Tattoo removal report

Apparently I can't reply to the past topics, so I need to start a new
one

Hans/Curt/Anyone else:

Well, I went for session #9 (of 6) 8 weeks ago Thursday. I have been
very busy, so unfortunately
I wasn't able to file a report right away. As a result, I have probably
forgotten some details.
For anyone interested in the past events, just do a search in this ng
under my name.

For my second appointment at the new place, I made an appointment with
"the expert" as I have referred to her in previous posts. I was excited

to get her perspective on my situation. I hopped on the train with my
brother and headed down to NYC.

We arrived at the appointment 10 minutes late. I called and alerted
them. We showed up and were told
to wait for a few minutes. We saw the same nurse who treated me last
time(not to be confused with
the expert or the buxom consultant). I was a disappointed since I
purposely made the appointment with
"the expert", but I didn't know how to tactfully request the other
woman. I don't know if it was
because I was late or not. I intend to send an email to "the expert"
asking for her specifically
next time.

We are called in to get started. Unfortunately my brother had to leave
partly in to it to eat a sandwich.
He is hypoglycemic. I like to have him there to get his impressions.

I ask the girl if we are about halfway done. She says something along
the lines of "probably about
half done". As she is then sticking me with that glorious thing known
as Lidocaine, I pepper her with
questions. She doesn't really like to give too much info (a common
thing with these people.)

Here is the gist....

1. How many of these have you done. "I do alot"
2. What are the different laser settings. She had a very vague
response, but it had something to do
with how the skin reacts when it impacts it.
3. I asked her if you had to be an RN or anything like that to
administer Lidocaine. She was very evasive,
making me believe that she wasn't. That I didn't really give a shit
about, as I would have requested
it even if it were an illegal substance.

Them we got started. It was very painfull, even with the lidocaine. I
don't know if this is because I have had
so many treatments or what. I asked about power settings again, and she
spoke in vague terms again,
not offering much info. She finished my arm, and moved to my stomach.
Again, very painfull. Slightly
below the non-lidocaine sessions at the old place, but still hurt bad.
Towards the end she stopped partly through.
I usually tell them not to, so it is over faster, and my body doesn't
get used to it being over.
She mentions that she is changing a power setting on the laser. It gets
a little confusing to me here, as she had worked
on the stomach for about 10 mins, and "went over the whole thing again"
which took only 20 seconds or so, as I asked for
a rare break. I told her to go again, and she said "all done"????

To anyone: Can you go over the same piece twice, or can the skin not
take it?

She then raps me up with bandages, and I can't believe how much
different this was than last time. ]
Last time - the first at nyc/first lidocaine - didn't hurt anywhere
near as much. Afterwards wasn't as
bad either. This time I had that sunburn feeling afterwards.

After being bandaged, "the expert" wanders in, and suggests waiting
longer before next treatment.


I do have before and after pics, as well as pics of blistering, etc. I
can email you if you like.
I would like to see any pics you have as well.

'
I am going to e-mail "the expert" to see exactly how long she wants me
to wait. Do you have any questions
for me to ask on my next visit.



To Hans:
Questions for you and your dr.
When are you going in again?
What do they say about power settings and how they decide on which?
How many sessions is the max to remove? At what point do you stop?
How long is the suggested wait period between sessions. Does it change
as the number of treatments
increase?

Thanks again,
Talk to everyone again soon.

klh12578@yahoo.com wrote:

>Apparently I can't reply to the past topics, so I need to start a new
>one

You're posting courtesy of Google groups, right? I do, too, quite
often, but I also use Forte Free Agent.

http://www.forteinc.com/agent/index.php

Worth a look. I can reply to posts from nearly three years ago. Yeah,
for the procrastinator, it's perfect. ;o)

>Hans/Curt/Anyone else:
>
>Well, I went for session #9 (of 6) 8 weeks ago Thursday. I have been
>very busy, so unfortunately I wasn't able to file a report right away.
>As a result, I have probably forgotten some details.
>For anyone interested in the past events, just do a search in this ng
>under my name.
>
>For my second appointment at the new place, I made an appointment with
>"the expert" as I have referred to her in previous posts. I was excited
>
>to get her perspective on my situation. I hopped on the train with my
>brother and headed down to NYC.
>
>We arrived at the appointment 10 minutes late. I called and alerted
>them. We showed up and were told to wait for a few minutes. We
>saw the same nurse who treated me last time(not to be confused with
>the expert or the buxom consultant). I was a disappointed since I
>purposely made the appointment with "the expert", but I didn't know
>how to tactfully request the other woman. I don't know if it was
>because I was late or not. I intend to send an email to "the expert"
>asking for her specifically next time.

