Hi guys im jake im new here, im 19 years old and...
Hi guys im jake im new here, im 19 years old and just had this partially finished half sleeve tattoo done. Its all black ink I believe, I desperately want It off my skin as I just dont feel im ready to have something this big on my skin. I would really like to keep the dove design on the inside of my bicep but I would love for the rest to be removed! I have a consultation this saturday with a medispa using the picosure laser and I would love to know if anyone out there knows what my chances are of having this removed from my skin!!!
The tattoo is only 1 month old but I desperately dont want it (except the dove)
Im a very sporty person and am always keeping myself fit as I have heard a healthy immune system can help.
If anyone out there can help me id appreciate it so much!!!
Consultation
-
24 Aug 2013
-
Day of treatment
Had my consultation today at true skin medispa, the woman spoke me through how the picosure laser worked etc. if im being entirely honest I think because of the extent of research I did before hand I already had an idea of what I was being told. I have been quoted £799 a session with the price decreasing as there becomes less of the tattoo to laser. Im booked in for the 21st of september which is when my tattoo would have had 2 months to heal. Once I have had the treatment I will post some pics to keep you guys updated.
Peace and love
Feeling down today
Been feeling kinda down lately, I keep looking at my tattoo every morning and thinking the lines look so dense :(, Why didn't I get a small tattoo first! Will the size of my tattoo affect my outcome?? I just want to start my laser therapy now. Im 19 years old, with barely a penny to my name because its all going towards this picosure laser......and I understand there are people out there with much bigger problems than me e.g. debt/illnesses but to me personally its affecting me. Im becoming more and more unsociable and I feel as though im wasting my life away all because of this massive tattoo on my arm.....id do anything to go back time and rethink this....
The worried lines
Ok guys so in my last comment I said I was gonna show you the parts of the tattoo I most worried about purely because I think the lines a dense, I also said id show you the line that gets to me the most, so here goes.
The other photos part 2
Sorry I keep hitting post update instead of add another photo...
Update
Ok guys so ive got some news, ive moved my laser removal session to this Saturday at 6:15pm (UK time) as my other appointment would have clashed with stuff my dad didnt want me to miss....
I have also decided im not going to keep the dove on the inside, im going to have it all removed, the reason is because even though I said I like the dove I feel as though im trying to force myself to like it. This way the whole thing will be gone and I wont have to worry about whether or not id want removal in the future.
People keep telling me about the pain and how much its gonna hurt, I literally dont care, im not one to ever moan about pain, pain is temporary, the woman told me my session is going to be around 45 minutes long.
Im praying that having the dove off aswell wont hinder the price! The woman who did my consultation I believe should be ok with it, I may have to beg lol.
So guys until this Saturday Il be starting my journey of removing my tattoo, yes it will tear my in half financially, yes not everyone around me (in real life) supports what im doing (except my family and you guys :) ), yes it will be painful, yes it will be time consuming and will test my patience and be a killer mentally....but after it all im praying that my tattoo will be gone and I can be clean skinned once more!
Just another chapter in my life. Peace.
First treatment with the picosure laser
Ok guys just had my first ever laser tattoo treatment, it lasted 45 minutes, I didnt ask for any numbing cream, just had some cold air. Hurt a little bit but as I said before I deserve whatever pain it takes to remove this tattoo. The woman doing my treatment was lovely and spoke to me the whole way through, it made the time go quicker than I thought as well. Im amazed by what the laser has done, most of my shading has gone! whether or not it starts to show through a little bit later im not sure but we will soon find out, anyway here are some pictures that we took literally 30 seconds after the treatment was performed!, The journey has begun...
Treatment 1 : Day 3
Still sore, and swollen a lot! But I expected it to swell anyway and I was told it would. Really am pleased with the amount of shading the laser has gotten rid of already. Eventhough its early days I am a bit worried about my outline, I hope the line break up a bit between now and my next treatment which is November 2nd (7 Weeks). Work was a pain but im not one to complain so i just cracked on and got through it. Anyway here are some pictures for you guys.
week 1 post 1st lasers session
Hi guys just a quick update on my tattoo removal, heres some pictures so you guys can see how its coming along, currently still scabbed at the moment, hoping I see some break-up or fading of this outline!
