Long story, but I'll skip it and get to the point. I'm having two tatoos lasered off (first treatment yesterday). Can I say, "yeowww!" Anyway, I'm concerned about facilitating healing and was wondering if anyone had any experience with this and/or had suggestions for providing support to my body's healing system.

TIA

P.S. I'm sort of sad about one of them since it held a whole heck of a lot of meaning, but it's time. . .

As someone who is tattooed, I am curious - - why are you choosing to have them removed?



(edited to say: I know very little about the removal process and no one that has gone through this. I'm no help in answering the OP... and if the question is too nosey, let me know! :) I really just wondered if there came a point in time that you felt like you 'needed' to be rid of them, etc.)

Well, this will sound stupid, but I got tired of being the mom at the YMCA in middle america with tatoos. I got them about seven years ago when I was getting a divorce. Here's the short story behind them:

Tatoo #1. I was getting divorced and by the time I left him, I truly and honestly believed that there was not one single thing anyone would like about me other than that men might want to use me for sex. So I set about reclaiming my body. I got a momma wolf and a baby wolf howling at the moon and a shooting star. It was in the lower middle of my back because I feel that is my center and the source of my power. Wolves are my favorite animal as they are intelligent, social, and care deeply for their young. I had always wanted to be a momma with a baby. The moon is a symbol of being a woman. The shooting star represented the most spiritual experience of my life. Every year, the night before my birthday, is the biggest meteor shower of the year. The year I turned 20 I was camping by a lake. I was falling asleep while counting shooting stars. I got to 19, but was falling asleep. I asked God, "please let me see one more star." I then fell asleep. Some time in the middle of the night I woke, opened my eyes, saw my 20th shooting star, said, "thank you," then went back to sleep.

Totoo #2. My friend was reclaiming her body and I went with her. the guy offered me one for free. Impulse. Cute, but not emotionally attached.

So, you can see my attachment. But I no longer need it. I have reclaimed my body and I guess I'm in the process of reclaming it again. But, a lot of it has to do with it not meshing with my own (personal) internal image of me as a mother. I do have mixed feelings, but it is time.

Cool story about tattoo number 1.

Your reasons are the same reasons I want my tattoos removed. We haven't the money to do it, though...

Sorry I can't offer any advice.

How many more treatments?

This link will take you to a step-by-step laser tatoo removal. It's a good read (not too serious ;))
http://www.cockeyed.com/science/tattoo/tattoo.html
-Heather

I know nothing of the specific needs for this treatment, but you're getting my standard advice:

Drink tons of water and breath deeply as often as possible. This increases lymph, and lymph flow (respectively). This is the body's filtration system and assists healing nicely.

That's funny, because I'll be getting my tattoo most likely tonight or tomorrow. (just re-drew it, after losing the copy I have been priding over for a year or so now) I'll post when I get it.

Warm wishes and positive thoughts for your latest transition. :)