Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS

I Got a Tattoo a Week Ago, and Im Instantly Regetting It? Should I Picosure or Do Excision?

ORIGINAL POST

Hello, Im not the type to usually write these type...

eliixx
Hello,
Im not the type to usually write these type of things but before you say it was a life decision you really should of thought about it. I did, ive been wanting flowers on my forearm for about a year now and really thought about the design i wanted. Im from winnipeg, but was visiting my family in calgary and i thought to myself yenno its time to get it, so i called up this tattoo parlour that i literally spent hours looking at his instagram and his design work , so i call and get an appointment for the next day i was so happy he starts, and not to mention this was a cover up tattoo of my last name on my wrist, that i didnt hate or regret i was just wanting something new and i didnt wanna tattoos all over my body, so i got it done and was loving the outline , went it was alittle too big but i thought id be okay with it, he said wed have to shade the outsides to have it blend in with the cover up and i was okay with it cause it made sense, after it was done it was so inlove but there was one problem the shading went too far up on the top and the bottom was symetrical and i just instantly hated it the next day, my familys like dont worry its beautiful youre just in shock from how big it is, and the shading will lighten up, i tried to be okay with it but instantly i just cried to my boyfriend on the phone and to my dad and said how much i really just want this lasered off, ive been in such a bad depression, crying everyday and night constantly looking up laser removals. I even went to a consultation out here but they said it might be more than 6 treatments, and i really dont wanna have to wait that long for treatments. I can live with a scar just to have this gone but can this be removed in one excision because of the size? And will it be a straight line? Please help what are my chances for both options.

Replies (13)

User Avatar
September 13, 2016
puuh I don't think that an excision will work for you. its too big to cut it out.. maybe serial excision but the forearm has not much skin for this treatment. laser would work because its just black. for a new tattoo you have to go a longer road than an old on. I got some test patches on mine. the 8 year old lines a nearly gone after two treatments, the newer one has no results so far! but it will work..
maybe you should talk to a plastic surgeon about your plans. he could give you an advice which way is the right for you
September 14, 2016

It's too big for excision...i think you'll get a major scar.

I would go the laser route.

September 14, 2016
September 14, 2016
Don't rush into a decision right away! Give your body and mind time to relax and make a clear path. If I saw your arm in person, I wouldn't have guessed you disliked your tattoo. Laser treatments are very possible with your ink especially being on your arm and black/grey. Laser removal can take years and is not an easy fix. I agree with the other comments on excision. The jury seems to be out when it comes to removing new tattoos. Personally, I've seen great results and mine's a cover up.
September 14, 2016
Anubis_Rising did you get laser on your cover up?
September 14, 2016
Yes. I had the cover up done in March and started laser removal in May. The tattooist I saw packed in the ink and how dark/dense it turned out shocked me too. I highly recommend finding a Cutera Enlighten laser. After one treatment, I can see sections of the original tattoo again. Also had one Picosure treatment on another section of black line work and it's still breaking up. I wouldn't say the results are dramatic but I see progress. Majority of the reviews on this site are cover ups so you are not alone!
September 14, 2016
How many treatments were you quoted?
September 14, 2016
I was quoted 6 - 8 for complete removal with the Picosure. For the Enlighten I wasn't quoted but I'm estimating it to be slightly fewer treatments. The fact yours is all black/grey ink really works in your favor as it is one of the easiest inks to remove.
December 15, 2016
September 14, 2016
Your tattoo is beautiful
UPDATED FROM eliixx

Another week of Hate

eliixx
So its been 8 days since i got this black blob on my arm and i hate it just as much. Im flying back home in a week and have 2 consultations with 2 dermatologists at home to see what kind of information they can give me aswell, i think we only have 1 dermatologist office with a picosure at home and they recommend waiting 3-6 months which i cannot wait, so im gonna try and get them to start in 8 weeks since the place here will do that. Im absolutely freaking out everyday thay everyone back at home will never look at me the same and my boyfriend will not think i was as beautiful as i once was.. I just want this nightmare over the with. Everyone says its just a tattoo, well this tattoo is really getting to me mentally and making me depressed. I dont even wanna see my arm thankfully its almost winter and we can wear long sleeves. I cant but think will this be forever? Im looking into bandages to order online to over up my forearm so i can go on with my daily life till i have treatment, anyone have any suggestions?