Treatment 1 - Post 3 weeks
Hi guys just some pictures of my progress, this is really a test to my patience! Tough mentally plus im really starting to think whether or not this outline is gonna be possible to remove, I understand ive only had 1 treatment and maybe its just my patience being impatient lol but I really am hoping it will go! I also hoping this brown staining will go, Im trying to just picture my life after this is all done and hopefully being able to move on.
Prep for tx 2
-
19 Oct 2013
-
2 months post
Sup guys, 2 weeks till my second treatment, this waiting in between treatments is very hard mentally!, found myself feeling really low at times and just wanting time to go quicker. Heres some pictures of my progress so far.
Prep for tx2
2nd picosure treatment tomorrow at 2pm, let's hope we can get rid of some of this outline and the rest of the shading!
Treatment 2 done
Had my 2nd treatment today with the lovely Holly at Trueskin. Il upload some pictures over the coming weeks to see if there are any changes as its just red and sore at the moment. Hopefully see some break up of this outline.
Trueskin Medispa Bluewater
Hi guys just wanted to take some time whilst I'm still swollen and red lol, to say a few things about Trueskin (The place where I have my treatment). I was speaking with a couple of their staff yesterday after my treatment as one of them is undergoing her own tattoo removal via picosure (Who's results are amazing!) and I just wanted to say I couldn't ask for a more welcoming and professional place to have my treatment. I feel as though I am in good hands when I'm there and they was telling me how they have had people come in who have seen my blog and how it has made them feel optimistic! To know that people are feeling better themselves because of this blog gives me more drive and belief to try and stay positive throughout this experience, as hard mentally, emotionally and physically it is. I will continue to post progress pictures over the coming weeks and months until this ink is gone from my skin. As I have said before, I know this is going to be a long road but I have 100% faith in Trueskin and especially my laser tech Holly.
Its just a question of coming back stronger mentally!
1 week post tx2
-
10 Nov 2013
-
3 months post
Here's the pictures guys of my tattoo 1 week post tx2. Still scabbed up all over at the moment. Not too much change, praying I see some fading over the coming weeks. Keep having these 1 hour periods of positivity that my tattoo will go, but then il slip straight back into a negative frame of mind for days. If I could skip a year ahead to see where id stand I would without hesitation.
solid lines
-
20 Nov 2013
-
3 months post
I know in these pictures a lot of my shading has gone, but parts of my oitline havent budged they are still very solid and very dense!, I see other peoples posts who have black outline and theres seems to be breaking up massively after like 2 sessions! , im starting to think that the ink used on me may contain some sort of element that prevents it from breaking up! Any ideas?
...
-
29 Nov 2013
-
3 months post
Been wondering lately what the chances of my skin ever being normal again with no ink are. I see people around me and wonder whether the skin on my arm will ever be like that again. Not a day has gone past where I havent stared at my arm. Ive been relentlessly looking at my looking at my calendar counting down the days untill my next treatment. Ive been consdiering having it lasered as much as possible and if anything is left which there most probably will be knowing my luck, having the rest just cut out, like pieces of the outline that are too dense to remove. I look at the parts of my tattoo that still havent budged like the oitline of the wing on the dove and think 'what kind of tattoo artist does an outline that thick!?' Like what the hell the outline is so thick it could almost be considered as thick as some tribal tattoos are...
Ive worked out by the time I go on holiday next year (June 29th) I would have had 8 picosure treatments, I swear if these stupid dense black lines havent moved by then I will just have them cut out. Also ive decided after this next treatment ive decided to have my treatments 5 weeks apart, I mentally cannot cope with spacing them 7 weeks apart, maybe further down the line if any parts of the tattoo are gone I may increase the time between treatments, but I literally cannot cope mentally and physcologically. I look at everyone and everything around me and I see everyone enjoying themselves, then I take a look at myself and think how much happier I would be without this thing on my arm, how much more confident I would feel, how much more sociable I would be etc.
