POSTED UNDER PicoSure Reviews
The end of my story.
UPDATED FROM Fullofregret
My last post
FullofregretJanuary 23, 2017
$5,000
Hey everyone,
I'm sorry it's been a very very long time since I last updated this. I promised that I would show my progress from start to finish, so here it is! I hope this can give those who are struggling with this a little bit of hope. In total I had 14 laser treatments with 3 different lasers. I also had 2 micro-needling sessions for the scarring.
After all that, I made the risky decision of getting yet another cover-up, but I'm really glad I did. I spent my time looking for an artist, until I found one that I was completely confident with. I feel like I finally have my body back and it's so liberating ????
Thank you to those of you have been there to offer me advice and words of encouragement! I hope you all can find a way to feel confident and happy in your own skin again.
I'm sorry it's been a very very long time since I last updated this. I promised that I would show my progress from start to finish, so here it is! I hope this can give those who are struggling with this a little bit of hope. In total I had 14 laser treatments with 3 different lasers. I also had 2 micro-needling sessions for the scarring.
After all that, I made the risky decision of getting yet another cover-up, but I'm really glad I did. I spent my time looking for an artist, until I found one that I was completely confident with. I feel like I finally have my body back and it's so liberating ????
Thank you to those of you have been there to offer me advice and words of encouragement! I hope you all can find a way to feel confident and happy in your own skin again.
UPDATED FROM Fullofregret
Treatment 13 results.
FullofregretFebruary 26, 2016
I had treatment 13 about 3 weeks ago. My tattoo is finally healed. It took a lot longer this time because I had microneedling done after my treatment to treat the scarring. I can't really tell how much it helped. There seems to be less raised lines. I do notice the black continuing to fade.
I have been doing research on good tattoo artists, who specialize in cover ups, in my area. I do think I've found a really good one so I am just going to schedule a consultation with him and see what his ideas are, or if he thinks it's something he can do. I do still think I want to get at least one more laser treatment, but I just want to see what my options are. I know some of you think a cover up is a bad idea and you could be very right, but I feel like I need to at least find out by talking to some artists. I have seen some really talented cover up work, some of it even on this site. The artist I plan to talk to has also done some really impressive cover ups. I will obviously really think this through before I make any decisions
I just don't feel happy with the way my skin looks now. I'm just as ashamed of it as I was before I started any laser treatments. If I don't get a cover up, or see some more dramatic improvements, this will all essentially have been for nothing. I just want to feel comfortable in my skin again.
**message to the moderators**
Would it be possible to move my review back to "tattoo removal" or "picosure"? picoway is kind of a ghost town, right now.
I have been doing research on good tattoo artists, who specialize in cover ups, in my area. I do think I've found a really good one so I am just going to schedule a consultation with him and see what his ideas are, or if he thinks it's something he can do. I do still think I want to get at least one more laser treatment, but I just want to see what my options are. I know some of you think a cover up is a bad idea and you could be very right, but I feel like I need to at least find out by talking to some artists. I have seen some really talented cover up work, some of it even on this site. The artist I plan to talk to has also done some really impressive cover ups. I will obviously really think this through before I make any decisions
I just don't feel happy with the way my skin looks now. I'm just as ashamed of it as I was before I started any laser treatments. If I don't get a cover up, or see some more dramatic improvements, this will all essentially have been for nothing. I just want to feel comfortable in my skin again.
**message to the moderators**
Would it be possible to move my review back to "tattoo removal" or "picosure"? picoway is kind of a ghost town, right now.
Replies (4)
February 27, 2016
if it were me, I would be exploring cover up options as well. Your progress has been amazing and you've come along way- but in the end you need to be happy with how it looks.
February 27, 2016
Oh, it will be interesting to see how the microneedling helps with your scarring, it takes some time to see results from that treatment — what aftercare products are you using? Since your considering a cover-up I thought you would be interested in this review: Very Large Chest Tattoo Mess- 30yr Old Female, Calgary Ab Canada
I've moved your review to PicoSure.
