POSTED UNDER PicoSure REVIEWS
Large, Dense, Colored Calf Tattoo - Seattle, WA
ORIGINAL POST
It's a familiar story- had a small tattoo and got...
PoppyPoppyFebruary 26, 2014
$500
It's a familiar story- had a small tattoo and got a cover-up that I immediately hated. I think I'd like the tattoo on someone else, but it is way too much ink for my own leg. So now I am investing lots of money and effort into getting it lasered off. Sigh. In the meanwhile, I hide it from friends and colleagues. This has been easy in winter, as for summer I am planning on lots of long skirts and leggings (good thing I live where it does not get too hot).
I go to Seattle Skin n Laser, which has a picosure laser. My first treatment was October 1st 2013 and I had the second and third treatments 7 weeks spaced apart. My 4th treatment was on February 24th, 2014. I use numbing cream, and the procedure lasts maybe 15 minutes all said and done. Everything is treated with the picosure, and as of the third treatment, the red is also treated with a revlite. The treatment hurts but I focus on deep breathing and imagining my bare leg, and I make it through. Healing has been pretty easy so far, though I get massive blisters with the Revlite. I use coconut oil often during the dry phase, and my skin texture largely returns to normal after about 5 weeks. I am a little concerned about what appears to be a small scar on the right edge- it could be from the multiple tattoos. My technician didn't laser it this time, to give it time to rest. I have used silicone sheets on it and it really helped the skin soften and become less red.
I am thrilled that the green ink lifted so easily, and I see progress on the black, though wish it were faster. I am not sure I see any change in the yellow, but if all I have is yellow at the end, I will be okay with that. As for the red, I am hoping this, its second treatment, makes a big difference. My technician is optimistic but does not make promises. She says before the picosure, my tattoo would have taken 25 plus treatments. She is hoping for less then half of that with the pico. She says the pico has been blasting other tattoos at the office, too.
I shared my pre-pics and post 3 treatment pics. Will try to post regularly.
I go to Seattle Skin n Laser, which has a picosure laser. My first treatment was October 1st 2013 and I had the second and third treatments 7 weeks spaced apart. My 4th treatment was on February 24th, 2014. I use numbing cream, and the procedure lasts maybe 15 minutes all said and done. Everything is treated with the picosure, and as of the third treatment, the red is also treated with a revlite. The treatment hurts but I focus on deep breathing and imagining my bare leg, and I make it through. Healing has been pretty easy so far, though I get massive blisters with the Revlite. I use coconut oil often during the dry phase, and my skin texture largely returns to normal after about 5 weeks. I am a little concerned about what appears to be a small scar on the right edge- it could be from the multiple tattoos. My technician didn't laser it this time, to give it time to rest. I have used silicone sheets on it and it really helped the skin soften and become less red.
I am thrilled that the green ink lifted so easily, and I see progress on the black, though wish it were faster. I am not sure I see any change in the yellow, but if all I have is yellow at the end, I will be okay with that. As for the red, I am hoping this, its second treatment, makes a big difference. My technician is optimistic but does not make promises. She says before the picosure, my tattoo would have taken 25 plus treatments. She is hoping for less then half of that with the pico. She says the pico has been blasting other tattoos at the office, too.
I shared my pre-pics and post 3 treatment pics. Will try to post regularly.
PoppyPoppy's provider
UPDATED FROM PoppyPoppy
1 month post
Good fading post x4
PoppyPoppyMarch 31, 2014
It's been five weeks since the 4th treatment. Following the example of others, I did a side-by-side comparison (sorry for low quality but still obvious I think). Let me tell you, it really helped me see fading I don't notice in person. In person, I see lots of line break-up and some line disappearance. But without the photos, I hadn't realized how much the red really has faded! I can see through to the skin in spots, and it is overall many shades lighter. I also see in the comparison that the black shading in the leaves is fading- though not super fast. I think that ink is layered quite deep. The yellow even seems to be fading, though more slowly.
The 4th treatment was pretty intense and took 3-4 weeks for skin recovery. Not sure when I will get the next one. I might go at 8 weeks, or might try my patience and wait 12 plus. I am sure the latter will be good for my skin, but I am also so excited for continued fading! This is the first time I've hoped for continuing cool rainy weather in Seattle.
I am satisfied with my progress, though of course cannot wait for this all to be over. What do you think of the progress?
The 4th treatment was pretty intense and took 3-4 weeks for skin recovery. Not sure when I will get the next one. I might go at 8 weeks, or might try my patience and wait 12 plus. I am sure the latter will be good for my skin, but I am also so excited for continued fading! This is the first time I've hoped for continuing cool rainy weather in Seattle.
I am satisfied with my progress, though of course cannot wait for this all to be over. What do you think of the progress?
Replies (2)
November 23, 2014
very sorry, thought I was at the end of your thread...yes you have returned for more treatments! lol
Replies (15)
March 31, 2014
Wow you are really having some great fading! I can't tell for sure by the photo, but it looks like the yellow in that top bud has disappeared, and yellow is supposed to be tough! The colors in yours a quite similar to mine. Did you say that they use a combo of Picosure and Revlite on yours to get the red? Well, congrats on the progress you've made!
March 31, 2014
Yes, they use Revlite to get the red- and it appears to be doing the trick, session by session. The first two sessions was all Pico, though- she waited to the third to start with the revlite. As for the yellow, it isn't as faded as it looks in the photos, though it definitely has faded some. My tech said she has seen Pico work on some yellows, but not all. I have pretty yellow-toned skin, so the yellow isn't all that obvious on me especially once the black lines are gone. I am pleased with the fading. I have a long ways to go, but it seems to be actually working.