My next treatment is on the 23rd december and I will be asking for the laser to be cranked up...
4 weeks post tx2
Heres a picture so youu can see how stupidly dense this outline of this bird really is....shocking...
Praying this will go eventually.... what do you think?
7 weeks post tx2
-
22 Dec 2013
-
4 months post
Next treatment tomorrow so here is how my 'thing' looks at the moment.
Tx3 Done
-
24 Dec 2013
-
4 months post
Had my 3rd treatment done yesterday, I will post pictures of how it looks in the coming weeks but at the moment I don't want to think about it as I just want to try and enjoy Christmas with my family.
Just a quick note I have recently been prescribed with anti - depressants that I think along with my family are keeping me on track
3 Weeks post Tx3
-
18 Jan 2014
-
5 months post
Heres how it looks 3 weeks after 3rd treatment, I will provide more pictures the day before my next treatment which is 8th February.
7 weeks post tx3
Treatment 4 tonight at 8pm so here is how my tatt looks 7 weeks post tx3.
4 weeks post tx4
Here's how things are 4 weeks post treatment 4
6 weeks post tx4
-
22 Mar 2014
-
7 months post
Got my 5th treatment today at 2pm so here's how things are at the moment
1 day post tx5
-
23 Mar 2014
-
7 months post
Just in case you were curious of what my arm tends to look like 1 day after treatment here's some photos of it 24 hours after treatment 5, little bit swollen
Treatment 6 done
Hi guys sorry I didn't upload any pictures over the past few weeks I've just been really busy and I ended up catching scarlet fever a few weeks ago which made me really ill.
Anyway just had my 6th treatment so I will upload some pictures half way through until my next treatment which is on the 14th June.
Thanks again guys for the support you've given me!
Tx6
-
24 May 2014
-
9 months post
Hi guys another update on my long journey, here is what my tattoo looks like 3 weeks post tx6.
Still having my down days every now and then but not as bad as before, hopefully I'll have this thing off by the end of the year.
The journey from beginning to present
-
24 May 2014
-
9 months post
Heres another photo of my tattoo from left to right, the first picture had no treatments, this middle picture had 3 treatments and the last picture had 6 treatments.
Tx7 Done
-
16 Jun 2014
-
10 months post
Had my 7th treatment done last Saturday, the last one before I go away to Croatia for a week so I will post photos of it once I get back.
It's gonna be hard keeping it covered whilst I'm out there but I'm going to do it, I have booked my next appointment for 8 weeks because it's summer and I do want to try and enjoy myself a little seeing as I haven't had one sense of enjoyment since I got myself into this mess.
So as I said I will post photos of my tattoo when I get back which should be around 14th of July sometime.
Adios for now people
8 weeks post Tx7
-
31 Jul 2014
-
11 months post
Hi guys sorry I haven't been on in so long! Got my 8th treatment tomorrow at 7pm but before I upload pictures I just wanted to say that Croatia was the best week of my life and I honestly feel like it has changed me, I wouldn't have gone if it wasn't for the support I had from everyone here and everyone around me so thank you!, my plan now is to just keep going through treatments until it's gone and plan another holiday next year!
7 weeks post tx8
Sorry guys this is a bit of a delayed update but im 3 weeks post treatment 9 now but I forgot to post pictures of my arm post treatment 8 so here they are!
12 weeks post Tx 10 !
Hi guys just checking in with some photos of what my tattoo looks like 12 weeks post tx10!
Had quite a few people ask me If my tattoo was done professionally and the answer to that is yes it was done professionally, I also want to say that I have nothing against the artist and I've seen their work and they are very talented, it was my own fault as I rushed it and didn't think it through properly.
