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POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS

I Want my Leg Back!!!

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So, I am 23 years old, I have 3 tattoos currently,...

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Molliciousj
So, I am 23 years old, I have 3 tattoos currently, 2 non-visible but my newest tattoo had me in tears for days. I got it two weeks ago and it isn't a bad tattoo, don't get me wrong but it is 5 times bigger than I had it pictured in my head. I only wanted it barely visible when wearing shorts. The tattoo artist refused to do it any smaller though so now it barely peaks IN my shorts. Ugh. When he drew it up I kept saying "it's too big" but he said he wouldn't do it any smaller as it would lose detail qualities. There were a bunch of other people in the shop, on the artists side, so essentially I got peer pressured into this HUGE mess. This sounds messed up but I honestly just wanted it done so I could flee the tattoo shop, so now I'm stuck with this. I don't think clearly in those situations.
I cried for days afterwards. When I look in the mirror with this tattoo covering my thigh I don't see myself. I have never seen myself as a visible tattoo person so this literally threw me into an identity crisis. I thought maybe I would get used to it after a bit but I obsess over it to the point where it consumes my life. I think about how it'll affect future career choices, future partners and not to mention my family...they are tattoo haters!
With that said, I wasn't going to tell my mom but knowing how much she hates tattoos I knew she might be of help. She actually offered to help pay for laser removal but I am on the fence about getting it removed.
I see the terrifying looking blisters people get, the scarring, pigmentaion issues and horrible ghost outlines of their once tattoo. I don't want that! I haven't really seen any COMPLETE removals stories either to give me hope. I don't want to start removal of this tattoo if it will leave my leg looking worse than with the tattoo! Shorts are my favorite clothing item to wear too so that is a big deal to me! Haha. If it wasn't such a big, visible area I wouldn't even worry about it but I'm freaked out. I have become a tattoo hater like my family! Lol.
People compliment my tattoo all the time too but it just makes me sick to my stomach. I feel like it's the first thing people see when they look at me, I notice EVERY time someone looks at it and get depressed. My boyfriend tells me all the time I'm a complete idiot for wanting to get it removed and to stop whining about it, he doesn't support it at all. He has told me my leg is going to end up looking horrible after laser removal and I'll feel worse. I'm terrified of him being right. He threatens to leave me over it too which, I guess wouldn't be a bad thing. Ha. (He was also one of the people who peer pressured me into it and is friend with the tattoo artist so he wasn't advocating for me at all.)
If any one has any advice, support, experience or information to share...please do! Are new tattoos easier to remove? Do big tattoos take longer to remove? I have my constitution on Tuesday but I would love to be prepared with what to ask and such! I look forward to hearing back!

Replies (22)

October 10, 2014
It's pretty sweet looking.
October 11, 2014
hey! i think your ink looks beautiful, so maybe give it awhile and see if it grows on you, maybe it's just the initial shock? the removal process is a real drag, and i wish every day that i had better artwork so that i wouldn't have to go through all this pain and expense! your tattoo is all black, so you shouldn't have any issues with colours not fading. i really think you should wait awhile though, especially since the tattoo is new, your skin might not be ready for a harsh laser session so soon. i started removal when my ink was fairly new and now my skin is raised in areas where the ink was most dense. sorry if this wasn't the most encouraging, just want to be honest!
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October 11, 2014
Thanks for the compliment. Like I said, I don't think the artwork is bad but I just don't think I'll ever come to terms with it. I've thought about it a lot and I've tried to talk myself into it. It's also supposed to be colored. A lot of people have been telling me to finish it and see if I like it then but I won't be getting it finished as that would make it harder to remove in the future and maybe make this an even bigger regret. I'm also afraid that if I wait too long while trying to get used to it that when I decide to follow through with removal it will be harder to erase.
October 11, 2014
definitely don't add on to the tattoo if you have doubts about it! actually, new tattoos are harder to remove than old tattoos so a wait can only do you and your skin good i think (:
October 11, 2014
At least it's not a horrible tattoo - it looks very nice! For me that's a major point, as I think I'd feel more pressure to remove a bad tattoo rather than a tattoo I think doesn't fit me. And you can find a nicer boyfriend in the process.
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October 11, 2014
Very true. I've seen other people with nice tattoos on here who feel the same way though. Regardless, it's something permanent on the skin that we don't want there so I can't imagine it feeling much different than with a tattoo that's just isn't good. Sometimes I hate that it's well done and big because it's the first thing people notice and point out to me which is a constant reminder. And you're right, a nicer boyfriend would make this 10 times easier. Lol.
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October 11, 2014
Welcome to the community :) 

