POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS
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ORIGINAL POST
Half Sleeve Tattoo Removal
Jo024November 30, 2018
WORTH IT
I started getting tattoos in 2013 covering both arms and my entire chest. I started removal August 2016 after I disliked how my tattoos turned out on my body.
Atlantic Laser Tattoo Removal: I started at this removal shop in Va Beach. They were local and based on online reviews had a good reputation in the area. I bought a package that was $5500 and included 8 treatments on each arm. I did 8 treatments on my forearm and the results were substantial but seemed to plateau after treatment 4-5. This shop uses on a 1064 q switched laser. I did not use numbing cream and I would say the pain of this laser at times was unbearable and overall was a 9.2 out of 10 on the pain scale. This treatment for me was more like torture and is one of the reasons I wanted to try the picoway.
Invisible Ink- March 2018 Richmond, Va I purchased another package which was about 5k. They use a picoway laser and they guaranteed removal. Invisible Ink told me it will take about 6 treatments for full removal and if the tattoo is still there I get 6 free treatments included. I have seen a drastic improvement since starting 8 months ago and have nearly 100% clearance on my forearm. I have not used numbing cream with this treatment and I would say it is a 4 out of 10 on the pain scale. The pain is much more managable and I am able to have a conversation with the Nurse during the procedure.
I have done a total of 12 treatments on my forearm so far. Based on my personal experience the Picoway technology has worked far better on black ink then the q switched laser as you can see in the attached images.
Overall I am very pleased with my results so far. I didn't have high expectations going into the process based on reviews from other people I have seen on this website and yelp/ google reviews. Most of the results seemed to make little to no progress or were covered up because full removal was not achievable. My advice to anyone getting tattoo removal would be to have reasonable expectations going into the process and be patient. If you have unrealistic timelines you're probably going to be unhappy with the process.
Atlantic Laser Tattoo Removal: I started at this removal shop in Va Beach. They were local and based on online reviews had a good reputation in the area. I bought a package that was $5500 and included 8 treatments on each arm. I did 8 treatments on my forearm and the results were substantial but seemed to plateau after treatment 4-5. This shop uses on a 1064 q switched laser. I did not use numbing cream and I would say the pain of this laser at times was unbearable and overall was a 9.2 out of 10 on the pain scale. This treatment for me was more like torture and is one of the reasons I wanted to try the picoway.
Invisible Ink- March 2018 Richmond, Va I purchased another package which was about 5k. They use a picoway laser and they guaranteed removal. Invisible Ink told me it will take about 6 treatments for full removal and if the tattoo is still there I get 6 free treatments included. I have seen a drastic improvement since starting 8 months ago and have nearly 100% clearance on my forearm. I have not used numbing cream with this treatment and I would say it is a 4 out of 10 on the pain scale. The pain is much more managable and I am able to have a conversation with the Nurse during the procedure.
I have done a total of 12 treatments on my forearm so far. Based on my personal experience the Picoway technology has worked far better on black ink then the q switched laser as you can see in the attached images.
Overall I am very pleased with my results so far. I didn't have high expectations going into the process based on reviews from other people I have seen on this website and yelp/ google reviews. Most of the results seemed to make little to no progress or were covered up because full removal was not achievable. My advice to anyone getting tattoo removal would be to have reasonable expectations going into the process and be patient. If you have unrealistic timelines you're probably going to be unhappy with the process.
UPDATED FROM Jo024
2 years post
Chest Tattoo Updated
Jo024December 12, 2018
I saw a few people wanted to see how some of the other tattoos have turned out so I attached below an image how my chest tattoo looked at the start vs how it looks now through 6. I did a combo of 3 q switch and 3 picoway treatments over 2 years. I waited about 3 months between each treatment.
Replies (11)
December 12, 2018
Im so happy for you, your results are great!
Im preparing to start my removal on two tattoos on february, another one is almost a half sleeve (check my review) and the smaller tattoo is on my other arm. They are both done with the same style and are quite dense :/ I'm wondering if I should go with picosure only or with revlite/picoway combo. Do you have any tips which would be smarter since youve been in this process for a while now and you have tried different lasers?
