POSTED UNDER PicoSure Reviews
Tattoo excision - Los Angeles, CA
UPDATED FROM missmountain
1 year post
14 months post
missmountainSeptember 7, 2016
WORTH IT$2,000
Scar is almost completely blended in to my skin. The two little pucker marks on the ends are still there from the stitches, but I'm not too worried about them. If they weren't there, the scar would be virtually invisible.
UPDATED FROM missmountain
1 year post
10 month update
missmountainApril 19, 2016
10 months post surgical excision
Replies (4)
April 19, 2016
Hey guys, here are some photos showing my scar at 10 months post procedure. Sometimes it gets this purplish halo around it, as you can see in the first photo (there is still a tan line from taping it up during a trip to Mexico 6 months ago, LOL). I'm not quite sure what that's from. I did have a few microneedling sessions done on the scar pretty early on, as recommended by my doctor. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with the "purple halo," or if it's just general trauma from surgery that is still in the healing process. Either way, I think it will go away in time. It used to be a bit worse, so I've already seen a big improvement. Now I usually notice it most on the half closest to my wrist.
Also, there are still two raised bumps on either side from the stitches. These have gone down considerably from how they looked initially, and don't really bother me anymore. I am hoping they continue to go down as well, but if they don't improve any further by the end of this year, I will see if my surgeon can do something about it. Really, minus those two bumps and the purple halo, you wouldn't even know I'd had surgery! The scar is flat, and feels just like normal skin, and the actual line has faded into my regular skin.
Do I regret getting that tattoo? 100%. I no longer dwell on it or beat myself up over it at all, but if I could go back in time and take that decision back, you bet I would in a second! That being said, I am completely happy I went through with the excision. Although my scar isn't perfect (yet, at least -- I know it will continue to look better over time!), it doesn't bother me at all, and I feel it is way more a part of me than the tattoo ever was or would have been.
I would strongly urge anyone who is a candidate for surgical tattoo removal to go for it if you find a doctor you trust. I agonized over this decision for so long, and it took a while to realize it was what my gut was telling me, but I am glad I listened. Will post more photos in a couple months, when it is one year old!
Also, there are still two raised bumps on either side from the stitches. These have gone down considerably from how they looked initially, and don't really bother me anymore. I am hoping they continue to go down as well, but if they don't improve any further by the end of this year, I will see if my surgeon can do something about it. Really, minus those two bumps and the purple halo, you wouldn't even know I'd had surgery! The scar is flat, and feels just like normal skin, and the actual line has faded into my regular skin.
Do I regret getting that tattoo? 100%. I no longer dwell on it or beat myself up over it at all, but if I could go back in time and take that decision back, you bet I would in a second! That being said, I am completely happy I went through with the excision. Although my scar isn't perfect (yet, at least -- I know it will continue to look better over time!), it doesn't bother me at all, and I feel it is way more a part of me than the tattoo ever was or would have been.
I would strongly urge anyone who is a candidate for surgical tattoo removal to go for it if you find a doctor you trust. I agonized over this decision for so long, and it took a while to realize it was what my gut was telling me, but I am glad I listened. Will post more photos in a couple months, when it is one year old!
April 19, 2016
Hi, I myself have a sleeve and there is one part that goes into my hand I hate and sometimes I get panick attacks, if I ddnt have that one part it wud be perfect, but I cud do some more tattooing to change the shape on the part I don't like to make it better and that seems a better option for me.
Anyhow my sister got a tattoo and the very next day wanted it removed. She tried three sessions of rejuvi and some laser removal but in the end was left with baggy scarred white skin where the tattoo was. It was on her hip. It drove her crazy for over five years and FINALLY she went to a plastic surgeon the same time u did actually and had it cut out and has a very faint thin line, and her anxiety is all gone! U made the right choice and honestly when there is a tattoo on your skin u hate it's amazing how ud rather have a scar no one knows where it's from than a little tattoo that u hate. I am exactly the same and I am doing a tattoo vanish treatment on my eyebrows on May 6, (they aren't horrible they just aren't what I want.) but I've already said that if that fails to work I am cutting them out and I'm dead serious. I am consumed by them day in and day out. And to say I feel stupid over it all is putting it lightly, and I just had the convo with all of my family and friends and told them my decision for the tattoo vanish treatment and I told them all I do t wanna hear a frickin word cuz it's all been no theyr fine just leave them, let them fade, etc.... And I do t care what they all think I HATE THEM and if they do t go I am going to go nuts(I already am). Thanks for sharing your experience. It's nice to know ur not the only one feeling like everyone needs to just shut up and mind their business!!
