POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal Reviews
2 Yrs Post Late Stage Tattoo Removal~Give Yourself Time (And Be Realistic)
UPDATED FROM oneTime2many
2 years post
BTW....
$2,000
...oh and btw, yes, for all of you out there....I am very much detail oriented and slightly OCD so when I seek out "complete removal", I mean complete removal, as I am not looking for a cover up. Sorry if you guys think I am "done" or whatever, but as compulsive as I am, I am not done until I see no traces- and I still see a few blips. So here goes nothing...I guess we'll see. If I end up w/ small ghost traces or bits of ink, I'll be down w/ that as a reminder of this journey (although I'd rather they all just go but it is what it is).....All I know is that I'm reaching my breaking point, ready to be done w/ this and so far, I'm pretty confident I will be content w/ the my results forever (1 more treatment or not) from here on out by the summer so I am stoked to acknowledge that.
It's been a long a$$ journey...no pun intended w/ that $$$ sign lol!!! For real though, be patient and please allow yrself time, love yr bodies and treat them well after this laser, ugh!!! ?
It's been a long a$$ journey...no pun intended w/ that $$$ sign lol!!! For real though, be patient and please allow yrself time, love yr bodies and treat them well after this laser, ugh!!! ?
UPDATED FROM oneTime2many
2 years post
10wks post treatment#9
Hey guys...so I've been patiently waiting on the sidelines (still checking in here and there) and figured I should update. It's been approx 10wks post treatment #9 and I am still waiting it all out, waiting until at least mid-May (4 months post treatment #9) to gauge the fading and perhaps get one more blast. As I have mentioned and noticed throughout this whole journey- this takes massive (MASSIVE) patience and the results dwindle nearing the end, which is really the kicker through it all :(....
Still however, when I compare pics of where I am now and where I was in mid Jan (15wks post treatment 8) I do see progress. On the downside, it appears as though I see less and less progression in terms of fading (1st treatment I saw the most, 2nd I saw less, 3rd, less, etc etc...) anyways..blah. I am just really happy to be at this point, as I feel as though it is very illegible and something I could cope and live with. I have to admit, winter here on the east coast was brutal this year (it made history!) and I failed to be as active as I usually am. I am an avid cyclist, so I had to resort to hiking which kept me really busy needless to say (although I was bundled like an eskimo) however I prefer to bike...so basically, I have to admit I wasn't as active as I would have liked to have been as I'm not much for gyms. Anyways, I am still very happy w/ my results. It's slowly getting warmer and I have biked a few times so I am getting back into my groove thankfully :) I also must add that I am very, very pale now as my tan from the summer is gone and perhaps that makes the ink remnants stand out more??? So needless to say, I am hoping that getting some sun in the next few months will help camo this residual ghost.
Again, I may be open to 1 more treatment, but i don't think I could handle more than that, as this journey is wearing me thin. If I do go forward, I will have my doc put it on a high frequency and lower spot size or whatever to target the last bit of residual ink. I am still hopeful though- as I may still see fading throughout the next few months, but regardless, i am in no immediate rush for another session. Again I will stress, at least for me, my regime consists of waiting an letting my body kill off this ink. I honestly believe my body works just as hard as the laser- it's just that the laser is instant combustion in terms of the ink and the body is not...the body takes time to clean this mess up. I still see results/fading so I'm happy. Although the results are minimal, I will post pics of now and a side by side of last session's healing (#8) to now (#9). Good luck to everyone out there....
Still however, when I compare pics of where I am now and where I was in mid Jan (15wks post treatment 8) I do see progress. On the downside, it appears as though I see less and less progression in terms of fading (1st treatment I saw the most, 2nd I saw less, 3rd, less, etc etc...) anyways..blah. I am just really happy to be at this point, as I feel as though it is very illegible and something I could cope and live with. I have to admit, winter here on the east coast was brutal this year (it made history!) and I failed to be as active as I usually am. I am an avid cyclist, so I had to resort to hiking which kept me really busy needless to say (although I was bundled like an eskimo) however I prefer to bike...so basically, I have to admit I wasn't as active as I would have liked to have been as I'm not much for gyms. Anyways, I am still very happy w/ my results. It's slowly getting warmer and I have biked a few times so I am getting back into my groove thankfully :) I also must add that I am very, very pale now as my tan from the summer is gone and perhaps that makes the ink remnants stand out more??? So needless to say, I am hoping that getting some sun in the next few months will help camo this residual ghost.
