Road to Redemption! Smithville N.J- Treatments are in Lehigh Vally PA!

I'm trying but it's so hard man... To the point I'm shaking as I type this. I'm even more scared to figure how much this thing will cost me, And how many sessions it'll actually take to fade it enough to cover up. It's all hitting me in one big rush; So much so that the depression is killing me inside. I'm just scared, I'm really scared...

We have all felt like that at one point, I know what you mean about having suicidal thoughts, but it just makes things worse. It will be expensive, but it's not crazy. You will probably be quote between 300-600 per session, and you could need up to 10 sessions depending on how you want it covered up. I would try and get a consultation ASAP. If you wait a few monthes between sessions you can save money and get the maximum amount of fading. Trust me, it'll be a long, shitty process, but there is light at the end if the tunnel.

And you think it can be faded to the point I could cover it up? it's not impossible?

Of course it's not impossible. I thought the same thing about my full sleeve. Laser does work, slowly but surely. It all depends on the design you want to cover it with how light you need to go. If you're looking for a light grey wash tattoo you'll need more laser sessions, if your looking for a bolder tattoo with dark shading and colors, you'll need less sessions.

If you have an Instagram I would suggest searching the hashtag #tattooremoval and browsing the pictures of thousands going through the same thing. Plenty of progress shots of people getting dark tribal pieces like this removed.

Do you think you can help me find something to show me how faded this needs to be for them to cover up? Or do you know by any chance?

Here is a review that might help:

Tattoo Removal of a Full Arm Sleeve and a Lowerleg Sleeve - Germany, DE

I really can't tell you that. You need to go visit an artist (preferably the one you want to do the cover up work and choose wisely this time) and tell then the idea that you have for the cover up. They can then, at that point, tell you how light it needs to be (but that still can't predict the number of sessions) once you begin laser treatments keep communicating with your artist as the treatment progresses and they can tell you if your ready or not

Hi Wesley, I just read your post and felt like I wanted to comment. Your not alone in feeling like this. I had a tatt done on my forearm a few months ago. I had thought about it for a long time and it never entered my head that I might regret it ( as I have others that I really like). I found a pattern/design that I liked and, even though I gave the tattoist some direction, I kind of followed his lead on what he thought. Anyway to cut a long story I left the shop with a half finished tattoo (my next appointment was a couple weeks later-that i never went to) slightly uneasy, feeling I may have made a mistake. In the morning it hit me, I hated it. It just wasn't me at all, it felt far too feminine, it was just the last thing I wanted on my arm. In the days, weeks following I got more and more depressed, I felt like I couldn't live with this on my arm. For the first time in my life I felt utterly self conscious, even when I had long sleeves on. I was in a constant state of panic and anxiety and the regret was so intense. how could I do this? hat was I thinking? Im so stupid!!. my work was suffering, my relationships where suffering, I couldnt sleep or eat properly. It literately felt like I had ruined my life and couldn't see a way back. I know that there are far worse things that could happen but when your in the grip of these feelings its hard to rationalize. Anyway I decided to see my doctor who really helped me and that's when I started to get on top of things a little more. I also had a holiday booked which meant I had to be on the beach every day and I was dreading it but in hind sight I think it has actually helped somewhat. I couldn't cover it and just had to front it out. Yes I was totally self conscious but it got easier the more I done it. Although i still think about this tattoo every day and still have days where I feel a bit down I see things much more clearly now. I don't beat myself up anymore, we all make mistakes. I haven't started laser treatment yet but will do in September. Im still unsure about whether to cover up or remove or what but what I do know is that there are options. I know it feels permament but actually it isn't. I have done so much research on it and although it is gonna take time I totally believe you can get to a point where a cover up is completely achievable. If you feel really low best to see your doctor, im sure they will help you. With regards to the laser treatment just make sure you do your research, go for lots of consultations (never pay for one tho) and try and get it done by an actual doctor if possible. Honestly the first part is the hardest but these feelings will get less intense. Spend the time whilst getting treatment to really find something that you want as a cover up. It will get easier, you're still young and you've got plenty of time. I hope it helps to know that other people know what its like...it did for me. I think this site is great.

I appreciate this a lot, I really do. I almost cried actually, But I am keeping the faith, I continue to make sure I wear a black sleeve until I can obtain a brown colored one that fits my skin tone. I don't people really pay much attention to it, I really hope not, I have general anxiety on everything so it bothers me a little. But I am a very strong person mentally and I have faith to the point I know I can fade this enough with-in a year to cover up by the time I'm 21. Wish me luck if you can and I also with you the luck and keep you in my prayers with your en devours.

The truth is I really don't think Other people pay a lot of attention to my tattoo and I would say its the same for you. You've just got to hold your head high and the tattoo will be insignificant. Good luck with the treatment and keep a post on your progress- ill be starting a blog when I start laser treatment.

Willwin, well said, you nailed it! I can't put it into better words...thank you for offering support and compassion to another in need. To Wesley: I read you post and my eyes filled with tears, I understand completely how you feel, and the feelings are intense and scary. I am so glad you have your mom to help you through, being a mother myself I would do anything for my kids, and I can assure you if she had any idea that you have suicidal thoughts, it would kill her inside. I understand those feelings, but that is not the answer, not at all... you need to seek help from a doctor, I was out driving one night in a complete state of panic and self pity, I told my family I was going to the gym, but instead I just drove and drove, I wanted to crash my car into the nearest tree...I would scream and cry, I needed help. I drove myself to the hospital that night and they helped me, it's amazing the help you can get from others when you need it. I walked in, crying and shaken (as I had suicidal thoughts) and they filled out the paperwork, sat me down for only about 5 min or so (this  was so they could call the on call therapist) and that's who greeted me, not the doctor, he came in after. This was my first step to healing. I came home that night after midnight, my husband was in a panic and just about to call the Military Police (we lived on base) and it was then I realized what I had put my family through...I will never do that again. My family loves me more than anything, and your mother, and anyone else in your life loves you more than you can imagine. They don't care about the tattoo, they don't see it, they only see you. Please please don't stay in this dark place, get help and know that this can be fixed. My tattoo was so dark black that I never thought it would lighten, and here I am on session 8 and it's working. Trust me, it will work. I am so thankful you found this site, stick with us, we will also help you through. Take care of yourself. B11

Hi b11- good to finally make contact. I had been silently reading on this site for a while and In fact yours was the first blog I read on this site when I was completely in a state of despair and it helped to make me realise that I wasn't alone in the way I felt, so thank you for sharing your experience. It's great that people on here are so supportive - it gives our loved ones a rest from it all too eh! As supportive as my partner has been they dont really know why its SUCH a big deal- The truth is if I hadn't have experienced this I would be the same.

Just think of it like art.. How much black do you need to erase to lighten it before you can color in another color. It's also dependent on what kind of cover-up you want. If you intend to go dark colors/black, then just a few shades lighter would be ok. If you want light colors, then needless to say it has to be 75-85% faded.. For the cover up to look good and not have traces of your old tattoo. But in my opinion.. Yours is gonna take quite a few laser sessions.. I'd rather go through it all, and come out clean than cover it up. I just did my first laser! Kinda upset cos I actually love my tattoo just put it at the wrong place... I regret putting it because now I know I'm gonna miss it.. :/ & it hurts like a [RS bleep]! I hope your removal will be a success! When yours begins to fade it'll look really drastic! & You'd be so pleased. Just be patient & stay positive! :D

I'll do my best, Thank you for your time!

And your best is good enough, and on days when you can't find or do your best, go easy on yourself because your human