POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS
Old Enough and Wise Enough to Know Better - Tattoo Regret
ORIGINAL POST
I am in the midst of some serious tattoo regret, a...
I am in the midst of some serious tattoo regret, a year ago I was in the middle of tattoo removal it was working but not fast enough , my self esteem was low and I felt less than lovely with this mottled half tattoo. Then I split from my bf and in a moment of madness I decided it was a good idea to get a cover up. THIS WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA. I remembered suddenly all the reasons I disliked my original tattoo, and this one is much much darker (all black and grey) and much much bigger (about 20 cm by 30 cm) it just should not be on my body. The only saving grace is that it's on my back where it can be hidden most of the time. I really feel I have no choice than to go through removal again but the thought of removing such a big piece leaves me feeling physically sick , the pain of laser removal is pretty unpleasant . Anyhow there doesn't seem so be any other options, unless some new technology appears laser will have to do. I can't afford picosure and have read reviews saying the results are no better on black than a q switched n d yag set at 1064. A question I would ask though is that a local clinic has an active q switched laser that is reasonably priced. One further away and more expensive uses the quanta c laser. Both will target the ink at a wavelength of 1064. Curious to know what the difference is, is it quality of machine ? And how much difference will it make ? Years ago a friend had a name erased with the cheaper type of laser , she took it really slow and allowed longer for healing than the recommended 8 weeks, and you would never know it had been there at all. What's anybody's thoughts on the way to go? I will post pics but right now I can't even bear to look at it let alone photograph it . I am quite literally falling apart over this :-(
Thanks in advance for any comments given x
Thanks
Thanks in advance for any comments given x
Thanks
Replies (5)
March 29, 2016
Your not alone, there's quite a few of us here that are down because of the ink we chose. I decided in my younger years to put meaningless tattoos in the most highly visible areas (lower arms, fingers). I've just been disgusted for the past 10+ years at the stupidity. Every time something bad happens, to look down or look in a mirror an there's a smiling demon on my arm, literally makes me sick to my stomach. I'm gonna power through though, and you should do the same. Like Eva says, it only a tattoo. Let's not let it beat us up! It's going to take time an $Duckies$, but you'll/we'll be stronger in the end. And I promise you won't literally fall apart ;)
As far as lasers, look around for reviews/experiences on the ones that are near you. If you find you're not getting results with one, try a different one. Their not all equal, but neither are people. It may work on you, but not on me.
I hope you find comfort here, and good luck to ya!
As far as lasers, look around for reviews/experiences on the ones that are near you. If you find you're not getting results with one, try a different one. Their not all equal, but neither are people. It may work on you, but not on me.
I hope you find comfort here, and good luck to ya!
March 30, 2016
Thanks for your comments , I'm pretty hard in myself in daily life and this is probably why this is hitting me so hard. I just think it was a totally stupid thing to do !! I'm going to be brave and get a pic up in the next few days and then start documenting my removal process, honestly this place is the only thing that's keeping me sane - seeing other people's stories makes me realise I'm not the only one that has this regret and is a comfort , plus seeing other peoples results is definitely inspiring . Wish you the best of luck too !
February 10, 2017
Even with q switched you do need to make sure it is a good one- some of the Chinese ones are not great. Quanta is definitely a great machine. Top of the line, Italian made. Have you considered getting a prescription numbing cream? It can reduce the discomfort significantly, as much as 60-70%.
UPDATED FROM Pamcat
Still hating it !!
So today I bravely looked at the tattoo or monstrosity as it shall be known from now on. I'm trying to like it I really am , I can see the beauty of the workmanship just can't get over how dark it is and the size. Really really having a bad day ????
Replies (7)
May 1, 2016
I know how you're feeling. Something on our body can feel so foreign and crippling when it's unwanted. Sometimes I focus on mine so often that I swear I can feel that part of my body more than anything else. Which of course brings more attention to it, grrrrr.
Do you have a picture of it you'd be willing to share? I found that I never think anyone else's tattoos are as bad as my own and it may help you to hear some nice words about yours.
Do you have a picture of it you'd be willing to share? I found that I never think anyone else's tattoos are as bad as my own and it may help you to hear some nice words about yours.
May 1, 2016
That's really kind, I am working up to getting a photo on here , I know nobody will judge but it's almost like confronting my own demon if you understand , as its on my back I can avoid it to an extent but a photo well.... Ewww that's could send me into a spiral that could last for days!!
May 1, 2016
Sometimes when you look your demon in the eyes they can get thrown off and not be as cruel. You're not supposed to look at them. You're supposed to be scared. That's how negativity festers and our thoughts get the better of us.
But ultimately you have to do what feels right for you. You know yourself best and you take whatever steps you need to in order to get better.
But ultimately you have to do what feels right for you. You know yourself best and you take whatever steps you need to in order to get better.
May 2, 2016
Hoping you are getting through the day. I know hoe crippling this can be but try to be kind to yourself. Give it some time. Heal. We will all get through this together.
May 7, 2016
Thankyou both , kindness to myself does not come easy , I'm trying to get through day by day as I'm sure everyone here understands , it's the only way
UPDATED FROM Pamcat
Allergic to my ink?
Question for all you knowledgeable people out there. The past few months my new ( much hated) tattoo has been a bit lumpy and itchy. I've ignored it thinking it's the healing process but it keeps getting a bit dry and flaky along with the itch and lumps. I also have been getting random hives like heat bumps in places not near the tattoo and itchy rashes . Could this be an allergy to my ink or would it only be localised? At the min I'm taking antihistamine daily but sometimes I could just scratch my skin off its that bad! Appreciate any comments
I'm so glad that you decided to start a review, sorry to hear that you are going through this — I hope that you get lots of support here. Where on your back is your tattoo located?
It's great that you're committed to researching before jumping into removal. The good news is black ink is usually the easiest to remove because it responds to all lasers, but there are many factors that depend on the success of your treatments and asking questions is important, Doctor Phillip Bekhor tells us that the 'The most important question is whether the clinic is directed by a Medical Doctor, ideally a Specialist Dermatologist.' [Read more]
We have alot of information here so be sure to browse around the forum posts, FAQ's, videos, and, of course, other reviews.
Chin up — remember it's only a tattoo, it can be removed in time, think of your friend who fully removed her tattoo without a trace...so don't dwell on this, instead look at this as a life lesson, be glad it's only a tattoo (which I totally understands feels horrible having one you don't like) but I used to tell myself it could be a lot worse. Everything is going to work out just fine, you'll see. ☺
I wish you all the best on your journey, be sure to keep us posted and whenever you feel ready to share photos works for us.