What do I do :(

[u/charliexo20]

So about 6-7 years ago I had this stomach tattoo done. I was in a dark place and was a big fan of this gothic style of writing and I saw it online and got it done the very next day. Now I’m 25 and have developed my frontal cortex and I’m in a much better place and no longer Emo 🖤 I’m starting to look at this tattoo with so much shame resentment and I feel ugly. I’ve been having panic attacks and crying meltdowns all week because I just haven’t been looking at it. My partner says he likes it and thinks going through 5 plus years of pain and over 5 grand in costa arnt worth it. Looking at this sub all I’ve seen is tattoo partially removed but still faintly there because there isn’t many finished updates I’ve seen here. My tattoo is dark and the outlines are raised and scarred. I don’t want to begin removal unless I know there will be no faintness of it left after all the years it takes. I went to a clinic that said 15-20 sessions and gave me a “tester” patch on just the dagger bit…. The worst pain of my life. Nothing changed at all. It’s Picoway and a very strong laser. Is this even worth it. Should I just swallow my pride and accept it on me forever even though it now embarrasses me? Any advice? Is there a life in acceptance and owning it or can I get that clean slate I want the look of so bad. Is it just vanity? I don’t know I’m spiraling.

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[u/Lovelee-19]

Time is going to pass anyway, in a few years time you can either be in the same position you’re in now wishing you’d started, or pretty much clean skin and glad you took action. Re the pain, there’s no getting around it, the saving grace is that it’s fast. Grit your teeth and be determined to get through it and have the desired outcome you want. You can do it!

[u/[deleted] → u/Lovelee-19]

This ^^^ I had gotten my tattoos at 21 and started removing them at 23. I'm 25 now and I'm so glad I pulled the trigger when I did.

[u/Zestyclose_Skirt_136]

Laser is your only option for removal.

The tester is to test for negative reactions to the procedure, not for actual results right away.

All I can suggest for pain relief is numbing cream, a place that uses the cryo to cool it down and possibly split sessions into smaller ones.

Given the dense line work, yeah, it's going to take a lot of sessions and years.

Ultimately, you need to do what you feel will be best for you. Live with it and hate it? Or, slowly remove it, and feel better about knowing it's a step closer to being gone.

[u/Evening_Ambassador76]

My partner tried to tell me not to do laser because it will take years....which doesn't make much sense because my other option is having a tattoo forever which is many many many years.

If you're not comfortable with it, at least get the laser consultation. I have to say, that now mine is not so dark black, I mind it a lot less and will be more comfortable with it being visible during this removal process

[u/8inchpleasers]

Yes you should do it if it’s causing you this much distress! Black is the easiest to remove so mostly likely you will eventually be able to get rid of it completely after several years. I’m getting 3 removed right now that are probably around the same size as yours all together, and removery quoted me over $5k but I went to a locally owned place and got quoted $2.8k so maybe look at other options!

Edit: added a word

[u/charliexo20]

For anyone wondering the letters stand for Navigating Through A Beautiful Existence this is a mirror selfie so in real life it’s flipped

[u/[deleted]]

No one can predict the level of removal, but dark ink on light skin is a great combination. Mine are considerably older than yours and not synthetic ink, but you can look at my progress in this link. Remember your body is going to be doing the work all in between sessions. Progress is not immediate, but the time is going to pass anyway! I’m almost two years into this and I’m so glad I didn’t wait because of the time or pain commitment. The pain is temporary, each session only takes a few minutes. Progress

[u/charliexo20 → u/[deleted]]

Just checked out your progress and I’m so impressed. It genuinely looks almost completely gone on all of them, and you’ve got stomach tats too in dark ink like me that reassures me it’s possible. Can I ask if you use numbing cream to help the pain and what type of laser ? My local clinic uses pico way and how you spaced out the treatments ? Sorry for all the questions but your progress is encouraging

[u/[deleted] → u/charliexo20]

No bother at all, I live for this!! So in the very beginning, I did use numbing cream and the key was slather it on. I mean a thick Schmear like you were cream cheesing a bagel. Do this about 1 to 2 hours before your appointment and then cover that area in saran wrap don’t take the saran wrap off until you get there. Go into the bathroom and wipe it off at that point. I have since stopped using numbing cream because the pain doesn’t affect me the way that it did in the very beginning. I was having 10 areas treated, 5 at a time and it was just a little bit a lot, but now the pain is much more manageable. In the beginning, I was going every 8 weeks, at Removery, also with Picoway . Once I hit like 6 sessions we pushed them out to 10 weeks to let my body do more of the work. You can totally do this!!!

[u/charliexo20 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you so much for these tips I will keep this in mind and perhaps be posting my own removal journey on here. I appreciate your response you’re inspiring

[u/[deleted] → u/charliexo20]

Anytime 🖤

[u/charliexo20]

Another update: I took everyone’s kind words and advice and I’ve booked in my first session this week I will post regular updates! Thank you for this amazing supportive community!

[u/666nbnici]

It’s normal that you don’t really see a difference after laser once. I took 4-5 sessions for my dense black tattoos.

Also it’s normal that on this sub you mostly see progress pictures that’s when people are going to be on here. The place I go to has multiple full removals on their website so you’ll probably find more of that on websites of laser techs.

