POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS
The Road to Removal, Transformation, and Self-Love - Toronto, ON
ORIGINAL POST
As soon as I got inked about 7 weeks ago, my first...
WORTH IT$2,000
As soon as I got inked about 7 weeks ago, my first thought was, "What on earth did I just do?" Regret was so immediate that I spent the entire night having panic attacks. I missed a day of work. I didn't eat and only chain smoked for four straight days. I knew this tattoo wasn't for me.
I started booking removal appointments four days after getting inked. I felt terrified, hopeless, and confused when I started going on consultations. I visited five clinics in Toronto (3 medical, 1 aesthetic, 1 specializing in removal). I thought I had found my guy until I scheduled the fifth appointment (with a removal specialist). He sat with me for an hour to answer ALL my questions. He made me feel totally comfortable and was so confident and knowledgeable in his answers.
I was skeptical because he wasn't a doctor and I had planned on having a doctor perform the removal. But after the consult, I realized he knew more and made me feel more comfortable than the doctors did, pertaining to this particular procedure. After the consult, I finally felt at peace for the first time since getting inked and had faith that I was in great hands.
The key thing he said to me was TAKE CARE OF YOUR TATTOO, even if you don't want it! It has to be moisturized and properly healed in order to achieve best removal results.
I start my first treatment in 2 weeks and I'll be posting my journey as soon as I get started...
I started booking removal appointments four days after getting inked. I felt terrified, hopeless, and confused when I started going on consultations. I visited five clinics in Toronto (3 medical, 1 aesthetic, 1 specializing in removal). I thought I had found my guy until I scheduled the fifth appointment (with a removal specialist). He sat with me for an hour to answer ALL my questions. He made me feel totally comfortable and was so confident and knowledgeable in his answers.
I was skeptical because he wasn't a doctor and I had planned on having a doctor perform the removal. But after the consult, I realized he knew more and made me feel more comfortable than the doctors did, pertaining to this particular procedure. After the consult, I finally felt at peace for the first time since getting inked and had faith that I was in great hands.
The key thing he said to me was TAKE CARE OF YOUR TATTOO, even if you don't want it! It has to be moisturized and properly healed in order to achieve best removal results.
I start my first treatment in 2 weeks and I'll be posting my journey as soon as I get started...
jadex's provider
Replies (7)
UPDATED FROM jadex
1 day post
...And so it begins
I went in for my first treatment yesterday and I must say, it wasn't at all what I expected. I think I freaked myself out by googling a lot of videos and photos and seeing enormous blisters, hypertrophic scarring, burns, and other skin damage.
The technician I chose is truly a master of his craft. He has performed five removals on himself so that he could perfect his technique with minimal damage and discomfort. He doesn't believe in numbing cream (in his experience, it increases dermal damage and prolongs healing) and yet even without it, we were chatting and laughing together during the session.
In the aftermath, I have no blisters or burns. It is slightly raised and painful only to the touch which is how I even know I had the treatment done. I've been washing it in the morning with unscented Dr. Bronners liquid Castile soap. As much as I'm a huge advocate for natural remedies and medicines, the tech was very adamant about applying Polysporin until itching (true healing) begins. The type I'm using is Polysporin Complete ointment - I purchased it only because of the addition of Vitamin E, Shea butter, and olive oil to its formula. I'm applying it once after morning wash and again after work (around 5pm). I taped a very thin layer of gauze over it today only because I work with kids. I expose it to fresh air as much as possible outside of work.
As treatment has just begun and ink is not really expected to mobilize for the first little while, I am not going too heavy on chelating foods. All I'm doing now is drinking one cup of steeped chrysanthemum blooms a day (1 tbsp blooms per 2 cups boiled water steeped covered for 20 minutes) - this tea is extremely healing for skin, and also drinking 1/2 tsp chlorella in 1 cup of filtered water. Once more ink starts to mobilize, this regimen will of course change.
