POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS
Rose Tattoo
ORIGINAL POST
Hi there im an african american (dark skin ) id...
$195
Hi there im an african american (dark skin ) id say my skin color is similar to Kelly Rowland the singer from destinys child. im guessing i have skin type 5. So anyway i got a rose tattoo on my stomach ( naval area) on December 16 2013 to cover a scar from a surgery i had when i was 4 years old. It was a hernia surgery on belly button but as i got older the scar started to bother me alot. I was afraid to show my stomach during the summer and wear bathing suits that would show my stomach and when i did wear bathing suits i would always have my hand over my stomach hiding the scar until i would get in the swimming pool, and all my friends and cousins would have there
belly buttons pierced and i had always wanted mine pierced but i couldn't because of my scar and how it made my belly button kinda dis-formed, so i thought about it for a while that i would get a tattoo of a rose on my stomach to cover the scar and then i would add color to it whenever i could. so December 13, 2013 i got the rose tattoo at dagos Houston. That was the worst day of my life. i was so excited to get it though that when i did finally get it i hated it soon as the guy got done with the tattoo. i felt like i had ruined my stomach the tattoo hurt ed a hell of allot as well. it hurted so bad that when he was done with the tattoo i didnt even get it colored like i had planned. so after that i went home and everyone loved it and thought that i should have gotten it colored. plus everyone in my family knows how self conscious of my scar on my stomach i was. so they were happy for me a ton. but i wasnt but i told them i liked it. after getting the tattoo i went into a deep depression and wasnt eating and i wasnt going anywhere at all. i felt like i was an idiot and that how could i have done this to myself. The tattoo TO ME didnt cover the scar like i wanted it to and it didnt come out as planned, so i immediately started searching for tattoo removal i found a couple places and went for consultations and stuff but just didnt have the money yet to start treatments. Plus once i told my friends and family they were like " no girl dont do that its pretty, its cute etc...." and they were like tattoo removal is going to reuin ur skin and its going to make ur scar worse and they told me to just leave the tattoo alone and just get it colored in because it would like better colored in etc... i felt horrible. and decided after a month or two of having the tattoo that i kinda started to like it and recently last Wednesday March 13, 2014 i decided to get it colored in, HUGE MISTAKE! I FELT HORRIBLE AFTER I GOT HOME I FELT LIKE I JUST WANTED TO DIE AND I FELT LIKE I HAD RUINED MY TATTOO. NOW I JUST WANT IT GONE. I KNOW I SHOULD OF WENT WITH MY FIRST MIND AND GOT IT REMOVED LIKE I HAD PLANNED BUT I LET PPL GET IN MY HEAD AND CONVINCE ME COLOR WOULD MAKE IT LOOK BETTER. I WANT THIS TATTOO GONE SERIOUSLY! THE TATTOO WAS ORIGINALLY AND BLACK TATTOO WITH MOSTLY SHADING BUT THE COLORS I ADDED ARE RED WITH A LIL HIGHLIGHT OF ORANGE FOR THE ROSE AND FOR THE STEM AND LEAVES I GOT GREEN WITH A LIL HIGHLIGHT OF YELLOW. THERES NOT A WHOLE LOT OF COLORS BUT ITS ENOUGH. COULD I GET SOME HELP ON THIS TATTOO AND WHAT LASERS I NEED FOR MY SKIN TYPE AND FOR MY TATTOO?
