Laser Tattoo Removal Update #5

I went this past Saturday for my second laser tattoo removal session. It was long overdue because I had to postpone it for various reasons. Before I had the laser treatment done, I noticed that all of the darkness around the tattoo that I mentioned in previous posts had faded. The technician also took a picture of the tattoo and compared it to the last picture and you could definitely notice fading. I still have a LONG way to go but you could definitely tell the colors of the ink were not as vibrant as they were before indicating some fading has occurred since I had my first treatment. 

This session went pretty much the same as the last. I was instructed to numb the area with an ice pack for about five minutes before I went into the room with the laser. There the technician numbed the area again with dry ice. Afterwards, she proceeded to test a small area with the laser to see how much she could turn up the frequency this time. The pain was a tad bit more that the last time maybe in part to the fact that the laser was turned up higher. 

Today (two days later), the area is very sore to the touch and I can see some redness around the lines of the tattoo. She scheduled my next appointment eight weeks out. So we will see how things go. I am optimistic.

Laser Tattoo Removal Update #4

Hello there. I wanted to do a quick laser tattoo removal update. It has been six weeks since my first laser treatment. I was actually supposed to go for my second treatment today but for various reasons I rescheduled it for next month. I must say that I am really happy right now with how this tattoo removal process is coming along. In my last update, I told you that my skin was whitish in certain areas after the skin peeled off. There was a small fear that I would lose the brown pigmentation in my skin permanently but I no longer have that concern. The areas that were whitish in color are now back skin tone almost completely. The skin around the tattoo had turned a dark brown almost blackish color and that has faded to almost skin tone as well. So as of right now, no scarring, no discoloration that seems to be permanent, no problems. I really wish I could go for my second treatment today but I could not so I will update you all again after my second treatment.

Laser Tattoo Removal Update #3

It has been ten days since the first laser treatment. I can definitely see changes happening. These changes, unlike what I saw in the initial days after the treatment, are not ones that can only seen by me but actually other people would be able to notice, too. My skin is peeling in certain areas within the tattoo and once the skin peels, the new skin underneath is whitish in color. That could be a little scary but given the fact that normally if I get a scab and it peels off, the skin underneath is pinkish or whitish in color, so I am not worried. Also, the "what to expect" paperwork the laser clinic gave me said that this is a normal occurence and not to pick at the skin or apply any oitment to aid in healing --- just let it heal naturally.

Also, the whitish skin that is left once the top layer peels off does not have as much ink as the skin that has not peeled. This contradicts my understanding of how the laser tattoo removal works. I was my understanding that the laser will break up the tattoo ink and the body would naturally absorb and dispel the ink. More to come…

Laser Tattoo Removal Update #2

Today marks a week since I had my first laser tattoo removal session. I notice very slight fading on the ink in certain areas. If I were to show them to someone else, they probably would not see a difference but I can. I have seen this tattoo for years (unfortunately) so I can definitely see some fading of the ink in certain areas, not a huge difference though. It is very minor, very slight, which is to be expected because this is the first treatment and I have at a minimum seven more sessions to go. 

The area that was lasered is still sensitive to the touch. Slightly uncomfortable if someone bumps into it or if I rub my hand across it.  I did not expect that. I thought the pain would only last 1-2 days at the most. I don’t know why I thought that but I did. I was also reading on the internet that for the first laser tattoo removal treatment that the laser in not turned up as high and subsequent treatments. That can explain why I did not feel much pain during the process the first time. I am expecting the laser to hurt more the second and third treatments. 

Right now, I am optimistic. I truly believe that I can get this tattoo removed. What a mistake, but I am human and mistakes I shall make. But I will not make the same ones twice :)

Laser Tattoo Removal Update #1

I had my laser tattoo removal consultation this morning and I also had my first treatment done! Yes, after the consultation the lady asked me if I wanted to get started today and I told her yes! So excited.

I already had a lot of my questions answered about the procedure based on my own personal research. I knew certain colors were harder to remove from skin than others.  Black is the easiest to remove and lighter colors are more difficult colors to remove. My tattoo is black, red and blue so I was informed that the blue would probably be the last color to go and the most difficult to treat. Also, tattoo ink is more challenging to remove from darker skin tones without having adverse or negative effects. Negative effects as in light patches where the laser removed the brown pigmentation in black skin. Scary right? The good thing for me is that my tattoo is always covered by clothing so if something does go wrong, I won’t have it showing to the world every day. Just to myself L

We started by putting a regular ice pack over the tattoo for about three minutes. That was followed by a dry ice pack which stung a bit. The dry ice pack was on there for only about a minute. Then she lasered the area. At first, I could barely feel anything but once she got towards the end I could feel the popping or snapping feeling of the laser. It was totally bearable in my opinion. She made sure I was comfortable and asked me every so often if I needed a break, which I did not because it was not that painful. Maybe that is because this was the first treatment and the laser was not turned up that high.

She told me that in about twenty minutes after we were finished that I would have a “sunburn” feeling in the area that was treated. I kind of laughed in my head because I (being a black woman) have never had a sunburn in my life so I do not know what a sunburn feels like. But I know now! LOL. I did get an uncomfortable sensation in the area which I assume is similar to that of a sunburn.

That is about all regarding my experience with my treatment. Oh, maybe I should mention cost which I must add will vary depending on the clinic, the size of your tattoo, and other factors. The lady measured my tattoo which I believe was about 2 X 3 inches. Based on that, she quoted me a price of $200 per session with an estimate of 6-8 sessions to remove the tattoo (maybe more if the blue color does not respond well). If I purchased all my sessions in advance, I could get a bulk discount which was up to $150 off. Overall, this turned out to be a lot less expensive that I thought it would be.  

I am to return every 8 weeks for the next treatment so my second treatment is scheduled for May 31. is More updates to come….

Laser Tattoo Removal | The Time Has Come

The 19 year old Ebonee is quite different from the 29 year old Ebonee, and understandably so. With the addition of years come life lessons that help you to mature and grow as a person (most of the time, lol). Some of the things I have done in my teenage years, I would not do now. One specific thing is this 10 year old tattoo that I am wearing. I have wanted to get rid of it for the longest time but never took the steps to do so. Tomorrow, I have my first laser tattoo removal consultation to see what it is going to take to free myself of this impulsive body art I had inked many years ago. 

I won’t go into details about what, where and why…..just yet. I am going to document the process from start to finish, however long that takes. Then I am going to weave the clips together for my own mini tattoo removal documentary that I will upload on my YouTube channel showing before, after and everything in between. 

If anything, this should be a learning tool I can show my children about why tattoos are not the best idea. I am not knocking anyone with tattoos either, I have a second one on my ankle which I still like and which will remain for now. But really how often is it that someone gets a tattoo that they like “now” and will still like years later? Very rare. You grow. Your tastes change. Your perception on the different things in life change.  

I am at a different place in my life and I have little people I am setting an example for now. Much different than my life 10 years ago. I pray this all goes well.