Drat. I was hoping for a good "the buxom consultant" anecdote. ;o)

>We are called in to get started. Unfortunately my brother had to leave
>partly in to it to eat a sandwich. He is hypoglycemic. I like to have him
>there to get his impressions.
>
>I ask the girl if we are about halfway done. She says something along
>the lines of "probably about half done". As she is then sticking me with
>that glorious thing known as Lidocaine, I pepper her with questions.
>She doesn't really like to give too much info (a common thing with
>these people.)
>
>Here is the gist....
>
>1. How many of these have you done. "I do alot"
>2. What are the different laser settings. She had a very vague
>response, but it had something to do with how the skin reacts
>when it impacts it.
>3. I asked her if you had to be an RN or anything like that to
>administer Lidocaine. She was very evasive, making me believe
>that she wasn't. That I didn't really give a shit about, as I would
>have requested it even if it were an illegal substance.
>
>Them we got started. It was very painfull, even with the lidocaine. I
>don't know if this is because I have had so many treatments or what.
>I asked about power settings again, and she spoke in vague terms again,
>not offering much info. She finished my arm, and moved to my stomach.
>Again, very painfull. Slightly below the non-lidocaine sessions at the old
>place, but still hurt bad. Towards the end she stopped partly through.
>I usually tell them not to, so it is over faster, and my body doesn't
>get used to it being over. She mentions that she is changing a power
>setting on the laser. It gets a little confusing to me here, as she had worked
>on the stomach for about 10 mins, and "went over the whole thing again"
>which took only 20 seconds or so, as I asked for a rare break. I told her
>to go again, and she said "all done"????
>
>To anyone: Can you go over the same piece twice, or can the skin not
>take it?
>
>She then raps me up with bandages, and I can't believe how much
>different this was than last time. ] Last time - the first at nyc/first lidocaine
>- didn't hurt anywhere near as much. Afterwards wasn't as bad either.
>This time I had that sunburn feeling afterwards.
>
>After being bandaged, "the expert" wanders in, and suggests waiting
>longer before next treatment.
>
>I do have before and after pics, as well as pics of blistering, etc. I
>can email you if you like. I would like to see any pics you have as well.

Blistering pics? How could I pass up an offer like THAT? ;o)

Seriously, I'd be curious to check out before and after laser pics.
Sounds interesting. Ping me at curtjames at gmail, thanks.

>I am going to e-mail "the expert" to see exactly how long she wants me
>to wait. Do you have any questions for me to ask on my next visit.
>
>To Hans:
>Questions for you and your dr. When are you going in again?
>What do they say about power settings and how they decide on which?
>How many sessions is the max to remove? At what point do you stop?
>How long is the suggested wait period between sessions. Does it change
>as the number of treatments increase?
>
>Thanks again,
>Talk to everyone again soon.

Looking forward to your next report.

--
Curt

klh12578@yahoo.com schrieb:

> the expert or the buxom consultant). I was a disappointed since I
> purposely made the appointment with
> "the expert", but I didn't know how to tactfully request the other
> woman.

What's wrong with "excuse me, but I had an appointment specifically
with [different person]"? You're paying for a service, you should have
at least gotten some information out of her.

> "I do alot"

> She had a very vague
> response,

> She was very evasive,

And you're going back there?!

Is this this place: http://litetouchlaser.com?
The entire thing looks sketchy. "consultations are conducted by
experienced skin care specialists", what is that? "licensed skin care
professionals and several physicians"- no names, no indication that
they're dermatologists.

> I am going to e-mail "the expert" to see exactly how long she wants me
> to wait. Do you have any questions
> for me to ask on my next visit.

