The Start of a New Journey! -

I wouldn't necessarily say I made 'mistakes', but rather succumbed to poor impulse control and lacked poor judgment with the choices I have made in regards to a few tattoos I've collected through the years that I have grown unhappy with-an uneasiness that has led me to this forum with you fine folks and ultimately led me to seek laser tattoo removal. I guess Mama was right after all, haha! Well played, ma...well played.

Tattoo regret? Sure, but I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and so this is my lot in life (for now) and if enduring some emotional and physical suffering metamorphosis into valuable lessons learned, gained insight, & imparted wisdom that I am able to in turn share with others who have found themselves in the same crappy boat, so be it. I hope by sharing my experiences I am able to restore hope to the hopeless and faith that everything is going to be okay-then this will all be worth it-much like how many others on this forum have slayed my darkest of days with their bright lights of courage and persistence-to all of you sharing, thank you! The support on here in unbelievably soothing. Your stories have been uplifting and in turn catalyzed me to make the decision to undergo and commit to laser tattoo removal despite my fear of the agony that awaits me, the monetary expense of such a commitment, and the overall process from the dreaded laser pulses through my flesh (many describe as similar to that of hot grease being splattered, and rubber bands snapping repeatedly on the skin-ouch!), to the swelling, bruising, blistering, oozing & itching, that follow-again, ouch...to of course...the waiting, waiting for the lymphatic system to clear the ink and then there's the process of fading...and repeat-which lets be honest doesn't sound pretty, yet somehow has a victorious ring and merit to it...the breaking up of those tattoo lines that have encased many of us in bouts of depression and self-loathing. #WINNING

I suppose I should also mention that nothing worth having ever comes easy. It IS easy however to wish we never got tattooed in the first place, of course, but let that sentiment go-what's done is done and so it is...time to move forward! I once read a quote on Instagram from a gal that posted a photo of herself undergoing laser tattoo removal that read "being proactive about things that make me unhappy." This quote put everything into perspective-that we have the power to change the course of our journey, and given the technology available to us now-I no longer feel I have to live with the results of my said poor impulsive control for the rest of my days. Everyday is a new beginning so, LET'S DESTROY SOME INK PARTICLES! This is the my journey...

Went in for my consultation at Dr. Schwartz's office this past Monday, met with Nicole-the laser technician. After much research I came prepared with all of my questions and concerns. She observed the area(s) and gave me a price quote-I will need at least 10 treatments for the first tattoo I am targeting which is also very large (pics and videos to come, I promise). I was/still am quite fearful of what is in store for me in regards to the threshold of pain I can tolerate whilst undergoing the treatment, as well as the aftermath of the healing process. Nicole has been nothing but great-very accommodating, informative and reassuring-I have bad anxiety & my head gets the best of me sometimes.

We also discussed options to make the process more comfortable: ice packs, lidocaine (numbing cream), nitrous oxide, taking extra strength Tylenol beforehand to minimize discomfort afterwards, & eating prior to undergoing the laser. Nicole did a small test patch on the darkest pigment to give me an idea of what the laser will feel like at its worst & it hurt pretty bad-felt like bacon grease being splattered on the skin repeatedly-but mind you I did said patch test with no numbing cream, no nothing. The test patch healed alright-it didn't hurt as bad as I was anticipating afterwards. It felt like a bad sunburn here & there but I was able to resume my life as usual. The test site remained swollen for several days and developed a few little blisters that resolved themselves. I'm ready!