Laser Tattoo Removal Patient Diary - Part One

Laser Tattoo Removal Diary - Part Two
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My name is Lea McDonald.  I have decided to share my story on this website, so anyone who is considering laser tattoo removal in the future, might benefit from seeing the results of my ongoing journey.

Firstly, my warning:  beware of inexpensive quick-fix methods! Before discovering the Victorian Cosmetic Institute, I was totally disillusioned by the process of tattoo removal.  After initially trying an inferior method of treatment elsewhere, the prospect of allowing someone else to potentially further damage my skin was daunting.  However, thanks to the honesty of Dr Gavin Chan, I now have realistic expectations of laser treatment and totally trust the process that is gradually unfolding. 

Regardless of the end result, I am grateful to the staff at VCI for their advice, support and professionalism.  Thank you for this opportunity to contribute an accurate account of the highs and lows associated with my tattoo removal.  Expressing thoughts and documenting changes along the way has helped me to stay optimistic and it is my hope that others who decide to walk the same path, will feel encouraged by my experience.
   

Getting the tattoo

It was meant to be a special way of acknowledging a significant milestone in my life.  My husband and I were overseas, visiting our son in America when I celebrated my 50th birthday.  I felt daringly carefree after spending the day in Mexico.  Then as we crossed the border back into Arizona, I made the decision to do something much more permanent to mark the occasion.  I scheduled an appointment to have a tattoo.

I had toyed with the idea for a while and put a great deal of thought into the type of image that might inspire my journey into midlife and beyond.  I decided my tattoo would need to symbolise faith, hope and love.  I also wanted it to serve as a constant reminder that life is beautifully fragile and far too short for regrets. 

How ironic, that the inspirational artwork I envisaged, actually became my biggest ever regret.  The only thing I love about this whole experience, is staying hopeful the damage can be reversed and having faith in the laser tattoo removal process.

A heart within a cross formed the body of my rainbow coloured butterfly.  The design looked perfect on paper and I couldnít wait to glance over my shoulder and see it graciously decorating my upper arm.  However, as soon as the outline was transferred onto my skin, my whole perception of it changed.  In my eyes, gazing down at the design from this entirely new angle, my butterfly looked less like a creature of beauty and more like an ugly fanged monster. 

Over the next week or so, I dealt with feelings of disappointment, guilt and frustration.  Knowing there was nothing I could do to magically erase this new and unwanted part of me, I had no choice but to start forgiving myself and learn the art of patience ñ very quickly!

Accepting I could never grow to love the image adorning my deltoid, I began searching for ways to remove it.  Internet sites described the various methods for fading ink - salabrasion, dermabrasion, creams, surgery and laser technology;  But sadly there were no instant cures. 

Investigating tattoo removal

After weighing up all the options, I desperately phoned a skin clinic in Phoenix for more specific advice.  My heart sank when I learned the reality of tattoo removal.  I was told laser treatment is definitely the most effective way to go, but there was nothing I could do for at least 6 ñ 8 weeks until the tattoo healed completely ***note: laser tattoo removal can commence once the skin  from the initial tattooing has healed.  Only then, could I pay the ridiculously expensive consultation fee, to discuss whether my tattoo was indeed treatable;  And if so, there was certainly no guarantee of success, even after spending months, or perhaps years on expensive treatments.
 

A gloomy cloud of regret hung over me for the remainder of our holiday in the scorching desert heat.  No more sleeveless tops or swim-suits for me!!!  Then arriving home in Australia a couple of weeks later, I was elated to discover a body-art centre near home, who would gladly come to my rescue straight away.  They claimed to remove any tattoo at a fraction of the cost of laser treatment, with just one application of infra red light.  

After reading from their website and further discussing it with them by phone, I thought all my prayers had been answered.

An attempt at tattoo removal with inferior methods
I could hardly wait for my miracle cure and booked the first available appointment.  I was reassured the treatment would be no more uncomfortable than having a tattoo.  With nothing more than an ice block to numb the area, I expected to breeze through the procedure.  My expectations of success were so high that there was no hesitation on my part, to endure what turned out to be an hour of painful treatment, causing days of discomfort;  And to add insult to injury, for no apparent reason, I was also charged 50% more than original price quoted.  Nonetheless, I still considered it an absolute bargain to know the ink was in the process of being drawn up to the surface of my skin, to be completely removed with the scabbing within four weeks. 

Unfortunately for me, these false promises were a total waste of energy, time and money and it looks like some areas of my skin are permanently scarred as a consequence.