Again, I may be open to 1 more treatment, but i don't think I could handle more than that, as this journey is wearing me thin. If I do go forward, I will have my doc put it on a high frequency and lower spot size or whatever to target the last bit of residual ink. I am still hopeful though- as I may still see fading throughout the next few months, but regardless, i am in no immediate rush for another session. Again I will stress, at least for me, my regime consists of waiting an letting my body kill off this ink. I honestly believe my body works just as hard as the laser- it's just that the laser is instant combustion in terms of the ink and the body is not...the body takes time to clean this mess up. I still see results/fading so I'm happy. Although the results are minimal, I will post pics of now and a side by side of last session's healing (#8) to now (#9). Good luck to everyone out there....
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Replies (4)
January 22, 2014
I can not wait to see how it will look once it has heal
January 22, 2014
I know, it is amazing the fading..I forgot how dark it was until I found the old pic. Hopefully I can live what what lies behind the last treatment, as it is still healing, but it looks promising. Either way I am glad you found encouragement- w/ time, patience, and careful maneuvering removal can be pretty promising.
January 25, 2014
Thank you!! Even today it keeps fading into oblivion...I'll post updated pics in a few weeks when it's healed. Super happy tho, thanks!
March 9, 2014
Your fading is amazing. I sometimes forget what mine looked like before and then when I compare with other photos I am stunned. I've learned that the trick is stay patient, spread the treatments over a longer time, take care of myself and stay positive. I've decided if it takes years, then it'll take years. Good luck with your continued fading, it will surely be amazing. aloha...k
March 9, 2014
Thanks Kahelelani :) the tricks you refer to are exactly what I have leaned too along this journey- at first I was disappointed as these tricks were not expressed in the beginning, but like a few others on here, learning this has impacted my life as I can now carry these lessons into other areas of my life, so it's a win win. Thanks for your kind words, I wish you all the best as well- I saw your blog and you have def come a long way!!! Just take yr time w/ it and try not to obsess (something I also experienced), rather appreciate how far you've come...You are such an inspiration on here, thank you :)
January 22, 2014
I almost feel sick when I see photos of my tattoo before any treatment. It's horrible, lol. You have come so far and I hope to be in the same position as you in a few months! Well done!
January 22, 2014
Thanks Welsh- I was in shock to find that pic and see the outlines...knowing what I know now my tatt is on the top ranks of being very difficult to treat (so freaking dark) even though I was told it would be fairly easy...just goes to show the laser keeps chipping away bit by bit. It takes a fair amount of time (downtime) but that's what also makes the most headway I have found.
January 22, 2014
What makes this even more impressive is that tattoos around the wrist / hand areas are supposedly more difficult to remove!!
January 22, 2014
Yeah I beat the odds for sure, didn't realize going into this the variables not in my favor (dense outline, placement)...I was close to getting a cover-up at like session#6 but decided to keep at it and I'm glad I did. I think this was a very stubborn tatt but I just had to fight back w/ longer spaced out sessions which I found worked in my favor. It's been a long journey and it was all trial and error...but damn I'm so happy to see the light now.
January 22, 2014
Such a success story!! So happy for you :)
January 22, 2014
Thank you Eva :) It's been one long journey for sure..nvr thought I would see the finish line...crazy.
March 11, 2014
Hey man!
I had a look at your review, and I am so jealous of you success. But 9 treatments in 2 years? Why did you choose to wait so long between treatments? I honestly couldn't be that patient. Your dedication is truly inspiring.
