POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal Reviews REVIEWS
Largeish Colorful Cover-up Tattoo on Ankle, Had Consult Today for Removal... - Minneapolis, MN
ORIGINAL POST
Hi all, About 7 years ago I got a small tattoo as...
Hi all,
About 7 years ago I got a small tattoo as a sudden decision on my right ankle. I didn't like it, so after many years I got it covered up. Cover up was much larger than I had anticipated. Now I have a bigger, brighter colorful tattoo that I don't like and I see it whenever I wear shorts, skirts, swimsuit etc. It has caused me a lot of anxiety and depression as it was not what I wanted and after two tattoos in the same spot, I regret the whole thing. The first one was a sort of tribute tattoo to a best friend who died suddenly, and I wish I hadn't chosen to get it while grieving - I would have thought it through more carefully. It took 6 years of disliking it to finally decide to do the cover up, which ended up not covering it up at all, it can still be seen. Also my artist made it larger than he was supposed to, so you can see it on three sides of my calf rather than just the one side as it was supposed to be, and he added shading which was never discussed. So it is now more of a "calf piece" look due to the shading, rather than just the outline of the flower as I had intended and he had shown me initially. I get upset just thinking about it and just don't want to see it anymore. It is associated with numerous negative memories at this point! So I just am curious what the success rate is for this type of removal, what methods are best, and if what the Dr. quoted me today is reasonable. He said that it would take approx. 13 visits, (doing the "fast plan") and the double treatment is $805 per treatment compared to $403 per single treatment. This will take an estimated 2.3 years, so a few summers of not wanting to show my legs (less than I do now, haha).He says after the cap of $6104 with the early payment discount added, if it's not gone, subsequent visits are free until it is gone. Sooo that a huge amount of money to remove a tattoo I just paid alot for (400) about 7 months ago. The consult was today and there are not a lot of better removal service providers in the area. I may schedule a consult other places but mostly they seem to be places that fade the tattoo and then do another cover-up, and I want it completely gone. I have red, white, black, blue, green and a little orange in my tattoo which adds to the price the Dr. said. My skin is very fair which I think may be helpful as there isn't much natural skin pigment to fade. If anyone has experience with this, I would love to hear it. I am thinking of going for it because it's the only body I will ever have and I miss feeling confident in skirts/shorts. Also, I am graduating in a couple years and transitioning into a more professional line of work and I am really depressed thinking that I won't feel as confident/professional with this ankle mess showing when I wear business-y or formal dresses or skirts. I will post pictures tomorrow. Thanks for reading!
About 7 years ago I got a small tattoo as a sudden decision on my right ankle. I didn't like it, so after many years I got it covered up. Cover up was much larger than I had anticipated. Now I have a bigger, brighter colorful tattoo that I don't like and I see it whenever I wear shorts, skirts, swimsuit etc. It has caused me a lot of anxiety and depression as it was not what I wanted and after two tattoos in the same spot, I regret the whole thing. The first one was a sort of tribute tattoo to a best friend who died suddenly, and I wish I hadn't chosen to get it while grieving - I would have thought it through more carefully. It took 6 years of disliking it to finally decide to do the cover up, which ended up not covering it up at all, it can still be seen. Also my artist made it larger than he was supposed to, so you can see it on three sides of my calf rather than just the one side as it was supposed to be, and he added shading which was never discussed. So it is now more of a "calf piece" look due to the shading, rather than just the outline of the flower as I had intended and he had shown me initially. I get upset just thinking about it and just don't want to see it anymore. It is associated with numerous negative memories at this point! So I just am curious what the success rate is for this type of removal, what methods are best, and if what the Dr. quoted me today is reasonable. He said that it would take approx. 13 visits, (doing the "fast plan") and the double treatment is $805 per treatment compared to $403 per single treatment. This will take an estimated 2.3 years, so a few summers of not wanting to show my legs (less than I do now, haha).He says after the cap of $6104 with the early payment discount added, if it's not gone, subsequent visits are free until it is gone. Sooo that a huge amount of money to remove a tattoo I just paid alot for (400) about 7 months ago. The consult was today and there are not a lot of better removal service providers in the area. I may schedule a consult other places but mostly they seem to be places that fade the tattoo and then do another cover-up, and I want it completely gone. I have red, white, black, blue, green and a little orange in my tattoo which adds to the price the Dr. said. My skin is very fair which I think may be helpful as there isn't much natural skin pigment to fade. If anyone has experience with this, I would love to hear it. I am thinking of going for it because it's the only body I will ever have and I miss feeling confident in skirts/shorts. Also, I am graduating in a couple years and transitioning into a more professional line of work and I am really depressed thinking that I won't feel as confident/professional with this ankle mess showing when I wear business-y or formal dresses or skirts. I will post pictures tomorrow. Thanks for reading!
Replies (8)
October 1, 2015
hi!
I think you should check his review: http://www.realself.com/review/scottsdale-az-tattoo-removal-bad-cover-and-for-the-remove .
This are similar colours to yours, and she is using picosure. You should check what kind of laser are they using at your place. some are better with black and some with specific colour. Saying that you should really check all your options.
