feel the burn

There is a lot that has been said about laser tattoo removal, and there are just as many gnarly images you can search for if you're so inclined. 

Most of what has been said is true, with wiggle room. 

Complete removal is obtainable, but it will cost a lot more money and time than it took to put the ink on my body in the first place.

The price varies widely, and there are many places that 'specialize' in tattoo removal. My dermatologist office pricing has always been fair. 

They also go an extra step to make sure that there is virtually no pain by using a combination of both numbing cream and injections around the tattoo and I'm here to say that there was no pain. A little pinching on the edges where I wasn't injected, but friends, that shit didn't hurt!* 

There's swelling and bruising and my arm looks pretty gross. There's six weeks in between each visit and it's necessary. This is definitely wound care, and I have to plan my spin classes accordingly.

Any sunlight is a big no-no, which will make Joshua Tree and Palm Springs interesting. (I've been searching on etsy for arm warmers.)

I can tattoo over the area, which would make for less removal appointments, but now that I know with patience and numerous appointments I can have my arm looking like it was never tattooed...that's very appealing. 

And like a crazy person, I'm already researching fonts and schedules with my tattoo artist for a re-do.**

I don't hold a grudge or begrudge the bad ink. As I've said before, tattoo making is an art and a practice and sometimes, bad art is made. A haircut grows out. A photo can, (most times), be re-taken. Not so with a tattoo. 

I know this and honestly, when I look at getting tattooed from that perspective, considering this was tattoo number 19, I've had a really good run. 

*Granted I have a high pain tolerance, but there was no pain. And today, it's a little achy, itchy, uncomfortable, but again, not as bad as I've heard. The way it looks though? Totally accurate online images. It's really nasty you guys.

**NOT the dude who gave me the bad tattoo obviously.