March 31, 2014
Also ap1191, yes, our tattoos are pretty similar (though I had a lot more dense green in mine beforehand). I highly recommend you choose Pico over other options, if you go for removal.
March 31, 2014
Yeah, I think the best option is to find a place that has the Picosure laser and one to better target reds...unfortunately the closest one like that to me is a state away :( Hopefully more and more places will get Picosure soon.
April 3, 2014
Hey, I think your fading looks great, lots of line break up, and you're definitely right about the photos being a nice reference point. How many treatments were you quoted when you started? I'm also deciding how much time to put between my treatments and am leaning towards less because I am in a time crunch- did you notice a lot of additional fading between weeks 4 and 7 or was it mostly to heal your skin? Thanks!
April 3, 2014
Hi byetattoo, She would not quote me a specific number of treatments. She said without the pico laser, the Kirby test showed 15 treatments, but in her experience, that is usually an under-estimate and would have guessed more like 20-25 treatments on a Revlite/Yag mix (given that green was so challenging pre-pico). Since pico is so new, she refused to estimate, said to hope for half the treatments, which I am ballparking at 8-12 (probably toward the higher end, realistically). She has said several times how impressed she is with the amount of ink coming off each time. So, in a nutshell, I am hoping I am between 1/3 and 1/2 done! We'll see, as I see a lot of people struggle with those last bits of ink for many sessions.
April 3, 2014
As for time between sessions- my tech said the very minimum she'd treat me at was 6 weeks, but she encourages 10 or longer. I just scheduled my next session for about 8 weeks. I am going to document the fading this time, to compare. I also think my skin needs the time and would benefit from more, even. I plan to wait 10 weeks or longer in between summer sessions. Looking at your tattoo- it is much smaller, simpler, and less dense than mine (and all black) so I think you will have easier treatment and recovery and faster fading!
April 4, 2014
Okay thanks for the detailed response, its given me a lot to consider. One more question: in your experience is it fine working with a laser technician instead of a doctor? I'm thinking of having my next session at one as its so much cheaper but a lot of people have strong opinions about going to a doctor. Well, good luck with everything!
April 4, 2014
I found out and added above that my tech Joanie is actually an RN. The clinic is a medical clinic where they address all kinds of skin issues- tattoo removal is just a part of the business. I like that part about it. I had not prioritized having an RN (didn't even know she was) or a a doctor in the beginning, but having read through other posts now, I can see the value over having a tech. That said, I imagine a tech could be very competent and capable. I recommend asking questions to get a sense of their experience and expertise, and asking to see before/after photos.
April 4, 2014
Did they say if your original tattoo would be removed as well? My doctor said it wouldn't but didn't explain why.
April 4, 2014
The plan and hope is to remove the original tattoo as well. In fact, many of the black lines and ink are already gone from the original tattoo, though the red ink is still there and now showing prominently through newer tattoo. (I had two flying sandhill cranes with (inaccurate) red in wing tips. I don't know why your dr. would say it's not remove-able? It's possible the ink was put in super deep, but I'm not sure s/he'd know that without lasering it. And I'd say it just will probably need more sessions. What color was it?
April 6, 2014
How big is your tattoo? It looks larger than one I'm removing but you're paying $175 less per treatment for picosure. Granted, I'm in NYC, but is it possible it's that much more expensive here?
April 7, 2014
Hey Juliusx, the tattoo is 6" by 7" at the very longest points (though not a densely filled rectangle). I am getting a great price. I was quoted at about $800/treatment, but I am getting three discounts- a student discount, a package (buying 3 at a time), and another 2014 new years special. There also are at least two other picosure lasers in Seattle, so I think there is a little competition.
April 13, 2014
Thanks for the update - love side by sides! The yellow looks completely gone - the rest is coming along well!
Replies (10)
You have found a wonderful community filled with amazing people!! The Picosure laser is showing some very promising results, especially on the green.
Your sessions are not too long, sounds tolerable. Coconut oil is wonderful. How old is your tattoo?
Here is a QA from the Doctors regarding this:
Is It Easier to Remove a New Tattoo or a Old One?
When you think about what is going on under the skin after you get a tattoo it makes more sense to me that newer ink removes faster. The ink is deposited into the skin below the epidermis into the dermal layer (2nd layer) then the ink (which is a foreign object to the body) is trapped, at this point your body attempts to attack the invading ink particles activating the killer cells to remove them, but it can only take away the particles that are small enough. The body has to find a way to adapt the larger particles and it is at this point the ink begins to settle into the skin...it is my understanding this is aprox the one month mark. Being faced with particles much too large to remove the macrophages (big eaters), another form of white blood cells, will encircle the particle and devour it. If the pigment particle is inorganic and non-toxic, the macrophage will begin a process that will result in the formation of scar tissue around the particle (your ink) sealing it and anchoring it in place.In saying that, I feel that it makes more sense if you start the removal process as soon as possible after a new tattoo it may be easier to break down - I feel like that there is a small window of time (and we all heal at different rates) that will allow the break down of the ink easier when new...then the longer we wait then I can see it being harder to remove the new ink...older ink over time can settle deeper into the skin.
That is just my opinion based on research I have done, I am not an expert. :)