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POSTED UNDER PicoSure Reviews

Black Tattoo Regret. Long and Expensive Journey Ahead.

UPDATED FROM cjg80
1 year post

Quick update

$3,200
After 9 months, I had my 3rd treatment. Pics to come after it heals.
In the meantime, here's a side by side of 1. No treatment, 2. After 1 treatment and 3. After 2 treatments.
Pretty good progress so far.
Right now my arm is still swollen and full of blisters so I'll update after it heals.
Good luck fading everyone!

cjg80's provider

Ink On Ink Off

Replies (5)

Oh I had my mole removed too, after the doctor suggested I get serious about it. :)
Looking good did you leave so long in between as it was recommended to do so, will you go for total removal?
a couple reasons for such a long wait after the 2nd visit.....the first was that the recovery sucked a lot that time around. it took at least a week until i felt a semblance of normalcy. plus i had a whole lot of stuff going on during the summer and then into the holidays, so i kept putting it off. now that i'm almost a week after the 3rd treatment, the recovery isn't as bad this time around, despite the doctor using a deeper setting with the laser. it will also get easier with subsequent treatments, i hope. i'm pretty sure i will go for total removal.
Thanks for the reply I found my first treatment hard going and felt drained, same I have put my second treatment off for an extra month for a few reasons to as I knew recovering was going to be hard going. I want full removal but I am torn as my husband really likes it now it's lighter so will take it treatment by treatment x
i know what you mean, i liked it way more once it was lightened, and i took a long time to figure out whether i really did want it or not. it was way too big for me in the first place, so i decided to continue with the treatment. also, the tattoo may not fade evenly (you may have some spots where there are a little bit more lightening than others). who knows though, i may end up getting a cover-up later after all (probably not though...that would be way too big!)
i can totally commiserate with you, know that you aren't alone!
Impressive results! I also have a black tattoo that I hate. I'm still blistered from treatment 2. Hoping for results like yours!

I honestly think your tattoo isn't bad art. But I totally understand how you're feeling.

Mine is on my upper arm and I'm dreading the summer months. I just ordered a bunch of t-shirts that will mostly cover it.
Good to know the best of us make this mistake. Awaiting my consultation appointment and peace in my skin again. Heres to trying to live without regrets!
You can consider a Polynesian design to cover that up with. I think with a good artist, it's definitely do-able for your design. Just as an option. If you don't want to wait 2+ more years (minimum) for possible removal.
UPDATED FROM cjg80
3 months post

Pictures post session 1

This is the side by side comparison of no treatment vs 3 weeks post session 1!

Replies (5)

Very good progress! Great results after just one treatment. I did see a much bigger difference after the second treatment. I think they went easy on me the first time. Maybe you will too.
thank you! judging by the difference in pain level, i suspect they went easy on me too. i'm still waiting for the scabs to fall off, but i think i will also see a bigger difference. good luck on your treatment!
Looks great. I can't wait to see more updates
I'm about to start a similar treatment. Do you have any updates?
I definitely see a difference! I just made an appointment for picosure and the office offers the Describe Patch. How much did you pay for a box and do you think it is worth it?
I paid 500 for the entire box of 15. Since my tattoo is so big, the first two sessions required multiple patches. On my 3rd treatment, I only needed 1 because there was less ink and also because I suspect that taking a shower beforehand got rid of some excess skin cells there (just a hunch... I suspect it's the first reason that's the most significant). I highly recommend it, because it really dulls the pain of the laser as well as allowing for multiple passes of the laser in one session. I truly do believe it makes a difference in the progress. The doc agrees with me, but she also said that she noticed more hypopigmentation with the patch... So i guess a little too effective. In my humble opinion it is worth it!
Have you kept up with your treatments?? :)
UPDATED FROM cjg80
3 months post

Treatment 2

It's been a crazy past few months, with a funeral and an overseas trip and family events, so I had to postpone my 2nd treatment a few times.
Finally, I had my 2nd treatment 2 days ago (10 weeks after my first). I covered my tattoo with lidocaine cream again for my 2-hr drive up. This time though, the doctor informed me that she turned up the power and I definitely felt it! The pain was a little more unpleasant than last time and I was happy when my hour-long session was over. She went over all areas 3 times with the PFD patch.
I slapped an ice pack on the treated area and held it there with the adhesive tape and it felt really good. I think it may have reduced the swelling as well, but I can't be sure. The entire area blistered again like last time though. This time, I started applying Biafine cream on the treated area right away and I think it kept the pain at bay (the stinging sunburn pain that I felt last time), as well as keeping the skin supple and moisturized. I love that thing, and recommend it highly.
I can see through the blisters that there are some more areas where the ink just "lifted off" like the doctor says. The funny thing is, when she would switch out the PFD patch to use a new one, we could literally see ink that came off on the patch (along with some skin cells). A sign of good things to come, I hope. Pictures to come, once these gross blisters get manageable!

Replies (1)

Sounds like an intense treatment for you but you made it through! I wish you lots of fading! 

Thanks Eva! You always have such positive things to say. :)
Best wishes your way too!