"What kind of training have you had?"

Seriously, if I were you, I'd consider *paying* for a consult with an
actual *medical* professional and not settling for any "skin care
professional".

Nina

Nina Baltes <chaotropic@googlemail.com> wrote:

>klh12578@yahoo.com schrieb:
>
>> the expert or the buxom consultant). I was a disappointed since I
>> purposely made the appointment with
>> "the expert", but I didn't know how to tactfully request the other
>> woman.
>
>What's wrong with "excuse me, but I had an appointment specifically
>with [different person]"? You're paying for a service, you should have
>at least gotten some information out of her.
>
>> "I do alot"
>
>> She had a very vague response,
>
>> She was very evasive,
>
>And you're going back there?!
>
>Is this this place: http://litetouchlaser.com?
>The entire thing looks sketchy. "consultations are conducted by
>experienced skin care specialists", what is that? "licensed skin care
>professionals and several physicians"- no names, no indication that
>they're dermatologists.
>
>> I am going to e-mail "the expert" to see exactly how long she wants me
>> to wait. Do you have any questions for me to ask on my next visit.
>
>"What kind of training have you had?"
>
>Seriously, if I were you, I'd consider *paying* for a consult with an
>actual *medical* professional and not settling for any "skin care
>professional".
>
>Nina

Oh.

Nina's right, imo. If the person in charge isn't a board-certified
dermatologist then I'd cut my losses and find one who is. :o(

http://www.abderm.org/

--
Curt
http://curtjames.com/

On 28 Jun 2006 17:54:16 -0700, klh12578@yahoo.com, while still wondering
about life, the Universe and everything else, posted this tasty tidbit
:
> Apparently I can't reply to the past topics, so I need to start a new
> one
>
> Hans/Curt/Anyone else:
>
> Well, I went for session #9 (of 6) 8 weeks ago Thursday. I have been
> very busy, so unfortunately
> I wasn't able to file a report right away. As a result, I have probably
> forgotten some details.
> For anyone interested in the past events, just do a search in this ng
> under my name.
>
> For my second appointment at the new place, I made an appointment with
> "the expert" as I have referred to her in previous posts. I was excited
>
> to get her perspective on my situation. I hopped on the train with my
> brother and headed down to NYC.
>
> We arrived at the appointment 10 minutes late. I called and alerted
> them. We showed up and were told
> to wait for a few minutes. We saw the same nurse who treated me last
> time(not to be confused with
> the expert or the buxom consultant). I was a disappointed since I
> purposely made the appointment with
> "the expert", but I didn't know how to tactfully request the other
> woman. I don't know if it was
> because I was late or not. I intend to send an email to "the expert"
> asking for her specifically
> next time.
>
> We are called in to get started. Unfortunately my brother had to leave
> partly in to it to eat a sandwich.
> He is hypoglycemic. I like to have him there to get his impressions.
>
> I ask the girl if we are about halfway done. She says something along
> the lines of "probably about
> half done". As she is then sticking me with that glorious thing known
> as Lidocaine, I pepper her with
> questions. She doesn't really like to give too much info (a common
> thing with these people.)
>
> Here is the gist....
>
> 1. How many of these have you done. "I do alot"
> 2. What are the different laser settings. She had a very vague
> response, but it had something to do
> with how the skin reacts when it impacts it.
> 3. I asked her if you had to be an RN or anything like that to
> administer Lidocaine. She was very evasive,
> making me believe that she wasn't. That I didn't really give a shit
> about, as I would have requested
> it even if it were an illegal substance.
>
> Them we got started. It was very painfull, even with the lidocaine. I
> don't know if this is because I have had
> so many treatments or what. I asked about power settings again, and she
> spoke in vague terms again,
> not offering much info. She finished my arm, and moved to my stomach.
> Again, very painfull. Slightly
> below the non-lidocaine sessions at the old place, but still hurt bad.
> Towards the end she stopped partly through.
> I usually tell them not to, so it is over faster, and my body doesn't
> get used to it being over.
> She mentions that she is changing a power setting on the laser. It gets
> a little confusing to me here, as she had worked
> on the stomach for about 10 mins, and "went over the whole thing again"
> which took only 20 seconds or so, as I asked for
> a rare break. I told her to go again, and she said "all done"????
>
> To anyone: Can you go over the same piece twice, or can the skin not
> take it?
>
> She then raps me up with bandages, and I can't believe how much
> different this was than last time. ]
> Last time - the first at nyc/first lidocaine - didn't hurt anywhere
> near as much. Afterwards wasn't as
> bad either. This time I had that sunburn feeling afterwards.
>
> After being bandaged, "the expert" wanders in, and suggests waiting
> longer before next treatment.
>
> I do have before and after pics, as well as pics of blistering, etc. I
> can email you if you like.
> I would like to see any pics you have as well.
>
> '
> I am going to e-mail "the expert" to see exactly how long she wants me
> to wait. Do you have any questions
> for me to ask on my next visit.
>
> To Hans:
> Questions for you and your dr.
> When are you going in again?
> What do they say about power settings and how they decide on which?
> How many sessions is the max to remove? At what point do you stop?
> How long is the suggested wait period between sessions. Does it change
> as the number of treatments
> increase?
>
> Thanks again,
> Talk to everyone again soon.