March 11, 2014
Hey thanks- yes I feel like I have come a long way, a lot further than I even imagined I would honestly! Like I said in my blog, I was originally quoted at about 5-6 treatments max (a year) spacing them every 2mo apart and I paid upfront for 5 so I was kinda stuck w/ that place in which case looking back, I regret being trapped w/ them b/c I didn't feel as though they had the best treatment for what I was paying. The techs there were all over the place and would vary treatments/techs and forget previous laser settings and I started to notice scarring/redness nearing my 5th/6th treatment. I honestly only chose to go there b/c of their laser but once I found a Dr who also treated w/ the Medlite C6, he told me that spacing treatments every 4+ months was actually beneficial. I also found that out from after my 5th treatment- when I was done w/ the package plan I had paid for and was apprehensive to move forward (or believe anything they had said previously) b/c I knew I needed at least 3 more...so I took time off to consult elsewhere and in that time, I noticed it continue to fade as well as the scarring/redness subside. I am a big advocate for waiting 3-5mo b/w treatments b/c you reduce scarring/redness, save money and continue to see results. I guess everyone is different but this is what worked for me. Also I found myself getting kinda ill (literally) from the laser trauma and I wanted to give my body a rest. Either way, I think I'm done but I still want to wait a few more months and see what more fading I get, esp w/ a suntan :)
March 11, 2014
I also think that going every 2 months brings more money to the clinics so they push for 2months as the "standard" to get that flow of $$$$$ :) imagine if people only went 2 or 3 times a year...those clinics would be pissed!!
March 11, 2014
Hey, what was so special about the Medlite C6, may I ask? I'm not really sure which laser I should go for; the clinic I'm having a consult and first treatment at has a Picosure and a standard YAG, but some doctors here say that Picosure is great for black inks, others here say they really aren't. I have no idea which to go for. How did you decide?
March 11, 2014
I just researched my skin type w/ the kirby-denai? scale and considering my ink (black) found that the Medlite was top notch for me. At the time (2 yrs ago) there was no Picosure in my area also so that was not an option. I recently found out a few months back that the Pico is now available here, but I have heard mixed reviews. Supposedly it can cause permanent hypopigmentation (loss of pigment) and it's pretty new so I was skeptical to try it until it's been around for at least a few years or more. The Medlite has been around for decades so I opted for it- so far I'm glad I chose it. It does cause more damage, per say, but I just waited longer b/w treatments...I attribute the power of the Medlite to my great results- you just have to know when yr body needs some down time and I'm fine w/ that. Also after going to a doctor VS the med techs, I noticed much better results (fading and healing). What model/make of YAG do they have, do you know?
March 12, 2014
OneTime2many, you bring up valid points about buying a package deal/pre-payment. I did the same thing because they gave me such a great deal. Looking back I think I would have bought fewer sessions, or no package at all.
March 12, 2014
I honestly don't know what these different kinds of lasers are, to be honest. Is Medlite a brand name? Or a type of wavelength? I just don't know. Also, I have absolutely no clue what kind of lasers my clinic is going to be using. I will call them tomorrow and ask them, then make a post. I too have heard mixed reviews of the Picosure, which is really frustrating. If you go to that forum dedicated to Picosure (the one you sent the link to for me earlier), ALL the doctors will say that the Picosure is the best for everything. Period (even for reds, eventually). But then two doctors here have told me that the Pico isn't the best for my black tattoo because of the wavelength or whatever. However, as for the hypopigmentation, I have heard that the Picosure is much less likely to cause hypopigmentation because the bursts of laser are much shorter. I guess it goes without saying that to think a site like this will have sharing of information that is 100% accurate is, unfortunately, just too good to be true.
March 12, 2014
Yes Eva- It seemed like the right thing to do at the time, as it was at a discounted cost, but still then you are stuck w/o even knowing how well the technician/laser will perform. It was definitely a gamble and looking back, I wish I would have found my Dr from the get go, which is why I highly recommend him to ppl in my area. Oh well, I guess all we can do now is share our experiences to help the next guy...