Feeling furiously gullible, yet determined to find a satisfactory method of tattoo removal, I turned to the internet again.  While sifting through all the conflicting testimonies and opinions, it was impossible not to be cynical.  Would you believe there was even an advertisement for a ìMagic Wandî ñ a ìsimpleî - but in my opinion, barbaric do-it-yourself removal kit.  The Magic Wand looks just like your common variety household iron.  Included in the $59.99 kit, they supply wax paper, special gauze and bandages, plus a piece of rubber dowel to bite down on while you - ìapply the wand for a quick five minutes and do not release during that time under any circumstances.î OUCH!!!!


I still think this particular method must be some sort of sick joke, but ridding yourself of an unwanted tattoo is definitely no laughing matter.

Finding The Victorian Cosmetic Institute

Wishing I could make contact with somebody who was trustworthy, eventually I came across a very informative and user-friendly website, which invited readers to submit their questions about tattoo removal via email.  So I took the opportunity to send off a brief summary of my situation and asked for advice.  I was amazed to receive a prompt and understanding reply from Dr. Gavin Chan at The Victorian Cosmetic Institute.
 

Over the course of the next week, Dr Chan never failed to answer all my email queries and for the first time since my birthday, I began to feel my anxiety slowly decreasing.  It was time to go one step further and have a consultation to evaluate whether laser could help me. 

As soon as I met Dr Chan, I knew I was in very caring and capable hands.  His honesty was strangely comforting, even though he made it very clear from the start, that the colours in my tattoo were possibly the most difficult and time-consuming to remove. Contrary to what I was told in America, he said it was quite safe to begin laser treatment soon after having a tattoo and assured me the previous infra red treatment would not create a problem. 

I must admit to being frightened at first, when Dr Chan demonstrated the intensity of laser beams.  Despite their harmless effect while in direct contact with inkless skin, it was quite alarming to see how one tiny blast from a distance, had the capacity to chip paint off the surgery wall.  I wondered how my arm would ever tolerate these powerful light beams.  Dr Chan guaranteed treatment would be virtually painless because of anaesthetic ñ perhaps irritating at most.  He also explained how ink compounds attract the laser light and therefore skin damage is minimised.  The wavelengths penetrate at different depths, selecting certain coloured pigments to impact.

While Dr Chan took time to clarify this complicated process for me, I never once felt pressured to go ahead with treatment.  He warned me there was no accurate way to predict how my tattoo would respond, but confirmed I would need multiple sessions with different types of lasers, because of the colours involved.  On learning that some people have had as many as 20 treatments, I was resigned to the fact I could do nothing but accept the mental, physical and financial cost of trying to fade this 2î x 3î piece of body-art. 

Armed with as much information as my brain could handle and some pre-treatment anaesthetic cream to apply (if I decided to go ahead with laser) - I left the clinic feeling surprisingly optimistic.  That night I sat down with my husband and discussed the financial consequences of my 50th birthday actions.  Thankfully he fully supported me in trying a few treatments to see if it made any difference. 

At that stage, Dr Chan was still awaiting delivery of a new Ruby laser, which is the most suitable equipment for fading green ink.  I decided to schedule my first appointment anyway, just to see how well the other colours would respond to Medlite laser beams. 

I understood the treatment would shatter the ink into smaller particles for my immune system to clear away.  This procedure could be repeated at regular 6 ñ 8 week intervals.  I knew there was a risk that some colours in my tattoo might darken and that skin pigmentation could also be effected, but I was willing to give it a try.  Believing in the holistic theory that there can be no healing process while stress, tension and negativity stand in the way, I began creating a healthy state of mind and body in the days leading up to my first treatment. 

As my own way of contributing to a positive outcome, I committed to a daily program of exercise, to ensure my blood supply would circulate efficiently, to where healing was needed most.  Not wanting to compromise my immune system for the job at hand, I also began taking multi vitamins in an effort to build up my resistance to illness. 

At last the day had come.  With medical history and consent forms signed, I was now ready to take the first of many steps towards successful laser tattoo removal.

At the time of submitting this story, two weeks have passed since my third laser treatment.  I could not be happier with the results so far.  For anyone who is anxious about what to expect from laser tattoo removal, following is a brief summary of my experience to date. 

The first week of my treatment was the most worrying for me, so I have included a day-by-day diary of that particular time.  I will keep you updated with significant changes and progress in the future.      

