POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS
Five Year Old Tattoo Removal - USA
ORIGINAL POST
Hi all, So before I graduate and head into a...
bluejaywayJanuary 28, 2014
$280
Hi all,
So before I graduate and head into a rather client-facing career, i've decided that it would be best to have my tattoo removed. That, and it's been bothering me for some time now. I don't like it at all. It's a circular (5cm x 5cm) symbol of a band I used to like (rather foolish I know) with only black ink and located on my forearm. I've had one treatment so far, slightly less than a week ago.
I admire the support that i've seen in this community. It's a rather long journey and even now, just after my first treatment, I can see that it is going to take a lot of patience and focus but i'm looking forward to documenting it on here and hearing back from you guys as we are all on the same journey! :)
So I had my first treatment last Friday on the Revlite Q-switched YAG. The fluence level was set at 1 or 1.5, can't remember which. It didn't hurt a terrible amount. Since then, I've had no bleeding, blisters or scabbing at all which kind of makes me think the energy level was too low? I've seen very minimal fading during this first week but I've read that I may not notice anything until about 4-6 weeks after treatment when it will begin breaking down the pigments? Keen to hear if that's what other people have experienced too.
Anyway, I hope to continue updating as I progress through the treatment, although I think perhaps I will hold off on treatments for as long as possible (>2 months) to try to maximise fade in-between treatments and hopefully save some money.
Thanks guys :)
So before I graduate and head into a rather client-facing career, i've decided that it would be best to have my tattoo removed. That, and it's been bothering me for some time now. I don't like it at all. It's a circular (5cm x 5cm) symbol of a band I used to like (rather foolish I know) with only black ink and located on my forearm. I've had one treatment so far, slightly less than a week ago.
I admire the support that i've seen in this community. It's a rather long journey and even now, just after my first treatment, I can see that it is going to take a lot of patience and focus but i'm looking forward to documenting it on here and hearing back from you guys as we are all on the same journey! :)
So I had my first treatment last Friday on the Revlite Q-switched YAG. The fluence level was set at 1 or 1.5, can't remember which. It didn't hurt a terrible amount. Since then, I've had no bleeding, blisters or scabbing at all which kind of makes me think the energy level was too low? I've seen very minimal fading during this first week but I've read that I may not notice anything until about 4-6 weeks after treatment when it will begin breaking down the pigments? Keen to hear if that's what other people have experienced too.
Anyway, I hope to continue updating as I progress through the treatment, although I think perhaps I will hold off on treatments for as long as possible (>2 months) to try to maximise fade in-between treatments and hopefully save some money.
Thanks guys :)
UPDATED FROM bluejayway
9 days post
Adding photos
bluejaywayJanuary 30, 2014
Just to add some photos. The fading that is already noticeable is actually from when the tattoo was done, it wasn't filled in properly. No obvious fading from the treatment yet (as far as I can see).
Replies (6)
January 30, 2014
Welcome to the community, I am really glad you are going to share your journey with us :) We all make mistakes in life, no looking back just forward :)
I feel you will have great success with your removal, I can already see some fading. You are smart to leave lots of time between sessions, I feel that is key and will minimize any skin damage.
I started off at the lowest setting, I did blister tons, but everyone reacts differently that's forsure. I think it was my 2nd treatment that they turned the laser up and I have no blisters. You will also find you heal faster after each treatment.
Remember, lots of water and healthy food - keep us posted :)
I feel you will have great success with your removal, I can already see some fading. You are smart to leave lots of time between sessions, I feel that is key and will minimize any skin damage.
I started off at the lowest setting, I did blister tons, but everyone reacts differently that's forsure. I think it was my 2nd treatment that they turned the laser up and I have no blisters. You will also find you heal faster after each treatment.
Remember, lots of water and healthy food - keep us posted :)
January 30, 2014
Thanks for the warm welcome! I am definitely hoping for great success, it'll definitely be a relief with it gone! :)
January 30, 2014
That does sound a little low, assuming they treated you on 1064.
January 30, 2014
Indeed. I think so too. I'll wait this out as long as I can and see if I do notice anything after 4 weeks but I think i'll mention it next session. I do understand though the need to sometimes use a lower level at first to suss out my skin tolerance.
January 31, 2014
I can definitely see some fading. It's hard sometimes to see in photos, but yours is wonderfully obvious. Yes, ink removal takes patience and positivity. That's one thing that's great about this forum, you get positive feedback from many here. I have had ten sessions done and with each I see more and more fading. Yes, it takes some time, and there's nothing to get around that. Cover up make up helps as well as those sleeves, if it's possible to wear them. Good luck with your removal, keep us posted. Stay positive, patient and be persistent. It takes time, but it's worth it and so are you. aloha...k
UPDATED FROM bluejayway
16 days post
Quick update
bluejaywayFebruary 5, 2014
Hi all, thought i'd add a quick update.
I'm coming up on two weeks post treatment #1 and see no signs of fading. Practicing super patience at the moment, keeping hopeful that I see something happen in the next few weeks when I next update.
I'm reading along with all you guys as well, keep up the great work! Keeping me motivated!
I'm coming up on two weeks post treatment #1 and see no signs of fading. Practicing super patience at the moment, keeping hopeful that I see something happen in the next few weeks when I next update.
I'm reading along with all you guys as well, keep up the great work! Keeping me motivated!
Replies (9)
February 5, 2014
I felt like I did not have and fading either after my first treatment. I think for me they have the laser on a lower setting to see how my skin would handle the laser, maybe that's what the Dr. is doing for you.
February 26, 2014
Did you notice that they turned it up on your second treatment and it started fading a bit better? What level did they go to if you don't mind me asking?
February 26, 2014
Yes, they turned the laser to I think 3.5 on my second treatment. But I think that is even pretty low of a setting. A lot of people on here looks like they start at 3.0 and go lower. this last time the Dr. Used two different settings. A higher one for the dark spots and a lower one for the very faded spots!
February 26, 2014
I just noticed i think the number levels are different for Yag and Pico so my numbers might not help you.
February 5, 2014
Hey, untatme is probably right, it sounds like they were probably gauging the reaction of your skin. 1.5J is really quite low and it's unlikely it wouldn't have had much of an interaction with the tattoo pigment. Depending on your financial situation, you could probably press them to get back in for another session in another 3 or 4 weeks, as I imagine the skin has already healed, due to minimal damage. Don't be disheartened, you'll probably see a big difference after your next treatment, provided they crank things up a bit :)
February 26, 2014
Thanks!
Definitely hoping they'll turn it up this next time around. Does anyone know of a good level for second session? My skin really is quite fair and I got pretty much no reaction from 1.5 so I think I could handle quite a bit more (and i'm really after heaps of fading this time around.)
February 26, 2014
It'll depend entirely on what the technician feels is right. It's not uncommon for them to go in with a larger spot size and a low fluence at your first full treatment to gauge the skin reaction, unfortunately this can mean not a great deal of interaction happens with ink. Be sure to let them know, at your next treatment, that your skin handled that last session with ease, and that you saw very little happen - this'll hopefully see them crank things up a notch. The RevLite is a good laser - should be able to take care of your all-black tattoo!
March 10, 2014
Thanks, I mentioned it and we ended up going 6mm and 3.5 fluence. It seemed to have a more prominent effect than my first treatment so fingers crossed I see something out of this!
Replies (0)