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POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS

Laser Tattoo Removal - Yag Q-Switched Medlite / Picosure - Washington, D.C.

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Hi all! This is my first review on here and I...

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RSMember7423
WORTH IT$1,075
Hi all! This is my first review on here and I really thank all of you first of all because this is where I came when I was looking into getting my three ugly ass tattoos removed. So far I have had two laser tattoo removal treatments using a Medlite Q-switched Yag laser. I live in the Washington, D.C. area and there are not as many places with picosure down here. I found one place called UntattooU in Vienna, VA that I might go to for my next treatment that has picosure so please let me know what you think of my results using the Yag laser and if you think I should change to picosure or stick with it. The place I have gone to already is called the Center for Laser Surgery and it was absolutely wonderful. I got lidocaine injections that made the process pretty much painless. It was just after the treatments when I got swelling, bruising and blisters that it hurt and itched badly. But I followed aftercare instructions and it got better. I wish I knew exactly how many treatments I am going to need but so far with the YAG I have spent $750 on two treatments. The two treatments are all three tattoos done at the same time $500 each treatment for all three. I got a 50% discount for the first treatment so that is why it is only $750 so far. Let me know if you think I got an okay price. When I went to the picosure consultation I was told I could get all three done with picosure and the price would be $540 each treatment so that doesn't seem like that much more for picosure. Woo! Might have to do it. I was also quoted as having to have around 6 sessions for picosure but the Center for Laser Surgery also quoted for about 6 for Medlite so clearly someone is wrong here... Thoughts? And check out the pictures so far!! Lots of love.

RSMember7423's provider

Melanie Erb

RSMember7423

RSMember7423 ratings

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Melanie is absolutely professional and very informative and kind. I would highly recommend her for treatment. When I had concerns with my bleeding after the treatment she responded promptly and even texted with me when I showed her pictures.

Replies (7)

March 26, 2015
Only after 2 treatments, that looks pretty great! You can already see some of the letters are fading and the "web" in the spider web is fading too! I just got picosure treatment (only 2 days out), but it is very expensive. If I were you, I would stick with this for 4 treatments and if you don't see the results you want, I would say try the picosure. I mean it certainly can't hurt =) Goodluck!
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March 26, 2015
Thank you so much for your comment!!! Do you have a pic of your treatment pre and post? This other clinic is offering picosure for only $40 more than the medlite so that's why it is tempting but they still don't know for sure how many treatments it will take. Hmmmm
March 26, 2015
Yes, I do! Take a look at my post here: http://www.realself.com/review/new-york-tattoo-removal-tattoo-removed-stat The first photo is before treatment and the second 2 photos are 2 days after my first treatment - you can't really see any real difference but if you want to take a look =) Honestly, if it's only 40 dollars more I would give it a try! They also say the third treatment is usually the "breakthrough" treatment so it might be perfect timing.
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March 27, 2015
The research I have done on the Picosure is conflicted. I have learned that the Picosure doesn't technically have the best wavelength for black ink. After consulting some professionals that use Picosure, they assured me that they don't need that same wavelength because the Picosure works differently than any other laser. It's very conflicted though and some people swear by one laser or another. - - My best advice is to stick with the laser you're using unless you hit a plateau. Can always switch later.
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March 27, 2015
Thank you so much for your advice!! Even though the picosure is only 40 dollars more per session? I really want to get rid of them as fast as possible so not worth a try?
April 5, 2015
Hi - I'm also in the DC area and had a consultation at CLS before I started treatment a couple of years ago. I went elsewhere because CLS has outdated technology and quoted really high prices. For such as upscale clinic, it's appalling to me that they're still using the Medlite laser. Their estimate of 6 treatments seems completely unrealistic. When I was first looking into laser removal, Picosure was not widely available. I started treatment at Zapatat in Arlington, which has a Revlite machine (Medlite upgrade) and more reasonable pricing than CLS. My results with the Revlite laser were noticeable, but not great. I switched over to Picosure and saw much better fading, especially on greens and blues. My last Picosure treatment was at UntattooU and I highly recommend the place. Next week I have my first treatment with the new Picoway picosecond Nd/yag laser at the Washington Inst. for Dermatologic Laser Surgery. This laser is supposed to give the best results on black ink. It's expen$ive, but you might look into it since your tats appear to be all black. Best wishes to you.
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April 6, 2015
Wow best response ever!!! Thank you soooooo much for your information. I'm scheduled for picosure at Untattoo for sure in two weeks but I will definitely look into the Washington Inst. for Dermatologic Laser Surgery. WIll you post pics of your progress there on here?? How many tattoos are you getting removed and where is it? It's taken a couple of years? UGHHHH
UPDATED FROM RSMember7423
2 months post

Laser Tattoo Removal - Picosure! - Washington, D.C.

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RSMember7423
Update time! I have decided for sure to go ahead and start picosure for my third laser tattoo removal session!! I didn't originally start with picosure because I couldn't find a place in the Washington, D.C. area where I am with it. However, thanks to someone on this site I found out about a place that opened in the last year called UnTattooU that has it. I went in for a free consultation and was still curious about whether it was good at all on mostly black ink tattoos instead of color. However I even posted a question on here about that and another doctor confirmed picosure even on black ink is the best. Then, the clinic has a 20% off deal for your first treatment session so that sealed the deal. I just put down my payment of $325 (in order to secure the deal because it was a March only promo) and my apointment is April 23. Do you think I'll see much change after the first picosure treatment? I'm so excited!!!

Replies (2)

March 29, 2015
I switched to picosure after 7 treatments and love it! Good luck!
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March 30, 2015
awesome! I'll check out your page! Thanks for the comment!
UPDATED FROM RSMember7423
2 months post

Picture of black ink breaking up after two Medlite Yag Q-switched laser tattoo removal treatments. Picosure next!

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RSMember7423
Photo says it all.

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