The Infamous Gemini Tattoo

 

When you’re 17, you think you have life all figured out. My parents gave me as much freedom as I wanted because they trusted me. I was a pretty good kid; I made good grades & worked two jobs at 16. I also made very impulsive decisions like dying my hair fire engine red & getting a thigh tattoo.

Anyone with a tattoo can tell you how addictive tattoos are. You get one and if you’re like me you get 9 more - even a huge back piece. At the time, I thought it would be a wonderful idea to get matching zodiac tattoos with my best friend.

So boom! Me being an impulsive 16 year old, within 24 hours of coming up with this bright idea I was getting tatted in my best friend’s sister living room. Any opportunity I had to wear daisy dukes I took full advantage, baby oil greased legs and my extra-large extra dark Gemini tattoo were being shown off. What seemed like a marvelous idea then has led to me being self-conscious now. Don’t get me wrong, I loved this tattoo and still do. It’s actually my favorite one. It reminds me of how care free, rebellious and fun I use to be. Deep down I wish I could still be that way.

As my son got older & I became more versed in the corporate America world I became self-conscious about this tattoo. While everyone else at company events had on shorts, I had on jeans or what I like to call, the middle aged mom shorts…you know long khaki chino shorts.After many failed attempts to use Dermablend make up to cover the tattoo, I knew it was time to explore other options to remove the tattoo. I spent countless hours watching YouTube reviews on tattoo removal creams and laser tattoo removal. I decided that laser tattoo removal would be best for me, I just didn’t have any time to waste applying a cream that may not work. I wanted this tattoo gone, and I wanted to start the process asap.

Anyone who knows me knows I am a big Yelper; I look up reviews on any and everything possible. I kind of wish there was a Yelp review type app for dating, (million dollar app idea, maybe?) So I opened my Yelp app and searched “Laser Tattoo Removal in Gaithersburg, MD.” This is how I came across Butterfly Med Spa. They offered a variety of services from laser tattoo removal to stretch mark removal and Botox. I called and booked an appointment for the following day for a consultation

 

First Session

The Process:

What was supposed to be a consultation turned into my first laser tattoo removal session. Dr. Yuan and his staff were very knowledgeable about the process answering all my questions thoroughly. The consultation consisted of examining my tattoo, discussing the potential side effects of laser removal and quoting me a price. I was quoted a price of $149/session and started the process that day. The side effects  discussed include blisters, keloid and skin discoloration. You have a higher chance of keloids if your skin is prone to keloids and excessive scarring.

Numbing cream is optional, but highly suggested. The clinic provided me with the numbing cream one hour before starting the laser treatment. Dr. Yuan traced the tattoo twice with the laser. It was not painful at all; it feels like a skinny rubber band is popping you. This session lasted 15 minutes, I booked my next session for the following month and I was out the door. Aftercare instructions include applying ice for 30 minutes after the treatment to reduce swelling & redness. Given the risk associated with laser tattoo removal I was still happy with my decision to move forward with the process.

The week following the session, I was kind of discouraged because I was expecting these grand results not realizing it would be a process and would not happen overnight. The only side effect I experienced was sever itching, the itching was unbearable unless I applied the healing ointment. I guess that was a sign of it being dry and needing to be moisturized.

Results after first session (top)
Results after 7 sessions (bottom)

So far I have had 9 sessions. I did not see real results after my sixth session. The tattoo was becoming lighter but I could actually tell it was fading after my sixth session.  The first 6 sessions were monthly, sessions 7-9  were every two months, and the remaining sessions will be every three months. They are spaced out to give your skin time to heal and time to see if you will have any side effects since the strength of the laser is increased each session. Next I have plans to remove two more tattoos, both located on my back. New me, who dis?- MP