belly buttons pierced and i had always wanted mine pierced but i couldn't because of my scar and how it made my belly button kinda dis-formed, so i thought about it for a while that i would get a tattoo of a rose on my stomach to cover the scar and then i would add color to it whenever i could. so December 13, 2013 i got the rose tattoo at dagos Houston. That was the worst day of my life. i was so excited to get it though that when i did finally get it i hated it soon as the guy got done with the tattoo. i felt like i had ruined my stomach the tattoo hurt ed a hell of allot as well. it hurted so bad that when he was done with the tattoo i didnt even get it colored like i had planned. so after that i went home and everyone loved it and thought that i should have gotten it colored. plus everyone in my family knows how self conscious of my scar on my stomach i was. so they were happy for me a ton. but i wasnt but i told them i liked it. after getting the tattoo i went into a deep depression and wasnt eating and i wasnt going anywhere at all. i felt like i was an idiot and that how could i have done this to myself. The tattoo TO ME didnt cover the scar like i wanted it to and it didnt come out as planned, so i immediately started searching for tattoo removal i found a couple places and went for consultations and stuff but just didnt have the money yet to start treatments. Plus once i told my friends and family they were like " no girl dont do that its pretty, its cute etc...." and they were like tattoo removal is going to reuin ur skin and its going to make ur scar worse and they told me to just leave the tattoo alone and just get it colored in because it would like better colored in etc... i felt horrible. and decided after a month or two of having the tattoo that i kinda started to like it and recently last Wednesday March 13, 2014 i decided to get it colored in, HUGE MISTAKE! I FELT HORRIBLE AFTER I GOT HOME I FELT LIKE I JUST WANTED TO DIE AND I FELT LIKE I HAD RUINED MY TATTOO. NOW I JUST WANT IT GONE. I KNOW I SHOULD OF WENT WITH MY FIRST MIND AND GOT IT REMOVED LIKE I HAD PLANNED BUT I LET PPL GET IN MY HEAD AND CONVINCE ME COLOR WOULD MAKE IT LOOK BETTER. I WANT THIS TATTOO GONE SERIOUSLY! THE TATTOO WAS ORIGINALLY AND BLACK TATTOO WITH MOSTLY SHADING BUT THE COLORS I ADDED ARE RED WITH A LIL HIGHLIGHT OF ORANGE FOR THE ROSE AND FOR THE STEM AND LEAVES I GOT GREEN WITH A LIL HIGHLIGHT OF YELLOW. THERES NOT A WHOLE LOT OF COLORS BUT ITS ENOUGH. COULD I GET SOME HELP ON THIS TATTOO AND WHAT LASERS I NEED FOR MY SKIN TYPE AND FOR MY TATTOO?
Replies (6)
March 23, 2014
aloha williams122, I am so sorry that you are sad about your tattoo experience. The intentions were there, but it just didn't happen the way you expected. I know that feeling all too well. Being self conscience of our bodies makes us unhappy and we do things trying to solve the problem. As Eva has suggested, getting consultations can really help. The professionals can answer your questions, alleviate fears and offer suggestions. They did with me. I felt that there was a solution to the problem, I didn't feel like a victim, my own worst enemy. Once the tattoo is fully healed, you can begin laser sessions. Cover make up helps also. I go to a plastic surgeon and he sells makeup that is very good. And helps heal the skin also. If you have Sephora near you, they can also help. There is cover make up there. And as Eva says, this is a great place for support. I have been helped by many here. In the meantime, please know that you are not alone. Ink regret robs us of our positive attitudes, but with support, professionals and time we will get to where we want. Good luck, keep us posted...aloha...k
March 23, 2014
kahelelani, thank you so much for ur response. i am just not myself. i never new how much something on ur body could change u so much i will definitely be looking into that make up until i get my treatments started.
UPDATED FROM Williams122
picosure tattoo removal
okay so today i had a consultation for tattoo removal with the picosure laser. I went to a place in the woodlands tx who has the picosure and the although the consultation was $50 it was worth it plus the $50 dollars goes towards ur first treatment which i was quoted $300 dollars per session and id need about 8 treatments because she said she would have to start with lower setting because my skin is darker. the Doctor did a test spot on the back of my ear with the picosure laser at 3.9 setting. she sed everything looked good but i would have to wait two weeks to see how the test spot she did on the back of my ear reacts to see if it will do good on my skin tone. i have type 5 skin tone and im a african american. she used a numbing cream on the area and cold air so i didnt feel a thing. although she told me next time i go in for my actual treatmeant she would set the laser at 4.9 this is a lower setting. i cant wait to start the picosure laser.
Replies (24)
March 25, 2014
Thanks for the update, look forward to watching your progress - keep us posted!
March 25, 2014
ur welcome and yes i sure will i will post pictures as well and as soon as i start treatments. i really hope the picosure fades my tattoo. i know it works for green really good and black
March 25, 2014
I wonder if you are at risk for hypo pigmentation or hyper? I am olive skin tone and the first three treatments were done at a higher setting but my 4 & 5 were done at more intense settings and I have a lot of hyper pigmentation now! =( Good luck on your first treatment! Look forward to seeing your results! =)
March 26, 2014
hi there and thank you...i know there is a risk of hypo pigmentation with my skin being darker and the doctor told me today in my consultation that to try and avoid that risk she would be start with higher setting on my tattoo. and then slower work her way down. she gave me a spot test on the back of my ear with the picosure laser today to see how it will react on my skin tone. i kinda thought that was weird and thought she would have did the spot test on my tattoo. but she told me to wait two weeks to see if any chances in my skin occur and if not i can start treatments in 2 weeks,,,did u have a spot test done first? and if i do experience lightening of the skin will it eventually go away? and how many treatments were u estimated? and how many treatments have you had?