Next appointment: Seven weeks.
The technician I chose is truly a master of his craft. He has performed five removals on himself so that he could perfect his technique with minimal damage and discomfort. He doesn't believe in numbing cream (in his experience, it increases dermal damage and prolongs healing) and yet even without it, we were chatting and laughing together during the session.
In the aftermath, I have no blisters or burns. It is slightly raised and painful only to the touch which is how I even know I had the treatment done. I've been washing it in the morning with unscented Dr. Bronners liquid Castile soap. As much as I'm a huge advocate for natural remedies and medicines, the tech was very adamant about applying Polysporin until itching (true healing) begins. The type I'm using is Polysporin Complete ointment - I purchased it only because of the addition of Vitamin E, Shea butter, and olive oil to its formula. I'm applying it once after morning wash and again after work (around 5pm). I taped a very thin layer of gauze over it today only because I work with kids. I expose it to fresh air as much as possible outside of work.
As treatment has just begun and ink is not really expected to mobilize for the first little while, I am not going too heavy on chelating foods. All I'm doing now is drinking one cup of steeped chrysanthemum blooms a day (1 tbsp blooms per 2 cups boiled water steeped covered for 20 minutes) - this tea is extremely healing for skin, and also drinking 1/2 tsp chlorella in 1 cup of filtered water. Once more ink starts to mobilize, this regimen will of course change.
Next appointment: Seven weeks.
Replies (3)
May 14, 2015
Thank you for your update. Where can I get the herbs that you use? Currently I only take Vitamin D and Passion Flower Tea for anxiety.
May 14, 2015
I'm not sure where you live but I get all my bulk herbs at Herbie's Herbs on Queen St. in Toronto. They have an extraordinary selection both organic and conventionally grown. A $13 bag of chrysanthemums lasts me 4.5 - 5 months with daily use. Chrysanthemum tea is also excellent for removing heat and wind (Traditional Chinese Medical terms) from the body, in addition to offering detoxing benefits for liver and skin, and is tremendous for stress and anxiety. Of course talk to your naturopath or healer before switching remedies. Some people find they are allergic.
UPDATED FROM jadex
1 month post
7 Weeks After Treatment #1, Ready for #2
I am going in for my second treatment tomorrow and thought I'd share my progress, although minimal, thus far....
I've been making sure to adhere to the regimen I've created for myself: immune boosting foods, lymphatic support, exercise, saunas, and massage... but like any human, I have veered off course here and there. I was applying Polysporin for about one week after treatment one, I iced for the first 1-2 days (about 20 minutes, 2x/day), then for the next 3 days, I switched to a healing salve I made using white willow bark, comfrey root, beeswax, and coconut oil. Ten days after the first appointment, I switched again to an organic, additive free skin lotion and this is what I've been using daily until I'm back to Polysporin. Also, here is a VERY IMPORTANT TIP for tattoo removees out there! For the first few weeks, I didn't notice any mobilization of ink and believe me, I was taking photos and zooming in to study every square inch of that thing pretty much biweekly. Then I remembered that my expert remover Shane said that his clients were experiencing faster removal by massaging the treated area once it was fully healed. So, I made it a point to massage my tattoo nightly with the additive-free, organic lotion. I did this for between 10-15 minutes while watching Netflix anyway, so it really wasn't a huge responsibility. After a few days massaging, I noticed ink start to fall away from the uppermost black lines and shaded areas. My update photo doesn't look too different here, but when I photograph it with a flash, I can certainly see some small areas where the ink is starting to go. I do remember Shane also saying that usually for the first treatment, not too much changes - so I'm not disappointed as I knew what to expect.
My second treatment is tomorrow and I'm not scared or nervous. This process is not at all what I thought it would be - I psyched myself out and made myself feel really guilty for this mistake. I'm only human... And so far, this process has made me so much more calm, patient, and appreciative of the present. I don't want to spend the next two years of this experience wishing away my time. It is what it is and all we can really do in life is adapt to the situation.