   

Day-to-day account

***Note: the scarring apparent on the tattoo was present prior to laser tattoo treatment at The Victorian Cosmetic Institute, and was due to the prior treatment with an inferior infra-red laser.


DAY 1 - WEDNESDAY 16TH MAY:
(5 weeks after having my tattoo)

It was a mistake to start reading internet horror stories about laser tattoo removal this morning.  My tummy was churning as I went to the fridge to retrieve the container of topical anaesthetic cream. 

As instructed, I applied it generously to my tattoo, 2 hours prior to my appointment and then wrapped my upper arm in glad wrap.  I briefly thought back to the laser beam demonstration which scared me, but quickly put it out of my mind.  Instead I decided to visualise how the powerful light beams would painlessly fade the ink in my arm.

I arrived at the clinic and pinched my tattoo to see how numb it was, very thankful to know Dr Chan was about to inject more anaesthetic underneath it.  Within a few minutes, my arm was ready.  Sensing my anxiety, Dr Chan kindly checked whether I still wanted to proceed.  Nodding my head, with protective dark glasses securely in place, I gritted my teeth and waited for the blast.    

In the few minutes it took to treat my tattoo, I felt absolutely nothing. 


I could hardly believe it was all over so quickly, without as much as a tickle.  My tattoo was now completely frosted over with what looked like white ash.  I knew this reaction was temporary, but it seemed very strange to see my butterfly without any colour.  With antiseptic cream and wound dressing applied, I was instructed not to get the treated area wet over the next 24 hours.

Anticipating a high level of discomfort after the anaesthetic wore off, I was quite surprised when my arm felt fine later that evening.  There was only a moderate burning sensation, just as if my arm had been in the sun a little too long.  I slept well.  Fortunately, I prefer to sleep on the opposite side.

DAY 2 - THURSDAY 17TH MAY:

Still no pain, other than feeling like my upper arm was sunburnt.  My only concern was the tightness of my skin underneath the bandage.   Wanting to make sure I maintained a good blood flow to my upper arm for maximum healing, I began my daily yoga practice. 


My skin felt as though it might rip if I stretched my arm to full capacity, so I modified the upper body sequences.  By the end of the hour, I was able to stretch my arm more easily.  Later in the day, it would be time to remove the bandage.  I felt nervous about looking at my arm. 

The white frosting had disappeared.  Seeing the angry, red wound that replaced my tattoo, I wondered if I had done the right thing having laser treatment.  Now I had created an extremely raw and inflamed looking mess on my arm.  I gently applied Bepanthen antiseptic cream and tried not to be concerned.

 
DAY 3 - FRIDAY 18TH MAY:

My skin felt sensitive, but putting on the antiseptic cream was very soothing.  I decided to go sleeveless for the day to expose my skin to the air and also prevent any further irritation from clothing.

Staying in a positive frame of mind, I did some gentle arm stretches.  My skin still seemed tight, but I decided it felt much better than it looked.  I applied cream numerous times during the day and also at night before bed.  Note to self:  No expensive bed linen for the next year or so!!!  

DAY 4 - SATURDAY 19TH MAY:

The wound looked less inflamed today, but lumps which had originally formed after my infra red treatment looked aggravated.

The antiseptic cream feels great on my skin.  I was able to stretch my arm with total confidence today.  I started some visualisation techniques, encouraging my immune system to eliminate the ink.

DAY 5 - SUNDAY 20TH MAY:

My arm looked and felt much better this morning. The redness had subsided and there were tiny spots of colour fading, except for the green, which actually looked darker.  Today I did my first session of weights at the gym.  There was no problem lifting the heavy barbells.  Clothing did not aggravate my skin.  Family and friends commented on how the treatment appears to be working.

DAY 6 - MONDAY 21ST MAY:

There is very little irritation today and I am back to doing full yoga stretches.  The green ink still looks very dark.  I look forward to my next treatment to see if the Ruby laser will have any impact on green. 

DAY 7 - TUESDAY 22ND MAY:

After one week, my arm feels itchy and a little scaly, but the cream definitely helps.  There are some obvious changes in the image, apart from the green ink. 

SECOND WEEK:

Over the next week the scabbing completely disappeared and my skin appeared smooth and quite normal in places.  The scars from the infra red treatment seem to be responding well to the antiseptic cream, so I decide to do at least 15 minutes of superficial massage on my tattoo every night before bed.  As well as the antiseptic cream, I also apply aloe vera oil. 