March 26, 2014
Yea, that does seem weird to do it behind your ear! Maybe she was saving your tat from any alterations in case you change your mind? I did not have a spot test but I had a "consultation" via emails with pictures because I am in New Orleans and I am going to Austin for treatment. My first 3 treatments were probably like 4.0 and above and had no problems then my last two were like 3.5 and 3.0 and that gave my skin hyper pigmentation! =( I do think it will go away but from what I see it takes about a year. So I am just going to keep going until the ink is gone then try to heal the hyper and hypo. Some people on here wait 6 months or longer if they see any hyper or hypo as they say the longer you wait between treatments the better. So it's a personal decision I suppose but hopefully you will not have to worry about that. Many people do not have any hyper or hypo. =) Check out my post if you want to see my progression. I was quoted for 4 treatments but the doctor said I may need 8. I have had 5 treatments so far and I have 7 more at my quoted price (I had a second quote done after my initial 4 were done). So actually in the end have up to 12 treatments at my facility if I need that many. I hope to god I do not need more because my doctor quoted me an extremely good price for my 5-12 treatments! In all, I think the hyper and hypo will absolutely go away (in time) so i will continue to get treated every 6-8 weeks. =) Good luck.
March 26, 2014
Oh! You're in Texas! Yea, I was going to go to Houston as the plane tickets are much cheaper from NOLA to Houston after my first 4 treatments but the doc gave me a deal for the 5 -12 treatments that was cheaper in the end to just fly to Austin, TX. But I was looking in Houston, they have some good facilities there from the looks of it.
March 26, 2014
Hopefully i dont experience any hypo or hyper but id rather have hyper that hypo because you can always fix hyper pigmentation but hypo sometimes cant be fixed ya know and i looked at ur progress and ur fading looks GREAT! i hope mine fades like that i will definitely probably wait longer in between sessions for the maximum fading and better results. ill probably wait at least three months in between treatments plus since the tattoo is on my stomach it wont be seen anyway so i want to try to get the best results and if the longer you wait the better results, HEY IM ALL IN LOL ! but yea i was thinking about going to austin because they also have the picosure laser but i recently found a place here in houston in the woodlands who have the picosure and i was so happy because i didnt wanna drive 4 hours to austin from houston to be treated with the picosure. Houston does have alot of good tattoo removal places here ive been to a couple for consultations like dr.tattoff and new look houston. but i think im going to stick with the picosure because its less treatments. Were you saying you paid for 5-12 treatments for the picosure?
March 26, 2014
I paid for 1-4 treatments at first which is the cost on my post and then after my four were complete I was given a set rate for up to 8 more treatments. (which would be treatments 5 through12 for me) However, the doctor said I probably will not need a total of 12 treatments he was just ensuring that the rate I pay stays the same because he gave me an amzing deal on treatments 5-12. So essentially I am not given another quote that is outrageously epsensive. Does that make sense?
March 26, 2014
Pico is not good for your skin pigment. You should seriously consider a 1064 wavelength laser (aka Q-switched laser) as the Pico can cause permanent scarring/hypopigmentation (lightening of yr skin color) considering yr skin tone. Please research this more considering yr skin pigment (via google aka keywords 'African American skin laser tattoo removal'). Clinics / w Pico seem to just be after money and as far as I've seen- Pico is not faster by any means b/c it's our bodies that ultimately remove the ink (via the lymph system) and unfortunately there is not "quick" fix to "faster" removal/treatment when it comes to our body's natural pace. Best of luck to you!!!!
March 26, 2014
okay i will find a clinic with the q switched yag laser but i also have colors in my tattoo although my tattoo is mainly black. would i still be at risk of permanent hypo pigmentation since i have color in my tattoo and my skin is dark?
