Comparison Just For Fun...

Before, during & after...

The END of my laser tattoo removal process...

Well all, a lot has changed since I updated my blog last.

I recently got married and started my own business and find myself in a very different place than when I was in NJ.

I didn't find a Dr in New England because honestly, I was scared to continue treatments. The pain was unbelievable and the results were no where near what I imagined them to be. Even though every Dr you speak to about tattoo removal says it's not a 100% effective procedure, I still sort of hoped my tattoo would one day be completely gone. After taking time off and doing more research it was made clear that my tattoo would NEVER be completely gone. To make matters worse, what I was left with was a scarred and hacked apart tattoo, very visible on my left leg.

People were brutal. I still got questioned by people asking if it was a bomb tattoo, a huge bruise, from an accident, etc. You name it, I bet someone has asked me if my tattoo was that.

So I was in limbo. I had a tattoo on my leg, half removed but covered with scars from the previous treatments. The ink on the fleshy parts has lightened but on the ankle bone and heel it was still as dark as it was originally.

I made the decision to find a TATTOO ARTIST (yes they do exist but you have to seek them out!) to do a cover up job good enough that there would be NO trace of the original tattoo. I researched and checked peoples portfolios and finally found an artist in NH that had some amazing work. I went to his shop and we checked out his book of cover ups and they blew us away. They were amazing.

So two sittings and 4 1/2 hours later, I have the tattoo that I had ORIGINALLY wanted all those years ago. There is NO trace of the old tattoo and it looks awesome. I wish I knew then what I know now about finding the right artist and not let any schmuck tattoo me. But we all make mistakes and we all find our own ways of fixing them. :)

So getting a cover up may not be the answer for everyone but take it from me, if you find the right tattooer, they can cover up anything and make it just what you want it to be.

And by the way, don't believe the hype about laser tattoo removal and the creams... it's mostly BS, WAY too expensive and never really works 100%.

I hope this helps.

My Break From Laser Treatments

Well it's now September and I have taken a break from treatments for a while. I moved from New Jersey back to Boston so now I have to start the process of finding a new doctor up here. As you can see from the pictures, my tattoo has lightened considerably and I am pleased with its progress. There are a few spots and scars, but overall they kind of blend in. I have had quite a few people ask me recently what the heck was going on with my tattoo, which was to be expected. Random people I first meet ask me if it's a really bad tattoo or am I having it removed. (yes, people really are that bold) There is a section of the outline that has disappeared completely, so it gives me hope that eventually the rest of it will fade s well, with more treatments of course. A worrisome spot is in the center of the triangle on my inner ankle. It scarred considerably and therefore created a blob, as you can see from the picture. 

I'll update in the spring, when I decide to continue the process. If you have any questions, please ask. My hope is to make this process easier for others to understand and to help inform people about their options. Thanks for reading....

Before and Mid-After...

Here is a before shot and a "mid" after shot. I have quite a few more treatments but the results so far are pretty amazing!

These pictures were taken today, so that makes it about 4 months after my last treatment. The huge blisters from before turned into weird scars. The first photo shows the scar that peeled the entire layer of ink! That is pink skin you see, minus ink! Weird. The triangle has its own issues which turned into a blob like scar. Not cute. I've been using this silicone scar gel, which doesn't seem to he helping but I'm continuing to use it just the same. Still trying to muster up the courage to go back for another treatment. I'll make it, I just need some more time...

A Few Weeks After 3rd Treatment

These pictures were taken a few weeks after my third laser treatment. The big blisters from the pics below popped and the skin became sore and raw. I kept it moist with antiseptic cream but once I removed the bandages and let it dry a bit, it became cracked. I'm not really sure there was too much I could do to avoid the scars. The good part is that the entire tattoo seems to be lighter. 

November 2007 My Third Treatment

This was my third treatment I had done at the end of November. The experience was pretty much the same, lots of pain and uncomfort. I had to attend class later that day so I managed to sit through 6 hours of class before I went home, exhausted and slept for the next 15 hours. This laser seemed a lot stronger than the other two and the blisters were huge! That big cluster on the top photo and the center of the triangle on the second photo has scarred a lot and I haven't gone back for another treatment since then. I'm afraid. I have to build up the gusto to get back there for a fourth time.