I really love your tattoo, and it's a nice placement, however, I fully understand not being comfortable in your own skin and wanting to remove it - so do what is right for you. Now, in saying that I wanted to just mention this....for the longest time when I got my back tattoo and regretted it all I could think about was what would people say....and I went into a dark depression and lost myself in fear and emotional distress...until one day I decided enough was enough!! And you know what I realized...people really don't care about tattoos or the way you dress, or what you look like as much as we think they do. There definitely are people who will judge you, we can't change that...but those people are the ones with the issue, as when you are judging someone else it's really you that you is not at peace with yourself - so that makes it their problem not yours. Before your start the process of removal be sure it's for yourself and not for what others will think - as once you start you can't go back. Here is some information I think you will find helpful: 

http://www.realself.com/review/argentina-ar-tattoo-removal-years-anc-counting

LASER TATTOO REMOVAL: 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE GETTING YOUR TATTOO REMOVED


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October 11, 2014
Thanks for those links! The video answered a lot of questions I had! I've never heard of the R20 method, do you know if it produces the similar results as 4 spaced out treatments? It's also funny that you say you had to realize that people don't care as much as you think because I worry WAY TOO much about what people think so that's definitely something I need to recognize as well.
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October 12, 2014
Hi, In the video I linked you to go to approx. 1:33 minutes in and he explains the R20 method. To recap it, he mentions that it's 4 treatments in 1 day separated by a 20 min cooling down period. The 4  treatments are not equal to 4 over a 6 week period, but is more than 1 treatment, he guesses  2 - 2.5 treatments.

Hope that helps :)
Eva
UPDATED FROM Molliciousj

Picosure Tattoo Removal Consultation

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Molliciousj
So, I had my removal consulation today and it left me very feeling conflicted. I thought it would make me feel better but I almost feel like everything I was told is too good to be true. I was told 1.) my tattoo would be easy to remove since it's new and not set into my skin as much, 2.) it could be fully removed within 4-6 treatments, 3.) I wouldn't have hypopigmentation because of my light skin, 4.) it can be removed completely without a trace. That's all great but made me start questioning the validity of the answers since they were all perfect. She also quoted me $450/ treatment which is way better than I was expecting. I'm not sure if I'm psyching myself out or what.
My boyfriend has been threatening to leave me if I go through with removal. I get called a retard everyday and told that my leg is going to look worse after and I'll regret that even more. I'm terrified he'll be right. He thinks I should get the tattoo finished first and then decide if I like it or not but frankly, finishing my tattoo isn't going to make it smaller and it's going to make it more permanent so I really don't want to finish it.
I don't know what to do. Anyone have any comments or advice on the info I got from my consultation?

Replies (11)