Also a quick note I still have my laser treatments done by Holly who I trust and will continue to have my treatments done by her as she has been doing them from the very beginning!
Lastly I have just had my 11th treatment and will post results in the future!
Happy Christmas and New Year to all!!!!
12 weeks post Tx11
Hi guys just checking in with some photos of my tattoo and what it looks like 12 weeks post treatment 11. Still plodding away on my journey and definitely plan to keep going!
Treatment 12....or 12/5?!!
Ok guys just kinda finished my 12th laser session with Holly tonight....well we only manage to get a few lines lasered before the laser cut out! Never mind these things happen and it just gives me a little more time for my lines to continue to fade.
Im booked back in for next Tuesday at 5:45 to get the rest of my tattoo lasered so hopefully the laser is all sorted by then!
Keep you guys posted!
Treatment 13!
Hi guys just checking in to say I've had my 13th treatment! Still fading and still going strong, I'm sorry I haven't been updating you picture-wise lately I've had a few obstacles I've needed to overcome! Il update you with some pictures once I'm healed from this treatment!
My next treatment will be 6 weeks after my holiday which I go on the 28th July to Ibiza!
3/4 weeks post treatment 13!
Hi guys got some pictures for you here of my tattoo, I know I'm not as active as I should be on here but I promise I'm going to keep you updated on how things are going, I go to Ibiza Tuesday so the arm is going to be out in full swing! Something I wouldn't have even dreamed of a year or so ago! You guys inspire me just as much as I hope to inspire you on this journey!
Treatment 14 postponed
Hi guys just a quick update!
Ibiza was amazing! Had one of the best weeks of my life! My next treatment has been postponed as my laser tech Holly is on annual leave at the moment and I didn't want anyone else doing my treatment.
Il let you know when Holly is back and I'm all booked in to have my 14th treatment!
6 weeks post treatment 13
Hi guys here's how my tattoo is looking at the moment! All healed up and letting that fading kick in!
We keep digging! :)
Update!
Hi guys just checking in seeing how everyone's journey is coming along! i still havent booked my next treatment yet as Holly has been off of work however i spoke to her a few days ago and she is going to give me a call this week some time to get my next treatment booked in!
During this break i have been thinking how far i have actually come in this journey and i can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel, i just want to say if there is any of you out there that feel like having an unwanted tattoo is permanent then please believe that they really aren't! I finally feel now that my life is back on track and having this laser treatment has played a massive part in it. I used to think that there was no cure for what i was feeling because of this tattoo, i tried counselling, pills, socialising, music etc and they all did help but ive realised now that the main help that has made me who i am now is TIME. Time has healed me mentally so much and i know that those of you beginning this journey may feel like it will never end but i promise you time heals!
I've had so much support from people on here and I cant say thank you enough, il keep you guys updated for when my next treatment is and il post up some pictures soon!
Patch Test for Tx 14
Hi guys i went in to the clinic today for a patch test on my tattoo where Holly used a new setting on the laser, im booked in to have my 14th treatment next saturday at 16:10!
Ive got some bad/good news though guys, Holly is leaving the medispa! :( however she has recommended me to a woman named Jade who Holly feels is the best person to treat my tattoo.
The good part of this news is for Holly as she is going to be working for Cynosure! the creators of Picosure! I cant thank Holly enough for what she has done for me, she has changed my entire life completely, i remember when i thought i would never get this tattoo off my arm but she has always been reassuring and i couldn't recommend anyone better to go and work for this life changing company and i sincerely wish her all the best!
I have some photos here of what my arm looked like prior to my patch test yesterday and i will update you guys next week after ive had my treatment!
Treatment 14!
Hi guys just had treatment 14 done with the new laser settings, it wasn't as painful as previous treatments but I believe this is because there isn't as much ink to zap anymore!
