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Laser Tattoo Removal - Sevierville, TN

UPDATED FROM Girlnextdoortn
1 month post

The funny pedicure.

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Girlnextdoortn
WORTH IT$200
Since all of my scabs had fallen off this week. I decided to go see my favorite Vietnamese guy for a pedicure. I've been going to this place for a few years and I walk in and Buu says Oh it about time laser it no go for my business. I get in the chair and he is looking at my ankle and rubs a finger over the one rose that I think is scaring down and says oh that look no good.

The pedi was amazing it felt so good when he got out the sugar scrub and got all of that peeling skin off. It was right up there with sex well almost.

But I digress my point being if a Vietnamese nail salon owner can look and say oh that looks no good there's a problem. The past few days I've been wondering it I had been taking this to another level that it didn't need to go the search for the pico and answers to all of my burning questions that all of us has during the process.

I don't think so. Somebody somewhere has to know all of this stuff that we speculate on when it comes to the process. I need to find that person. I need to know way more then I do now. Funny because the past year I had a nasty infection in my shoulder from where a bone plate was rejected. I find this out about just weeks before I was going for my 1st treatment. So I had to wait so I had a chance to look and do research on laser tattoo removal. I thought I knew a lot but really I know nothing since I started the process.

Girlnextdoortn's provider

Dr. Steve Johnson

Replies (4)

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May 23, 2014
I know it's hard but try and be patient...the laser ONLY breaks up the ink- the body carries it away and this takes time, many weeks and months. I didn't see any "real" significance until like my 4th/5th treatment- yet it fades ever so slightly. Pics always help to see the fading b/c w/o them, it's hard to really tell. You are not going going to see any clear areas yet- more like you will notice the black turning more into a grey and getting blotchy as it fades out. Also, keeping the tatt moisturized has helped mine heal and fade- after treatment, I kept aquaphor on it for like a week and then once it healed, I switched to rose-hip/bio oils. The moisture helped the skin and the massage helps the fading. I know it's frustrating- but w/ laser, it always looks worse b/f it looks better. Hang in there!!!
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May 24, 2014
Not using Aquaphor it is a petroleum based product.
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May 24, 2014
Oh yeah? Can you not use it or is it a choice not to?
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May 24, 2014
i dont use petroleum based products on my skin. I do alot of holistic things and what some would call crazy, off the wall, and over the top things.
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May 24, 2014
that's cool, I totally understand...i don't think it's crazy at all- holistic is awesome :)
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May 24, 2014
i guess i was just being vague in my post...but like most of us, once you start this journey, we find out real quick what works best! best of luck!!!
June 6, 2014
Hows it going, any new updates?
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December 7, 2014

It's been awhile since you updated your review, can you take a moment and let us know how you are making out with your removal. Hope all is well :)

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July 30, 2015

We would love an update on your progress -- please come back to tell us how you are doing when you have a moment.

UPDATED FROM Girlnextdoortn
1 month post

The hunt for the Picosure Laser.

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Girlnextdoortn
So I'm 2 weeks post my 2nd Q-switch laser treatment. The raw, nasty, and meaty parts have healed. The last scab fell off today and looks like a nice scar trying to form. I'm just over the moon about it too.

Now 2nd treatment looks like a epic bust for me. I've had none of the post healing issues other then the 2 red nasty dots. Swelling was a biotch 10 days of a cankle. But no blisters, itching, or really dry skin.

I will kind of quote the Cohen brothers. I live in a geographical oddity. I'm 4 hours from any Picosure Laser. If that what it takes I guess to get to a Pico then I guess I'm driving to it. I live in Knoxville, TN I had 13 surgeries in Nashville, TN I guess its no different really.

So I am posting photos from today. I don't see a lot of change it. I know I know its early but I just don't think the q-switch is working on my beast. If anyone out there sees something I don't please by all means let me know.

