My first laser tattoo removal for year 2017

Today marks the 11th session for my tattoo removal but its also the first for this year! I reached 8:40am+- to apply the numb cream and went for my breakfast thereafter. Came back after an hour plus for the procedure. Laser treatment done using the latest machine called Picoway Syneron Candela. (Hope I called it correctly) After the treatment, the burning sensation was fantastic, if you get what I mean!

Here is an attached picture of what it looks like after the treatment.

Told the doctor that I needed some meds for itchyness, just in case. Doc prescribe bilaxten 20mg x 10 tabs.

Looking forward to my 12th treatment in 6 weeks time from today. Cant wait to see the end results. This is killing me.. The damage for the day? SGD $230. :(

Update soon in 6 weeks time guys. Chow!

Laser tattoo treatment, total cost involved in year 2016

It has come to an end for year 2016 and I have done a total of 10th session for my tattoo removal and back then I was still thinking that I can get it totally remove within 10 times. Apparently not!

If you have not seen what I have posted previously, you may wish to make a wild guess what was the total cost involved? You can see the last post here:
https://tattooremovalsg.blogspot.sg/2016/12/the-cost-of-my-laser-tattoo-removal.html
http://tattooremovalsg.blogspot.sg/2016/10/8th-treatment-cost-of-my-laser-tattoo.html

The picture shown is the latest charges without any medication prescribed.

So you can sum up the total cost with an additional of $216. ($2356)

Attached another picture on the progress on my wound after medication applied.

Waiting for it to slowly recover..

My next post and update will probably be 6 months later.

The last laser tattoo treatment ended in 2016

I have reached my 10th session and just wanted to do a last one in 2016. The doctor actually advised me that the next session should be 6 months later or "Sayonara" (meaning good bye). Just let the body heals by itself and the ink will fade away eventually.

An instant picture after the session, even the wound seems faded!

One day after the treatment the wound seems to be more itchy as compared to the last few sessions. It may have been something which I have eaten or other reasons. Nevertheless I do have some bilaxten pills left from the last treatment.

After removing the bandage..

The Cost Of My Laser Tattoo Removal From My 9th Session

The delight of S 11!

The cost involved so far as of today:
1st treatment: $382
2nd treatment: $212
3rd treatment: $212
4th treatment: $212
5th treatment: $216
6th treatment: $244
7th treatment: $216
8th treatment: $218
9th treatment: $228
Total spent on my laser treatments as of today: $2140

What you must not do before your tattoo removal

Today, the solutions available for tattoo removal are more effective than ever before. Laser tattoo removal solutions have come a long way in recent years with advance technology and machines.

It can be helpful to educate you about the measures you must not do before your session.

Don't get a spray tan or use fake tan lotions.
Fake tan obviously doesn’t come with the same UV exposure as actual sunlight, it can affect your tattoo removal, as you could be coming back for multiple sessions when actually only a few are required. If your body has absorbed products containing toxins, it could mean that you have to spend more time, and money than you need to on tattoo removal. What’s more, some fake tans contain products that can react badly with laser treatment and create pigmentation in the skin.

Don't forget to mention medications you are taking.

Tattoo removal that takes place using the PicoSure laser can be suitable for a number of different people. However, as with a range of different treatments, there are certain precautions that need to be taken, and some medications may interact negatively with your session. Informing your doctor beforehand of the various medications you are taking will help them to decide whether it is safe for you to proceed with laser tattoo removal.

Don't expose your tattoo to sunlight.

Staying out of the sun might not seem like a big deal when you’re approaching your tattoo removal session. However, exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can increase the natural production of various substances in the body – such as melanin and vitamin D. Melanin soaks up radiation, and causes your skin to tan in the sun – but it can also affect the way that your body responds to the light waves that are used lasers. Staying away from sunlight and UV radiation will help to ensure that your skin is as protective, receptive, and durable as it needs to be for a successful treatment.

Don't come straight from the tattoo studio.

Even if you decide, straight after getting a tattoo, that you want it removed, that doesn’t mean you should head straight in for a session. Exposing your skin to removal treatments too soon after tattoo placement can lead to scarring and ink retention. The reason for this is that tattoos are created through a long-term process of ink entrapment and dermis healing. After a period of around three months, you can rest assured that the pigment will have settled properly into the skin, ready to be removed. Waiting three months will ensure the ink has settled, and the immune system is back on track.

Don't use mechanical epilation.

An epilator is a form of electrical device that is used to remove hair from the skin by pulling multiple hairs out of the body at the same time. Though many people prefer this form of hair removal to other options available on the market today, it’s important to note that mechanical or chemical epilation within a period of six weeks prior to the treatment can alter the healing process.

PicoSure Laser Tattoo Removal Contradictions & Precautions

Tattoo removal with the PicoSure laser is generally suitable for most people; it’s very rare that it can’t treat someone. However, like all laser treatments there are contradictions and precautions that need to be considered for your own safety.

Below are the Contradictions and precautions that are taken into consideration for PicoSure laser tattoo removal treatment.

Contradictions:

• Hypersensitivity to light in the near infrared wavelength region.
• Taking medication which is known to increase sensitivity to sunlight.
• Seizure disorders triggered by light.
• Have type 1 diabetes.
• Take or have taken oral isotretinoin within the last six months.
• Have an active localised or systemic infection, or an open wound in area being treated.
• Have a significant systemic illness or an illness localized in area being treated.
• Have lupus.
• Have common acquired nevi that are predisposed to the development of malignant melanoma.
• Have herpes simplex in the area being treated.
• Are receiving or have received gold treatment.
• Are pregnant.

