5th session

Went for the 5th session a few days ago. Used EMLA this time and found it easy to relax and think of other things while the lasering was being done. Minimal blistering this time, minimal bruising and hardly any swelling. My next session is in 10 weeks. It certainly is better to leave 10-12 weeks between sessions, to give your skin time to recover and to give your immune system time to remove the ink.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to my followers. I cannot believe that it is three months since my last lasering session. I have uploaded the lastest pics and you can see a big difference now. My next session is in a few days and I am looking forward to it - plenty of EMLA to hand,  as I do not intend having another session without it :-)

The Taster Session

After deciding that I was going to start the ball rolling, I booked a taster session at a local tattoo studio, which also does laser tattoo removal. I was very nervous about going, as I had no idea what to expect with regard to the pain or what the area would be like afterwards. I wished that I had booked a proper session, as I wanted to get going, so, upon arrival at the studio, I asked if I could have two tattoos treated, instead of just the taster session. I was told that would be no problem. However, when the laser hit my skin, it was a strange sensation. Some have described it like an elastic band being flicked at your skin or a splash of fat from a frying pan. Both are very good descriptions. I have quite a high pain threshold and the pain from the laser was not bad at first. However, after not long, the pain and the popping of the laser suddenly got to me and I could feel myself beginning to go a bit 'waffy'. I was brought a drink of water and some pads with a cooling spray were put on my wrists and back of my neck, to cool me down. The process was started again, but I soon felt waffy again and it was decided that no more should be done that day and this should be my free taster session. I felt a total wimp and was annoyed at myself. The staff was very nice about it and very caring.
Anyway, I now knew what it was like and decided to search on the internet for any advice others might be able to give; did not find much, but found out about an anaesthetic gel. Geronimo!!

A change definitely IS as good as a rest!

Well, lots to report. Firstly, I have been swimming a few times and have loved every minute of it. Didn't feel a bit self-conscious of my tattoos. Also, I went for my consultation and test patches at the new clinic. When I got there, I was told they may as well just go ahead and do a full session. HORROR! I had no EMLA on, as I was just expecting a test patch. Anyway, I managed to sit though four tattoos being lasered. I felt quite proud of myself, although I may go a bit weak and use EMLA for the next session. Four tattoos are quite a lot to have lasered. My next session is in January. I was told to wait at least 2 months between sessions and January will be three months, so that will have given my skin plenty of time to rest and time for the ink to react to the laser. This clinic dresses the lasered parts and I like that, as it is so easy for any blistered bits to get damaged when they are uncovered. I was told to use 99.9% aloe vera gel on the lasered areas and I kept putting it on about 4 or 5 times a day. Two weeks later, the lasered areas have healed and I am ready to swimming again next week. The tattoos are already fading even more and I shall upload pics of them in January, when they have had a full three months to fade. The new clinic is over an hour's drive away, but they have a slightly different laser and notes have been made of the settings used for each of my colours. They managed to get a good reaction from every colour. I am feeling optimistic again.  Even decided on a new blog layout to celebrate :-)

Change of plan

Well, after going through a stage of being very disheartened, I have decided on three things. Firstly, because all my tattoos have faded a lot, I have ordered a SWIMMING COSTUME! After trying to swim in a leotard, which did cover my tattoos, but I felt a bit of a fool by the pool - rhyme not deliberate there, but quite good :-) I stopped going swimming altogether. Anyway, we now have a new local pool, with changing rooms that have their own private cubicles, so I am awaiting delivery of my costume, then I can go swimming without feeling that the whole pool is looking at me. As friends have said, many people have tattoos these days, but mine were quite big and bright and not as dainty as some if the modern ones, so I felt self-conscious. Also, I contacted another laser clinic, for a second opinion. I got a very lengthy and honest reply, telling me the colours may never  fade completely :-(  However, I was advised to wait a year or two, to let the skin recover and maybe for the colours to fade more, before having more lasering on my first three tattoos and then maybe trying a ruby laser; this can tackle the colours better, but is more aggressive on the skin and can result in scarring. I'd settle for scars rather than tattoos! Actually, I already have a bit of scarring from the current laser. So, this was my second decision. My third decision is to try out this new clinic for my other four tattoos. I think a change of laser may be good. The man there said they may well get a ruby laser in the future, so that will be great. I now have the latest pics of my tattoos and shall put them on my blog, next to the earliest pics, to show just how much the tattoos have faded. It is easy to forget what they were like before lasering. Thank you to my followers and hope you are enjoying my blog and fining it informative. Will update later this month or next, when I have my next session of lasering.

