POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS
Tattoo Removal - Left Shoulder, Q Switch Vs Pico - Victoria, BC
ORIGINAL POST
I started my tattoo removal in November of 2013. I...
sunshineCRJuly 9, 2014
WORTH IT$1,500
I started my tattoo removal in November of 2013. I have had four treatments with the Q-Switched Yag in Nanaimo, BC and have my first Picosure appointment scheduled for today in Victoria, BC, Canada. I have experienced a fair amount of fading with the Q-switched and am overall happy with the results so far. The solid black in my tattoo is fading and breaking up and the red Chinese characters are almost gone. I do have a bit of scarring which could be a combination of the original tattoo process or one of the laser treatments I’ve received so far.
The Picosure has been getting so much hype in the tattoo removal world so I am excited to see what all the fuss is about – and if it is actually worth the price (I pay $150 each treatment with the Q-switched and $350 for the Picosure).
Background about my tattoo:
I got this tattoo at age 17 and it is 11 years old. As you will see in the original photo, the black ink was quite heavy and dense. The tattoo is on my left shoulder. I am embarrassed that I got it.
Laser treatments:
I didn’t use any lidocaine numbing cream for my first two treatments. It is definitely a painful process. I’d describe it as someone sticking a pin into my skin and dragging it along in short little snapping motions. The pain makes my body experience involuntary spasms. It hurts a lot but is tolerable. I’ve started using EMLA lidocaine cream and it numbs the pain quite a bit. Each treatment is more powerful than the last so the pain definitely increases with each.
Okay, that is basically it. My apologies for the poor photo documentation. I can’t wait to have this mistake off of my back. I can’t wait to wear backless dresses. I can’t wait to not have to cover up at the beach.
The Picosure has been getting so much hype in the tattoo removal world so I am excited to see what all the fuss is about – and if it is actually worth the price (I pay $150 each treatment with the Q-switched and $350 for the Picosure).
Background about my tattoo:
I got this tattoo at age 17 and it is 11 years old. As you will see in the original photo, the black ink was quite heavy and dense. The tattoo is on my left shoulder. I am embarrassed that I got it.
Laser treatments:
I didn’t use any lidocaine numbing cream for my first two treatments. It is definitely a painful process. I’d describe it as someone sticking a pin into my skin and dragging it along in short little snapping motions. The pain makes my body experience involuntary spasms. It hurts a lot but is tolerable. I’ve started using EMLA lidocaine cream and it numbs the pain quite a bit. Each treatment is more powerful than the last so the pain definitely increases with each.
Okay, that is basically it. My apologies for the poor photo documentation. I can’t wait to have this mistake off of my back. I can’t wait to wear backless dresses. I can’t wait to not have to cover up at the beach.
UPDATED FROM sunshineCR
1 day post
First Picosure Experience - Fifth laser treatment
sunshineCRJuly 10, 2014
I had my first Picosure laser treatment at Cosmedica Laser Center in Victoria. In preparation for this treatment, I applied Emla lidocaine numbing cream three hours before my appointment. My skin reacted slightly with the numbing cream but the technician said that the reaction was nothing to worry about. She said most patients have a slight reaction to the Emla, either a reddening or blanching of the skin. The technician seemed very knowledgeable and professional.
My fourth treatment with the Q-switched was very painful, so I was a bit nervous for this treatment. To my surprise, the Picosure laser was slightly less painful than the Q-switched. It also seemed quicker as only one run of the laser is needed (compared to the two runs from the Q-switched).
Overall, I had a very positive experience with the Picosure. I can only hope that the results are just as positive! I hope the extra money for the treatment was worth it. I can’t wait to compare and share some photos in 2-3 weeks.
Happy fading and thanks so much for all the support. :)
My fourth treatment with the Q-switched was very painful, so I was a bit nervous for this treatment. To my surprise, the Picosure laser was slightly less painful than the Q-switched. It also seemed quicker as only one run of the laser is needed (compared to the two runs from the Q-switched).
Overall, I had a very positive experience with the Picosure. I can only hope that the results are just as positive! I hope the extra money for the treatment was worth it. I can’t wait to compare and share some photos in 2-3 weeks.
Happy fading and thanks so much for all the support. :)
Replies (11)
July 11, 2014
Congrats! I just had my first Picosure treatment six days ago and am still going through that 'red' stage. I've seen some good fading on one of my tattoos but unfortunately cannot tell on the tattoo that really bugs me as it's impossible to see past the redness. I'm going back for my next treatment after a 13-week wait. How long do you plan to wait for yours? Good luck!
July 11, 2014
Hi Chad. It's awesome that you can already see fading on one of your tattoos. Hopefully in a few days the red stage will subside on your arm tattoo. I am not sure how long I will wait for my next treatment. They told me to wait at least six weeks but I think I will probably try to give it 8-10 weeks. I think the healing process will be a lot faster after this picosure treatment. My technician recommended applying a topical antibiotic cream twice a day for a week after treatment but I think I will also use aloe vera - as suggested by Wayne. I'm excited to see the end results from your first picosure treatment. Keep us posted :)
July 11, 2014
Thanks a lot! Looking forward to your results also. Sounds like you've mastered the aftercare part and I definitely think you'll benefit waiting longer between treatments! :-)
July 14, 2014
It's great to see your progress! I have had 7 q-switch and 2 Picosure treatments. I'm very happy with the Picosure. I hope you get good results from it, as s well!
July 14, 2014
Black lines (some thin, some a bit thicker), green, and purple. The thin, black lines are completely gone, and half of the green is. The thicker black lines and some of the purple are more stubborn.
