Laser Tattoo Removal...In case you are curious!

[NYwdwfan]

Wow - the accident with your fingers is a crazy story! It really is amazing they were able to re-attach them - my brother in law recently cut off his pinky with a table saw and had 9 hours of microsurgery and after 2 weeks they still weren't sure if the finger was going to stay on OK. I think it's on now but not really working - like it doesn't bend or anything - it's just "there".

Slight thread derail over...back to the topic at hand!

I saw something on one of the tattoo shows (I think it was Inkmaster) where the artist was inking over the same area and the skin got all torn up - it was bleeding and looked like it really hurt - I guess if you tried to tattoo too early over the area the skin would probably have difficulty holding up to it.

Which reminds me - I told my husband I'd sign him up to be a canvas in Season 2 of Inkmaster and I completely forgot - guess I need to get on that today!

 

[flynnibus]

Come on sweatpea... where's the updates?

based on the cruise, I gotta imagine you are all healed up?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Come on sweatpea... where's the updates?

based on the cruise, I gotta imagine you are all healed up?

Actually, I just had round #4 this past Monday! So as of today, nope, it's not healed up. It's a big oozing blister again. LOL! I did have Chandler take a quick pic with my iPhone moments before the treatment on Monday. Here ya go:

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee262/sweetpee_1993/Laser Tattoo Removal/Round 4/f04ba767.jpg

I skipped last month so it'd be as healed as possible for our recent trip. So, looking at the pic, that is what it looked like after having 2 months to heal and had been exposed to the sun and tanning bed more than the norm. Even when my shoulders would get a bit red, the white blob didn't burn excessively. I was thinking it would be more photo-sensitive than the rest of my "normal" skin. It wasn't.

I'm not sure what was different on the recent treatment. Maybe I was just out of practice or forgot what it was like. Or, could be I was yammering away instead of focusing on what was going on. It felt a bit more painful this time. I dunno. I think that was just me not paying attention and talking. Chandler said he thought I looked like I was in more pain or having a little more difficulty with it. Poor kid. At one point he reached out to try to hold my hand. So sweet. I felt bad refusing it. It's better for me to focus when I'm in pain so I can deal with it. Someone touching me is a distraction. I just touched his hand and said, "Not right now, buddy, but thank YOU." He understood. :wave:

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Did you like laser tattoo removal treatment?? The main thing which you liked the most about this process, if you feel comfortable then please share with us.

I like that it faded my tattoo so quickly. I don't think it was anymore painful than having it put on to begin with. If anything I'd say it's less painful because even if you add the time it took for each of the 4 treatments I had it still doesn't come close to how long it took to have the thing put on my shoulder to begin with. I got a great deal on the service using Groupon so I can't complain about the cost.

Anyone looking to do this should do their homework first just like you would when getting inked. Know who is working on you, know that they are competent and "clean". Be aware of the result you will get. Every person is different. Older inks respond faster. Some colors are quicker to zap than others. An already fading tattoo usually takes less sessions. Also, the skill of the tattoo artist when the thing was originally inked plays a part because if the ink was put deeper in there it will respond the the treatment differently. Also, be aware of the after-care and healing process. You will need to be able to "dress" the wound. Yes, it's a big, nasty, blistered open wound. Mine always took a week minimum to heal. During this time you need to be able to manage clothing, bandaging, etc. Don't think you'll go get your laser on then hit the beach or pool. You will need to be out of the sun doing what it takes to heal your body.

For me, the first 3 treatments were a succession of shocks to my body that left me not only with a nasty wound to take care of but also with a day or 2 of crazy fatigue. I slept on & off almost around the clock. The healing process was less brutal with each treatment and the fatigue also lessened. You need to be good & healthy! Be prepared to listen to your body and take care of it!

I had an appointment for treatment #5 last month but we were in the middle of the big move so I didn't get to go. I kinda doubt I'll go back again. It's faded so much. I can re-ink that area with no problems whatsoever so I'm not stressing over what little bit is left. I'll get the hubby to take a pic for me in the next day or so to show you how it looks now. I'm really quite happy with it. Now if I can just think of something that I'd want to go over that spot.... No hurry!

 

[VenusInLove]

I just returned from my second session of tatt removal and I felt like I was murdered and then sent home with a bag of ice for the pain. I came home and googled to see if pain after sessions is normal and pulled up your string. The last session went great. I had minimal pain and no post session problems whatsoever. This session, I have been in bad pain and have a migraine. The migraine just hit from out of nowhere and I rarely have them. I saw in your string that you also experienced headaches, did you find out what the cause was?

