POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS
Starting the Process of Tattoo Removal with Picosure - Sacramento, CA
ORIGINAL POST
When I was 19 I decided rather impulsively that...
Kate1980February 6, 2014
$350
When I was 19 I decided rather impulsively that what was missing from my life was a tattoo. I distinctly remember several people trying to talk me out of it, or to at least think it through a little longer, but if anything the discouragement from others seemed to push me along even faster. Before I knew it, I had a good-sized band of a rose on my right upper arm. I regretted the tattoo almost as soon as I got it, and I can relate to a lot of the feelings of depression and anxiety that I have read in other people's stories here. It is amazing how such a seemingly small thing can affect your outlook, but I completely identify.
I got my tattoo 14 years ago, and along the way my feelings towards it have ranged from forgetting it is there to acute anxiety that keeps me up at night (rare, but extremely unpleasant). About 4 years after I got the tattoo I went to a clinic to see if it could be removed and the technician told me that there was too much green and that it would never come off. I was EXTREMELY disappointed, but was hopeful that at some point there might be a laser that could get the ink out. I waited, and just recently experienced one of those anxious nights where all I could think about was getting the tattoo off. I found this site and was extremely encouraged. It has been very helpful to read about the process and to see pictures. I feel that I now have realistic expectations. Ideally of course I would love to completely erase the tattoo, but I realize that there is a pretty good chance that won't happen. Worst case scenario, I would like to fade the tattoo so that's it's easily disguised with make-up. I'm not interested in a coverup.
The day that I decided that I was 100% going to make the consultation for the tattoo removal (and even making that decision was tough, what with all the unknowns) something happened that solidified the decision. I went to the gym and worked out. One of the owners said to me (God knows why he even told me) that another patron had asked him my name. He said to me that he said to her, "Curly hair, prison tat? That's Kate." I was sort of like, wtf. I mean, PRISON tat? But he totally didn't mean anything negative by it, he was describing me (and my tattoo) as he saw me. So then and there I was like, Yeah, I'm going for it.
I went for the consult today and ended up getting my first treatment done. I feel like I have a pretty high pain tolerance but damn that HURT! Especially the inside of the arm. The nurse was great, and used cold air. She told me I could take a break at any time, but I somehow powered through it in one go. Several hours later and the dressing is still one. I'm not having any pain at all, and don't think I'll even have to take a Tylenol, which is a relief (but we'll see, haha).
I'm posting pics before my first treatment. As you can see it's starting out fairly faded. I'll try to post followups every couple of weeks. I'm grateful for this community and looking forward to being a part of it. :)
I got my tattoo 14 years ago, and along the way my feelings towards it have ranged from forgetting it is there to acute anxiety that keeps me up at night (rare, but extremely unpleasant). About 4 years after I got the tattoo I went to a clinic to see if it could be removed and the technician told me that there was too much green and that it would never come off. I was EXTREMELY disappointed, but was hopeful that at some point there might be a laser that could get the ink out. I waited, and just recently experienced one of those anxious nights where all I could think about was getting the tattoo off. I found this site and was extremely encouraged. It has been very helpful to read about the process and to see pictures. I feel that I now have realistic expectations. Ideally of course I would love to completely erase the tattoo, but I realize that there is a pretty good chance that won't happen. Worst case scenario, I would like to fade the tattoo so that's it's easily disguised with make-up. I'm not interested in a coverup.
The day that I decided that I was 100% going to make the consultation for the tattoo removal (and even making that decision was tough, what with all the unknowns) something happened that solidified the decision. I went to the gym and worked out. One of the owners said to me (God knows why he even told me) that another patron had asked him my name. He said to me that he said to her, "Curly hair, prison tat? That's Kate." I was sort of like, wtf. I mean, PRISON tat? But he totally didn't mean anything negative by it, he was describing me (and my tattoo) as he saw me. So then and there I was like, Yeah, I'm going for it.