FOLLOWING FIVE WEEKS;

Over the next five weeks, I did not notice any dramatic changes, but the scarring did improve.  I was feeling very optimistic about the amount of gradual fading during this time. 

SECOND TREATMENT - JULY 6TH:
(7 weeks after 1st laser treatment)

I applied anaesthetic cream prior to my appointment and was looking forward to seeing whether the Ruby laser would be more effective on the green ink.  I suppose seeing my tattoo every day makes the subtle changes less obvious, but Dr Chan and I were both happy with the progress, after comparing my tattoo with the original photograph.  Even the green looked slightly lighter.

I had a lot of anaesthetic injected under my tattoo, in preparation for the strong penetration of the Ruby laser.  My tattoo looked very pumped up with fluid.  First, I had a quick treatment with the Medlite laser, before moving into the Ruby laser room. 


This time for protection, I was given metal goggles that fitted snuggly against my eyeballs.  As soon as the treatment began, I could feel a sensation, like being flicked continuously with a rubber band.  It was definitely much stronger than the Medlite laser, but not painful.

The procedure was very fast and before I knew it, I was sitting up looking a patchy frosted image.  It looked so different from last time because the ink-free parts of my skin were not affected.  With antiseptic cream and dressing applied, I could feel warmth radiating from my arm, but it was not uncomfortable.

When I removed the bandage 24 hours later, my skin did not feel as tight as last time.  I was surprised the inflammation was much less than expected too.  I could stretch my arm quite easily.  However, the green ink looked very dark and the scarring from the infra red coagulation looked much worse again.

For a couple of days, my wound felt a little tender to touch and irritated by clothing.  I felt very concerned because of the way the scarring had flared up and wondered if I should continue with laser. 

During the first week after my Ruby laser treatment, I felt quite disheartened, but tried to stay as positive as I could.  I looked back at the photographs I had taken over the last couple of months for encouragement.  I must remember this whole procedure is a very time consuming process which cannot be rushed. 

Continuing with my daily exercise and massage routine helped both psychologically and physically.  In conjunction with the antiseptic cream, I decided to use Vitamin E oil, which definitely improved my skin integrity.

Within ten days my arm looked so much better and I could see that the green had already faded a little.  Over the next few weeks, I noticed less ink and more normal skin appearing.

THIRD TREATMENT -  AUGUST 31:
(8 weeks since last treatment)

Today Dr Chan showed me his progressive ìbefore and afterî photographs of my tattoo since day one. I was astonished.



I had been taking my own digital pictures at home too, but seeing better quality images side by side on the computer screen, nearly made me cry.  After just two laser sessions, the extent of fading was remarkable.  At this stage, I could not have hoped for more.

My third treatment was a combination of treatment with both Medlite and Ruby lasers again.  Being completely comfortable with the procedure now, each session seems quicker and easier than the last.  



With most focus on determining the appropriate wavelength to break down the ever-changing but persistent green ink now, I was pleasantly surprised to see such a huge difference after just 24 hours.  When the dressing was removed, although the green areas looked quite inflamed as usual, I could clearly see a dramatic change in the depth of colour underneath.  This was the most immediate and significant change to date.  Great job Dr Chan !!!         

The healing process still amazes me and even though my infra red scarring seems to react very badly to laser for a week or so, it soon settles down.  Within 10 days, any pinpoint bleeding and scabbing have completely vanished and I am very comfortable doing regular deep massage with Vitamin E oil and cream.

I no longer worry about my tattoo.  In fact, if I decided against having any further treatment, I could probably just apply some makeup to my arm and disguise the remaining ink fairly well.  At this stage, the treated area needs to be completely protected from sunlight, so covering it with sunscreen will be absolutely necessary. I predict some skin coloured zink cream will be the perfect potion to apply during our holiday to Queensland over the next couple of weeks.  Who would have thought I would even consider wearing a swimsuit so soon, without feeling self conscious about my tattoo!!! 

Well, it has been quite an expensive journey so far, but who can put a price on the beautiful blessings I have discovered along the way ÖÖ I am inspired by feelings I could never regret - gratitude towards my understanding husband, trust in my competent doctor, appreciation for such amazing technology, respect for the incredible human body, contentment in learning the art of patience and complete peace of mind in knowing my inner faith, hope and love remain forever strong and irremovable, while the unnecessary outer symbol that I chose to represent them, fades ever so slowly away.  I will keep you posted.


Laser Tattoo Removal Diary - Part Two
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