Q Switch and Picosure Tattoo Removal on 20 year old Finger Tattoo

I took the summer off from treatments because it was 100+ degrees for much of the summer in Texas. This is what my tattoo is looking like after a 6 month break, (it looks slightly darker in artificial lighting). I probably only need one or two more treatments and then it will be completely gone. I'll be calling this week to set up my next appointment.

I went for another q switch treatment on February 10, and it was...not good. Without going into huge detail, I simply wasn't happy with how the treatments were going, the lack of progress, and the vague estimation of "4 or 5 more treatments" each time I went.

I decided to try a different clinic and the Picosure laser. I went to Austin MedSpa and had the tattoo treated by Brendan Leigh, a registered nurse. He has a blog about Picosure lasers that I'd been reading, plus he was the guy that cleared that huge red and green chest piece from Motorosa123.

I had my first session with Brendan Leigh on April 4, 2018. The pain was SO much better than the Q switch laser!!! Yes, it still hurt, but I could grit my teeth and get through it. Plus, I got lidocaine cream this time and Brendan stopped any time I said "I need a break". I left the clinic *smiling* rather than crying and feeling traumatized.

I am really happy with the progress from just one treatment. The tattoo blistered and scabbed over. Unfortunately, one of the blisters ripped, so the side of my finger looks a little raw. These pics were taken 3 days ago, and the ripped blister has already started to heal. I'm keeping it covered and the skin protected with a layer of cortizone 10 at all times, (Brendan gave me the ointment with my take home instructions).

I am excited to see what my skin will look like once the scabs fall off.

I had my 4th treatment on December 16. I opted to have microdermabrasion again on the tattoo, because I had done a lot of house cleaning the weeks prior, and it left my hands very dry. I figured it would at least clear away the dry skin.

The laser tech did 2 passes over the tattoo, with the second pass at a higher fluence setting of 8.5 or 9. From what I've read, this is to target deeper layers of ink, (increased energy is required to go deeper into the dermis). I probably should have asked him at the time, but I kind of white-knuckle my way through these sessions, and never think to ask questions.

I did think to ask about how many more sessions he thought I needed, and he said probably 4 or 5, which is what I expected.

I don't think the tattoo looks much different after this session than it did before. I kind of think it looks a bit darker. Maybe the second pass at the higher fluence got some of the deeper ink moving? No clue.

I'll post updated pics before my next appointment on February 10.