March 26, 2014
It's hard to say really- all I know is that I have read many things concerning the Pico (when it first came out) that stated that it is not good for anyone who has darker skin past a certain pigment/tone, which i know is unfortunate for many people. The Pico is SO strong, and b/c these lasers pick up on color/pigment, it basically will see your skin pigment as an actual color and destroy your natural skin pigment (melanin). I am honestly very surprised that your clinic advised that the Pico would be safe for you, as many others advise strongly against it considering yr skin tone. Perhaps you should consult elsewhere- in my opinion, that clinc is just after yr money and not yr well being. There are q-switched lasers that are out there that can target diff colors (reds/greens/blues) so I would def keep consulting. The most important variable for you is finding a clinic that can give you realistic expectations of your removal success due to your skin pigment, and unfortunately it appears to be harder to get those results the darker yr skin tone. Also, scarring may be more of a factor for you if you are prone to keloids...please consult a few other places at least to get a better understanding of this (and who you can trust) and research online. I am no expert, but this is just what I came across from my research, as I have been going through this journey for over 2 yrs now and am finally nearing the end...
March 26, 2014
They did a test spot with the picosure on the back of my ear to see how the laser would react on my skin tone it was on 3.9 and she said to wait two weeks to see how it reacts then if I wanted to continue I could
March 27, 2014
Ok cool- just saying- what I mentioned above was just stuff I came across from my constant researching, but ultimately it's up to you. Best of luck to you :)
March 27, 2014
Thank u I'm really confused I dont know which way to go.. what would u do if u were me
March 27, 2014
It's a tough call- I am Caucasian and had concerns about permanent scarring/discoloration, and I know that it's worse for people w/ darker skin pigment....what I did was just take treatments slower to reduce the possibility of scarring/discoloration. Also, if you do go through w/ removal, you need to make sure yr dr/tech is aware of your risk factors being that AA skin types have a higher risk. I found 2 links for you to check out...both of these are from RealSelf blogs: http://www.realself.com/question/tattoo-removal-darkly-pigmented-african-american AND http://www.realself.com/question/laser-tattoo-removal-african-american-skin1......hope this helps
March 27, 2014
I'm been thinking about just getting a tattoo decision or skin graft. I'm not worried about a scar or scars I just want this tattoo gone
March 31, 2014
has anyone heard of the R20 method for tattoo removal?
March 31, 2014
yes williams122, I have had three R20 sessions. If you look on my review you'll see the results and my experience. I know that some doctors are advising against it based on posting questions and pictures, but with all due respect, computer monitors and personal skin history do not translate well. An in-person consultation with an experienced individual is best. Good luck!
UPDATED FROM Williams122
tattoo update
havent started any laser treatments yet but i will this month, cant wait till i get my first treatment i know i will start feeling much better. anybody know anybody with darker skin or an african american that has had a tattoo removed that had color in it? if so please let me know because theres not really any reviews on here of darker skin ppl of tattoo removal
Replies (8)
April 4, 2014
50 cent had all his tattoos lasered off on his arms.. it is possible just a really high chance of scarring since the laser has trouble differentiating what is skin and what is ink so sometimes it can burn the skin.. i wish you the best of luck, you have a beautiful stomach with or without the tattoo! make sure to research a good artist so you will love your tattoo next time.
April 4, 2014
Awww thank you sooo much for this comment. u made my night. hey do you know if 50 cent had color in his tattoos he got removed? And there will be no next time for a tattoo I'm not getting anymore that was my first and last tattoo lol
April 4, 2014
no color, a tattoo artist should never give color to someone as dark as you color as it will look horrible and muted once it heals, but 50 did it so its pssible
April 4, 2014
my tattoo has color in it though but you cant really tell that much it looked better black but i wanted some color because the tattoo looked so plain i got red and green in the tattoo but for the red in the rose he highlighted the red with orange and for the green he highlighted it with a yellow he put that in the stem and leaves but the red barely shows on my skin and in some places doesnt even show i guess the ink didnt take in certain areas and as for the green in the stem and leaves it barley shows as well and on the left leave on my tattoo the color didnt take at all and the stem theres like a lil streak of green you can barely see it. you can tell theres a lil color added in the tattoo but its barely noticeable to me. plus my tattoo is mainly black ink and in the rose theres alot of black shading and in the leaves so what color that does show its horrible to me. i cant wait to start getting this tattoo removed. take a look at my review and ull see my tattoo colored it looks horrible to me but the pic i have on here is when i first got the color so it wasnt healed yet
April 4, 2014
You just repeated what I just said. Any good artist never would of put color on someone with dark skin like yours as it looks bad. Muted means dull and cloudy. You went to a bad artist.
April 4, 2014
Check my review to see some results on black ink and what a good color tattoo should look like
It is very common for people to cover scars with tattoos, I am just sorry that you are not happy with yours.Â
I would suggest going to at least 3 Tattoo Removal clinics for consultations and see what your options are.Â