Tattoo Removal

zz1

Hi
I'm looking to have my Tattoos removed and wondered if anyone had any experience of this? Results, cost, quantity of treatments etc ??
Any advice would be most welcome.

Debs0778

Hi

I had a course around 4 years ago at SK:N.

My tattoo was only small so was a minor treatment, I think from memory it was around £80 a session although you can buy block bookings to get them cheaper.

I had about 5 or 6 of the 8-12 they recommended and it's gone without a trace. It's painful though but as the tattoo was small it was over in a couple of minutes.

zz1

Thanks very much Debs0778.

There is a SK:N clinic near me so I will book a consultation with them.

graphicdesigngirl

Hi zz1, I've had a couple of laser treatments myself and I would recommend looking around a bit... Depending where you are in the country there might be other options that could work out more cost effective. I had a session at a tattoo studio, fully licensed and trained, and it was much cheaper than the chain clinics. The lady decided to emigrate though and they weren't getting enough business to hire someone else. I now go to an independent salon that offer laser, people travel for miles to visit her and it is cheaper than SK:N.

One thing I will advise is asking at the chemist about numbing cream, I found it really took the edge off pain wise!

Debs0778

No problem!

From what I remember the success of the treatment depends on the colour of the tattoo, mine was black only and that's the easiest colour to remove (it's either red or green they cant shift).

Leave as long as possible between sessions though, I think they recommend 12 weeks but I'd go to about 15 if you can stick it out. I always planned a final session as I was left with a faint shadow but as time went on I didn't need it and its completely gone

Good luck

graphicdesigngirl

Just a quick follow up, I think different machines work on different wavelengths and can, therefore, work on different coloured inks. This thread has made me want to get back on it and sort mine out

Bluemeanie_2

The numbing cream is ace. Emla or something it's called. I have when I have my tattoos done or covered up!

zz1

Hi thanks for all the replies.

I've been for a chat at a SK:N clinic (did check tattoo studios but none around me that offer removal) and am going to go with them.

I have some green in my tattoo and that's the hard one to shift, but they have a different type of laser that is designed for that so fingers crossed!

The clinic advised me to take some painkillers an hour before each appointment, but I am also going to get the numbing cream (thanks for that tip)

I have my test patch booked in two weeks (got a suntan) then my first treatment two weeks after that.

I'm getting really excited, I hate the thing and can't think why I waited this long to do something about it!

graphicdesigngirl

Make sure you cover the area with Emla on with cling film to keep it "wet" until the treatment, or it won't work. Good luck, let us know how it goes

Debs0778

Good Luck!!

It might not seem like much is happening after the first couple of sessions but stick with it and when you've had a few try leaving longer than the 12 weeks

I second the painkillers but never tried the cream. If the tattoo is small it is over pretty quickly though, prepare yourself for the noise too :-) its pretty loud!

steveproxy

Never had it done but it really depends on the colors used and how deep the artist went in the skin layers. The lighter colors tend to be the worst i guess .