Replies (12)

User Avatar
September 15, 2016
calm down a little. black ink is the easiest color to remove. everyone here knows exactly how you feel, but its a long road to go. to fix this mistake will take time but it works! you don't have a huge penis on your forearm;) and to hide it is a good idea (thanks god summer ends!) even for your mental situation so you don't habe to stare at it every time. but give your skin time to heal.. a tattoo is a wound and 2 months after tattoing to start laser.. I don't know.. maybe 4 months is a better idea.. but thats my opinion. in my country experts prefer to wait some time. some other doctos think ASAP is the better way.. don't know, but I think time is the key for a good tattoo removal job. I wish you the very best for your journey! look for a good dermatologist. its not just the laser who does the job. and maybe give yourself time, maybe you starts to like it. and even not - the laser always will be your saviour.
September 15, 2016
Thank you so much! Nice to know im not the only one going through this!
User Avatar
September 15, 2016
honey I feel the same since a half year and mine is a full sleeve :(
same battle every day!
but I have no idea how to feel better.. the sleeve cover is a good idea during the removal process! tat2x seems to be the best! check it out!
but im camouflage it looks like a bandage, maybe some color;) maybe you will be a trendsetter then :D
here are so many people who feel exactly the seem, trust me. and we all never except that "just because of a tattoo". but its your body, what to do if you don't feel condifent. and other people never understand that, we all made that experience. everyone say its just a tattoo - no its more than that!
but you can get much support from this community! these lovely people are so helpful here.
and remember: this can be fixed!! you just have to give yourself time. and don't stress your body too much. you need energy and motivation for the removal process.
September 15, 2016
I purchased the tattoo cover sleeves. They work wonders. I focus less on this big green rat, black cat and surfboard I have on my forearm (6in×6in). I had my first picosure treatment in August. 7.5 weeks after I got the tattoo. I'm glad I had the sleeve for extra protection while at work. I work in a factory that gets between 90°-120° in the summer and is dirty. My arm was slightly warm with gauze and sleeve but tolerable for 8 hours. It beats risking infection. My tattoo was a dark green, red, black, yellow, lighter blue, dark blue and orange. I've had a NOTICEABLE difference in just one treatment 3 weeks ago. I think patience is the key to tattoo regret. Something I am definitely not good at. Good luck with your journey.
September 16, 2016
When did you start getting your tattoo laserted after getting your tattoo?
September 16, 2016
7 and a half weeks after I got it.
September 16, 2016
You should post some pictures of your progress, id love to see!
September 17, 2016
I am like you. I usually don't write things like this. I'm more of a support /encouragement type of person. I'm still trying to get enough nerve to write my own review. Sorry. I will eventually. I got my tattoo on July 3rd. I had my consultation on July 27th. They wanted to start laser treatment that day. Some people say wait a few months, after it has faded on it's own. Some say once the tattoo is healed. Some say it's better when the tattoo is new, the ink hasn't had time to settle as far in the skin layers. It all depends who you talk to. My skin is very ghost like. Which I think is an advantage too.
September 16, 2016
I felt exactly like you when I got my cover up tattoo. I was so depressed and didn't eat for a month.
Now, 6 months later I don't even think about it. It's part of me now and I'm so glad I waited and gave myself time. Please don't rush into this. Good luck
October 6, 2016
I feel the same way like you.I got this ugly tattoo in may this year and I can start treatment only in November as I m travelling.its been six month I am depressed and not talking to anyone.no body understands infact they say its just a tattoo because they don't have to go through this.
User Avatar
December 4, 2016

Hi there, just checking in to see how you are feeling since your last update. 

UPDATED FROM eliixx

Is Pinkish Skin Underneath Scabs Normal?

eliixx
Hello,
I got laser tattoo removal done on the shading around my tattoo on
feburary 1st. It has been 10 days since and some of the scabs have
fallen off and im left with a big spot of pinkish/pale skin underneath.
Is
this normal? And what can i do to speed up the healing process. I have
been told that its really red and i should use polysporin on it.
Has anyone else experienced this and how long does it take till your skin goes back to normal?

Replies (6)

User Avatar
February 16, 2017
How's it looking now?
User Avatar
February 16, 2017

I experienced the same thing, my skin almost appeared white in some areas which is known as hypopigmentation, here's more on that.  My skin returned to it's natural color, I can't recall how long it took, but awhile forsure. I suggest following up with your doctor to examine the area. As for healing tips, I used Polysporin and Bactine spray on my treated tattoo. Keep it clean and follow your aftercare instructions. Another key tip, lots of rest and healthy food and water. I included a ton of green smoothies and raw fruit and veggies in my diet. I also am big on eating things like Chia Seeds (look up Chia Seed Pudding) to help detox the body, especially while going through tattoo removal. :) Good luck! 

February 17, 2017
How big was your tattoo? And all the pictures I've seen on here, I've never seen a tattoo fully gone, just faded. Do they fully disappear ever? Or just fade? I just got a pretty big tattoo on my side and it's just black ink.
User Avatar
February 18, 2017

It was pretty large, started at my neck and half way down and across my upper back. For some inspiration, check out my collection of success stories in my Notebook: https://www.realself.com/noteb...


User Avatar
June 3, 2017
How's the pink looking? Have you had any more treatments?
User Avatar
April 15, 2018
Any updates?