Better results

Well, seeing better results after my last session. The laser has a new head and it is a bit more fierce, but certainly is breaking the black down well and I can even see a difference in the colours. Each session I have is one more step nearer to being tattoo-free :-)

Recession kicks in!

Well. as things are going up so much, I have decided to have lasering bi-monthly, instead of every month.

The first three tattoos seem to be at a standstill now, so I have decided to get the other 4 faded to the same level, then I can make a further decision from there. I have been told I may need to have ruby laser treatment on the remaining green and blue, as they are proving to be so resistant.

Of the latest four tattoos I am having treated, there has been great progress on the wasp, skull and especially the flag. Not much of a difference on the heart, but I have been told that may be another one that is harder to get rid of.

Second session due for the other four tattoos

Well, I am all excited about tomorrow, as it will be my second session on the other four tattoos. Already, they are fading well. I think these four will be easier to fade, apart from the blue and green bits. It seems to be that the green ink used a few years ago in the area in which I live is causing a problem and people's bodies are holding onto it. I was discussing this with the guy who does my lasering and said that I want to go on until the other colours are gone and, if I then still have traces of green and blue, I will go to a clinic where they have a ruby laser and have a few sessions there, to, hopefully, get rid of the remaining green and blue ink.

I am still confident that I will be tattoo-free one day. I know some people get frustrated with the time it takes to remove a tattoo, but I just forget about them until I take photos before each session and then compare them with the previous photos, then forget about them again until the next session.

New Year, new lasering

Had my first lasering session on my final four tattoos. It all went well and, only just over a week later, I am already seeing the black breaking up in places and, on the skull, it looks like one of the black lines has gone completely!! Back to the first three tattoos next month. New photos coming soon.

New tattoos to be lasered

Yesterday, I had my final session of the year. Very slow process now, as there is less ink, but, although the changes are very subtle, things are still happening.

I have decided, in the New Year, I am going to alternate between having these three tattoos lasered and having the final four lasered. That way, I won't get bored waiting for the first three to fade.

A tiny part of one of the final four was lasered yesterday and, already, it looks like it has had a dramatic effect on the black. Won't be able to tell until the skin heals, but it is looking good. The trouble is, I have seven tattoos, done by three different artists. Four by one artist faded quite a bit in the blue and green areas, so I had another artist re-tattoo the green and blue and, unfortunately, the green and blue ink he used is proving to be very stubborn!!! Never mind, one day I will be tattoo-free.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to anyone reading my blog. I will be updating again next month.

Penultimate session before Christmas

Well, just had another lasering session and it is all going well. Things are slowing down now, with there being less ink, but I can still see subtle changes from one session to the next. I have booked one more session before Christmas. Still a way to go with these three yet, but I feel I am now closer to the end than the beginning :-)

Autumn update

Well, my last lasering session was back in June. Hubby was at work and had the car, so I cycled down on my bike. I was very hot when I got there and, subsequently, I ended up with quite big blisters on the peacock (the other two were not too bad). I made the mistake of not protecting the area when I went to bed and the blisters burst. The area was very sore and took a long time to heal. You can still, even now, see where the blisters were. We live and learn. In future, I will always make sure I go for my sessions in the car; that way, I will not be arriving hot and sweaty and will not get the blistering I did.

My next session is tomorrow, over three months since my last one. It has been a busy and expensive summer, so my lasering was put on hold. I am really ready to get going with it again.

Latest update

Not been making many posts recently, as the photos show how well my tattoos are fading. I am now having them lasered each month, as there is now hardly any blistering, swelling or bruising after the sessions. I think I am probably about half-way through the treatment now, as the colours have faded dramatically. I really enjoy the laserng sessions and look forward to them.

All three in one session!!