So with that said I've been on the hunt for the Picosure laser. and not one at a hair salon. 'Ive contacted a place in Louisville Ky for pricing. I think what Ive gotten from a lot of you is to realize sooner then later when its not working and move on to something else. I know the red isn't the best color with the picosure but I can deal with that later. I just want the black on its way out first and foremost. So the search is on.

Replies (3)

May 22, 2014
I totally understand your frustration, but 2 weeks after a treatment is too soon to judge its effectiveness. Wait a few more weeks. Have you seen pictures of "fullofregret"? She has had really good fading of red ink using Picosure. I know that laser isn't supposed to work very well on red, but hers looks great. Think positive.
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May 22, 2014
I'm not doing anything crazy right now. I'm just being proactive in my next treatment and realistic. Just doing the hurry up and wait.
May 22, 2014
That waiting sucks. I just had a treatment 6 days ago and I grit my teeth every time I see my ankle. I just want fast-forward this whole process.
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May 22, 2014
The wairing part is not that big of a deal for me at this point. But that may change the more treatments I have. But I also get that your so close to the end and that would kill me. What bothers me more then anything is the amount if information there is out there.Part of why other clinics and consults , i need some answers more concrect then what I've gotten so far. I need to know why my beast hasnt responded. Is it me, the laser, the tattoo. I realize all the variables but I need more then everyone is different and every tatoo is different.
May 22, 2014
I totally agree! If you don't see any results in a couple weeks, look elsewhere. Someone else told me that a clinic could have a good laser, but if they don't keep up the maintenance on it, it won't be effective. How, as consumers, are we supposed to have that information? It's definitely frustrating.
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May 23, 2014
I try really hard not to think about that or over think it. I'm off one day during the week. I work for a temp service that may need someone for a day. So I go work on my days off if they have it, just to pay for my little laser habit I've developed. It is mind blowing to go into a office and its nasty, half ass dentistry being done. That is why I try not to over think it. I totally agree it is beyond frustrating. Lack of everything other then OK it will be this amount and we will hope to get your tattoo off is frustrating.
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May 22, 2014
I know it is all super hard! Trust me, I am also removing mine and I am 4,5 weeks post 2 treatment. It is a very long process and you have to be patient. Remeber that you tattoo is on extremity and on lower part of the body, thats why it is fading slowly. Just give it some time, but if I had a PicoSure somewhere close to me (now I would have to fly to get a treatment by Pico) I would definitely try it.
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May 22, 2014
Well, im just being realistic on whats going in with me. I need answers more then what im getting.
May 22, 2014
Pleased to hear you're also travelling to a Picosure. Will be keen to see how both our tattoos react!
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May 22, 2014
Well, I thpught about you and your tattoos and looked at your photos so many times. I could be wrong but I think you and I may have about the same amount of color, ink, density or saturation in the skin. Those large areas man you had to have them black or at least i did. So I'm looking at your past to help me with my furture. I know i know everyone is ddifferent they are to a point. But color saturtaion is going to be similar. You and JLN makes me see the light and cut ties and move on
May 22, 2014
That's great to hear. I'm desperately hoping for some good fading with pico. Feel like I've got quite a few people relying on me! Hopefully it'll be really effective and give you a bit of hope for when you use it yourself! :-)
UPDATED FROM Girlnextdoortn
1 month post

What mind games!!!!!!!

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Girlnextdoortn
So I am since May 7, 2014 post my second laser treatment. The nasty raw places have scabbed over. I went this past Friday to the only place in Knoxville, TN that has the Picosure laser. I'm sure I can afford the cost I'm just not sure I want to afford the cost. $500 buck a treatment.

Since Ive had the second treatment with the Medlite I cant see any changes at all in my beast of a tattoo. So now the mind games has set in, to stay with what Ive been doing or move on to a different laser?

I want the tattoo removed that's a given since Ive started the process. But at the same time I don't want to waste money on something that isn't effective. Since being on here and reading about everyone else i find myself in a quandary. Some have gotten great results from both systems.

Which system is the best one for me? Which one will work the best on my beast?