Rotterdam, VERY late in the AM, I'll reply extensively later...
Just had my 5th session.
Man....you are being tortured.....
And I am very sorry about that..
But now...gotta get some sleep....
--
Hans van Eynsbergen

There is an art to flying, or rather a knack...
This knack lies in learning to throw yourself
at the ground and miss...
www.cotse.com

On 28 Jun 2006 17:54:16 -0700, klh12578@yahoo.com, while still wondering
about life, the Universe and everything else, posted this tasty tidbit
:
> Apparently I can't reply to the past topics, so I need to start a new
> one
>
> Hans/Curt/Anyone else:

Damn ! I was about to ping you !
Ihad my 5th session just this week.
>
<snip>
>
> For my second appointment at the new place, I made an appointment with
> "the expert" as I have referred to her in previous posts. I was excited
>
> to get her perspective on my situation. I hopped on the train with my
> brother and headed down to NYC.
>
> We arrived at the appointment 10 minutes late. I called and alerted
> them. We showed up and were told
> to wait for a few minutes. We saw the same nurse who treated me last
> time(not to be confused with
> the expert or the buxom consultant). I was a disappointed since I
> purposely made the appointment with
> "the expert", but I didn't know how to tactfully request the other
> woman. I don't know if it was
> because I was late or not. I intend to send an email to "the expert"
> asking for her specifically
> next time.

So far all of my appointments were at 11.00 AM after a 2 hour drive.
No waiting, they are READY when you arrive.
No overlapping, they simply allow for a lot of time.
My sessions take about an hour of treatment, so they allow for some 2
hrs. If I want some time with a few more ice/gel packs, that's totally
OK. Coffee and fresh sandwiches when ever you want !
>
> We are called in to get started. Unfortunately my brother had to leave
> partly in to it to eat a sandwich.
> He is hypoglycemic. I like to have him there to get his impressions.
>
> I ask the girl if we are about halfway done. She says something along
> the lines of "probably about
> half done". As she is then sticking me with that glorious thing known
> as Lidocaine, I pepper her with
> questions. She doesn't really like to give too much info (a common
> thing with these people.)

That's exactly where our clinic differ like day and night.
Anesthetics are forbidden here in Holland, unless it's a medical
procedure and laser treatment is NOT supposed to be one.
But free tubes of EMLA cream and painkillers go a long way.
http://www.emla-us.com/
EVERY question is answered with concrete or specific information.
EVERY step in the procedure is explained BEFORE it starts.
>
> Here is the gist....
>
> 1. How many of these have you done. "I do alot"

I was shown most of the work they had done in the last few years.
Most of the removals is small potatoes, but the all of the clients are
more then happy with the results. The hand written exit interviews that
accompany the pics confirm all that.

> 2. What are the different laser settings. She had a very vague
> response, but it had something to do
> with how the skin reacts when it impacts it.