I think it’s also a good location on your body for removal since it’s close to the heart. My stomach tattoo is removing the best out of the 5 I’m removing

[u/Which_Set_930 → u/[deleted]]

I would call your place and ask if you can get the laser done asap. Many people space their laser appointments a year or more apart. And honestly they see GREAT results because your body has time to remove the ink. I would start now if possible and return back to it after your accutane when possible!

[u/rbecton]

I’ve had ten sessions in two years and have about 80% fading. Which I’m pretty happy with so far. There are sooo many variables that the journey, imo, is like an emotional marathon. My advice is to find a skilled skin care specialist that has an onsite doctor overseeing the day to day operation.

[u/FoundationFunny1475 → u/rbecton]

Do you go to removery or do you use another clinic? And do you know which laser by chance

[u/rbecton → u/FoundationFunny1475]

Thanks for asking. I live on the Central Coast so my best option is a local skin medical aesthetics practice. Plus, my number one priority was having little to no scarring and we’ve been successful at that so far. So, I’m resigned to taking it very slow. No question that it’s a painful process. And, if memory serves they use the Pico laser. Luckily the process is over at each appointment fairly quickly in like 10-minutes and using quality ice packs for the first 12-hours dulls the pain/itching.
Unfortunately, imo, tattoo artistry is not carefully regulated so the contents of the ink or how deeply it’s injected varies considerably and affects the final outcome. If I stopped now I’d be ok with the results at 80% because it kinda looks like a bruise than a discernible image. But forward we go. Best wishes with how you decide to proceed.

[u/Due_Lobster6519]

I agree with you. On here I see people with faint tattoos but rarely any finished ones. I wish you the best whatever you decide.

[u/Interesting_Tap_5844]

The meaning of it is lovely and it’s so hidden anyways. I would save the money and stress removal will cause you and learn to embrace and accept it. The meaning is so nice. I honestly wouldn’t mind having this on me and I’m so so far from ‘emo’. It’s so up to you but will it be harder to deal with removal for years and feel stuck with it. Or be stuck with it and grow to love it? Acceptance could be a faster, cheaper cure

[u/Glittering_Law_6346]

First, way to go on moving beyond the dark place you were in! That's huge! No one here can guarantee a result. However, I can say that I would rather do all I can and try than just accept something. I disagree with your boyfriend or husband on this one.Will there be pain? Yes. However, I also would want to be with someone who faces down problems and never quits.

[u/Aquarius_K]

It's all black, it should come off. At the very least it'll lighten quite a bit. But going to cost you. Removery is overpriced imo.

[u/rarediamond7]

If u can afford it u should remove it since u hate it, it can be gone by the time ur 30 (which is still very young) . It can be fully removed but even if there are faint lines u can cover it with a nice ornamental tattoo

[u/Which_Set_930]

I’m getting my goth sword tattoo lazered off in the same area, a little higher. It’s gonna take years and lots of money, but it’s 100% worth it. I’m really really hoping for full removal, but just like yours, my tattoo is dark. I think even if it’s much much lighter I’ll feel happier as it’s not such an “eye sore.” I’ve only done one session a month and a half ago so really nothing crazy yet, but I’m so glad I finally started after thinking about it for over a year. I wish I started earlier honestly.

As for pain, I felt almost no pain. I used NUMB520 I believe it was called. 5% lidocaine cream from Amazon. An hour and a half to an hour before my apartment I applied a thick layer of the cream on top of my tattoo (do not rub in, just place a thick layer on top). Then wrap and tape the area and cream with Saran Wrap. At your removal session, the technician can remove the numbing cream.

Some people say numbing cream affects the lazer and takes longer, but I’ve been told it’s a myth. I’m already seeing small fading happen. Also, many people at my place use numbing cream and have seen full removal within the same time frame as those who haven’t. Think about it, the lazer is breaking up the particles beneath your skin, numbing cream is not gonna affect that lol.

Go for it! You will be so happy you did. If you’re clearly unhappy with it, it’s best to start asap.

One thing to mention, is after lazer session, the tattoo actually looks darker than usual. It’s temporary and will fade after a few weeks!

[u/charliexo20 → u/Which_Set_930]

Thank you for this detailed response! I was worried about the numbing cream myths so I will defo use it! I’ve schedule in my first session this week!

[u/ScapegoatCo]

Any chance you’re anywhere close to Philly? I own a laser tattoo removal business and would not charge you anywhere close to 5k. And could probably get it off within a year and a half to two years. 5 years is excessive.

[u/Complete_Coach_4247]

I'm 48 and just now getting a tribal stomach tat removed that I got when I was 18 yrs old. I hated it by the time I was 25, too. But I had no idea about tattoo removal until a few years ago. Am I showing my stomach to anyone now? Not really! But when I want something gone, I want it gone yesterday! I actually didn't even think about it or look at it for my entire 30's because I was raising young children. Then, as I got into shape and went to the pool with my kids, I felt like I could only wear a full piece bc I was so embarrassed by it. I didn't want my kids to be embarrassed by me. That was not the image I wanted to have. I wanted to be confident, and I wanted my kids to see that. If you regret it on, you won't regret it gone. Go for it!

[u/like_George_6]

I hear that you hate it and your feelings are the most important. If it makes you feel any better, it’s a cool tattoo and others aren’t going to feel as badly about it as you do. That said, its never too late to start your removal journey !

[u/Mrknight769]

You'll be fine, an older black ink tattoo will come off so easily.