March 12, 2014
The Medlite is the model name of the laser (a Q-switched type) and the make is Hoya Con Bio that was recently purchased by Cynosure. I know it sounds confusing but it's like cars- they each have a make and model. All lasers emit different wavelengths for their intended purpose. The Medlite emits 1064 and 532 (I think) and supposedly black ink is targeted best w/ the 1064 wavelength. So needless to say, there are many many variables to consider- I guess this why I am such a proponent of making sure your tech/Dr is qualified b/c any improper setting of the laser can cause serious burns and/or scarring. The Pico is supposedly really great on blues/purples/greens b/c its wavelength is set to target such colors, but not so great on reds. In terms of black ink, I just don't see diff (or better) results from the Pico. Then there's the fact that the Pico markets itself to have shorter pulses (picosecond VS nanosecond) which supposedly is less traumatic on the skin....??? I mean, maybe true, but I just haven't personally deemed it more effective than the 1064 Q-switched. I hear ya though- there's just too many variables to know for sure, as our bodies, skin reaction, tatt placement and lymph/immune responses also play an important role outside of all the laser stuff. I did consider the Pico myself at like my 8th treatment but just figured since I made it so far, I would stick w/ The Medlite and get treatment from a DR, and I'm glad I did. He's great and I'm happy w/ his treatments. The thing is, I think all lasers are great if used for their intended purpose, but a lot of it rests in yr tec'sh/Dr's knowledge and how well they calibrate/set their laser for each client's needs. You should ask yr clinic the model name/manufacturer of their YAG laser...
March 12, 2014
And a lot of this is new for us all in way, so we are just kinda going w/ the flow so to speak...we can try our best to line up this perfect plan and route like we would on a map, but b/c of all of the variables involved here, I think we all get sidetracked and have to take detours along the way as things arise. The Pico is NOT good on reds and a lot of Drs recommend it b/c it is "newer" and "more advanced" as they say...hey it may be great, as I have nvr tried it but a big thing to keep in mind is laser removal is a business and a business's goal is money$$
March 12, 2014
One last thing- sorry to rant- but tattoo inks are not regulated by the FDA. B/c of this, as inks are broken down/targeted, results may vary b/c the chemical makeup of each ink is unknown, and therefore, so are the results. I hope that the FDA steps in to regulate these inks sooner than later so that future laser removal will have more consistent results. It's kind of sad really- but when we are out treating an unknown and varied source (inks), how can anyone expect consistent results. Part of me thinks they have not stepped in yet to regulate b/c of the money generated in removal, but imagine if there was an ink that was permanent when placed but could be broken down in, oh say, 2-3 treatments flawlessly. I see this as a future invention for the next chemical engineer....unfortunately I work in mechanical :) but hey, there's a market for that guy/gal who comes up w/ the formula....
March 12, 2014
I'm pretty sure you can get Picosure lasers to go at the 1064 mm wavelength ... check out that article whose name I posted on my review; it compares picosecond and nanosecond lasers. I'm gonna call the clinic today (it is morning for us here in Aus) and ask them about their lasers. And yeah you're right about the money. You're also right about regulation, I know that result will vary but I'm hoping that my youth and my (relative) fitness will get me through any difficulties that may arise. I'll make a post tonight when I get back home about the lasers in my clinic.
March 15, 2014
I think you're very wise to wait longer between sessions. I am doing that also, I'm going every 5 months. And the fading continues. Good luck, you're doing awesome! aloha...k
March 16, 2014
Can I just jump in here real quick and point out a severely overlooked fact here? Waiting longer DOES NOT equal better and more significant fading. By the very mechanism of laser tattoo removal (as you all probably know), the laser breaks down the ink into particles which the body gradually removes. Sure, waiting longer will mean you can SEE better fading, but it won't further break down the pigment; the breaking down has already been done and the body will remove the particles as it sees fit, regardless of how long you space out treatments. What will increase fading is the AMOUNT of treatments you have, not the time between them. Take this example: two identical tattoos (for the sake of argument) are treated twice with different intervals. The first one is treated once then has a follow up after 4 weeks. The second one is treated once then has a follow up after 4 months. They are both assessed for fading after 8 months. The fading will be exactly the same, I guarantee you.