October 22, 2014
I think all the above points given by your clinic are true, except that it will be removed in 4-6 treatments. I've now had 15 treatments and I'm gradually getting there, but the tattoo had barely changed after six treatments, so I think that's a bit unrealistic. That's only my opinion though! I think it's very wrong of your boyfriend to leave you if you begin removal. It's the worst feeling in the world being so uncomfortable in your own skin and he should respect that. Don't suffer with tattoo regret for your whole life just because one person isn't happy about you correcting your mistake. We all make mistakes. Unfortunately getting a tattoo is a mistake that takes a long time to correct, but it can be done. If the tattoo is taking over your life then it's time to get rid of it!
October 22, 2014
It's good that you are thinking this decision through, and you are right to be suspicious. The first rule of tattoo removal is that there are no guarantees. Complete removal in 4-6 treatments seems unlikely. Just read the stories on this website. I am very fair and have experienced hyper and hypo pigmentation. It isn't a big deal as both fade with time. If you really dislike your tattoo, removal is the way to go. Realistic expectations make all the difference. As for your boyfriend, I would remove him and then worry about the tattoo. Don't ever let anyone call you names. That will erode your self-esteem more than the ink. Take care and keep us posted!
October 24, 2014
Your tattoo is rather medium-big size, and its located on your lower body (the lower the tattoo located chances it would fade slower). this can be a bit challenging, HOWEVER, its all black ink which is the easiest to remove completely, and yes - your skin is white, so really low risk for any noticeable change in skin color. You are young, probably healthy and active, so i would say chances are for your side. Don't listen to your BF or to anyone. you the one that have to live with it. Whoever i talked with regarding my tattoo said I shouldn't get it removed and try to except it and live with it. Well thanks for the advice, but NONE of those people who advice me to except it would agree to theoretically switch places with me, and actually live with this tattoo. Having something you don't want and doesn't belong to your body is a horrible feeling, especially when you know your own self have caused it. There is a sentence in Buddhism that says: 'if you made a mistake, do your best to fix it'. If you feel this tattoo is a mistake, don't fool yourself and live with it. there are options today and worst case scenario you can get a much lighter and possibly smaller cover up.
October 24, 2014
BTW, I do think your tattoo is amazing work. I would keep it if it was in a hidden place like my shoulder blade or upper back, since i'm just not a 'visible tattoo' type of person. BUT STILL, its a very good work. Don't even think i have artists in my country that are capable to produce such a thing, and still if you don't like it then get it removed. it's your body and your money, your happiness and 100% your decision to make.
October 26, 2014
Hey...i know what you are going through and I know how rough this [RS bleep] is, it [RS bleep] sucks. I am currently in the process of removing an impulse tattoo & the physical pain of removing is nothing compared to the emotional pain. I will be having my 3rd picosure pretty soon and I still have not decided on full removal or a cover up but i think it is very important for YOU to decide what to do with your body not your [RS bleep] boyfriend who doesn't get it. You are not happy with your tattoo that's all there is to it, and I think you should start removal when and if you are ready. I truley know what kind of place you are in and it's dark...if your mother is willing to help you with removal I would seriously take her up on that. My mom is currently helping me and while the whole thing sucks I am glad I have somebody who is willing to be there for me and help...stay strong you are not alone.
UPDATED FROM Molliciousj

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Molliciousj

Replies (7)

August 7, 2016
I actually like your tattoo, there are women with sexy tattoo in their legs and are largest pieces than yours, but if u dont like it, is your body after all.
I dont know how your tattoo is going to get removed without leaving any trace,
I dont know why she told u that
mostly all lasers never archives that results, the price is good though
About your boyfriend just to say if he doesnt support u in your decisions and make u feel better about yourself maybe is u the one who should dump him first
Have a nice day!
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August 13, 2016
Thanks for the comment. I really appreciate that. It always makes me feel better when people tell me they like it. I'm always afraid that it makes me ugly. Haha.
I left that jerk boyfriend since I posted this which has definitely helped my self confidence. I may just keep trying to live with it and accept it unless an amazing magic laser comes that can 100% remove it.
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August 11, 2016
2 years ago you started this thread. how do you feel today?
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August 13, 2016
I feel less depressed than I did 2 years ago. I have been trying to live with my tattoo and accept it. I'm always self-conscious about it when I wear shorts though. I keep thinking about me having it 10 years from now and I just can't picture it. I'm almost hoping a magic laser will come out soon that can blast tattoos away with no trace. I just can't decide if I should keep trying to live with it or make the jump.
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May 25, 2017
Have you decided on anything?
September 16, 2017
Did you end up starting the removal process?
September 16, 2017
How did it turn out?