Healthy Man in Late 20s Regretting New Tattoo. Woodbury, MN

Went and got three consultations, with very, very different assessments, which is a testament to the the importance of not just going to the first person who pops up on your search browser.

First Consultation: Cosmetic Spa
Overview: the moment I stepped inside, I knew I wasn't in the right place. This place does all sorts of things: botox, liposuction, etc. Tattoo removal is clearly not their focus. The ladies were nice, but a little disengaged. Probably because I'm the first man to step foot in there.
Cost: predicted 6-8 treatments with Picosure at $600 a pop. ~$3600 to $4800
Guarantees: their only guarantee was that I'd have some tattoo leftover, no mater out.
Summary: No

Second Consultation: Tattoo Removal Clinic
Overview: Place was busy. They clearly have a grip on the market, hopefully for good reason. The place was clean, the staff was dressed in clinical attire but was also friendly, many of them were tattooed even. The technicians were trained aesticians who a certain amount of laser experience required. Though they're not physicians, they're focused on one thing: lasers. I had went to a different location of theirs initially and got an extremely generous quote. With this second, more thorough visit, there was an additional expected Tx tacked on, which increased the cost considerably: bummer!
Cost: Predicted 7 Tx with Picoway and Picosure. They had buy 2 get 1 free + 20% if you pay in full up front, which got me a quote of $1700.
Guarantee: if the tattoo wasn't gone to satisfaction after my 7th Tx, I get a year of free Tx until it's gone.

Thirst Consultation: Cosmetic Surgeon
Overview: The physician was nice. He seemed knowledgeable, though reluctant to give any credit to the Pico systems. He didn't explicitly call them bunk, but he hinted at his vigorously. Upon me letting him know I was well researched on the topic of tattoo removal, his felt a bit more apprehensive to make bold claims about anything, which concerned me.
Cost: He predicted 10-11 treatments over the course of almost 3 years. The upfront total cost was about $4000, and it varied slightly if I chose to use a dermaroller double treatment versus single treatment.
Summary: I like the idea of a physician doing the work, but the guy didn't strike me as totally honest. His cost was too high, and he's not using the Pico systems which I have interest.


So, with it all said and done, I'm going to wait a week and decide. I'll probably go with the tattoo removal specialists, though DAMN do I wish I would have pounced on their original quote of $1300. Oh well, $1700 is practically nothing relative to the other places. Plus, I really just dug the vibe there. The technician showed me pictures of her own patients. I'm feeling quite a bit more hopeful, but I'm doing doing anything just yet.

Well it's been a few days and my opinion of my situation has been so volatile. One moment I'm focused on my job, thinking I have a great tattoo and should be excited about my next session. The next moment I'm calling and scheduling consultations.

As of right now, I have 3 consultations: one with a clinic with only Picosure, one with Picosure and Picoway, and another with more traditional lasers. Former two are chains and have locations across the U.S. The latter is actually inside a tattoo shop - how bizarre. I'll spend all day getting quotes.

In the mean time, I canceled my upcoming tattoo appointment because I obviously need to resolve some things. The receptionist has the gall to get pissy and probe me and put me on hold, as permanetly modifying my body is something I don't have the right to question. I'll know right before Xmas what I want to do, and maybe I'll just say eff it all and wait a year.

I really want Picoway but there's so little actual evidence of its effectiveness. The more I read, the more it seems that the laser operator is the real X factor.

I just want to learn to love my tatt, to get another on my other arm to balance me out, then to just move on. Why am I having so much trouble with that?

Just got a tattoo a week ago. It's beautiful, it's meaningful to me, and my experience was all around perfect. Unfortunately, as I look in the mirror, it just feels off. I have incredibly fair skin, and my colorful tattoo is just too eye catching. Further, it's on my forearm, so I've effectively committed myself to an eternity of long sleeve shirts at work. I keep telling myself this is what I wanted, this is who I am, but I'm just not adjusting.
So, I went to a clinic with fantastic reviews to get it quoted. The staff was helpful, considerate, and really has me feeling hopeful about how this will go down. They have both Picosure and Picoway. They have multiple deals going on and if I pay up front for 6 Tx, the total cost is $1300, which she estimated will have me "ink free" by Sep next year. If I still need more, it's free for a year after the last Tx. Almost seems to good to be true. She was honest that the yellow and white ink might be stubborn, but I'd be thrilled to have just that ink remain.
My tattoo is practical healed already, which I largely attribute to my health: I'm young, no conditions, fair skin (ideal for removal), work out every day, no smoking, clean diet, etc. I'm thinking about setting my first appointment for mid Jan, starting with Picoway. She said new tattoos (6 month or less) respond well as the body is still attentive to it.
I'll update with baseline pics soon. Any and all comments welcome as I embark on this journey. I feel like such an idiot for putting myself in this position, although I did honestly think about my tattoo for years prior to getting it. Sometimes you just don't know until it's there. Please help me set realistic expectations.