February 27, 2016
Thank you so much, Eva! As far as aftercare, the only thing I do is use borage lotion about 2 or 3 times a day till it heals. I also take NAC and milk thistle.
February 27, 2016
Are you going to continue with the microneedling? How does it feel? I imagine that with the removal itself being painful it can't be pleasant.
February 28, 2016
I'm not sure if I'll continue with that or not. It is a little pricey at $140. I'll have to see once it heals a little more, if it was worth it. It actually didn't feel too bad at all! I was still numbed up with the lidocaine, all it felt like was a vibration over my skin. Definitely not as bad as laser
March 7, 2016
Hello FullofRegret, :)
I can fully relate to the feelings you had about cover up regret. I am currently in a similar position as you and would love and appreciate your advice and knowledge about it.
I recently gotten a cover up on the first illustration tattoo that I have ever gotten that meant something to me, when I originally just wanted to fix it but was open to getting it covered up (major regret). I pretty much went along with the artist about covering it up feeling optimistic and trusting her skills instead of standing my ground on how to fix. In the end I got 2 unfinished big dark roses on my forearm visible for everyone to see. She has done a good job but this tattoo is not for me. It makes me frustrated at myself, ashamed and only brings me negative thoughts.
I am left with the options of completing this tattoo or getting it removed. I am so torn and unhappy about either process. Currently I am waiting for it to heal and see how I feel about it after a couple of months or so, as well as doing research and saving enough money for my options.
Here are links to the before and after photos.
Free hand picture of roses on top of previous tattoo
https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/wl/t35.0-12/12789772_10204387341683880_2089898085_o.jpg?oh=baff9e96467e439145c05f6ae0c0085e&oe=56DF3172
The aftermath...
https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/wl/t35.0-12/12787228_10204387309403073_554010174_o.jpg?oh=aaaa8b1ec887d28410cffc26b00b34b5&oe=56DFEC0D
Natalie
I can fully relate to the feelings you had about cover up regret. I am currently in a similar position as you and would love and appreciate your advice and knowledge about it.
I recently gotten a cover up on the first illustration tattoo that I have ever gotten that meant something to me, when I originally just wanted to fix it but was open to getting it covered up (major regret). I pretty much went along with the artist about covering it up feeling optimistic and trusting her skills instead of standing my ground on how to fix. In the end I got 2 unfinished big dark roses on my forearm visible for everyone to see. She has done a good job but this tattoo is not for me. It makes me frustrated at myself, ashamed and only brings me negative thoughts.
I am left with the options of completing this tattoo or getting it removed. I am so torn and unhappy about either process. Currently I am waiting for it to heal and see how I feel about it after a couple of months or so, as well as doing research and saving enough money for my options.
Here are links to the before and after photos.
Free hand picture of roses on top of previous tattoo
https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/wl/t35.0-12/12789772_10204387341683880_2089898085_o.jpg?oh=baff9e96467e439145c05f6ae0c0085e&oe=56DF3172
The aftermath...
https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/wl/t35.0-12/12787228_10204387309403073_554010174_o.jpg?oh=aaaa8b1ec887d28410cffc26b00b34b5&oe=56DFEC0D
Natalie
March 27, 2016
Hi Natalie,
I think it's most important for you to decide whether you are happy with the tattoo or not. If you are unhappy, getting the laser process started will give you much relief. Even though the results are slow, it's just good to feel like you're making progress. Before you seek out a laser center, make sure you do your research on the best types of lasers to use on your specific colors. I think spending the money on the more advanced lasers is definitely worth it. Good luck! We are all here to support you :)
I think it's most important for you to decide whether you are happy with the tattoo or not. If you are unhappy, getting the laser process started will give you much relief. Even though the results are slow, it's just good to feel like you're making progress. Before you seek out a laser center, make sure you do your research on the best types of lasers to use on your specific colors. I think spending the money on the more advanced lasers is definitely worth it. Good luck! We are all here to support you :)
April 13, 2016
Thank you so much for this comment. :) I have decided to get it removed once I save enough money for it, I have also found out what types of lazer wave lengths work best to remove it. This tattoo is now a life lesson to stand up for myself or face regret.
