Removing Black Inked Background W/ Q-Switch

Hello there. Just a quick input of me: I can tell you from my own ecperience, that you will not like your tattoo once you started dislike it. Hard to give any advice but here is what I think. Wait a time to see how things will develop. You should not rush youtself :)

Hi there. Thank you for sharing your story. From my personal experience - I felt that by adding more to my tattoo I'd become more comfortable with it, but it turns out I wasn't comfortable with ink full stop, and in adding to it I just ended up prolonging the removal process. Live and learn I suppose! Anyway, I would say if there's any doubt in your mind whatsoever then you probably shouldn't be adding to it for the time being. Perhaps take some time out for a while and see how your feelings are towards the situation once you've had chance to mull it over. Remember, more ink generally means a longer, more expensive, more painful removal process. Good luck.

I agree with atar here: from personal experience, I dreamed of my tattoo before it was inked, had placement done with a sharpie, lived with it some more...and then went and got it done professionally. And I disliked it immediately, now two years later, I am in the process of removal and have never liked it. Tattoos are something one either likes or dislikes, if one is "on the fence" about it...don't move forward, there is no rush to do anything, take the time to think about it, get consultations, and then get more consultations. Good Luck. aloha...k

Welcome to the community, I am thrilled that you found us. The decision to keep or remove your tattoo is a tough one, in which you ultimately have to decide on your own. In my opinion, it's best to wait to laser until you are 100% sure, as once you start  treatment it's unlikely you can stop. Have a look at this review, similar situation: 

FULL ARM TATTOO, MAJOR REGRET, NOW WHAT TO DO...? - BOX HILL, AUSTRALIA

My experience, I knew that I wanted to start laser immediately and nothing could change my mind. I was sure that I could not grow to love my tattoo, it just was not me, and it was not executed nicely. Your tattoo is pretty, I love the hummingbird. It's smart that you listed your reasons of uncertainty, maybe what you could also do is a "reason to keep it" list...so essentially you are doing a pros and cons list. I did that, and the pro side won, and I started treatment. Tattoos are very personal, it shouldn't matter what others think of them (but I know that it does, we are human and we care what people think of us). As for it being trashy, I don't think a tattoo can make somebody look trashy. For me, it's all about the way somebody carries themselves, and when one exudes confidence that will over power anything you are wearing, your body size, or any tattoo you are showing. I realize that tattoos still carry a stigma with them and regardless of what your tattoo looks like, they do attract attention when they are visible. I was terrified of anyone seeing my tattoo (prior to my cover up) even the very tips I kept out of site with high collars. But now, because I am happy (key word "I") it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. I show it off proudly in my yoga classes, in the gym...people stare, some ask, others don't - but feel I have had only positive reactions to it so far, but that is probably because I am not worrying about the negative people that may judge. Essentially what it comes down to is you really have to be the one that accepts your tattoo. Good luck on whatever you decide. Oh,  you might find this interesting: 

TATTOO TABOO: SOME PEOPLE LOVE TATTOOS, OTHERS WANT THEM GONE.

That's one guy's opinion...if you can, get another consultation.

Hello there.. I hope he showed you true photos from his clients. I am also in the process of getting a lot of tattoos removed and hope it can be removed completely. As for your tattoo, my opinion is that is it beautiful ... very well done and the shading wont be so dark once it has completely healed. Think about it in the long run.. if you are not sure whether to get it removed, keep it for a while see how it grows on you.. I am 100% sure I want my tattoos removed for mostly career reasons. Otherwise,if I were not 100% sure , I would not do it.

I would take that guys opinion with a large grain of salt.... I wouldn't go to the Chevy dealer and expect the salesman to reccomend a ford.

Hopefully you see this considering your post is almost a month old. Of course he said that, he wants your money. I personally think your tattoo is beautiful, but what matters is how you feel about it. I have just begun laser tattoo removal myself. I am a heavily tattooed person, and am only having treated areas faded enough to cover. I would be highly concerned about scarring in your case. Go to a local tattoo shop and discuss tattoo removal with them, no one knows tattoos like tattoo artist, and they will give you realistic expectations. If it is possible, have your tattoo removed at a tattoo shop which offers removal.

It takes many, many sessions to achieve total removal, and I think for some people, it's simply not likely. But I have a very large, dense tattoo, been through about 9 sessions (6 with Qswitch laser, 3 with picoway) and one thing I can say is, if you somewhat-like your tattoo (and I think yours is interesting, unique, and likeable), sometimes you can become more at peace with it once it fades. Mine is also in a very easily seen (depending on the outfit) spot, so I've gone through all sorts of things to cover it up, as well -- but the more faded the black and color inks become, the more okay I am with people seeing it. The lace effect is definitely unique. I think you should still rock the tatt when you're with your friends, just cover it up at Granny's country club (haha - for example) and at work.

+++++++++++++++++++ Also, I received a great idea from Eva G. who commented here. She suggested I make a list of the pros and cons. I think I will sort of make a list like that here... LASER REMOVAL: (-) Costs money that we don't really have. More than my tattoo cost. (-) I don't think I can emotionally be patient enough to go through all the sessions/takes time. (-) Might have side effects (skin depigmentation, scarring) (-) Might not entirely remove what I want removed/ would possibly have to spend more money and get cover up (-) Am going to Arizona in January and it probably won't look so nice (swelling, redness, peeling, scabbing, etc) (-) Would disappoint my boyfriend (money) and my family (they like the tattoo). (+) It might do exactly what I want it to do and I might be so happy. I could redo this and get exactly what I want. (+) I can get my money back from my tattoo artist to get a great start... (+) I could wear lower tops to work again (if it works out...) GETTING IT FINISHED (-) It may end up with too much black and I might hate it (-) I may have to "learn to love" what I end up with, even if it turns out nicer, this still isn't what I wanted. (-) It will be more difficult to remove via laser. (-) It might be more difficult to hide via cosmetics/high collars (+) We could "work something out" and I could end up loving it. (+) Wouldn't cost as much. (+) Would make boyfriend and family happy to have me to just have it finished so we can ALL heal and move on. (+) It would be done and finished by the time we go to Arizona in January. (+) It will be good for me to communicate with my artist and get this tattoo done the way I think it will help. This tattoo was supposed to represent me and my struggle with anxiety, and it will DEFINITELY mean something if I can pull this out and keep my tattoo.

Hello. I'm also regretting some of my tattoos and I feel very bad and I'm afraid sometimes that my boyfriend thinks I'm crazy and he doesn't understand so much why I feel this way and he doesn't know now that I still feel this way because I have tried to forget and I don't want to push too much worries for him and.. First I ofcourse told him about my feelings. I think I'm just crazy :( I'm not taking laser removal or removal at all, I just try to get used to this tattoo. I'm hiding it also always all the time. Only my boyfriend and closest friends knows about it, even my family doesn't know yet ans it makes me feel sick sometimes. :( Does your parent know?