Has anyone gotten good results with getting there tattoo removed by laser surgery. I just had a test done on my tattoo to see if it will take. So far it looks ok. Anyone been through this?

I had a tattoo removed by laser. Results were good, price was high & it hurt.

The black ink was gone really fast. However, as the tattoo had loads of colours, I had to go back again and again to get those off. Apparently, this is because the lasers are all different frequencies (or something like that) so different frequencies break down different colours.

The tattoo is gone (hurray), but it took LOADS of sessions and it's painful (a lots worse than getting a tattoo).

So, I would say, go for it - you'll get rid of it! But, if it's large and has lots of colours, just be prepared to go back a lot! And be prepared for the cost. I was a bit suprised by how many times I had to go back and how much it cost in the end. I wish I'd done more research!

GOOD LUCK!!

Where was your tattoo and what was it? Mine is a anklet and a teddy bear. My reasons for removing it is because I am 10 yrs older now and I feel stupid walking around with this huge tat around my ankle.

Ha ha ... that sounds familiar! Mine was on my tummy -- sort of beside my belly button. It was a ... wait for it ... butterfly (UGH). It was quite big (considering what it was) - about 3 - 3.5 inches across and fully coloured with loads of different colours.

I got it removed because I, like you, got in when I was younger and years later felt like an idiot. Oh well, live and learn!

Don't get me wrong - I like tattoos in general. But I was very glad to see the last of the butterfly! I think the laser (incl. cost, time & pain) was well worth it.

If you want, I'd be happy to write a post about what the actual laser removal process was like.

That would be great. Thanks

I should start by saying sorry if the description is a bit gross...

Basically, here's how mine was done (I had it done at a private hospital laser clinic):

1. Before you go, you put a topic cream on to numb the area.

2. You get there and you lie on a table and put on these protective eye covers (there are just like the ones in a tanning booth)

3. Then, they use the laser. The idea is for the laser to basically break up the pigment. It's loud and it sounds like a fuse box is blowing. It's sort of like a crackling sound. The best way that I can describe how it feels is if you imagine an elastic. You know when someone snaps an elastic on your skin? Well this is sort of the same ... except it feels like there are about 100 elastics at one in really quick succession in the same spot over and over. I won't lie - this is not a pleasant experience. It's totally do-able ... but it's not pleasant.

After the laser is done, they bandage it up. The skin where the tattoo is will be burnt, and mine bled about the same amount as when i got the tattoo done. Over the next month, it will scab and then heal. You can't pick at the scabs under any circumstances.

Once it has healed over, you go back again for the next session. And you keep repeating the monthly process until all the color is gone.

How many times you have to go back really depends on how many different colors there are and how big the tattoo is. A small, all black tat can be gone in a couple sessions. A big colorful one will take longer. Mine took about 8-9 to be fully gone.

I think that about covers it ... but would be happy to answer if you have any more questions. I didn't really know what was going on when I went ... so I know how nerve wracking it can be!

About how big was your tattoo. ( the size of a grape, golf ball, orange, etc.)

I am getting upset because the derm doc said if it turns black in the area where he tested then I will not be a canidate for having it removed. Something about the laser beam bounces off light colors or colors that white ink was used . I noticed the part that was turquise is now black. Did yours turn black at any point?

No, it didn't turn black ... none of the colors did. It was maybe a golf ball and a half size? If you put the bottom of a soda can on it, the edges of the wings would stick out a bit (if that makes sense).

Mine had loads of colors: black, orange, red, blue, yellow, some white (just a bit), green ... all of them came out.

I don't really understand about this turning black thing. Did he explain what that was about?

I'm also not really sure about this "candidate" stuff. Was your tat done professionally?

On a final note, where are you having the removal done? What kind of a laser is the doc using? There are different lasers ... this might explain this "candidate" thing.

Hello,
Thanks for this thread, I am also interested in having a tattoo removed. Can you all give me some idea of the cost? I have no concept of that. Thanks!

The costs can really vary (in my experience). It's one of those things where you sort of have to pay attention to the details.

Costs are usually on a per session/treatment basis. I've seen it anywhere from $125 - $450 per session. Usually, the session cost is relative to the size of the tattoo. So, smaller the tattoo, smaller the per session cost. Less color = less sessions, etc.

So, it's important to find out what the per session cost is, and also how many sessions until it's gone.

One other thing - there are different lasers. Prices seem to change depending on what sort of laser is being used. I'm not sure that one type is all that different from the next though. What it really comes down to is how much per session, and how many sessions. And also, sometimes the price per treatment goes down if you get a certain number (Sometimes it's X amount for the first 5, Y amount for the next five, and Z amount after that...) It's worth looking around and comparing prices.

I am getting it done in a dermatology office. He uses the laser called Candella. Its a new model and top of the line machine. He explained that any tattoo that has the colors greeen white or red ink will not come out with laser surgery. The laser beam bounces off these colors and rejects them and you skin where the color was turns black instead of vanishing off the skin.

He's the doctor with the qualifications ... not me ... so I'm sure he knows what he's talking about!

But, I might look around a bit because my tat had green and white (but no red) in it and the tat was totally removed with laser.

While the green (it was bright green, not a dark green) was one of the last to go, the white was one of the first (I didn't have large white areas, just highlights).

I'm not sure that this helps you (or just adds more confusion) but I can personally attest to the fact that white and green do come off. So, if yours has those colors, you might want to have a look around at other docs. if this doc. is telling you he can't remove them. :)