A really good operator is able to "hear" if the settings are correct and
correspond with the necessary treatment.
When the laser hits the skin you should hear a very audible and very
crispy "click"
That means that the ink particles are exploding like they should.
In all my sessions the settings were at 6 mm width/ 2.85 running up to a
recent 3.05 power setting. And even then he worked up from the original
2.65, tested on a few spots and then increased the power setting very
gradually.

> 3. I asked her if you had to be an RN or anything like that to
> administer Lidocaine. She was very evasive,
> making me believe that she wasn't. That I didn't really give a shit
> about, as I would have requested
> it even if it were an illegal substance.

My idea too. I could not care less who would administer the L.
But they simply won't do it....
I guess the consequences are to severe.
>
> Them we got started. It was very painfull, even with the lidocaine. I
> don't know if this is because I have had
> so many treatments or what. I asked about power settings again, and she
> spoke in vague terms again,
> not offering much info. She finished my arm, and moved to my stomach.
> Again, very painfull.

I suppose pain sensation differs when the power settings change.
My second session was sheer torture. It took me 24 hours to recuperate.
Last session ( EMLA and painkillers was a breeze.
It was the last sessions with the 6 mm beam, so all the "deep"work has
been done. Future sessions will be done with a 4 mm beam.

>Slightly
> below the non-lidocaine sessions at the old place, but still hurt bad.
> Towards the end she stopped partly through.
> I usually tell them not to, so it is over faster, and my body doesn't
> get used to it being over.

Yup, no breaks, just finish the job.

> She mentions that she is changing a power setting on the laser. It gets
> a little confusing to me here, as she had worked
> on the stomach for about 10 mins, and "went over the whole thing again"
> which took only 20 seconds or so, as I asked for
> a rare break. I told her to go again, and she said "all done"????
>
> To anyone: Can you go over the same piece twice, or can the skin not
> take it?

Usually colors are done at totally different power settings.
Yes, the skin can take it and she did it totally correct.
If she were to do the tattoo twice with the same power settings you
would have blisters as large as a dollar or worse !
Some blistering is not always avoidable.
The treatment works best at the highest possible power settings.
But finding out is a bit trail and error. Too low and the effect is
minimal and too high will cause blistering.
Like I said before, a really good technician can hear when he/she has
reached the maximum setting.
It's quite difficult to find a balance since blistering becomes visible
only AFTERWARDS. Only then the blistering in itself forms the evidence
of a somewhat high power setting. Small blisters, like 1 or 2 mm, are
common, mostly where the colors are done a second time at different
settings.
But as a general rule, no double treatments during the same session or
you get cooked really bad !
That would be the moment for me to start dispensing hand grenades...
>
> She then raps me up with bandages, and I can't believe how much
> different this was than last time. ]

In my opinion the treated areas should NOT be bandaged !
After AT LEAST a period of half an hour with ice/gel packs for cooling
off, a liberal application of silver sulfadiazine cream is enough and
that's it !
http://www.burnsurgery.com/Modules/silver/section5.htm
The cream sort of "hardens" after 5 minutes or so and forms a perfect
protective layer. And it absorbs a lot of residual heat !

> Last time - the first at nyc/first lidocaine - didn't hurt anywhere
> near as much. Afterwards wasn't as
> bad either. This time I had that sunburn feeling afterwards.

The irritating sunburn feeling should not last much longer then 3 hours,
after that the skin is still hard and sensitive to the touch, but not
much more then that.
>
> After being bandaged, "the expert" wanders in, and suggests waiting
> longer before next treatment.

Totally correct, The effect of the treatment lasts up to 10 weeks.
Anything less and they are ripping you off !
>
> I do have before and after pics, as well as pics of blistering, etc. I
> can email you if you like.
> I would like to see any pics you have as well.

I can see they effects very well. The tattoo has become a blur and most
of the color is already gone. A lot of lines have already vanished.
The big "shadowy" parts turned to grey.
The tattoo was done some 20 years ago and the "artist" was/is a hack !
He did all the work with a liner !
Imagine how deep the black was worked into the skin...
And that's why the results are hard to see.
Posting pics at this stage is useless.
I can post pics of course, but they are made under different lighting
conditions. In one pic the tattoo seems almost gone and the next looks
like if there is hardly any progress !