I went for the consult today and ended up getting my first treatment done. I feel like I have a pretty high pain tolerance but damn that HURT! Especially the inside of the arm. The nurse was great, and used cold air. She told me I could take a break at any time, but I somehow powered through it in one go. Several hours later and the dressing is still one. I'm not having any pain at all, and don't think I'll even have to take a Tylenol, which is a relief (but we'll see, haha).
I'm posting pics before my first treatment. As you can see it's starting out fairly faded. I'll try to post followups every couple of weeks. I'm grateful for this community and looking forward to being a part of it. :)
Kate1980's provider
UPDATED FROM Kate1980
2 days post
Forgot to add pre-treatment photos . . . .
Kate1980February 8, 2014
Here they are!
Replies (5)
February 8, 2014
Hey! Welcome along :) Rest assured that tattoo removal technology has come along nicely in the last ten years, with the most recent advancement being the Picosure laser, which is supposedly pretty good at tackling greens. With the right expertise on the other end of the laser, good aftercare and a whole heap of patience and watchful waiting, there's a great chance that you'll see that tattoo fade down in to nothingness (or almost nothing). Whatever the outcome, you'll find plenty of support from people here going through the exact same thing. Good luck and do keep us updated! ;)
February 8, 2014
Thank you Wilks! The laser nurse quoted me 6-10 treatments, and I'm thinking it'll be closer to 10 . . . . but that's okay, I can be patient. It's a good feeling just having gotten started. I will definitely be posting progress pictures. There is some fading already but nothing drastic. Thank you for your kind words. :)
February 16, 2014
Thanks so much for posting your review, way to go on powering through the treatment, it can be so painful!! The Picosure has proven great results with green ink, here is an FAQ that speaks this:
I look forward to following your progress and your picture update. Did you have lots of blisters after the treatment?
What is the Best Tattoo Removal Laser for Lightening Green and Blue Colored Ink?
I look forward to following your progress and your picture update. Did you have lots of blisters after the treatment?
February 17, 2014
Thank you Eva! I had some small blisters for a few days following the treatment, but nothing like I've seen on some of the reviews posted here. The tattoo is healed at this point and just peeling a bit. I plan to post a progress pic 2 weeks post treatment to show what fading I have so far. :)
February 19, 2014
That`s good... I know some of the blisters are so massive - I relate, as I have has some pretty nasty ones, and I admit that I drain them! I can`t stand them...lol.
Look forward to your update! Happy healing!!
Look forward to your update! Happy healing!!
UPDATED FROM Kate1980
14 days post
2 weeks after first treatment
Kate1980February 19, 2014
It has been 2 weeks after my first treatment, and I'm pretty much all healed up. I am pleased with the results -- the fading isn't exactly dramatic, but I can see it. I don't see too much happening with the red and the yellow, but the nurse told me that those would be the most stubborn areas. The fading is most apparent in the leaves and the vines. I'm hoping that after a few more treatments things might really start breaking up. :)
I've been trying to eat healthy, drink lots of water, and get plenty of rest, as many people here have advised to do. I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the whole thing. It feels good just to have gotten started with this after so many years of regretting the stupid tattoo. I'm going to schedule my second treatment 7 weeks after the first. It is very hard to be patient, and as long as I don't have problems with healing or scarring I will probably schedule treatments 7-8 weeks apart. I keep reminding myself what so many others have said here -- fading is a continuous process and that patience is a virtue when it comes to this. I wish it was a little easier.
I hope you all are doing great and look forward to reading all of your updates as they come along!
I've been trying to eat healthy, drink lots of water, and get plenty of rest, as many people here have advised to do. I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the whole thing. It feels good just to have gotten started with this after so many years of regretting the stupid tattoo. I'm going to schedule my second treatment 7 weeks after the first. It is very hard to be patient, and as long as I don't have problems with healing or scarring I will probably schedule treatments 7-8 weeks apart. I keep reminding myself what so many others have said here -- fading is a continuous process and that patience is a virtue when it comes to this. I wish it was a little easier.
I hope you all are doing great and look forward to reading all of your updates as they come along!
Replies (1)
Replies (1)