March 16, 2014
Ummmm, not in my case, and I can attest to this b/c I have been through this. You are correct that the laser does break up the ink- and the body ONLY flushes it away...yes. However, let's put it this way...if the laser hits the ink and shatters so much of it, the body in turn needs TIME to flush the particles away, and we all know our body's work takes time b/c it involves our lymph/immune system doing the grunt work. Sure we can opt to treat/laser again even a week later, or 4wks or 8wks...but I found out personally that 16+wks resulted in the best outcome for me. The thing is, as my Dr shared w/ me, treating too early (at min under 2mo) will cause more trauma to the skin (as laser does) which could lead to permanent scarring and obviously causes unnecessary trauma, as well as costs significantly more for each additional treatment. Also, the key thing he told me too was that treating too early, due to laser trauma, can actually zap the carrier cells that engulf the ink and are in the process of moving the ink out- essentially killing them and thus prolonging the ink removal. Now again, as no one seems to "know" the truth behind removal w/ all of its variables, I can only attest to what I have seen on my skin personally. Since waiting 4+ months in b/w treatments (as I have been doing for at least the last 4 treatments), I have noticed the continual fading of my tattoo to the point of basic extinction. I guess, being at 2yrs into treatment, I could have essentially had 12 treatments by now (1 every 2months) but I would have lost out on a lot of cash and would surely have been scarred. I'm glad I waited and I had to learn this on my own by trusting my instinct- until it was finally verified by a caring Dr nearing my last few treatments. I guess to each their own, but this is what worked for me and I am very happy I followed this regiment...but whatever works for you I suppose.
March 16, 2014
Oh ok- sorry I see yr point. So I guess, essentially, looking back now, it was more the TIME (2yrs) that prompted my significant fading VS the amount of treatments I had in those 2 yrs. What I did learn is that no matter how much you blast that ink though, your body is the real slow poke here so either way, I give it a lot of time to carry away what's broken down b/f I go ahead and re-laser...b/c if this broken ink has not moved yet b/c I didn't give it enough time to be carried away, I am, essentially, just re-lasering the already broken down ink...either way, I would highly recommend being patient on this journey~ it is long and daunting.
March 16, 2014
Yeah, so I mean the more time between treatments just affects what you SEE, not what is actually there. Yes, if you re-laser without waiting long enough, you would just be re-lasering already broken down ink, but you'd also be lasering the ink that hasn't been broken down yet (because [of course] there will be some) - unless you have a tattoo that can be removed in one treatment.
March 16, 2014
I actually think that, if your skin be permitting, you could hit it hard and have maybe 1 treatment per 4 weeks for the first few treatments to speed it up, then wait longer between treatments as there will be less and less ink and if you re-laser without waiting long enough and the ink hasn't appeared to have faded enough, you run the risk of damaging the skin. I'll be discussing my options with my doctor in two days' time.
March 16, 2014
That's an interesting point regarding "can actually zap the carrier cells that engulf the ink and are in the process of moving the ink out- essentially killing them and thus prolonging the ink removal"
March 16, 2014
I see your point now and I apologize if I came across as defensive in any way - it's just that a lot of clinics don't share this info, it's something I had to learn and I just want to help others. I do understand what you are saying - still, part of me thinks that if you lasered an area and did not give it time to let it clear away and then re- laser too soon, you will NOT be hitting any new pigment b/c the old broken up particles will be absorbing the laser instead of the underlying untouched ink. And I guess that's why I attribute waiting longer to better results. Agreed tho, laser starts out strong and the fading is best early on - but it seems to dwindle as you progress after like the 4th/5th treatment or so, so that's when I would def start waiting longer in b/w sessions. Good luck w/ yr consults :)
March 16, 2014
Yeah Eva, I was shocked to hear that but it makes complete sense- laser is really rough on our bodies and if we can limit it, we should (IMO)...
March 16, 2014
Hey man, that's all good. I'll let the community know how the consult goes tomorrow evening (AEST)
March 16, 2014
Hey man, that's all good. I'll let the community know how the consult goes tomorrow evening (AEST) after I see the doctor. Thanks for all your help, in the meantime, by the way :)
March 17, 2014
Sorry, guys. By consult I meant consult / possible first treatment. I haven't decided yet, but I'm really excited for tomorrow :)
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