Thank you again for your advice, I really appreciate it!
Thank you again for your advice, I really appreciate it!
UPDATED FROM Fullofregret
Treatment 12
FullofregretJanuary 23, 2016
Hey guys!
Sorry I'm a little late to post but I had treatment 12 done about a month ago. There is fading but it still feels like I have many more treatments ahead of me if l want this thing gone. The picoway really isn't that much of an upgrade over picosure
It is definitely better at clearing black and yellow. I still think the Medlite is the best laser I have used for red. Seems like red is a challenge for both picos. I am looking forward to my next treatment in February because I will be getting some micro needling done on my scars. Little concerned about how that's gonna feel on my skin after I've just been lasered, just gotta keep hoping it's worth it. I know that this journey is going to have to end with a coverup at some point, but it's scary. It's hard to tell when it will be ready. I should probably start scouting some tattoo artists now, to get some input. But that can wait till after lucky treatment #13
Sorry I'm a little late to post but I had treatment 12 done about a month ago. There is fading but it still feels like I have many more treatments ahead of me if l want this thing gone. The picoway really isn't that much of an upgrade over picosure
It is definitely better at clearing black and yellow. I still think the Medlite is the best laser I have used for red. Seems like red is a challenge for both picos. I am looking forward to my next treatment in February because I will be getting some micro needling done on my scars. Little concerned about how that's gonna feel on my skin after I've just been lasered, just gotta keep hoping it's worth it. I know that this journey is going to have to end with a coverup at some point, but it's scary. It's hard to tell when it will be ready. I should probably start scouting some tattoo artists now, to get some input. But that can wait till after lucky treatment #13
Replies (2)
January 24, 2016
I suggest you look for someone who specializes in cover ups and have him/her apply various shades of skin tone ink, to match surrounding skin, as much as possible. You will never be happy with another tattoo coverup, believe me, it only gets worse. Cut your losses while you still have hope .
January 24, 2016
Oh I'll be doing extensive research on a cover up artist, I'll drive to LA if I have to. If I just cut my losses then all theses removals will have been for nothing. I'm still just as ashamed of how the tattoo looks now as when I got it done. There needs to be some kind of resolution. I'll definitely get at least 3 more treatments, I'll go all the way up to 20 treatments if I feel like it's still not faded enough for a cover up.. But I don't see myself going any further than 20.
January 24, 2016
My story is horrific, and thought I was the only one until I stated following yours. I had so many missed opportunities, I was hoping to spare u more disappointment and agony. I had a total of 3 tattoo removals and 4 cover ups all in same area, over 12 yrs. I did tons of researching and planning but it never got any better. Ea cover up was larger and darker than the one before, no matter what. I hated each and every one. None of them could be completely removed and started lifting skin pigment, leaving white spots. I just wish I had taken up one of the tattoo artist's offer to do a cover up to make it all look like my natural skin, but I was certain I could get the tattoo of my dreams if I just kept at it. Major missed opportunity because that never happened and now I just have to live with it. Huge missed opportunity because I'd rather live with a story of how I thought I wanted a tattoo but realized it wasn't for me, instead I've got the story I was stupid enough to want a tattoo so bad I just kept going back for more abuse. Good luck to you, I hope you get what u want.
January 26, 2016
Wow that sounds sounds horrible :( I am terrified of having this happen again. I know I need to choose very carefully. I am completely lost as to what I should do. Currently I'm just as embarrassed and ashamed of my tattoo as when I got it. So I just don't want these treatments to have been for nothing. I'm sick of this permanent reminder I've had for years now. I want to be confident in my skin again and be able to show off my belly and I just don't see that being possible without it being cleared up or getting a cover up I'm happy with. There needs to be an end. I will certainly look into seeing if an artist can cover it with my natural skin tone but honestly I haven't really seen that successfully done on a tattoo of my size. Thank you for sharing, it's always best for me to be cautious and I'm sorry for all that you've been through
February 25, 2016
I had this treatment on my tattoo which was the size of a dime. It took 7 treatments when they said it would only take 2.
Replies (5)