Hoping My Wings Will Fly Away -Portland, OR
Okay...here's my story. I got this tattoo when I...
Okay...here's my story. I got this tattoo when I was 17. Its a lovely piece. However, I got it for all the wrong reasons. A boy was the main influence. He was much older than me, into tattoos, and pressured me into getting it. Yes, I know. I'm pathetic. I got it to impress him and because of pressure from him. Well, I realized my mistake too late. Needless to say, the "love" did not last between us and he left me for some blonde [RS bleep] with lots of tattoos. Now, 3 years later, I have decided to get it removed with laser removal. I was lucky enough to be accepted into a program called "Project Erase" here in Portland that charges $50 per session for tattoo removal.
I have been stuck in a rut ever since I got this tattoo. Stuck in the past. I feel that getting rid of the tattoo completely will get me out of this rut. I have moved on and past this "break-up", but I feel like I can't fully move on from the past until this tattoo is gone. Its not me and not something I feel like fits me anymore. I've considered getting rid of it for a long time and I've realized that I can't stand the look of it anymore. I want my normal back again. I feel like I am ready to find someone else to give my heart too, but I don't want to have to explain why I got this tattoo. I want a clean slate and back.
Wish me luck!
WingsFlyAway14's provider
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Alright, everyone. First I would like to thank...
I wanted to give an update before my first appointment tomorrow to share some of the things that I plan on doing to help my procedure and recovery to go as smoothly and quickly as possible.
So on my way to the appointment, I'll be taking some Tylenol to help with the pain. The clinic I'm going to suggest that I take Ibuprofen, but I heard that that can cause bruising so I'm going to try Tylenol first. Ibuprofen will be used to help with the inflammation and pain after the procedure. I have already started and will continue to take vitamin D, C, and woman's daily, along with Fish oil, garlic, and fenugreek to boost my immune system to help healing and break down of the tattoo.
I'm hoping that these precautions I'm taking will help this whole thing be over a lot more quickly.
Replies (5)
We have opened a community dedicated to PicoSure, so if anyone has experience with this removal process please share your story in there! It will be interesting to hear real experiences with the new treatment!
Hey, I wish you the best of luck with your removal! Stay strong! I stumbled upon this as I am also considering removing my tattoo (again, the first time showed no results and I was very disappointed) with the YAG laser, does anyone have any experience with that machine? I've seen videos on youtube, and although it looks quite painful, does it actually help? Or does it leave a scar and make it even worse? My tattoo is at the bend of my right arm, a black text that I'm very unhappy with as it's supercrooked and some words are put together when there's supposed to be spaces etc. /Mandy
Hi everyone. Sorry its been a while since my first...
Its been about a week since my first appointment. I think the Outside In tattoo removal clinic might be a little different than normal tattoo removal clinic. The first appointment IS the first treatment. There is no consultation so you have to be 100% sure you want to get it removed. I talked with the woman who would be doing the treatment and asked her some questions. She took a look at it and was quite shocked by the amount of red in the tattoo. Apparently, red isn't a color they normally treat till about the 4 or 5 treatment. I started to panic a little thinking that it would take forever to get this tattoo off. However, the coordinator at the clinic suggested that she do the red anyway and leave the other colors alone this treatment since there is so much red.
Now, I'm not going to lie and say it didn't hurt. It hurt. It really did. But I have a high pain tolerance and a system that helps me get through stuff like this (worked while I was GETTING the tattoo anyway) and I got through it. Honestly the worst and most painful part was the area between the shoulder blades. The doctor told me that that is one of the most sensitive spots on the back. The treatment went by fairly quickly and I was lathered with cream, bandaged and taped up, and on my way.
There was a heat that was coming off my back on the way home, but no pain. Was able to sleep on it that night and take a shower the next morning. The area was very tender, red and a little raised, but I got lucky and had no blisters. A few days after the swelling went down, it began to itch like hell. It was very hard not to scratch it (I did scratch it once and wanted to cry because of how badly it hurt) . A week later now, its only a little itchy, but still quite tender.
During the procedure, the doctor said that the ink was reacting well, and this filled me with an overwhelming hope. I'm starting to feel that it is a real possibility to get this completely removed and move on with my life for good. My next appointment is on April 25th and I feel anxious for that day to come.
I posted a few more pictures! Take a look!
Replies (6)
Awe, try to cut yourself some slack...you were only 17. We all do some things at 17 that we later look back at and shake our heads. Its just part of finding ourselves, and there is a real beauty in that. Hopefully the next person you decide to open your heart to will recognize that as well, so explaining "why" you got the tattoo is just seen as part of the story of your life.
Please keep us posted how the treatment goes!!
You are definitely not alone anymore - you have all of us to lean on and share with now. :)