Well, seeing that this is now so easy :-) I decided to have all three tattoos treated in one session. Easier for me and easier for the studio. The session was over in no time and I really enjoyed it. As there is now less ink, the process is less painful now and I am getting little to no blistering or bruising. Therefore, I think I will start to have a session every 4 weeks, instead of the current 6 weeks.

I have ditched the iPod!!

Well, went for another session today and forgot to take my iPod. I am really excited when I go for my lasering now and just lay back and relaxed and never missed the iPod. In fact, it was nice, as I was able to talk while I was being lasered. So, no iPod for me from now on. The next step is sitting up while being lasered. Don't think I will ever be able to ditch the anaesthetic cream, but that's no problem.

Another interesting point - when I had the peacock tattoo done, there was a black 'shadow' round the tail. People were asking me if it was a bruise, but it never disappeared. Today, I was told the tattoo had been done to deeply and the ink had spread. However, even though it may take longer, the black area should also fade.

I hope other people come across my blog. I have been pleased that two people have seen it. I just want it to be useful and informative for anyone thinking of lasering.

Latest update

Well, what a difference a few months make. I had my last sessions in early December and, the other day, the latest pictures were taken. I compared them to the earlier pictures and was pleasantly surprised and how much the tattoos had faded. Still a lot more laser sessions to go, but I am so pleased with how things are progressing.

4th and 5th sessions

Had the 4th session on the leaves/flowers and the 5th session on the peacock & butterfly this past week. I really look forward to each session now. It is so great to watch the tattoos fading as the weeks pass.

Getting better each time

Had two more lasering sessions done on the three tattoos and it is so much better now. I actually look forward to the sessions. With each session, the blistering, swelling and bruising seems to be getting less and the healing time is quicker. I can see me in shorter-sleeved t-shirts in a few months!!

Getting an old hand at this now!!!

Well, as I was lying down again, listening to relaxing music on the iPod, I managed to relax, stay calm, didn't sweat and so managed to get TWO tattoos lasered, with minimal blistering!!! WHOOPEE!!!! I felt like I had achieved so much. From now on, I know I won't be getting all worked up as before. I have finally broken the cycle of anxiety.

And so it goes on!!

Well, another session of lasering went well. Less blistering now. My being relaxed means I am sweating less, so that is helping. Booked in next week for work on TWO tattoos in one session!! I am getting very brave now :-)

SUCCESS AT LAST!!!!!!!

Well, I went for my latest laser session this morning. As the tattoo is on my tum, I lay on a bed. Taking advice from my doctor, I had an iPod playing Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending (the most relaxing piece of music ever and better than a relaxation tape) and my skin numb from the anaesthetic cream. Unlike the old laser, I could still feel some pain with the new one, even with the anaesthetic cream, but it was mainly like pin pricks and even just like a tickle in places, with only slightly more pain at times. I managed to completely relax and was surprised when I was told it was done! YIPPEE!!! I finally managed it. It was just a matter of being able to relax and that got me in a completely different state of mind.

I am a wimp!!

EARLY MORNING - Got some natural calming tablets, Valerian tea, pain killers, a stress ball and a bottle of Gatorade. Stomach feeling full of butterflies, but I determined not to faint this time.

LATER - Despite all my efforts, I only managed to sit through a quarter of the lasering of my butterfly and felt faint again!!! I feel such a wimp!!!! This is going to take forever at this rate. I will not be beaten by this lasering. Awaiting my doctor calling me, to ask if she can either give me a stronger pain reliever or something to calm me down. This time, it actually didn't hurt as much, but I must have, subconsciously, got myself all worked up.

AFTERNOON - My doctor rang me back and suggested a different anaesthetic cream and listening to a relaxation tape.

I do not like to be beaten, so I have ordered some tubes of the new cream from my local chemist and I am booked in for another lasering session next Wednesday, for the tattoo on my tummy.

Ouch!!

Well, the new laser arrived and I was booked in for my session. This time, I tried no anaesthetic cream. Not a good idea!!! I was doing my relaxing technique and singing a song to myself in my head, ignoring the tingling in my arms and legs and the buzzing in my ears that were hinting I was about to faint. When the tattoo was half done, I fainted!!! Don’t even remember going, but came round to voices far away and wondering where the heck I was. They were all very kind to me and made sure I was alright before leaving the studio. I still feel a wimp. Think I have just got into an anxiety cycle. Anyway, I am determined to get rid of these tattoos, so it is onwards and upwards. Already eagerly awaiting my next session.

