3/4 Sleeve and So Much Regret - San Ramon, CA

Hi all! I've been absentee on here for quite some time now. I just wanted to update you with my recent progress on tattoo removal, and now the start of my cover up. I had my last treatment (the 9th, I believe) in January of 2017. I found out I was pregnant days later, and stopped removal treatments. I gave birth to my daughter in September of 2017 and she is happy and healthy as can be! It was actually quite refreshing to take those 9+ months off of removal treatments. I was able to focus on myself and my family. I had become so obsessed with getting the treatments and getting the darn tattoo off me - it had really taken over my life in a way.

Fast forward to a couple months postpartum, I realized that the tattoo was taking over my thoughts again. I felt anxious about it, and also ashamed that I was so consumed by it. Why was I worried about something so small when I had this beautiful baby to bond with?! I realized that removal treatments would be a nightmare with having a newborn. I didn't have time for that, and didn't have time for my whole right arm to be debilitated while I recover. I felt pretty low for a while, and felt helpless thinking I had no options but to wait until she was older or start treatments again and find someone to watch her while I do them. Ugh.

Then I started to look back into cover up ideas. I found an artist nearby who I liked, and decided to set up a consultation. I figured that it wouldn't be possible, given how much ink was still on my arm. Upon arrival Andre set me at ease and said it would be no problem at all to cover up. He even said he likes cover ups and was excited to work on me. I put down a deposit, and three weeks later I get started. He had a beautiful Japanese Koi 3/4 sleeve drawn up for me and I instantly loved it. He got the outline and a touch of shading done in about three hours. Immediately, I loved the new art on my arm. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, as I finally felt ok if not proud to have my arm out.

Its been a couple weeks and I still feel so happy about my decision. Perhaps some part of my would have preferred to have a blank, ink free arm. But then again I'm not sure that would have been possible. It would have taken years and many more treatments for me to feel comfortable with my arm again. This cover up has truly given me a new lease on life - I'm still in shock about how quickly something you are so obsessed with can change in an instant. Anyway, just wanted to update all you lovely folks. I hope all is well!!

It's been so long since I last posted, but I have indeed decided to seek removal treatment. I actually just finished my 4th Picosure session and I am not sure how confident I am in the procedure. Sorry for not posting my progress along the way - I've been ridiculously busy and have been trying my hardest to pretend the darn thing isn't there. My first session seemed promising, as it made a huge difference right away. This one was performed by Dr. Riopelle himself. The second and third sessions were performed by a Nurse practitioner (Dr. Riopelle's wife, actually) and did not achieve the same results. I was told that she performs most of the tattoo removal sessions at their office, but I think that she was being to gentle. I have a very high pain tolerance, but she kept asking to see if I was doing ok. On these sessions I had only minimal swelling compared to the first, and the down time after the treatment was only a couple of days. For such a large area being treated, I don't think this should happen.My fourth session (January 13th) was also performed by Donna, and this time she cranked up the intensity and it did achieve a better result in my opinion. Of course, that comes with quite a bit more pain but that is absolutely worth it for me. I was swollen down to my wrist for a little over a week. Most of the blisters occurred in the green tail-feather section, which is the part with a tremendous amount of ink.It's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but in looking back to my original pictures I do see a bit of fading. Still not as much as many people on here, and for that I blame my 2nd and 3rd sessions that didn't accomplish too much. Again, sorry for not posting sooner. This has been a huge source of anxiety for me and my response is to avoid at all costs! I try not to look at my right side in hopes that that will make it just disappear. Either way, it does feel good to be back on here and knowing that we're all in this struggle together. I remind myself that there are good days ahead and good days now if you allow yourself to see it that way. I keep thinking that I've ruined my life with this tattoo but that is simply not true.On a different note, I noticed that that miracle tattoo removal cream just came on the market. This is the one that everyone has been talking about - that student in Canada that has been formulating this for years. Has anyone on here tried it? I'm very curious and wonder if it's possible to use between laser sessions to help expedite the process.