Also fact that they are promising removal does not mean it is achievable. I have not seen on this forum success story with colourful tattoo... I do not want to discourage you - but if you approach it realistically, this would save you disappointment.
good luck! :-)
October 2, 2015
Hi! Thanks for the recommendation, I looked at it and found it helpful, if somewhat discouraging. I do thin know that I understand things a bit better I am going to get another consultation and ask more questions about which specific lasers they use. I am also skeptical of them saying it will be gone... they don't have any before and after pics of colorful tattoos that have been removed, in their book, which makes me wonder...
Thank you for the support/advice!!! I am glad I joined this forum, I am learning a lot. :)
Thank you for the support/advice!!! I am glad I joined this forum, I am learning a lot. :)
October 2, 2015
Yes this forum is great! I also learned so much about it. When I was looking at the possibility of removing a tattoo, I was also lucky to find an honest person that told me - it is not possible with colours that you have. Only we can prepare it for cover up - but it will take years. It was discouraging and I had found myself crying in front of this girl. Its like my hopes colapsed because main issue I have with my tattoo its the size of it. So I can understand you, while when reading this review you are getting doscouraged.
So yes take your time, go to few places and you will see what they can promise you. Getting in touch with people using the laser in this center can help, as you said before an after pictures are very useful.
The biggest problem I see is that some lasers are better for some colours and the other for the other. I am not sure if its possibible to find the place where they are using more then 1 type of laser, but this would be the best from ours, customers point of view.
ALl the best :-)
ps. there are more news about new technologies under development on the market, its of course nothing sure, but considering how technology is progressing, might be that better solution is on the way!
:-)
So yes take your time, go to few places and you will see what they can promise you. Getting in touch with people using the laser in this center can help, as you said before an after pictures are very useful.
The biggest problem I see is that some lasers are better for some colours and the other for the other. I am not sure if its possibible to find the place where they are using more then 1 type of laser, but this would be the best from ours, customers point of view.
ALl the best :-)
ps. there are more news about new technologies under development on the market, its of course nothing sure, but considering how technology is progressing, might be that better solution is on the way!
:-)
October 2, 2015
I have a similar situation, I have a big colorful chest piece that I hated- so I had it covered up and the cover up just ended up making it worse. I go for my first laser treatment next week. I don't really have any advice , I just wanted to let you know your not alone. I find this site really helpful and supportive. Good luck on your journey
October 3, 2015
Thank you so much! Nothing like covering up a tattoo you dislike and making it worse... But I am also finding this site really helpful and supportive, it just feels good to share stories and experiences and gain advice. Although I wish no one else was dealing with similar issues, it does help to know I'm not alone. Very best of luck with your first treatment, I will check back to see how it goes~
UPDATED FROM Mielll
First laser removal complete...
Well, I went ahead and began the process. I had my first laser treatment two days ago and am just posting because it was red and swollen until now. It isn't really blistering, which is nice; I was dreading that. I have been elevating and cleaning and moisturizing like crazy. So far, the most noticeable difference is in the red, especially the dark red lines that went through the flower. The shading seems a bit lighter too but is still a bit red so hard to say. I hear that it can keep changing for weeks or months after a treatment so I'm watching it. My next app't is 8 weeks out. The pain was pretty fierce but short and tolerable. Afterwards it hurt in a burning way but I was good to go to class a few hours later. I figure I will do at least a couple sessions to fade it and then hopefully will want to continue with the whole thing. My Dr. thinks it will be around 12 sessions at $90 a piece. I am going to Renewal Laser in Minneapolis which seems like a reputable spot so far. Numbing cream was $30 for a tube. The lasers used were 532 which targets green and the other one I forget the name of at the moment. I'll update after the next treatment in December! Thanks for the support everyone. :)
Replies (5)
October 28, 2015
Congrats on your first treatment. Glad that it went well :) May I ask what was the name of the laser they used?
November 7, 2017
Hi did you follow up with the tatt I have the same issue my doc said 7-10 sessions
UPDATED FROM Mielll
5 years later
Well I lost track of this site and my tattoo removal, although I had one more treatment in Minneapolis. So 3 total, I’m pretty sure. (A lots happened in 5 years!) Now, I live in LA and have jd two treatments in Beverly Hills at a plastic surgeons - much better. I had one today and it’s too soon to post a picture since it’s still bloody and fresh (sorry) but I’ll post one if where it was at before this procedure today. Looking back at my first photo of it on here, I’d forgotten what it looked like. It was sooo much darker. They said today that I’ll be able to remove it completely after a couple more sessions. Today’s visit was $460 and that was with a %20 off coupon. Ok it won’t let me post a photo, says it’s too big? So dumb. :(
Replies (2)
June 11, 2020
You can crop the picture to get it to size.
I got my tattoo 9 years ago (redone 6 years ago) and it is a mess! It is a tribal tattoo taking up my whole outer right thigh with a blue lotus flower in the middle. Makes me ill looking at it.
During my consultation, my doctor informed me that a new laser is out that reduces the amount of treatments by half. Instead of 12 treatments, it will only take 6 treatments. I am still getting more information on this particular treatment, but I hope to post the results of my first treatment next month.