My right arm is a full sleeve with old skool roses and a LOT of VERY
good shading ! Within a half year all the shading has beautifully faded
to a point where you can say : "hey ! how did he do those shadows ?"
and not just some black ink in different area's...
Big difference with the old work.
'
> I am going to e-mail "the expert" to see exactly how long she wants me
> to wait. Do you have any questions
> for me to ask on my next visit.

Like I said, 10 weeks should be OK.
>
> To Hans:
> Questions for you and your dr.
> When are you going in again?

Septmebr 8th, but I can get any info you need within a few days.
> What do they say about power settings and how they decide on which?

I've tried to explain, but if you have any questions don't hesitate to
mail me. My addy is valid or find me here in RAB !

> How many sessions is the max to remove? At what point do you stop?

10-12 sessions, I'll probably stop at 8 or 9. Then the tattoo will be
lightened enough for a good color cover up and I can finish my left arm
and shoulder at last !
So much work still to be done !
And then the lower part of my back...
And then...and then...
You know what I mean....
lol !

> How long is the suggested wait period between sessions. Does it change
> as the number of treatments
> increase?

10 weeks between sessions is a given. That's when the maximum effect has
been reached. Of course the actual number of treatments depends on a lot
of different things.
Every skin is different and reacts to a laser treatment in a totally
different manner.
I've inherited a sensitive skin from my dear old mother, unlike my
brother who has the leather skin from my father.
My tattoo artist is always complaining about the fact that I have the
skin of a girl....that's when I hit him with my favorite Louisville
slugger....
The number of sessions will also vary depending on the tattoo itself.
Lots of color should take far more time then black.
How deep is the tattoo done ?
Like I said, shadow work done with a lining machine takes a lot of
effort to remove !
Deep dark black patches will probably as bad.
So far I've been "lucky".
Everything goes as it is supposed to go and the results are nothing
short of spectacular. Absolutely no damage to the skin whatsoever and
only minor blistering.
>
> Thanks again,
> Talk to everyone again soon.

You are welcome and don't be a stranger !
Later !


--
Hans van Eynsbergen

There is an art to flying, or rather a knack...
This knack lies in learning to throw yourself
at the ground and miss...
www.cotse.com

On Wed, 28 Jun 2006 22:14:08 -0400, Curt James, while still wondering
about life, the Universe and everything else, posted this tasty tidbit
:
<snip>
> You're posting courtesy of Google groups, right? I do, too, quite
> often, but I also use Forte Free Agent.
>
> http://www.forteinc.com/agent/index.php
>
> Worth a look. I can reply to posts from nearly three years ago. Yeah,
> for the procrastinator, it's perfect. ;o)

Forte is cool.
40tude Dialog is lightly cooler in my not so humble opinion....
X-face, custom headers and things like that...
http://www.40tude.com/dialog/

I know...it's totally OT....
lol

<snip>


--
Hans van Eynsbergen

There is an art to flying, or rather a knack...
This knack lies in learning to throw yourself
at the ground and miss...
www.cotse.com

On 29 Jun 2006 02:59:05 -0700, Nina Baltes, while still wondering about
life, the Universe and everything else, posted this tasty tidbit :
> klh12578@yahoo.com schrieb:
>
>> the expert or the buxom consultant). I was a disappointed since I
>> purposely made the appointment with
>> "the expert", but I didn't know how to tactfully request the other
>> woman.
>
> What's wrong with "excuse me, but I had an appointment specifically
> with [different person]"? You're paying for a service, you should have
> at least gotten some information out of her.
>
> > "I do alot"
>
>> She had a very vague
>> response,
>
>> She was very evasive,
>
> And you're going back there?!
>
> Is this this place: http://litetouchlaser.com?
> The entire thing looks sketchy. "consultations are conducted by
> experienced skin care specialists", what is that? "licensed skin care
> professionals and several physicians"- no names, no indication that
> they're dermatologists.
>
>> I am going to e-mail "the expert" to see exactly how long she wants me
>> to wait. Do you have any questions
>> for me to ask on my next visit.
>
> "What kind of training have you had?"
>
> Seriously, if I were you, I'd consider *paying* for a consult with an
> actual *medical* professional and not settling for any "skin care
> professional".
>
> Nina

I totally agree.
My clinic does the "over flow" of open heart surgeries for a large
nearby hospital.
And besides that they do a lot of cosmetic surgery, the usual botox work
and other things I don't want to know about...
The trained technicians only do what the doctor has prescribed after he
had a lengthy conversation and did all the examinations necessary.
And he visits each session to check up on progress.
All that says a lot about the clinic's quality.

