My Tattoo Removal Journey

I haven’t been on in a while but thought I would update on the progress. Coming along slowly but surely. I have had the large blob mess of a shamrock surgically removed as a two step surgery. I also had the one on my upper arm surgically removed as the surgeon believed he could get a nice scar and it was instant removal. I’m not treating those two scars with silicone sheets and they are healing nicely. I will probably have laser treatments on them in the future to make them less visible also. Looking forward to the day I am ink free!

I got a total of four tattoos in quick succession during a period of my life where I was deeply depressed and had gone through a lot of trauma. I thought getting these tattoos would cheer my up somehow but putting things important to me on my skin. One was a cover up for another which is the one I regret most. I regretted two of them so badly that it made me sick. I lost weight, my anxiety went through the roof, I was deeply depressed and I hated myself. The shamrock was just done terribly and of such poor quality- it was also too large and the shading was rubbish and outside the lines and I HATE it. Anyway- I decided to have that removed via serial excision due to the fact that it was done so poorly and deeply that it would likely result in scarring regardless if I went through with laser and I just wanted it off ASAP. I have had the first excision and the remainder will be booked in three months once I get further stretching of the skin. The amount my skin has stretched from how it was two months ago is just amazing. The body is pretty resilient. The other is my sons name up my arm. I was rushed into the placement of this one by the artist and looking back I should have just left the appointment and thought about it more before having it done. It is on my inner bicep but too far forward and just looks out of place and is very visible. Those are the only two I am unhappy with really but it’s caused me such anxiety and anger that I just want them all removed. The others are two small love hearts, a small x, and an old one “paradise”. Anyway- ink free is all I want now and to be rid of these and back to my own self. I never would have thought tattoos could cause such anguish. Anyway, I have started laser treatments on them all (apart from the one being excised). The one on my bicep and the x has had two treatments with the Q-switch laser and the other two have had one. I am so thankful for this community as it has provided me with reviews and hope and people in the same situation with me. Happy fading to you all!