POSTED UNDER PicoSure REVIEWS
Black Outline on Forearm
ORIGINAL POST
I got my entire forearm outlined in black ink...
$288
I got my entire forearm outlined in black ink 3/28/15. This is my first and only tattoo. I have not gone back for shading. I am currently in a weird limbo place with my tattoo. It is not finished and prominently displayed, but I am scared to get more work done. After getting the ink, I experienced a lot of lymph pain in my armpit. Very swollen and tender. Now that it has been 2 months, I am experiencing itching. I am worried if my body can handle the ink it already has, much less get more. Is it safe to laser remove a tattoo with Picosure that has proven to be hard on the immune system?
Replies (4)
June 1, 2015
Hi there! I'm allergic to the red ink in my tattoo so I figured I'd give you some info based on my experience. At the worst, before starting Picosure, it would occasionally get itchy and would temporarily raise where I had scratched at it. This was something I was worried about when I started Pico and by the 3rd and 4th treatment I definitely had a reaction but it is manageable. Treatment 3 my arm swelled up and I had little bumps around my tattoo, treatment 4 it was super itchy but anti-histamines helped a lot. My laser tech told me if I ever start to worry, they can prescribe meds to instantly reduce the swelling. Truth is, we never really know the ingredients in the ink. If you are experiencing an allergy now and it has not escalated, you will probably be ok but you should probably hold off on getting more ink for awhile and monitor your tattoo. If you choose to get it lasered off, you will also be ok. Severe allergic reactions seem to be incredibly rare, and from personal experience the reactions subside within the first couple weeks after each treatment. This was kinda long, but I hope it helps:)
June 15, 2015
Thank you, thank you. So nice to hear a response from someone who's tattoo falls on the allergy spectrum. It doesn't have to be a severe reaction to be a real allergy, and accepted as such. That being said, I do have celiacs, and my body attacks itself so I may be predispositioned to allergy and immune sensitivity. Lame. And I'm really happy to know that the antihistamines helped and that there is further support if needed upon the release of ink into system on your 3rd and 4th treatments. I truly appreciate you sharing your experience with me. Good luck with the rest of your removal!!
UPDATED FROM pamela.panda
3 months pre
Emotional process
I am so nervous about this process and didn't realize the array of emotions getting a tattoo and saving up for removal would do to my psyche. I wish I could claim that I didn't care, and I do have a sense of humor about it all, but good grief I was not prepared (even after 10 years of planning, 1 1/2 years of being waitlisted) for the insecurity. I chose to get a forearm tattoo because I have existing scars on my arm since I was 14 and wanted to adapt them into art. My tattoo feels enormous, it is only outline complete, and I chose the artist for his photo realism. He is amazing but I don't think I can continue. The itching has me nervous. Did I mention, it is enormous and cuffs my hand. Really hard to hide.
I want to test removal on the back part of my tattoo, but doubt that will be the most economical, if indeed I continue for full removal. I am also a single parent and have a crazy work/grad school/parenting schedule. Sleep is not something I get a ton of. I wonder if tattoo removal will work because of my stressed immune system, or perhaps it will be the inspiration needed to slow down and sleep more. Mostly, I can't believe this is something I am going to try and budget for. How do I do that and slow down simultaneously?? Good grief.
I want to test removal on the back part of my tattoo, but doubt that will be the most economical, if indeed I continue for full removal. I am also a single parent and have a crazy work/grad school/parenting schedule. Sleep is not something I get a ton of. I wonder if tattoo removal will work because of my stressed immune system, or perhaps it will be the inspiration needed to slow down and sleep more. Mostly, I can't believe this is something I am going to try and budget for. How do I do that and slow down simultaneously?? Good grief.
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM pamela.panda
2 months pre
Which laser and Olympic Dermatology & Laser Clinic in Olympia, WA, anybody?
I have black outline only. Am debating between ruby/yag versus picosure. The ruby/yag approach is cheaper, but are adverse effects higher? Is the ruby/yag laser faster and more effective on rich black line work than picosure? Has anybody been to this clinic in Olympia WA with an experience to share? Thanks!
Replies (3)
August 12, 2015
Ruby Q-Switch is highly effective with black inks so I would reccomend tat one, but be sure that the technician that will do a treatments is experienced with the machine because this is the most important! Keep posted!
August 12, 2015
Thanks! I appreciate the feedback. That's the direction I'm leaning. It seems more effective. Hopefully I get an experienced tech. I'm just worried a little about scarring/ skin trauma with the higher thermal wave of the q switch lasers.
Welcome to the community, glad that you decided to share your story with us. I thought that you might find this information helpful: Laser Tattoo Removal: What Happens To The Blasted Ink? Can It Make You Sick?
Feel free to ask the experts about your concern regarding the extra ink potentially overloading your system if you decide to remove your tattoo- you've got nothing to lose by inquiring about it. Keep us posted on your next steps.