July 14, 2014
Thanks so much. I just read through your review. I have been surprised by the lack of blisters after this first picosure treatment. It is nice to know that you experienced the same - a lot of swelling, blisters, scabbing with the yag and none with the picosure. Your results are great! I'm hoping that I see a lot of fading in the next few weeks.
July 14, 2014
wow you are getting great results! thanks so much for posting!
July 14, 2014
Thank you! I'm glad you are seeing significant fading from your first treatment. That is so encouraging. The black ink in my tattoo is the stubborn ink but it seems to be slowly breaking up and fading out.
July 21, 2014
How has your tattoo doing since picosure? Send us some as soon as you get healed! :)
March 20, 2018
Its so interesting that the red left first, normally its suppoused to be one of the most difficult colors.
UPDATED FROM sunshineCR
15 days post
Two weeks after first Picosure treatment
sunshineCRJuly 25, 2014
Hello tattoo removal community,
This photo was taken two weeks after my first picosure treatment (fifth treatment total). To be honest, I was hoping for better results. I do see some nice fading near the bottom and in the middle of the tattoo, but other than that, things seem about the same as after my fourth treatment with the q-switched. I guess I will just have to wait and see if it fades even more in the upcoming weeks. At this stage (and perhaps it is a bit early to know) I am not sure that the picosure is worth the extra cost. Although, my recovery was a lot smoother after the picosure treatment. I didn’t have to deal with nasty blisters and itchy scabs. Alright, that’s it for now. Happy fading.
This photo was taken two weeks after my first picosure treatment (fifth treatment total). To be honest, I was hoping for better results. I do see some nice fading near the bottom and in the middle of the tattoo, but other than that, things seem about the same as after my fourth treatment with the q-switched. I guess I will just have to wait and see if it fades even more in the upcoming weeks. At this stage (and perhaps it is a bit early to know) I am not sure that the picosure is worth the extra cost. Although, my recovery was a lot smoother after the picosure treatment. I didn’t have to deal with nasty blisters and itchy scabs. Alright, that’s it for now. Happy fading.
Replies (12)
July 25, 2014
I've had 7 q-switch and 2 Picosure treatments. I agree the recovery after Picosure is easier, and I have had much better results with it. I don't begin to see fading until at least 3 weeks after the treatment, but I see the most around 8-12 weeks. Be patient and happy fading!
August 1, 2014
very reassuring to heard picosure fading doesn't really happen until week 3. i have been going back and forth deciding to continue with q switch or switch to picosure. my friend had AMAZING results with picosure on all black tattoo...so i'll be doing that . if it doesn't work i'll go back to the q switch...but i with her results (with us having similar tattoos) i would REGRET if I didn' t at least try one treatment. ! :)
August 2, 2014
Like you I started with a q switch, had a great deal of fading. I've switched to picosure and had two more treatments but to be honest, I don't see a lot of change overall with the pico. I have green ink and the picosure has faded the green well, but I think the q switch did better on the black. The pico is a bit more expensive (450 compared to 370) and it's less painful, heals much faster, but I'm thinking about going back to the first laser. I'll check in on you later this year and see if you think there's a difference.
August 3, 2014
Yeah, absolutely! Keep updating! I enjoy following your progress since our tattoos are similar.
August 5, 2014
Yeah, I am definitely thinking about returning to the q-switched. At over double the price plus a further drive, I am unsure if I want to continue with the picosure. I may try it once more before I go back to the q-switched. I will keep you all updated :)
July 25, 2014
Hi! In a very similar situation myself at the moment. Had my Pico treatment nearly three weeks ago and have not yet seen much difference, though I appreciate this takes time. Quite reassuring to see the comment below about seeing fading from three weeks onwards. I'm also unsure whether Picosure is worth the cost, and truthfully, I don't think I'm going to be having a second treatment with it and will stick with the RevLite. Do let us know if you see any improvement. :-)
July 28, 2014
Yes, it is very reassuring to see the comment below. I'm just trying to forget about my tattoo until my next comparison in a week or two. If I don't see any significant fading in the next six weeks I will get another treatment with the Q-switched. Good luck with RevLite. I like your countdown calendar, perhaps I will make myself one too :)
July 25, 2014
It does seem to be that dense black tattoos respond better to Q switch... Picosure sure does amazing job but I can't see it being any quicker with black than other lasers. But, not having blisters must be amazing. Keep us updated on your process! :)
July 25, 2014
this is great news. I have an all black dense tattoo and been using q switch and getting great results. was contemplating picosure lasers but hesitant because of the COST. and also heard that picosure isn't the best for darker skin tones since the laser wavelength isn't as long as the yag used in q switch so it tends to "bleach" the skin. for how long....I don't know .
July 28, 2014
Yeah, I am curious to see what 6-8 weeks post session brings, then I will decide which route to go next. I am getting quite nervous about scarring (probably because I googled keloid scarring after tattoo removal... eek) so I am happy with the easy recovery I've experienced after this past treatment. :)
July 28, 2014
Yes, the picosure does cost A LOT more than the q-switched. As far as bleaching the skin goes, I have noticed quite a few pale blotches of skin where the red ink used to be. I feel like this bleaching worsened after the pico treatment but I'm not overly concerned about it at this time (as my skin is quite fair to begin with). Time will tell which laser is more effective for my tattoo. I think I will do another comparison in a week or so. I'm glad you are seeing such nice fading after your latest treatment! Keep us updated :)
Replies (12)