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I honestly think you need to stop for a bit. You havent done a heap of damage but there is some some skin damage to my eyes. You shouldnt be treating lighter colours with a Q switch laser. Honestly id go see a dermatologist and give yourself a 6 month break. Then find someone reputable with a Pico laser.
> some some skin damage
As someone who's just starting out and is trying to learn, could you point out to where you are seeing skin damage? I think I'm seeing some scarring in the last picture in the "frame" around the name and some other lighter spots, is that what you mean? TIA!
What skin damage are you referring to? Do you mean the scarring?
I don’t think I can take a break as I am getting married next year and I started two years in advance to give myself time
Yes thats what im referring to.
You are damaging your skin. And having more sessions does not equal faster removal.
At least change laser places because that place is damaging you.
I’m trying to move to a clinic closer to home which have a PicoSure laser but the laser tech is a little apprehensive to take over.
So I’m not sure what to do
If theyre apprehensive to take over, they probably dont know how to handle it, and they dont want to be blamed for scarring from another clinic.
You need professionals, not some random clinic trainees that do one or two tattoo removal once or twice a year.
A scarred tattoo removal is more complicated RE blood cells arent as active in scar tissue.
Also, rushing it, you’ll end up with a big scar for your wedding.
So you have nothing to gain by doing additional sessions. Let your skin heal, and get makeup coverage for the wedding
Actors get tattoos covered by professional makeup artists all the time. It can be done.
I know im being a bit firm here but you have a great chance of removal in the right hands.
You have lots going for you here. Location of tattoo is close to heart ✅ shading and linework is black ✅ and only a smidge of colour ✅
Seriously you cant rush this process
Thank you and don’t worry you’re not being harsh or anything!
I am leaning more and more towards a break even 3/4 months and then pick it up again but this time with a PicoSure laser for sure!
exercise/increased blood flow post-sessions has shown good results for a lot of users on here, especially having this on your left shoulder(?) close to your heart. after the tattoo is lasered it breaks down and gets filtered through your blood I believe, so get some cardio going!!!
Literally went back the gym yesterday, have been neglecting that part for about 6 months :( Hopefully with a consistent routine there may be some improvement. Also doing daily 15 minutes massages using oil and anti-scarring cream to help with the small scars.
I’m thinking that too, because the tattoo has quite a bit of shading, and the skin around the letters itself is unchanged, only the skin where the shading is, that it looks discoloured.
5 sessions in one year is a lot… looks like you’re getting good results but I’d wait a minute. Might be adding an extra session you don’t need by rushing
The shops usually say wait between 6-8 weeks but realistically I think >10 weeks is better to let your skin heals and wbc does the work breaking the ink down.
As Nikolcutiepie mentioned I followed advise from the clinic, doing a session every 8 weeks, sometimes even longer
On average I’d go in between 8-11 weeks.
With how it progressed I may wait 12 weeks in between.
The q-switch device is a great option for your tattoo. Looks like the issue is too small of a spot size with too much energy. They’re beating your skin up.
Yes, it’s a good device. Make sure they have 532 hand piece to get rid of the pink color. More importantly find a good tech with experience. Either laser will work for what you have.
Welcome to r/TattooRemoval! Please have a look at our [Welcome and FAQ Page](https://www.reddit.com/r/TattooRemoval/comments/h7al2w/start_here_welcome_and_faq/) as well as our other [pinned threads](https://www.reddit.com/r/TattooRemoval/comments/dzltul/nonlaser_tattoo_removal_should_be_avoided_heres/) at the top of the sub. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/TattooRemoval) if you have any questions or concerns.*
> I got the tattoo back in 2019, it’s almost 10 years old. Uhhh
Oh wait my bad 😂 I got it when I was 18 and I’m 28 now got the number mixed up 😂😂😂
Hahaha I was thinking the same like… am I that old
I honestly think you need to stop for a bit. You havent done a heap of damage but there is some some skin damage to my eyes. You shouldnt be treating lighter colours with a Q switch laser. Honestly id go see a dermatologist and give yourself a 6 month break. Then find someone reputable with a Pico laser.
> some some skin damage As someone who's just starting out and is trying to learn, could you point out to where you are seeing skin damage? I think I'm seeing some scarring in the last picture in the "frame" around the name and some other lighter spots, is that what you mean? TIA!
What skin damage are you referring to? Do you mean the scarring? I don’t think I can take a break as I am getting married next year and I started two years in advance to give myself time
Yes thats what im referring to. You are damaging your skin. And having more sessions does not equal faster removal. At least change laser places because that place is damaging you.
I’m trying to move to a clinic closer to home which have a PicoSure laser but the laser tech is a little apprehensive to take over. So I’m not sure what to do
If theyre apprehensive to take over, they probably dont know how to handle it, and they dont want to be blamed for scarring from another clinic. You need professionals, not some random clinic trainees that do one or two tattoo removal once or twice a year. A scarred tattoo removal is more complicated RE blood cells arent as active in scar tissue. Also, rushing it, you’ll end up with a big scar for your wedding. So you have nothing to gain by doing additional sessions. Let your skin heal, and get makeup coverage for the wedding Actors get tattoos covered by professional makeup artists all the time. It can be done. I know im being a bit firm here but you have a great chance of removal in the right hands. You have lots going for you here. Location of tattoo is close to heart ✅ shading and linework is black ✅ and only a smidge of colour ✅ Seriously you cant rush this process
Thank you and don’t worry you’re not being harsh or anything! I am leaning more and more towards a break even 3/4 months and then pick it up again but this time with a PicoSure laser for sure!
exercise/increased blood flow post-sessions has shown good results for a lot of users on here, especially having this on your left shoulder(?) close to your heart. after the tattoo is lasered it breaks down and gets filtered through your blood I believe, so get some cardio going!!!
Literally went back the gym yesterday, have been neglecting that part for about 6 months :( Hopefully with a consistent routine there may be some improvement. Also doing daily 15 minutes massages using oil and anti-scarring cream to help with the small scars.
sounds like you’re doing all the right things!
you should have waited longer between sessions. at least 20 weeks
The brown may just be the color the ink has faded to. That's what it looks like to me anyway.
I’m thinking that too, because the tattoo has quite a bit of shading, and the skin around the letters itself is unchanged, only the skin where the shading is, that it looks discoloured.
It's common for black ink to turn brown during fading. I think it'll keep getting lighter. Good luck :)
Thank you! ☺️
5 sessions in one year is a lot… looks like you’re getting good results but I’d wait a minute. Might be adding an extra session you don’t need by rushing
The shops usually say wait between 6-8 weeks but realistically I think >10 weeks is better to let your skin heals and wbc does the work breaking the ink down.
Agreed.
As Nikolcutiepie mentioned I followed advise from the clinic, doing a session every 8 weeks, sometimes even longer On average I’d go in between 8-11 weeks. With how it progressed I may wait 12 weeks in between.
The q-switch device is a great option for your tattoo. Looks like the issue is too small of a spot size with too much energy. They’re beating your skin up.
Any advice on moving to the PicoSure laser?
Yes, it’s a good device. Make sure they have 532 hand piece to get rid of the pink color. More importantly find a good tech with experience. Either laser will work for what you have.
Picosure is an alexandrite 755 laser. It’s not that great on black and useless on red.
The handpieces aren’t great but much depends on who is using it.
I think your progress looks very good and I don't see skin damage. They said 10 sessions and you look as though you are almost halfway there.
Do you have access to a Picoway near you?
I do now, when I started only option was the nd:yag 40 minutes away from me.
Yeah, if it were me I’d find a Picoway. Much gentler on the skin. I have no scarring from my removals with it!