Replies (3)

May 19, 2014
My tattoo is also on my ankle, but a few years older than yours. After 7 q-switch treatments I was getting very fatigued of the process and disappointed with the results. I drove 2 hours to the nearest Picosure and am so happy with the results! For me, it has been totally worth the money. You can look up my story and see the pictures.
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May 19, 2014
Im totally jealous of your fafading. Amazing photos. This is where I'm at right now. I know it's still early out from my 2nd treatment. I've not scheduled any other appointments at this time. I want to see if i get any more fading over many weeks to come. So this is my big red flag. I go to the only Picosure laser place. Its a hair salon. Being in healthcare as long as I've been I've seen it all. Seen so many untrained professionals screw people up. So thats my big hang up. Because I have a whole of what if's. But the main one not a doctor. So on here like you not alot of results with a qswitch that goes to picosure with awesome fading. Then the girl in Johnson City on here that started out with a Picosure then went to a qswitch to end up with better results. Bottom line i want to remove the tattoo but at the same time i don't want to waste my time and money on a laser that isnt truly working for me. I can afford the price tag BUT I just dont feel comfy paying that at some hair salon. I guess the big question for anyone that wants to give me the input is when do you jump ship to another laser.
May 19, 2014
Thank you for your comments! You may be very pleased in another month with the fading from your second treatment. If so, keep it up! I have been very happy with the Picosure and plan to stick with it. I would recommend it to anyone going through this process. My fear is that, in the wrong hands, any laser can be dangerous. If there is no supervising physician, I'd suggest you go somewhere else. Best of luck to you, and please keep posting your progress.
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May 19, 2014
Are you going to a place in Nashville or some plase else?? I cant find anyone really close to me. And if you dont mind how much are you paying a treatment?
May 19, 2014
I am going to Dr. Lappert in Huntsville, AL. He is charging me $350 per session. I also received online consultations from Dermatology Affiliates in Atlanta ($600) and Palmetto Vein & Aesthetic Center in South Carolina ($400). I was so disappointed in the q-switch results that I was willing to travel to try the Picosure. Dr. Lappert is great, and so is his staff. Glad I found them!
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May 19, 2014
Thanks for theinformation. I was working on a patient today laughing to myself. Damn we all acting like were doing something illegal tracking down what place has what laser for what price. I was so amused by that. Then i get a groupon email that had tattoo removal for like 50 bucks and I'm thinking dang I'm an hour away i could use that on the red part of my tattoo. And I'm about 5 or so hours from Huntsville. Well, Im in Knoxville so you know... lol.. It might be better for me and the location to look in the Carolinas.
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May 19, 2014
Well, I lied. I thought it was further down there then that. I'm only about 3 hours.
May 19, 2014
Three hours isn't convenient. I am actually 2 1/2 hours. My husband goes with me and its not too bad.
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May 19, 2014
No not convenient BUT do able.
May 19, 2014
I'm in the same boat as you at the moment. 14 treatments with a q-switched laser and I am ready to see the back of my tattoos. They're driving me crazy. I've just had a treatment with the RevLite but in 8-10 weeks time I am definitely going to travel and try Picosure, even if it's just once.
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May 19, 2014
How close to you can you find a Picosure? Thats the real question for me. If the picosure does what it says breaks the ink into smaller pieces then if you had a qswitch would you see better results? Thats the question. For me I would have to travel to another state 2-3 hours. So with all cost invovled would it be worth it.
May 19, 2014
I'm guessing after having loads of q-switch treatments the ink wouldn't be as resistant because it's broken up so much already? I think Picosure would do really well after that as long as the settings are nice and high? I'd have to travel about 3-4 hours to get to my nearest Picosure, but I'm totally willing to do it!
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May 19, 2014
I will have to get online and do my research. I cant have anything done before about June 18.
May 19, 2014
Picosure isn't effective on red ink--but if you plan on keeping that part of the tattoo..
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May 19, 2014
Yeah I know... But most of mine is black. If i can get the black to go away then I can deal with the red later or with a different laser.