March 4, 2013 - First Tattoo Removal Session

After such a long procrastination that I wanted to remove my tattoo on my neck which I did with my ex in 2010, I finally did my research and booked appointment with NeuGlow

This blog is for me to record down my process of tattoo removal and hopefully anyone else who wants to remove their tattoo can get to read this blog and know how is the process going to be like. Honestly, it took me a lot of courage to make this decision, but what motivates me? My Future.

A lot of people told me that my tattoo is nice and just treat it as an artistic piece on my body rather than remembering as a "couple tattoo". However, people who tattoo should understand that when you decided to do one tattoo, you know what's the purpose of it. That's why, the purpose of this tattoo is for us to remember our love being as a couple. I can't just change the purpose when everything was done.

I have 4 different tattoo pieces on my body.

First was a picture of hand letting go of a bird at my left back that represents "freedom", which was my first tattoo and also a tattoo drawn by my tattoo artist himself. That was a beautiful piece which I know I will not regret and will not remove.

(Skipping my Second and Third tattoo because it was those I removed)

Fourth tattoo was a feather-bird tattoo on my right lower tummy (bone that area) which is a picture which I wanted. I always love tattoo that gave me a feeling of "Freedom" probably because that was what I have been wanted since I was young. Wanting to be free from a lot a lot of things, wanting to run away from here to somewhere far. I even wanted to put a dream-catcher tattoo on my body but well, I did not as I realised it's a little too much. Therefore, I did not regret on this tattoo either.

The ones I removed..

 

Second one was this Water Lotus couple tattoo on the back of my neck which was a pretty big piece and it consist of red, yellow, green and black. It is very obvious when I wear round neck shirt and also can be seen if I wear collar shirt. You must be thinking I was so silly to do such tattoo and regretted such action. Yes, I was silly but did not regret. Because I learned a big lesson from that particular relationship and that particular guy. He taught me how to be strong from all failures. This tattoo consistently reminded me not to allow the same things to happen on myself again. Since I did not regret, so why did I choose to remove? Because it's time to let go. It's time to get rid of all these left over because that guy worth 0% of my memory. I would rather live with a scar, than a picture to allow people to consistently remind me by asking "why you get this tattoo?" questions..

 

Third one was a quote on my right inner arm did at another tattoo studio with my best friend (of course different quotes) and it says "Truth May Hurt But It Will Set You Free" and again, it is to remind myself not to be cheated again. As in, I would rather know the truth then finding it out myself, cause that's probably more painful then anything else. I would rather know the truth, cry over it, stand up again, and walk away from those people who did this to me. Because this people do not deserve even 1% of my trust. Of course, when I mentioned about people lying to me, there are definitely some "lies" which I don't really mind but some which are a NO NO to me, such as cheating behind my back.

Before Removal

My appointment was at 10:30am and when I reached the building at 10:20am, I was shocked as the clinic was not open. Luckily my friend went to walk around and realised that the main clinic is located all the way in, beside the lift and it was really a big clinic which also provide plastic surgery and dental service. Went in and definitely I was really nervous. Gave my particulars, waited for less than 5 minutes before a Doctor came to bring me in for consultation. Spoke to her about which tattoos I wanted to remove and she explained to me about the procedures, also some of the after effects of the removal sessions, chances of scaring/left over ink colour and also the charges. As I was pretty determined to do so, I went ahead despite the fact that my red colour might not be able to removed totally. Well, if I never try, I will never know.

After the consultation, in less than 5 minutes, a nurse help me to place numbing cream on my tattoos....

and left there for about 20 mintues before the process starts. Honestly speaking, is my tattoo area really numbed? I don't really feel so. After they remove the cream, I tried to pinch a little on my neck/arm and I can still feel the pain. So if you are afraid of pain, please get the nurse to give you a longer time for the numbing cream before the session. 

I went ahead for the tattoo lasering. At first I was really really nervous and expecting great pain as I have read different blogs about tattoo removal and the pictures were pretty scary. There are some with really swollen areas, bleeding, blistering etc... So you can imagine how much pain I was expecting at the point when I lied down on the bed..

The Removal Process

So, the session started in a while after I lied down. Started off with the black area as it requires lower strength ( I really have no idea how does those frequencies/wavelength/strength of lasering works) and honestly speaking, it is really not painful at all!!!! I don't know is it because I have really great expectation of pain that is why when it's so minor, I think it's nothing near to pain. It's like using a blunt needle poking on my skin consistently without stop for next 10 minutes)..

and once my black inked area are done, they proceed to the red, yellow and green area and they adjust the wavelength/frequencies/strength (?) to be higher that the doctor, nurses and my friend got to wear goggle to prevent hurting their eyes. I don't have to because I was not able to view it. Hows the pain like? It is more like someone snapping rubber band consistently on me without stop. However, I thought that this pain is better than tattooing pain. To me, it is alright and bearable, not those extremely pain that I will shout out loud but still can lie comfortably without much clinching on my hands. However, different people has different type of tolerance level, so it might not be painful for me but does not mean it will not be painful for you. The whole process for my lotus tattoo went on for about 30 minutes I guess. This is the instant outcome of it:

The colour looks like really faded. However, doctor mentioned that the colour will return in next few days. but of course not as bright as before. After which, the nurse helped me to put on cream and bandage it.

and I went to school like this.. a lot of people start asking me "OMG YOU SPRAINED YOUR NECK?? ARE YOU OKAY?" haha. that was really funny.

After Effect

The after effect is actually worse than the process! My neck and arm was burning pretty badly and I could hardly move my neck. But this only lasted for a few hours before the burning sensation subside. Today is the second day and I don't feel the pain anymore. It's just swollen. The bangade can actually be removed today but I am not doing so because I need to work later (F&B) and prevention is better than cure. hehe.

I left the clinic at about 12.15pm. So the whole process including consultation took me about 1hour and 45 minutes. Pretty fast.

The next appointment is encouraged to be done after 4 to 6 weeks later and the number of sessions can only depend on the process of the removal.

I honestly like this removal clinic as it is really efficient and I have read a few good reviews about it, therefore went ahead. At the same time, I am also a student therefore the cost is a big problem for me and I must say theirs is really reasonable. Their doctor are really professional and I like the fact how my doctor consistently asked me if I am okay and all.

I actually have videos of the process (2 videos, one for removing the black ink another another one for the red/yellow/green ink) but they are still uploading. Will put it in this blog once they are done. 

First video up! This video only shows my doctor lasering the black ink area only.

There will be another video up later which shows higher frequency/wavelength/strength of lasering for my red/green/yellow inked part!

Second video up! This one shows my Doctor removing the coloured part of my tattoo.

There will be another blog post probably by this week after I remove my bandage.

If you are interested in removing tattoo, please feel free to leave your comments here and I can help you clear your doubt if possible :)