MATT RR Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Ok so about 10 years ago I got a tattoo on my back, its big, covers a fair chunk of my back and is basically a tribal sort of design that I drew! At the time I thought it was great, but its not, its shit Anyway im investigating laser tattoo removal and just wanted to see what experiences others have had and results, or if anyone else is considering it? Its an expensive process and from the patch test i had done this week.........bloody painful and id say more so than having the tatttoo in the first place! Do I: 1. Just leave it and live with it, its my mistake! i cant really see it as its on my back but others obviously can i.e. holidays/swimming etc etc. I am concioys of it 2. Just do it and have it removed? beside the cost, time and pain i could end up with long term skin damage though, or it not go completely and just look even worse! Could take 12 sessions aver a year and a half to remove completely and i dont even know if i could take the pain! Anyway......thoughts/advice/experiences very welcomed! (Amd no im not posting a picture of my shit tattoo) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Bullitt Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Funnily enough I have done the same recently, albeit I didn't design mine but I did let the Tattoo "artist" go freehand - worst mistake I ever made! I agree the laser hurts loads more than the original but is something I'll have to endure if I want it gone. Being a large Tattoo on your back a cover up is certainly not an option, have you thought about dermabrasion? There are a few rednecks on Youtube who do it with a sander Or you could burn it off... [video=youtube;LCPbI99F-jA] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I've had the test patch. Didn't think it hurt as much as the tattoo but that's irrelevant. I keep meaning to go back and get it done but it's so expensive. I've actually been tempted to buy the machine myself. Would probably make money afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MATT RR Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 Funnily enough I have done the same recently, albeit I didn't design mine but I did let the Tattoo "artist" go freehand - worst mistake I ever made! I agree the laser hurts loads more than the original but is something I'll have to endure if I want it gone. Being a large Tattoo on your back a cover up is certainly not an option, have you thought about dermabrasion? There are a few rednecks on Youtube who do it with a sander Or you could burn it off... Yeah im not interested in a cover up just want it gone, those videis are horrific Have you tried any kind of pain relief for the laser removal? Some say paracetamol before helps, others say numbing cream but i was advised against that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MATT RR Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 I've had the test patch. Didn't think it hurt as much as the tattoo but that's irrelevant. I keep meaning to go back and get it done but it's so expensive. I've actually been tempted to buy the machine myself. Would probably make money afterwards. Where is yours Al? The test patch was right on my spine so hoping elsewhere maybe wont be as bad! I bet you could make some money, although i imagine the active lasers are a pretty pennie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Bullitt Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Yeah im not interested in a cover up just want it gone, those videis are horrific Have you tried any kind of pain relief for the laser removal? Some say paracetamol before helps, others say numbing cream but i was advised against that! No, I didn't have any pain afterwards and it wasn't too bad during, mine is on my arm (bicep/tricep) so I guess it may not hurt so much. I certainly wouldn't bother with anything like Paracetamol and can't imagine the "numbing cream" would be any use either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitbox Junkie Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Will leave scaring thought wouldn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I had a few done. Lower arm, armpit area, back and leg. I did search a while back, the machines aren't that expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Bullitt Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Will leave scaring thought wouldn't it? It can do and if you have colour in the tattoo certain machines won't be able to remove it. You want to use something like Bio Oil & Aloe Vera it's not cheap but if anything it going to prevent scaring it's those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MATT RR Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 Will leave scaring thought wouldn't it? It can do but with it being black ink and a fair few years old it should be fine ive been told, just need to decide if its worth the cost, risks, pain etc I guess! - - - Updated - - - I had a few done. Lower arm, armpit area, back and leg. I did search a while back, the machines aren't that expensive Maybe ill just wait for you to buy one Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MATT RR Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 No, I didn't have any pain afterwards and it wasn't too bad during, mine is on my arm (bicep/tricep) so I guess it may not hurt so much. I certainly wouldn't bother with anything like Paracetamol and can't imagine the "numbing cream" would be any use either. Maybe i just need to man up then, hopefully after a while i'll just get used to the pain as its going to take a while to remove! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CASHEYE Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I haven't had a tattoo removed but I had the same style of laser used on my back to get rid of an area of darkly pigmented skin. It was about the size of an A5 piece of paper, and it hurt like ****. I had a full session every 2 months for just over a year and then a less powerful laser once a month for another 6. If you're looking into pain relief, there's a product called 'Emla Cream' which numbs your skin. I found it quite effective but had to leave it on for much longer than the box instructs. I used 2x5mg tubes for each session and covered the whole area with clingfilm (same as if you were to after you'd had a tattoo). Just stops it from rubbing off. I left it on for about 1 1/2 hours on the way from St. Ives to Exeter (where the hospital was) and then took it off just before the laser treatment. Didn't entirely stop the pain but it went from feeling like I was being stung by a Bee 2000 times to just being poked with a needle 2000 times. (2000 was the rough amount of flashes from the laser each time). It worked though. And after the best thing was Bio Oil. Probably cheapest from Amazon. It's not a great picture, taken on a really old camera phone, but you get the idea of what it looked like the day after each session. Kinda looks like an upside down Australia.. or North America. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Bullitt Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Maybe i just need to man up then, hopefully after a while i'll just get used to the pain as its going to take a while to remove! It certainly is an acquired pain accompanied with the distinct smell of burning flesh, not something i'd wish to go through again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MATT RR Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 I haven't had a tattoo removed but I had the same style of laser used on my back to get rid of an area of darkly pigmented skin. It was about the size of an A5 piece of paper, and it hurt like ****. I had a full session every 2 months for just over a year and then a less powerful laser once a month for another 6. If you're looking into pain relief, there's a product called 'Emla Cream' which numbs your skin. I found it quite effective but had to leave it on for much longer than the box instructs. I used 2x5mg tubes for each session and covered the whole area with clingfilm (same as if you were to after you'd had a tattoo). Just stops it from rubbing off. I left it on for about 1 1/2 hours on the way from St. Ives to Exeter (where the hospital was) and then took it off just before the laser treatment. Didn't entirely stop the pain but it went from feeling like I was being stung by a Bee 2000 times to just being poked with a needle 2000 times. (2000 was the rough amount of flashes from the laser each time). It worked though. And after the best thing was Bio Oil. Probably cheapest from Amazon. It's not a great picture, taken on a really old camera phone, but you get the idea of what it looked like the day after each session. Kinda looks like an upside down Australia.. or North America. http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=209313&d=1456083916 Thanks for the info mate ill look into that! Did the lasering work in the end and have you had any side/after effects? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CASHEYE Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Thanks for the info mate ill look into that! Did the lasering work in the end and have you had any side/after effects? Apart from heightened senses, increased strength and an uncontrollable rage... nope. no real side effects. In the winter you can still make out where it was, but an hour in the sun and you'd never tell. No scaring or anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Bullitt Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Apart from heightened senses, increased strength and an uncontrollable rage... nope. no real side effects. In the winter you can still make out where it was, but an hour in the sun and you'd never tell. No scaring or anything. How did you disguise the Green colour? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MATT RR Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 Apart from heightened senses, increased strength and an uncontrollable rage... nope. no real side effects. In the winter you can still make out where it was, but an hour in the sun and you'd never tell. No scaring or anything. Ha ha Glad it worked out for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CASHEYE Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 How did you disguise the Green colour? My skin is a natural olive colour anyway. Or at least that's what people tell me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Id rather just get a cover up done - then you still have a good design afterwards that you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MATT RR Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 Id rather just get a cover up done - then you still have a good design afterwards that you like. cheers mate, a lot of people have said that to me, I can see why some would cover it up but I don't want a tattoo on my back anymore so that's not an option for me, plus I could end up back in the same position I am now in 10 years time! if I like something now I may not later on, made that mistake once already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 I've a medium sized tat on the top of my arm that I designed myself I don't mind it, it's not what I would choose now but it's a nice reminder of a good time in my life. I'm debating whether to get it lasered, I'm an arm and three quarters into two full sleeves and it doesn't match with the rest of what I've got (80's Japanese cartoons/anime), I think a single laser session would probably fade it enough to be able to do a good cover up. Haven't priced it yet though - did they give you an idea of how much it would cost Matt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 I dread to think how it would look or how many sessions I'd need if I attempted to remove mine off my back lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MATT RR Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 I've a medium sized tat on the top of my arm that I designed myself I don't mind it, it's not what I would choose now but it's a nice reminder of a good time in my life. I'm debating whether to get it lasered, I'm an arm and three quarters into two full sleeves and it doesn't match with the rest of what I've got (80's Japanese cartoons/anime), I think a single laser session would probably fade it enough to be able to do a good cover up. Haven't priced it yet though - did they give you an idea of how much it would cost Matt? If mine had any kind of meaning or sentimental value i would keep it, but its quite the opposite Judging by what I was told it would probably take more than 1 session I think depending on you Tattoo even for a cover up. The cost does vary, if you look on groupon you can get a number of sessions for very little money, but most use passive lasers where as the active lasers are the ones that work the best from what I have read and been told! I was quoted £120+ per session off one place, and they said 3 sessions needed to laser my whole tattoo once, unless I could take the pain all in one hit, so £120 x 3 sessions for one full cover, then x that by up to 12 times for it to be gone completely = ridiculous money Another place was much different, quoting circa £80 for one full session covering the whole tattoo and 12 further sessions at £80 each. She assumes I could stand the pain on the whole tattoo in one session though, which I am very skeptical of without any kind of pain relief! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MATT RR Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 I dread to think how it would look or how many sessions I'd need if I attempted to remove mine off my back lol well this is why its such a difficult decision for me as to whether I take the pain, cost and time and just do it, or live with my mistake! 1st world problems ay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 What was the orginal cost of the tattoo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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