03 June 2013

I had my fifth treatment on May 30th. I did get pictures before the treatment, but have been busy and haven't uploaded them yet. I will get those up at some point this week. This was the best procedure I have done, as far as pain goes. We started with the typical Lidocaine injections around each of the tattoos. When we got to my stomach, I almost didn't want to continue. I was told it is a lot more painful without, so I went ahead. It's weird, I'm fine getting blood drawn and didn't wince when an ER visit required getting an IV in my neck because I was too dehydrated to find a vein in my arms. These tiny Lidocaine injections are the worst, though. I'm glad I got through it because I barely felt the laser this time. I didn't have to ask for a break at any point. The best part was that the PA who does my procedures had a problem seeing the two tattoos on my right wrist because of how faded they are. I have no doubt those tattoos are completely done. It will be another two weeks before I am able to tell with absolute certainty, but there wasn't much left to remove.

The left arm looks good. It isn't as red as it normally is after a treatment and I can already see a great deal of fading. The problem there is still the scarring that existed before my first laser procedure (due to the Tat Gone Ink). Depending on how much ink is left, it might be time to start looking into some type of laser resurfacing. The tattoo removal has actually helped reduce the scarring a bit, but it is still noticeable enough that something will need to be done.

The stomach tattoo is fading nicely, too. It is impossible to tell with this tattoo how the result will be until a few weeks after. There is always minor bruising from the injections and it can get a little more irritated from shirts rubbing across it. Each time I get it done, there are small spots that completely disappear. The more it fades, the more excited I am about it going away. I've hated wearing swimsuits in the last few years because of it. It will be great when it is finally gone and my only concern will be working out enough to be able to put on a swimsuit.

I really hope that I will be able to get another treatment before August, when the PA will be on pregnancy leave. I've been saying it since I started getting these, too, but it really is time to start on getting the tattoos on my back and neck removed. I feel the one on my neck will go quick, like the ones on my right wrist. The others will be a bit more like the stomach. There are some thin lines that will disappear almost immediately and then some thicker spots which are going to take some time.

Though getting these tattoos have been some of the stupidest mistakes I have ever made, the removals has been such an interesting process. I'm glad I decided to document it. I honestly cannot believe how much they have faded since starting this. I knew I'd have some success, but I was extremely nervous going into this. I knew it would be painful. I knew it would be expensive. I was worried about how many treatments it would take and if it was even possible for them to fully disappear. Williamson Cosmetic Center and Kristi, the PA who has done all of my treatments (minus one during a pregnancy leave), have been perfect. Anyone in southern Louisiana or Mississippi in need of tattoo removal, make sure to get

I will try to get the "Before Treatment 5" photos up this week. If there is anything that will show up in photos as everything is healing, I will try to get those, too.

I hope those of you getting your own treatments are having as much success as I am!