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A brand new tattoo that needed removing! - Dubai Picosure Tattoo Removal

ORIGINAL POST

I'd been wanting a tattoo on my forearm for a few...

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iolakana
$1,200
I'd been wanting a tattoo on my forearm for a few years. I already had a small piece on my wrist and I wanted something the flow around it...this wasn't a random decision (I also have a piece on my back, and my husband has giant tattoos so I'm not a total newbie). But as soon as the tattoo artist started I knew I was making a mistake. Sigh, if only I'd listened to my gut and stopped him before it was too late. The strange thing is that I don't hate the whole tattoo; I think it's too big for my lifestyle and personality, but it's beautiful work and I want to keep part of it. Adding to my situation is the fact that I am due to start IVF treatments this year, so my time frame is pretty cramped and my options are limited.
My healing time was speedy and about 4 weeks after inking I visited a clinic in Dubai for a consultation about Picosure. The doctor examined my arm and was happy with my skin condition. He proceeded with a low-level treatment (I didn't get the exact settings for tx1 but I will keep track from now on).
The treatment was painful, but not horribly so. I described it to my husband as "it's like getting the tattoo, but with a burn instead of a needle." I directed the doctor about which parts I wanted to keep and which I wanted gone- he finds it interesting that I'm not trying to delete the whole thing.
I do not live in Dubai (I live in Saudi Arabia) but it's the only place in the region that has the Picosure and I'm trying to get as much done as possible before I start my IVF. I think I'll only be able to get one more treatment before I am too close for comfort. I am not worried about the ink being digested in my body as I am a healthy person with a seriously robust immune system. Plus, the small amount of ink the gets broken down every month cannot possibly be more toxic than the levels of air pollution I am around everyday in Saudi Arabia.
So I will document my treatments and then add photos of how my body breaks down the tattoo over the next year.

iolakana's provider

Hamid Taghaddos, M.D.

iolakana

iolakana ratings

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The clinic is clean, the doctor is well rated. He is a Fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS). The costs are extremely high (I'm estimating $1200 for 2 treatments), but it is Dubai and everything is expensive.

Replies (3)

January 25, 2015
Interested to hear your story. I too want a removal but am worried about the scars and pigmentation left on my body. Are you not concerned that these marks will detract from the parts of the tattoo you want to keep?
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February 3, 2015
It's a possibility but I think just a slim one. When I got the first Tx I was very specific about where to point the laser, and in the month that's passed I can tell there has been good fading. It seems like pigmentation and scaring come from a few factors (too aggressive with the settings, not spacing your treatments out enough, or just bad luck with skin type, etc.). I'm also trying to focus in what I CAN do and trying to stay positive. In the end, if my 'selective' removal ends up being ugly or too strange looking I guess I could just start over and laser the whole arm!
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February 3, 2015
Just came across this now, i understand what you are going through, my choice was sort of a last minute decision. Its a roller coaster but the artist did a nice job for you. I feel the same way, i liked the art but can't keep the tatt. I have gone through 2 laser treatments I am thinking of delaying the 3rd because my body is doing a good job of fading it and I don't really feel like i 'need it' i am kind of in the mind set to do the "wait" and see approach. Of course I know I need more treatments but want to slow down a bit.
February 18, 2016
I know this is an old post but I'm also living in Saudi Arabia and it would be great to get the picosure when I'm next in Dubai I'm from NZ, so I usually get a session of Q-switch when I go home every year. But I really want to try the picosure to see if it is more effective. I have a very dark coverup on my forearm so I know I won't be able to remove it completely, however if I can fade or remove the black then I can get the tattoo fixed to what I originally wanted. Please if you are still in the community Could you let me know the name of the clinic in Dubai? I would love to see your final result but perhaps you stopped due to Your IVF treatments? All the best.
UPDATED FROM iolakana
22 days post

Photos and other thoughts

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iolakana
I notice a tiny bit of change everyday. But I obsess over it so sometimes I honestly think it the changes are imaginary.
On the day of the treatment and the two days following the area was sore. I kept it gently wrapped in thin gauze while I slept because I have a tendency to scratch at stuff. After the soreness went away I've been keeping the area uncovered as much as possible. When I do cover it I just wear thin cotton shirts.
For aftercare I used gentle ph balanced soap and a cream that's meant for laser treatments- Bioderma Cicabio Crème. I used it twice a day for the first 3 days and then afterwards as needed for itching. By 14 days (post tx1) it barely itched at all.
The hardest part is seriously the mental stuff. I hate having such a huge tattoo all over my arm. I hate that I can see it from almost every angle I turn and twist. But I need to stay positive and remember that I am lucky enough to be able to afford Picosure treatments. These realself forums have been a godsend, truly. Reading everyone's stories has calmed my anxiety immensely.

Replies (2)

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January 22, 2015

Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. You really do have a beautiful tattoo but if you are not comfortable with it being so large, then you are doing the right thing. The mental part of removal is actually really difficult, you might find this forum helpful. but you will find your way through it. Glad you have found some comfort here on RealSelf, there is a ton of supportive people here and everyone can relate, so it really helps! I look forward to following your progress and good luck with your IVF treatments. 

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January 24, 2015
Thanks Eva. I'm looking forward to sharing my slow fading journey here. Due to my medical circumstances I think it will be a unique way to help people see what can be done if we can have the strength to be patient.
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February 3, 2015
hang in there, the anxiety will get better, I had anxiety attacks, I wasn't sleeping, hardly eating, and its gotten a lot better, I was visiting this site almost everyday and it really really helped me.