 

[JenniferS]

I just returned from my second session of tatt removal and I felt like I was murdered and then sent home with a bag of ice for the pain. I came home and googled to see if pain after sessions is normal and pulled up your string. The last session went great. I had minimal pain and no post session problems whatsoever. This session, I have been in bad pain and have a migraine. The migraine just hit from out of nowhere and I rarely have them. I saw in your string that you also experienced headaches, did you find out what the cause was?

Sorry about your pain.
I would have preferred your first post be about your magical recent trip, or excitement for an upcoming trip, but welcome to WDWMagic anyway.

I only stumbled on this thread because of your bump, so thank you. I really wanted a tattoo a few years ago, but hubby talked me out of it. (Okay, he said he would prefer that I not get one.)

I'm still thinking of having something small done to memorialize my deceased father. We'll see.
@sweetpee_1993's video and pictures really have me thinking. And re-thinking.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I just returned from my second session of tatt removal and I felt like I was murdered and then sent home with a bag of ice for the pain. I came home and googled to see if pain after sessions is normal and pulled up your string. The last session went great. I had minimal pain and no post session problems whatsoever. This session, I have been in bad pain and have a migraine. The migraine just hit from out of nowhere and I rarely have them. I saw in your string that you also experienced headaches, did you find out what the cause was?

Laser tattoo removal is a burn. Burning the skin is extremely traumatic no matter how big or small the area is. Take an anti-inflammatory or over counter pain meds as you would for anything else. How long between your sessions? The place I went wouldn't do them any closer together than a month. You have to heal in between. But just like any newly healed wound, that spot is going to be more sensitive. Keep the treated area clean and moisten with an antibacterial ointment. I bathed my treated area by gently pouring water over the area (not directly on it) and using my soapy hands to tenderly wash. No rubbing. You need the blisters to stay intact so they can heal. Do not be rough on the area.

I would imagine your migraine is coming from dehydration. Dehydration is the most common cause of any headache. You've also just burned your flesh. Your skin is an organ and it requires lots of hydration. Now that it's burned, you need even more. Drink loooots of water. Lots. Get a straw if you must. Seriously.

And for any future treatments you can really help the way your body handles the trauma by beginning the extra hydration a day or so before you go.

I also used to take 800 mg of ibuprofen before I went in for my appointment. 800 mg is prescription strength. I know in extreme cases I can take that. Talk to your doctor if you haven't already. Even just a phone call with some suggestions would be a good idea.

Don't give up. Learn. Give your body more time to heal between treatments, go into your treatments better prepared physically, and talk to your doctor for good advice for you to treat your wound & other symptoms after.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Sorry about your pain.
I would have preferred your first post be about your magical recent trip, or excitement for an upcoming trip, but welcome to WDWMagic anyway.

I only stumbled on this thread because of your bump, so thank you. I really wanted a tattoo a few years ago, but hubby talked me out of it. (Okay, he said he would prefer that I not get one.)

I'm still thinking of having something small done to memorialize my deceased father. We'll see.
@sweetpee_1993's video and pictures really have me thinking. And re-thinking.

Ah, sweetie, tattoos are a very personal thing. Not as irreversible as they once were. LOL! I don't even remember the discomforts of post laser treatments as much as the experience of having the tattoo inked to begin with.

I think as long as the tattoo is meaningful to you and inked by an experienced artist (check them out!) it's not a big deal. The tattoo I had removed meant nothing to me and it was a hack job. Not done by an artist. So I wanted to clear the canvas.

Don't tattoo your significant other's name on you! Don't do it! That's a curse. Some things aren't worth chancing.

And yeah, I'm tossing around ideas for a tat for my grandparents. My grandfather died 9 years ago, my grandmother last week. I'm thinking on it.

 

[JenniferS]

Ah, sweetie, tattoos are a very personal thing. Not as irreversible as they once were. LOL! I don't even remember the discomforts of post laser treatments as much as the experience of having the tattoo inked to begin with.

I think as long as the tattoo is meaningful to you and inked by an experienced artist (check them out!) it's not a big deal. The tattoo I had removed meant nothing to me and it was a hack job. Not done by an artist. So I wanted to clear the canvas.

Don't tattoo your significant other's name on you! Don't do it! That's a curse. Some things aren't worth chancing.

And yeah, I'm tossing around ideas for a tat for my grandparents. My grandfather died 9 years ago, my grandmother last week. I'm thinking on it.

Condolences on the passing of your grandmother.

Thanks for the support. Still have to talk hubby into it.