This was the last treatment il receive from Holly as she is leaving :( I honestly can't thank her enough for everything she has done for me. She knew how worried I was from the beginning but has made my life so much easier and enjoyable and has always reassured me that this tattoo is fixable. I wish her all the best on her new journey and I have said I will keep her updated with my future treatments!
I'm booked in again for 12 weeks time with my new laser tech recommended by Holly so I'm looking forward to what the future holds!
Here's a picture of me getting zapped today! i'll keep you all posted with some more pictures further on :) Happy Fading people and keep on digging :)
Update!
Sorry I didn't post an update this weekend guys there will be and update coming this week just been so busy lately!
1/5 months post to 14
Hi guys here's some pictures of how things are looking at the moment! My tattoo is really becoming harder and harder to see and the pictures I have probably don't do it justice! I'm going to get myself a nice camera for Christmas so I can upload some better pictures!
As for now now I'm in Christmas mode and really looking forward to it!
I hope everyone has a lovely Chrostmas and a Happy new Year!
Treatment 15
Hi guys had my 15th pico treatment a couple of weeks ago sorry i forgot to update ive been really busy with work lately! gonna have some pictures posted up on here this weekend so you can see how things are looking!
We keep on digging :)
Photos
Hi guys here's some photos of how my tattoo is looking at the moment, haven't scheduled another treatment yet but plan on doing it sometime later this year so my arm can have a good long time to fade and heal properly!
Onwards and upwards! :)
My biggest post to date!
Hi guys today I have some pictures and some great news! The pictures I'm going to put up today are proof that your tattoo can be dealt with!
Just over 2 years ago now I got a half sleeve tattoo and I just didn't like it on my body and instantly became overwhelmed with feelings of guilt, depression, sadness and failure. To this day I still have no hard feelings on the artist at all because he is a very good and well respected artist! However I looked for days for some information on how to get rid of tattoos and felt that I was fighting a lost cause bearing the size, density and freshness of my tattoo! Luckily I came across this community and found myself sharing the same problem with lots of other people and booked myself a consultation with a fantastic laser technician who used the picosure laser. Over the years I have watched my tattoo go from what it was to what it is now, I have watched my confidence grow and my life restore itself and I think I can safely say this will be last year of laser therapy and I am so glad to say it! I never thought my tattoo would go I always thought it was too dense and too big but I want everyone to know that this isn't a problem because if mine can go so can yours!
My next laser treatment won't be until sometime after summer and nearer that time I will be posting one of my final posts! However I could never leave this site for good and I would like to hopefully continue to give advice to all the fantastic people in this community who are feeling the same doubt I once felt.
If you ever want someone to talk to or some advice or questions answered just drop me a message and I will get back to you! :)
As I said here are the pictures I wanted to share with you just so you know that these tattoos are not permanent and The day will come where you can barely see it anymore! One last thing the reason I've tried to include a larger part of my body in these pictures (instead of just my arm) is so you can see how my skin colour hasn't changed on my arm and how it's still the same colour as the rest of my body!
After this summer and my last treatment (hopefully) in going to put together a long thread of pictures from my early stages all the way until now so you can see what it's like and how the fading process works it's magic!
Happy Easter People! Never forget to enjoy yourself!
Arm out in its biggest audience yet!
Hi guys today I'm happy to announce one of my greatest achievements in my entire life! Yesterday I ran in the Virgin London Marathon (26.2 miles) in front of the whole of London in aid of a charity close to me (Cardiac Risk In The Young) . I wore a vest and shorts so I had my arm out in front of millions of people from all over the country. I can honestly say it was one of the best feelings of my entire life and whilst my legs may be in agony right now my sense of pride is sky high!
Never in a million years would I thought I would have come to this but here are some of the photos from the day of my arm out in full swing!
Apologies for all my facials I was struggling to breathe lol!
Update!
Hi guys just a quick photo update of my tattoo, I've just got back from a lovely holiday in Crete.
I've had my arm completely exposed in the sun as I feel like it's not even there anymore! Here's how it looked post holiday :)
