POSTED UNDER PicoSure REVIEWS
Picosure Removal of Dark Finger Tattoo. Sacramento, CA
ORIGINAL POST
Going through an unexpected and painful divorce...
hnt1086July 13, 2015
$100
Going through an unexpected and painful divorce right now, and am in the process of removing the wedding band tattoo. It's two dark black parallel lines, on the back/sides of my ring finger. The lines have always been kind of messy; I was never thrilled with the artist. I'll post pictures later, but each line is approximately 1/8" wide, with dark black ink. There surface has always been a tiny bit raised in places, so I expect there was some scarring from the initial tattoo.
I started treatments with a Q-switched laser about 9 weeks ago, and have had 2 session. I've seen a tiny bit of fading on the edges, and the ink has spread out a bit in places. I know it's a long process, especially on fingers, but I wasn't thrilled with the results.
I had a consultation regarding excision, but was told it would likely be a long, uncomfortable healing process, and would likely leave me with significant scarring.
So I found a local clinic with a PicoSure laser. I had my initial consultation, and have my first treatment in early August. The nurse recommended waiting longer (2-4 months) between treatments. That matched what I've read online -- time sounds to be the most important part of the process. I wanted to schedule a treatment soon, however, as I'll be relocating soon and access to a PicoSure may be more difficult.
I'll post pictures soon. Not sure if I have anything from before the Q-switched treatment (and not really interested in digging through old wedding photos), but there hasn't been too much noticeable fading since starting. Hoping the new laser goes quickly!
I'm prepared for a long process. From the pictures I've seen, I'm guessing this will take another year for significant fading, and probably another 6-12 months to completely remove it (if I'm lucky).
I started treatments with a Q-switched laser about 9 weeks ago, and have had 2 session. I've seen a tiny bit of fading on the edges, and the ink has spread out a bit in places. I know it's a long process, especially on fingers, but I wasn't thrilled with the results.
I had a consultation regarding excision, but was told it would likely be a long, uncomfortable healing process, and would likely leave me with significant scarring.
So I found a local clinic with a PicoSure laser. I had my initial consultation, and have my first treatment in early August. The nurse recommended waiting longer (2-4 months) between treatments. That matched what I've read online -- time sounds to be the most important part of the process. I wanted to schedule a treatment soon, however, as I'll be relocating soon and access to a PicoSure may be more difficult.
I'll post pictures soon. Not sure if I have anything from before the Q-switched treatment (and not really interested in digging through old wedding photos), but there hasn't been too much noticeable fading since starting. Hoping the new laser goes quickly!
I'm prepared for a long process. From the pictures I've seen, I'm guessing this will take another year for significant fading, and probably another 6-12 months to completely remove it (if I'm lucky).
Replies (1)
UPDATED FROM hnt1086
1 month post
Ring tattoo removal - pictures
hnt1086September 22, 2015
Finally got around to replacing the camera on my phone, so here are some photos of my removal process.
So far I'm about 5 months into the removal. I had 2 sessions with a Quanta Q-switched laser (early May and late June), and a treatment with a Picosure laser at a different clinic in mid-August.
I don't have a photo from the beginning, but I'm trying to get the initial photo sent from the first clinic. Will post if I can get it.
It's definitely faded, although not as much as I'd like. It's thinner, as the edges have faded a bit. There's a bit of spreading ink around the edges, I'd assume that's in the process of getting cleaned out. Within the lines the ink is lighter and a bit mottled in places. It's still pretty dark though, especially in a couple places where the initial tattoo was a bit raised (scarring?).
I've noticed the most significant fading in the last 4 weeks or so. Hoping I'll continue to see results, but I've read mixed things about tattoos with very deep ink. I believe the artist (more clumsy than I'd have preferred) placed a lot of the ink under the skin. Not sure if I'll see any fading in that or not. Would love thoughts if anyone has experience.
I've relocated for work, and just made an appointment in mid-October for another treatment. They're also using the Picosure laser.
Just trying to stay patient with it. I'm anticipating 18-24 months of treatments, and would be happy enough if it was mostly faded. It's always gotten a surprising amount of attention, and I'd love to stop getting questions about it. Obviously a full removal would be best, but I just have a feeling that might not be feasible.
So far I'm about 5 months into the removal. I had 2 sessions with a Quanta Q-switched laser (early May and late June), and a treatment with a Picosure laser at a different clinic in mid-August.
I don't have a photo from the beginning, but I'm trying to get the initial photo sent from the first clinic. Will post if I can get it.
It's definitely faded, although not as much as I'd like. It's thinner, as the edges have faded a bit. There's a bit of spreading ink around the edges, I'd assume that's in the process of getting cleaned out. Within the lines the ink is lighter and a bit mottled in places. It's still pretty dark though, especially in a couple places where the initial tattoo was a bit raised (scarring?).
I've noticed the most significant fading in the last 4 weeks or so. Hoping I'll continue to see results, but I've read mixed things about tattoos with very deep ink. I believe the artist (more clumsy than I'd have preferred) placed a lot of the ink under the skin. Not sure if I'll see any fading in that or not. Would love thoughts if anyone has experience.