P.S. Sod's Law: Was making Sunday dinner, went to get some plates from the cupboard and bashed my arm (yes, the lasered bit where there was a bit of blistering!!)against the corner of the door. There was a bit of bleeding, but it soon stopped. Ouch!!

Delay over

Well, bit of a delay, as the laser gun broke and went to be fixed, but, instead, the studio is getting a brand new, better laser. I am booked in for the 5th of June. Can't wait!!

The Itch - update

After rubbing in lots of moisturising lotion, the itch stopped. However, about a week later, my skin resembled a baby elephant!! It was very dry and wrinkly. I was worried that it was going to stay like this, but then remembered the cocoa butter cream again. I rubbed a lot of it into the wrinkly areas and went to bed and, the next morning, there was a dramatic improvement. So, have decided that, after my next lasering session, I will use the Aloe Vera gel for the first week (when the skin is a bit blistered), then change to the cocoa butter cream. It appears that moisturising lotion does not have the hydrating effect my skin needs. The cocoa butter cream is richer and does a great job.

The Itch!

Now, after two weeks, everything is fine, except, a couple of days ago, my arms began to itch in the area 2" around the two treated tattoos, but the tattoos themselves only itched slightly. I tried not to itch, but, during my sleep, I must have been scratching, but, luckily, not the tattooed area. I applied antiseptic cream to the areas and cocoa butter cream and now the itching has almost subsided. I did a bit of research on the internet and found that itching can sometimes occur, due to the dehydrating effect of the laser.

Aftercare

Aftercare is VERY important after laser treatment, to avoid infection or scarring. Different clinics and studios offer different aftercare advice, with regard to what creams to use, etc.I was advised to spread 99% Aloe Vera gel thinly over the treated area 4-5 times a day for the first week, then 2-3 times a day for at least two more weeks. The treated area is not to be rubbed or scrubbed, but rinsed and gently wiped after a bath/shower. The area must not be picked or scratched, as this may cause scarring. Also, the area must not be exposed to the sun, to sunbeds or to spray/fake tan and you must not go swimming for up to 4 weeks after treatment. As I mentioned, different studios/clinics have different advice and this is just the advice that I, personally, was given.

The Photos

Decided that it would be good to take photos as the months progressed. As you can see, straight after the laser treatment, my skin was a bit blistered and swollen. After a few days, the bruising came out. It is now 11 days since the taster session on the butterfly and 9 days since the treatment of the peacock and both areas of skin are almost back to normal. I will post more photos as time goes on.

Anaesthetic Gels & Creams

Well, this was certainly a great find for me. The instructions need to be read very carefully, as the cream or gel must not be rubbed into the skin and it has to be covered with cling film or a proper dressing, or it will not work. Tentatively, I went back to the studio. I was still nervous about how good this gel would be. The laser was set up and I closed my eyes and waited....I did not feel one thing!!! It was blissful. I happily sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the procedure. The final part of the lasering was on a bit that I had missed with the gel and I felt the waffy feeling coming on again. Luckily, just as I was going to ask for a break, I was told it was all done. Phew!! Note to self: make sure the gel covers all the area next time!!!

The Taster Session

After deciding that I was going to start the ball rolling, I booked a taster session. I was very nervous about going, as I had no idea what to expect with regard to the pain or what the area would be like afterwards. When the laser hit my skin, it was a strange sensation. Some have described it like an elastic band being flicked at your skin or a splash of fat from a frying pan. Both are very good descriptions. I have quite a high pain threshold and the pain from the laser was not bad at first. However, after not long, the pain and the popping of the laser suddenly got to me and I could feel myself beginning to go a bit 'waffy'. I was brought a drink of water and some cool pads put on my wrists and back of my neck, to cool me down. The process was started again, but I soon felt waffy again and it was decided that no more should be done that day. I felt a total wimp and was annoyed at myself. The staff was very nice about it and very caring.
Anyway, I now knew what it was like and decided to search on the internet for any advice others might be able to give; did not find much, but found out about anaesthetic gels and creams.