Im preparing to start my removal on two tattoos on february, another one is almost a half sleeve (check my review) and the smaller tattoo is on my other arm. They are both done with the same style and are quite dense :/ I'm wondering if I should go with picosure only or with revlite/picoway combo. Do you have any tips which would be smarter since youve been in this process for a while now and you have tried different lasers?
December 13, 2018
Thanks, I see you mentioned picosure. The company I went to used PicoWay which is stronger than the picosure. If I was to start over I would have most likely just done the PicoWay since the healing process is better and tattoo removal is more effective. If the results aren't there you can always switch to revlite/ q switch. I was quoted originally 8 treatments on q switch for full removal and you can see in my attached image the clearance I had at 8 was not even close to full removal. On PicoWay they quoted me at 6 treatments for full removal and I have done 4 so far and am close to full removal. I estimate I have 3-4 treatments left on my forearm to return my skin to pre- tattoo condition. They were more accurate with the original expectation. I believe if I stuck with q switch I would need 20+ treatments and by that time I probably would have experienced pigmentation issues.
January 14, 2019
Hi! Ive had one treatment and feel like it did not change my tattoo at all. I’m not sure what type of laser wAs used but I’m going in tomorrow for session #2 and will ask if it’s a picoway. I hope so. Your results look great. Any advice on how to handle the itchiness after the treatment?
February 25, 2019
Pour ma part la vaseline blanche calme mes démangeaisons fortement j'achète un pot de 1 kilos en pharmacie puis je met des compresses et je bande voila .... courage et bravo
May 8, 2019
Your results are great man I just had a quick question. When you say Q switch lasers what kind of laser was it? Because I know older q switch is less effective and can cause more problems but the clinic I was looking at uses the Quanta plus C and I was wondering if that’s what you used or something else?
May 9, 2019
I’m not sure what q switch laser they used. The clinic that I didn’t have as much clearance w/ on the q switch is Atlantic laser tattoo removal and their number is 757-340-4663. If you call and ask I’m sure they will tell you what type of laser it was.
May 9, 2019
i have another question, your tattoos were deep or embossed (in relief when you pass your hand on)?
May 9, 2019
I don’t really understand the question. My skin feels the same as non tattooed skin.
May 10, 2019
mh when you’re tattoo was here, the lines were « plat » on your skin or when you passed your hand on, there is a relief? embossed?
May 10, 2019
ahh i found the expression, sorry i don’t speak english a lot, have you some raised lines of your tattoo when it was not removed *
May 18, 2019
The tattoos would slightly raise after each treatment to some extent. At week 2-3 the skin returned to normal... hope that helps
UPDATED FROM Jo024
2 years post
Left arm before/ after 12 treatments
Jo024April 9, 2019
The first pic is before treatments, the second photo is recent and after about 12 total treatments. Most of my progress came from the 4 picoway treatments. I have about 3-4 treatments remaining until full clearance. At this point I space my treatments out about 12 weeks. I have no scaring or pigmentation changes. My skin looks natural and I am pleased with my results and look forward to finishing the process.
Replies (14)
April 10, 2019
Wow! Looks amazing. Did you have any color in this tattoo? Also did you wait about 3 months between treatments? I recently started treatments on my forearm with Cutera Enlighten laser and my doctor strongly recommends 12 weeks. Seems so long to wait but I guess it’s best for best results and to avoid pigmentation issues.
April 10, 2019
I always did 8 weeks, as the ink gets to the point where mine is now I just wait 12 weeks. I only had black ink and some white ink in spots.
April 11, 2019
how many time in total??☺️
April 17, 2019
ahh ohh how many months/years* sorry i dont speak enclise correctly i think
May 1, 2019
I can’t get over how great your results are! May I ask if you did anything else through the years of treatment (like any exercise, vitamins, certain lotion etc) that you found helpful to the process?
May 1, 2019
Started eating clean and got in better health. I run 30 miles week and lift weights 5x a week. In my opinion, once I did that, my body felt better overall and my immune system started clearing more ink during each treatment.
June 20, 2019
In addition to that! Did you wash the area with antibacterial soap? Did you use lotion??
June 27, 2019
Didn’t use lotion or antibacterial soap on the tattooed area. I have not used any aftercare products.
June 27, 2019
I’d had my fourth laser treatment today & use minimal after care as well , just sunscreen after it’s healed .
Replies (24)