I've relocated for work, and just made an appointment in mid-October for another treatment. They're also using the Picosure laser.
Just trying to stay patient with it. I'm anticipating 18-24 months of treatments, and would be happy enough if it was mostly faded. It's always gotten a surprising amount of attention, and I'd love to stop getting questions about it. Obviously a full removal would be best, but I just have a feeling that might not be feasible.
Replies (7)
September 23, 2015
Looks good bro that should be gone sooner than later. Luckily your not as sick in the head as me cuz I probably would of cut that out with a knife myself lol mines just tooooo big too start digging away at. I know man me an u both have tattoos on the hands that we can't hide an in your case going through what your going thru I know u want that [RS bleep] off ASAP. This process is mentally tiring. The pain sucks but the mind plays tricks on us. Your in Sacramento? Who does your picosure? Do you like that laser?
September 23, 2015
Man, I've gotten really close to gauging the thing out with a knife on several occasions. Figured it'd be just my luck to get a nasty infection and lose the finger though.
I was in Sac until about a month ago. The Laser & Skin Surgery Center did the picosure for me. So far I do like the laser, but only had 1 treatment with it. Less pain, less blistering afterwards, and it seems (though hard to say) that the results have been faster/more noticeable. I'm going to continue with picosure treatments in my new city.
I was in Sac until about a month ago. The Laser & Skin Surgery Center did the picosure for me. So far I do like the laser, but only had 1 treatment with it. Less pain, less blistering afterwards, and it seems (though hard to say) that the results have been faster/more noticeable. I'm going to continue with picosure treatments in my new city.
September 24, 2015
Lol ya bro I have the same luck. I haven't tried the picosure my guy says the laser he is using works great for black ink I've seen his results. Hopefully I will get good results too too soon to tell. One trick I read I do everyday I read it somewhere on a removal website. Since the hands and fingers have less blood flow which also means it can take longer I massage my hand and fingers daily dude. Give your finger a good massage a couple times a day to get some blood flow there with the friction. Get that broken ink moved around a bit
September 24, 2015
welcome to the painful separation ring tattoo removal club. I'm getting mine removed via Picoway and just had my third treatment yesterday. All the best :) Wear a band-aid like i do...most people don't even notice.
September 24, 2015
That's a good reminder man. For the first couple months I was doing the same -- massaging a couple times a day, plus using one of those springy grip exercise things in the car on the way to work. (I'm a target shooter, so that's more for training than the tattoo, but I figure it might help with circulation.) I've gotten lazy about it. Who knows if it'll help, but half of this is finding ways to "do" something with what is really a waiting game. Have to be better about that.
September 24, 2015
@Sittan: Awesome to see someone else removing a ring on here. Yours seems to have started similarly dark/saturated, and looks to have faded similarly. That's reassuring.
I definitely wear bandaids when I'm out in the sun, or if I'm meeting new people. (Got really tired of talking about it.) Drives me nuts when I'm using a computer, though, so I've generally left it uncovered at work. Thankfully nobody at my new client has asked about it. Gotta love that midwestern politeness.
I definitely wear bandaids when I'm out in the sun, or if I'm meeting new people. (Got really tired of talking about it.) Drives me nuts when I'm using a computer, though, so I've generally left it uncovered at work. Thankfully nobody at my new client has asked about it. Gotta love that midwestern politeness.
September 25, 2015
Haha nice. I just wear the band-aid and i don't really feel it while i type. Mine was ultra deep and lots of ink so we will see how it goes. I just had my third treatment two days ago and they lasered the hell out of my tattoos this time (ring and forearm tattoo). This whole process is fairly comical. I'm sure it is going to take another year or so. IN the meantime I'm just enjoying not having a succubus around...drinking my IPA in peace with band-aid on my finger and an itchy forearm.
UPDATED FROM hnt1086
4 months post
Treatment 4 done!
hnt1086December 7, 2015
It's been about 2 weeks since treatment 4 (2nd treatment with Picosure, first 2 were with a different laser).
The nurse was much more aggressive with the laser at my new clinic. Went over areas a couple times to make sure she got everything. I had some more laser burn and more blistering than previous treatments.
It healed up nicely though, and I'm already noticing the lines are fading more than before. Cautiously optimistic that I can actually fade this until it's less noticeable.
5th session booked in mid-Feb!
The nurse was much more aggressive with the laser at my new clinic. Went over areas a couple times to make sure she got everything. I had some more laser burn and more blistering than previous treatments.
It healed up nicely though, and I'm already noticing the lines are fading more than before. Cautiously optimistic that I can actually fade this until it's less noticeable.
5th session booked in mid-Feb!
Replies (1)
December 7, 2015
Looking good man. It's lightening up good. From your first pic where it was dark black to now it's a grey color. The process is working dude. It feels good to see results
Hey there, welcome aboard -- so glad that you joined us! I can imagine that excision would take long to heal on the finger, never really thought of that. I hope the PicoSure does the trick for you, I look forward to seeing your photos -- best of luck!