Anyhow my sister got a tattoo and the very next day wanted it removed. She tried three sessions of rejuvi and some laser removal but in the end was left with baggy scarred white skin where the tattoo was. It was on her hip. It drove her crazy for over five years and FINALLY she went to a plastic surgeon the same time u did actually and had it cut out and has a very faint thin line, and her anxiety is all gone! U made the right choice and honestly when there is a tattoo on your skin u hate it's amazing how ud rather have a scar no one knows where it's from than a little tattoo that u hate. I am exactly the same and I am doing a tattoo vanish treatment on my eyebrows on May 6, (they aren't horrible they just aren't what I want.) but I've already said that if that fails to work I am cutting them out and I'm dead serious. I am consumed by them day in and day out. And to say I feel stupid over it all is putting it lightly, and I just had the convo with all of my family and friends and told them my decision for the tattoo vanish treatment and I told them all I do t wanna hear a frickin word cuz it's all been no theyr fine just leave them, let them fade, etc.... And I do t care what they all think I HATE THEM and if they do t go I am going to go nuts(I already am). Thanks for sharing your experience. It's nice to know ur not the only one feeling like everyone needs to just shut up and mind their business!!
April 21, 2016
Would you be able to tell me where you got your excision done? I'm in SoCal and I'm having a hard time finding out where to go or even where to start looking for tattoo excision.
Thank you
Thank you
April 19, 2016
Wow, looks great. Good to have that option. Unfortunately I do not have enough skin on my back ;)
April 25, 2016
Is the only reason laser didn't work for you because your artist went so deep? Did you ever experience any of the frosting, itching, etc. with your laser treatments like many others have? I have paid for six sessions for three tattoos but if the one on my wrist doesn't show considerable improvement, I'm definitely doing excision.
April 25, 2016
Yes, I saw the frosting, blistering, peeling, etc. But I do believe the laser wouldn't have worked due to the amount of ink used. My surgeon said he actually had to scrape away excess ink floating around the inside of my arm. Later I found out the artist I saw specializes in those tattoos where they color someone's whole arm in with black ink. Which I guess is great if you're going for that sort of thing, but not great for me! Good luck to you!
April 28, 2016
Hi I live in Los Angeles and have been struggling to find a doctor I trust to do this procedure for me, can you please recommend me to your surgeon :)
Replies (5)
August 22, 2015
Just wanted to pop in and show an update for 8 weeks post excision. I had a microneedling treatment on my scar about 3 weeks ago, and am scheduled for another next week. I have been using silicone scar sheets to help it along. The scar definitely has its ups and downs -- throughout the day, the skin will periodically look really red and blotchy all around the scar, sometimes the scar itself will go really red, and other times it will look awesome -- like in the photo. I am assuming this is all normal and it will eventually settle down. There is still a bit of swelling on each end from the stitches...they've gone down a bit, and again, sometimes will appear flat, and other times will kind of puff back up. I'll talk to my doctor, but again, my guess is this is all par for the course when you've removed a big strip of skin. He did mention before if they are still raised after 6 months or so, it's an easy revision to make. So, we will see!
September 11, 2015
Are you using an antibiotic ointment on it? Creams like bacitracin or neosporin can really irritate healing skin!
September 12, 2015
Hi there! The only things I've been using are silicone sheeting, a silicone stick thing (for when I don't use the sheets), and sunscreen. As time goes on the skin around the scar doesn't get quite as angry blotchy red as it had, but it does still flare up from time to time, particularly in certain spots. No pain or itching or discomfort at all, just looks red.
August 23, 2015
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with these treatments- you've been so brave and determined, its inspiring
Im looking into having a foot tattoo removed and your posts and photos on this forum have been SO helpful. Congratulations on having your tattoo successfully removed. Your scar is healing so well and I'm so happy to read everything turned out so well.
:)
Im looking into having a foot tattoo removed and your posts and photos on this forum have been SO helpful. Congratulations on having your tattoo successfully removed. Your scar is healing so well and I'm so happy to read everything turned out so well.
:)
October 25, 2015
I'm happy for your result,you went trough hell but you got there in the end.well done
October 25, 2015
Hi ☺
We would love an update on how your excision site looks now - could you post a photo?
Replies (5)