I've been making sure to adhere to the regimen I've created for myself: immune boosting foods, lymphatic support, exercise, saunas, and massage... but like any human, I have veered off course here and there. I was applying Polysporin for about one week after treatment one, I iced for the first 1-2 days (about 20 minutes, 2x/day), then for the next 3 days, I switched to a healing salve I made using white willow bark, comfrey root, beeswax, and coconut oil. Ten days after the first appointment, I switched again to an organic, additive free skin lotion and this is what I've been using daily until I'm back to Polysporin. Also, here is a VERY IMPORTANT TIP for tattoo removees out there! For the first few weeks, I didn't notice any mobilization of ink and believe me, I was taking photos and zooming in to study every square inch of that thing pretty much biweekly. Then I remembered that my expert remover Shane said that his clients were experiencing faster removal by massaging the treated area once it was fully healed. So, I made it a point to massage my tattoo nightly with the additive-free, organic lotion. I did this for between 10-15 minutes while watching Netflix anyway, so it really wasn't a huge responsibility. After a few days massaging, I noticed ink start to fall away from the uppermost black lines and shaded areas. My update photo doesn't look too different here, but when I photograph it with a flash, I can certainly see some small areas where the ink is starting to go. I do remember Shane also saying that usually for the first treatment, not too much changes - so I'm not disappointed as I knew what to expect.
My second treatment is tomorrow and I'm not scared or nervous. This process is not at all what I thought it would be - I psyched myself out and made myself feel really guilty for this mistake. I'm only human... And so far, this process has made me so much more calm, patient, and appreciative of the present. I don't want to spend the next two years of this experience wishing away my time. It is what it is and all we can really do in life is adapt to the situation.
Welcome to the community jadex! I am thrilled that you found us, and I am confident that you will be well supported by others in the community at varying stages of removal. Where is your tattoo located? Does it have color in it? Are you comfortable sharing photos with us? Kudos to you for researching clinics and going to multiple consultations until you found the right one - that is key. What laser will your tech be using to remove your tattoo? I know that it seems ironic that you have to take care of your tattoo as it heals, but it is important -- and not only is it important to take care of your tattoo, it's also crucial that you take care of yourself. Long term stress wreaks havoc on our immune system, so be loving towards yourself -- practice self compassion...it's only a tattoo...right. Right now I know that it's very hard to do because you are in the eye of the tornado, but I know that you can do it. I have been where you are, as have many of us in the community, and I assure you that in time it does get better. I wanted to offer you some tips to help you through this, it's what worked for me and many others. When the thoughts of regret spin around in your mind, and you just can't focus - stop, close your eyes and take some deep long breaths, and focus on really slowing down your out breath as the calming effect comes in the release of the breath. While your do your breathing remind yourself of all the positive things in your life. I used to carry a rock in my pocket (you could use anything) and I would reach for it anytime I needed to stop the negative cycle of thoughts. I would do my breathing, and if time allowed I went outside in nature. I spent lots of time outdoors, as that is where I felt the most comforted. I did alot of reading and I focused on watching inspirations movies that made me feel better. One movie that I really encourage you to watch is called "The Happy Movie" - that was a turning point for me, it really helped put my situation in perspective. Talking with us, family and friends is very therapeutic, and if you feel the need, go see your doctor for some help. I did that, the doctor was so nice and understanding -- I thought I was going to be judged, instead he told me about his tattoo regret, and how a friend of his was in the process! The doctor connected me with a therapist and between the doctor and the therapist it really helped me sort out all of the emotions and anger I was dealing with. May I ask, what is it that you really don't like about your tattoo? Is it your first tattoo?
Glad that you are feeling better, thank you for sharing a photo. It's actually a very interesting tattoo, but I can see how you would be disappointed if you wanted something more subtle. I look forward to your updates, keep em coming :)