Dense, Colorful Tattoo Removal - Rhode Island

I did. But not as bad as some other people, I think. What I did have was a *tremendous* amount of swelling. The swelling lasted a long time (more than a week when I had my first treatment) and was definitely the most painful part of the process. In fact, after my first treatment, when the swelling still hadn't gone down after four days, and the pain still hadn't subsided, I went to urgent care to have it checked out. The doctor took one look and immediately prescribed me painkillers. It looked pretty awful.

I tell myself that the extreme swelling is a sign of an excellent immune response. I have no evidence for this, but the thought makes me feel better. :-)

Two so far.

From an outsiders perspective the fading from the first photo to this is pretty amazing. From following a lot of removal stories it seems to kind of hit a frustrating point half way through but stay strong and thanks for sharing.

Thanks :-)

I'm waiting six weeks between treatments.

The fading is coming along, but SO slowly. I'm doing okay, thanks. You're very sweet to ask. :-) The weather is getting nicer, which bums me out a bit. I'm so self-conscious about the tattoo. I hate that it's so visible and I try to hide it most of the time. In the winter, of course, that's not a problem. Summer, though... :-( I want to be able to wear my pretty summer dresses without this damn tattoo. Ah, well.

I have been communicating with a fantastically talented and very support tattoo artist. That also helps.

I'm sorry you're feeling so poorly! I'm sending good vibes your way! I can really empathize with you, though. The first weeks after getting my tattoo I would wake up in the morning wishing/hoping/imagining that the tattoo was just a dream. And when I looked at it, it felt like I was staring at someone else's arm. It was such an awful feeling. It did pass, though. I'm still upset about the tattoo (some days more than others) but that feeling of not having any control is gone and that's helped me to feel better emotionally. How did you feel about your tattoo before you got the addition? And what is it exactly that you dislike so much?

I live in South Texas where it is already hot and Ibwrar long or half sleeve shirts all the time so I totally understand!

You know Inliked my tattoo before but was a bit self conscience of its size and placement. Bit Ineantes to add some color to lighten it a bit. He was supposed to give me a light blue lightly swirling through the tree like wind. Then a light sky above. I should have known when he drew the black line above the clouds that it was not what he drew. I hate how the blue look. It takes away from the tree completely and the sky looks immature and not dainty like the tree.

Most days Inlike my tree but I am so jaded by the color now it's hard to see pastor. I have my first appt Wednesday to get the blue and sky removed. I am hopeful!

Have you noticed more fading with the q-switch?

Thanks for the pep talk! :-)

I just had a treatment with a different laser (ND Yag q-switched) and I can see the pink responding. This is such a slow process, and I am *not* a patient person (which is how I got myself into this situation), but I'm feeling hopeful.