy about!
I'm finding that this waiting game is very mentally challenging and I just wish I could speed up time. Hopefully this gets a little easier to deal with.
Thanks guys,
Rachael
I'm finding that this waiting game is very mentally challenging and I just wish I could speed up time. Hopefully this gets a little easier to deal with.
Thanks guys,
Rachael
Replies (12)
February 20, 2014
Hi Rach. Great progress already. Outline is the most stubborn part of a tattoo and you've already got bits breaking up. Remember time will fade your tattoo, every day your body is removing those broken up pigments. Keep on the water to help things along, also go on youtube and type " white blood cells chasing bacteria " might sound silly but i smiled when i saw it and pictured that happening in my body but with ink . Bless those white blood cells :)
February 21, 2014
Thanks for the advice, I will check it out! I try not to become obsessed with this but it's so hard. Constantly looking at before and after pics and checking on my tattoo every hour to see if it looks better! I'm sure I'll learn to relax in time, I hope anyway!
February 20, 2014
Hey, glad to hear you're healing up well. I remember seeing some pretty crazy looking yellow bruising after my first couple of treatments, which kind of radiated our from the area. It subsided in about a week, so don't worry! :)
February 21, 2014
It gets better everyday so I'm feeling okay at the moment. I suppose bruising is a good sign that it's working, just very draining!
February 20, 2014
Looks like the laser really got the shading in those roses! Very encouraging, you can really see a difference.
February 21, 2014
Yeah I'm so pleased with the progress already and it's only been a few days. I'm holding out a lot of hope for full removal of the roses so fingers crossed!
February 20, 2014
Looking good. :) Can't wait to see your progress! The flowers are huge but fortunately aren't coloured, so you should do great.
February 21, 2014
Thanks :) yeah I know they're a monstrosity aren't they lol, but yes as you say no colour and also not much ink either so I'm holding out a lot of hope for the flowers!
February 21, 2014
I get terrible bruising on mine around my hip bone too. Can only imagine on the ribs! The roses look pretty light though, hopefully it goes quick!
February 21, 2014
It hasn't been easy but the pain reminds me that it's working, hopefully I just bruise in future and don't blister! Thanks, I'm feeling good about the roses
UPDATED FROM rach006
5 days post
Itching!!
Wowwww the itching has fully set in now! Very sore! I'm having a bit of a bad day today and I'm feeling a bit hopeless. I cannot shift this feeling of blame and I'm so angry at myself that I did this. I also worry that this tattoo will never be gone. I am so young and should be enjoying life like all my friends and I feel stuck in this ridiculous bubble all because a bit of ink. I hope so much this feeling gets better with time :(
Replies (3)
February 21, 2014
Hey, sorry to hear you're having a rough day. It can take a while to adapt to this process... I'm almost ten months in and I still feel down about it a lot of the time, but you find ways to adapt and cope. Remember, every day that passes from now on is a day further away from when you started this process and a day closer to finishing. Be thankful that your tattoo can be easily covered in regular clothes! It's a long old slog but your chances of full removal are very good - you just need to exercise patience like never before, take good care of your body and occupy yourself wherever possible. Also, try not to dwell on the bad; focus on all the positive things you have going on - after all, it's only a tattoo, things could be a hell of a lot worse :)
February 23, 2014
Thanks for your help. I do sometimes have to shake myself and realise I am living with a very first world problem. I am so lucky that this is all I have to live with and thanks for reminding me of that. Today has been a much better day :)
February 22, 2014
aloha rach006, Ink regret is a b*tch isn't it?! Yup, I've been there. I had a tattoo on my hand that was beautiful, I loved it but it felt unfinished. Went back to the same artist years later and had an add on...oh, what a mistake. I felt betrayed, violated, and so depressed. I cried for weeks and weeks. Then I found this forum and received wonderful support from so many. I had a consultation and started working on removal. Ten sessions later, it's a soft grey and so harsh, but don't get me wrong it's still going out the door. We can all say "enjoy life, you're young," blah...blah....blah....but it's you that needs to come to terms with it. I use ARnica for the bruising, I've had it. I guess it's because of bone. But you've taken that first step and you're doing fantastic. Keep us updated, good luck. I focus on staying positive, patient and persistent...it's what gets me through the days. Good luck...aloha...k
Replies (6)
Hi there, we would love a progress update from you. Look forward to hearing about how you're doing and I hope you share some photos with the community. If you're an iOS user, be sure to download our new app, you can get it here. This way you can upload photos right from your mobile device as well as have access to an exclusive Notebook feature that's only available on the app -- here you can save your favorite photos, reviews, and other resources for easy access.