6 days later...

It has been almost a week since my second treatment, and my ankle is healing at a much faster pace than last time.  I'm looking forward to the "before and after" photos when it is all over, but in the meantime I'm happy to see so much has faded.   

Before

6 days after 2nd treatment

Session 2

After 16 weeks, I finally got the second laser treatment in my tattoo removal process last night.  It took a lot longer than expected to heal after the first one, and I was afraid that this time would be just as bad.  I was pleasantly surprised when I took the bandage off - there was NO blistering!! It's red, a little swollen, and the coloring appears darker.  I am confident I will be ready before my next appointment in 8 weeks. 

After bandage removal

Immediately after 2nd treatment

Almost ready for Round 2

It's been a month since my butterfly was zapped with the laser, and I'm nearly ready for round 2.  The last of the scab came off today, but it is still tender, red and a little swollen.  I've decided to wait two more weeks for my next session in order for it to heal completely.  I'm really happy with the results so far.  The yellow is no longer visible and the black lines have faded significantly.  There is still a lot of ink left though.  Hopefully, the next treatment will not be as bad as the first. 

Going through changes

‘All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind is part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter into another.’

— Anatole France

My butterfly tattoo has undergone quite the transformation the past few days.  It is no longer a swollen blistery mess, and the only time I experience pain is when I bump my ankle against something or accidentally get kicked (you know who you are).  I can see areas where the ink has faded, and am hopeful once the scab sloughs off there will be even less ink underneath.

Here are pictures from days 12 & 15:

Now, if I can only keep myself from scratching the inexhaustible itching!

Lake H20? Hell NO!

The 4^th of July holiday weekend was traumatic - for me and my butterfly.  Friday afternoon, I left work and headed to the lake for the long weekend.  Somehow, I managed to cut my toe on what I can only assume was a rusty fishing hook, locked my keys in the trunk with the high tech security enabled, got lost on a boat in the dark without lights, and could not even set off my own fireworks due to the dry conditions. 

My butterfly had it worse though.  Even though I tried to avoid the stagnant lake water Saturday (day 5) with my swollen, oozing ankle, it was impossible with 100ºF+ temperatures and blazing sun.  The third or fourth time I jumped in the water, all the skin from my blister peeled off exposing the tender skin underneath-ouch!  I washed it with warm soap and water every time I got out of the water and reapplied sunscreen to avoid infection and hyperpigmentation, but it was really uncomfortable. 

Yesterday (day 8), the swelling and redness were so bad that even the smallest step was painful.  I was certain I had infected the area with some flesh eating bacteria and I would have to have my leg amputated.  As it turned out, I was just overreacting as usual.  It’s just the beginning of the next phase – the scab. 

Can you tell me how to get...how to get to "tattoo free"?

One AH AH AH AH AH
Two AH AH AH AH AH
Three AH AH AH AH AH

I'm only on day three after my first laser treatment, and so far each day is worse than the last.  I'm maniacally counting the days until it starts to feel normal again. 

The blister popped last night less than 24 hours after appearing. 

Here's the eye candy for the day...

Off to See the Wizard

Last night was my first visit to the wizard, the wonderful wizard of tattoo removal, AKA the Certified Licensed Laser Technician at MEDermis, to see if she could grant my wish of removing my colorful work of art.  During my consultation, she mentioned this was the most ink she had ever seen in a tattoo.  I’m guessing this is because most people who commit to getting inked over and over in the same spot don’t visit people like her.  Anyway, my wish was granted, and the painful journey of Butterfly ~ Bye-Bye began.

OUCH!!  That’s really the only word I can find to describe what the laser felt like.   Maybe it could be described as getting the most sensitive area tattooed, with a thousand tiny needles that are on fire.  Yes, fire!  It burns, literally. 

These pictures were taken immediately after, 8 hours later when the bandage was removed, and the next morning.   Who's got the over/under on how long it takes that blister to pop?