Precautions

It’s the therapist’s discretion to determine feasibility of treatment administration for the following precautions:

• Unprotected sun exposure within four weeks of treatment, including the use of tanning beds. Sun exposure is the most common reason for treatment refusal.
• Use of tanning products within four weeks of treatment, such as creams, lotions and sprays; these may interfere with the laser treatment.
• We can treat patients with type 2 diabetes whose condition is well managed. In some cases we may need a doctors note.
• Anticoagulants may cause excessive bleeding and interfere with post-treatment healing.
• Medications that alter the wound-healing response may interfere with post-treatment healing and may require special precautions to be taken by the treating therapist.
• If patient is known to have a history of healing problems or a history of keloid formation.
• If patient has a history of skin cancer or suspicious lesions.
• Chemical depilation or mechanical epilation within the last six weeks may interfere with the post-treatment healing process.

If you’re having a tattoo removed or considering it, it’s important you are made aware of the contradictions and precautions listed above. :)

9th Treatment Of My Laser Tattoo Removal

Today marks yet another day of my laser treatment. Time really flies whenever I think back of this journey, when I have made the decision to remove my tattoo. Tracking back my post, the day when I first started was 22nd Dec 2015. Its almost a year!

Above are the pictures of my tattoo ending the 8th treatment. (Before treatment)

I arrived early to apply the numb cream and took about an hour for it to take effect. I have mentioned about the new machine on my earlier post. The discomfort as minimized greatly or was it that I am used to the treatment and have become think skinned! With the cool air blowing out from this machine, the outcome of the treatment was definitely a breeze. Here are the pictures after the 9th treatment.

Immediate effect after the 9th session.

Upon reaching home during the evening, I removed the dressing and took another picture. This summarized my day.

The usual reddish battered and bruise

To be updated soon till my tattoo is totally removed!

8th Treatment Cost Of My Laser Tattoo Removal

Before I shared on the costing, I am going to share the new technology from my research.

Why is PicoWay better than traditional Q-switched lasers?

Q-Switch technology requires numerous treatment sessions, causes significant discomfort during treatment and, in many cases, incompletely removes tattoos and pigmented lesions. Picosecond technology, has ultra-short pulse durations, 100 times shorter than Q-switch lasers, and in the trillionths of a second. These bursts of energy create a photoacoustic impact which breaks up the tattoo ink or pigmentation into smaller, more easily absorbed particles. PicoWay’s unique, proprietary mode of action has the highest peak power and the shortest pulse duration of any picosecond device on the market for superior efficacy, safety and comfort. PicoWay is the answer physicians are looking for to combat the reluctance patients may have to treat tattoos or more complex pigmented lesions.

There you have it! I bold the words "100 times shorter than Q-switch lasers" What a great difference!

The cost involved so far as of today:
1st treatment: $382
2nd treatment: $212
3rd treatment: $212
4th treatment: $212
5th treatment: $216
6th treatment: $244
7th treatment: $216
8th treatment: $218
Total spent on my laser treatments as of today: $1912

Learn More On PicoWay

Before I share the costing involved on the total amount spent so far, I would like to share more info of the PicoWay machine. Costing will come out in my next post.

What is the PicoWay Laser System?

PicoWay is a remarkably innovative dual wavelength picosecond laser from Syneron Candela. PicoWay enables removal of multi-colored tattoos, recalcitrant tattoos and benign pigmented lesions on any skin type. PicoWay’s unique mode of action is based on delivering ultra-short picosecond pulses of energy to the tissue. These bursts of energy create a photo-mechanical impact which breaks up the tattoo ink or pigmentation into smaller, more easily eliminated particles.

What are the advantages of PicoWay?

PicoWay is the world’s first and only dual laser device with proprietary PicoWay technology: Dual wavelengths – 1064 nm & 532 nm wavelengths in one laser system. Treat the widest range of tattoos – 2 wavelengths to treat most tattoo colors & types, including recalcitrant tattoos. Treat dermal and epidermal pigmented lesions – Large spot sizes enable deep penetration when needed. Highest peak power – For effective energy over the broadest range of spot sizes. Shortest picosecond pulses – 40% shorter picosecond pulses mean effective, yet lower energy for less risk of side effects.

Why is PicoWay the best picosecond laser on the market?

PicoWay’s unique, proprietary mode of action has the highest peak power and shortest pulse duration of any picosecond device on the market for superior efficacy, safety and comfort. PicoWay's ultrashort pulses enable the strong photoacoustic impact needed to fracture pigment particles using lower fluences, for better clearance in fewer treatments. PicoWay's novel design architecture enables PicoWay to be robust, reliable and scalable for future application developments.

Rise of The Laser Machines

I found the machine and I remember that the doctor was calibrating the machine before he starts the treatment. I manage to find a nice 2 minutes video intro of the machine here. This is how the machine looks like.

This technology claims to have better results in few treatments for different skin types. Fast results and ultra-fast delivery of concentrated, high-power energy. Minimal risk, minimal discomfort, faster clearance and fewer treatments. The machine went bonking bonking whenever the laser hits my skin. Frankly speaking, I can't really feel the difference at all!

The only thing that I can remember is the soothing feeling of the cool air blowing my skin when the laser hits. Want to see how this awesome cool air blowing machine looks like? Here you go!

My favorite machine!