Anyway, a long time ago I promised a blog about the arduous tattoo removal process. You waited patiently, and here I am to tell the tale of the 5 W's: Who, What, Why, When, How (that's not a w).
Here we go!
Who: Me. Sadie Newell. You knew that.
This photo was taken probably the same day I got it done. A little back story on these bad boys: I was 19, decided that I wanted to rebel, and got two tattoos that were in an obvious place. My mother, that night, informed me I was officially unemployable and she was embarrassed for me. As an idealistic college student, I thought I was being very Shakespearian. "You need both in a quality relationship," I used to muse, "I won't settle for anything less." I wanted these originally on the arches of my feet, but the guy that did them said that it wasn't possible and that I had to get them on the tops of my feet instead, where the skin was flatter and easier to tattoo. I agreed, but not without a little bit of disappointment.
Little did I know...
I don't regret it, I just grew OUT of it.
Why: Well, I kind of answered this. But really, two reasons, one major and one minor.
- I outgrew this part of me. In adulthood (what am I? Almost 45?) I realized that I had to do a lot of explaining. Not in my day job (elementary students can't read cursive), but it is astonishing how so many people will be SO FORWARD with questions. "Did it hurt?" Obviously. "Why that?" Its personal. "Don't you regret those?" Uh, no. "Gosh, it must be really hard to cover those up." Yeah, it is.
- I really wanted to wear all sorts of shoes. I'm a little picky about what shoes to wear - I can't cover up half of my tattoo, or I feel like I look off balance. The options I have are severely limited: flats, heels or booties. No gladiator sandals, nothing too strappy and see through. So this year, I decided to start the removal process.
Where and When:
This year, 2015, in Oklahoma City.
So. I had my first removal appointment two months ago. I didn't know what to expect, and wasn't sure if I could handle the pain I had read about on google. My plastic surgeon was pretty straightforward and said, "I want to make sure I get you to your point of pain so we don't have to do twenty appointments." Since I pay per appointment, I can honestly appreciate the pain I endure monthly.
What IS the process? Glad you asked!
Step 1:
Numb the eff out of your feet. They give you cream that numbs the surface of your skin. I'm not actually sure if you need this much, but I wanted to be prepared.
Step 2:
Endure the pain. It feels like bacon grease hitting your skin in the worst way because it won't stop. I yelled a lot during my first appointment. The second time, it just kind of stopped hurting. I literally felt nothing. It was totally numb. These white dots were all at the surface of my skin, and then they faded throughout the day. I wrapped my feet up and then hours later just waited.
After the initial laser, your skin starts to heal, and the tattoos fade due to science and what not. You aren't supposed to pop the blisters or disturb the healing process which was super easy for me the first time. The second time, though, I seriously couldn't stand it. My feet were SO ITCHY that I had to sleep with ice packs in my bed. It isn't like it hurts after, it just is irritating. I go through a lot of neosporin.
I've gone through two removal appointments, and my third is in a few days. This is the result after the second round:
They are gross, don't get me wrong. It was really hard not to scratch and this process is incredibly, painstakingly slow.
I'm at least 4 out from total removal, but I'll get there! I have a lot more fading in my right foot than I do my left, but apparently that is normal.
I'll keep you updated on my feet - soon there will be nothing to look at!