--
Hans van Eynsbergen

There is an art to flying, or rather a knack...
This knack lies in learning to throw yourself
at the ground and miss...
www.cotse.com

Hans van Eynsbergen <Hans@NOSPAMALLOWEDhvane.cotse.net> wrote:

>On Wed, 28 Jun 2006 22:14:08 -0400, Curt James, while still wondering
>about life, the Universe and everything else, posted this tasty tidbit
>:
><snip>
>> You're posting courtesy of Google groups, right? I do, too, quite
>> often, but I also use Forte Free Agent.
>>
>> http://www.forteinc.com/agent/index.php
>>
>> Worth a look. I can reply to posts from nearly three years ago. Yeah,
>> for the procrastinator, it's perfect. ;o)
>
>Forte is cool.
>40tude Dialog is lightly cooler in my not so humble opinion....
>X-face, custom headers and things like that...
>http://www.40tude.com/dialog/
>
>I know...it's totally OT....

Totally OT is good with me, Hans. And, yes, I agree with you on
40tude. I recommended Forte as that's what I'm familiar with, but I
downloaded Dialog earlier based on *your* recommendation, iirc.

Just, out of habit, I use Forte's deal more often. :o)

>lol
>
><snip>

--
Curt

On Sat, 01 Jul 2006 09:01:24 -0400, Curt James, while still wondering
about life, the Universe and everything else, posted this tasty tidbit
:
> Hans van Eynsbergen <Hans@NOSPAMALLOWEDhvane.cotse.net> wrote:
>
>>On Wed, 28 Jun 2006 22:14:08 -0400, Curt James, while still wondering
>>about life, the Universe and everything else, posted this tasty tidbit
>>:
>><snip>
>>> You're posting courtesy of Google groups, right? I do, too, quite
>>> often, but I also use Forte Free Agent.
>>>
>>> http://www.forteinc.com/agent/index.php
>>>
>>> Worth a look. I can reply to posts from nearly three years ago. Yeah,
>>> for the procrastinator, it's perfect. ;o)
>>
>>Forte is cool.
>>40tude Dialog is lightly cooler in my not so humble opinion....
>>X-face, custom headers and things like that...
>>http://www.40tude.com/dialog/
>>
>>I know...it's totally OT....
>
> Totally OT is good with me, Hans. And, yes, I agree with you on
> 40tude. I recommended Forte as that's what I'm familiar with, but I
> downloaded Dialog earlier based on *your* recommendation, iirc.
>
> Just, out of habit, I use Forte's deal more often. :o)
>
>>lol
>>
>><snip>

Both readers are almost identical and surpass anything else...
especially Outhouse...lol !
--
Hans van Eynsbergen

There is an art to flying, or rather a knack...
This knack lies in learning to throw yourself
at the ground and miss...
www.cotse.com

Well, tommorrow is session 10. I was originally told by the first
place(near my home, not in nyc) I received treatment that
it would take 6 sessions in one year, and now we are going on twice
that. How long will it take?
Will it ever be gone?

I called litetouch to see if I could get an appointment at one of their
other facilities(to get a
second opinion). They do accept the payment package I purchased at the
one location, but unfortunately
they only do tattoo removal at the one location. I tried to make an
appt with the expert and be
insistent on seeing her, but she is no longer there. "Medical leave"
they said. So I am back to seeing
the only person who does it for this company(aside from going to their
Pittsburg location)-the girl
who has done it the last 2 times.

To add another fun variable into the mix, it it supposed to be 100
degrees and humid in NYC tommorrow.
If nothing else, I will have a fun report.

To Nina, that link is the site. I understand your idea on cutting the
losses, but I purchased a package
of 6(5 paid and 1 free). I can't throw that away. I was impressed with
the initial consultation.
If you read one of my earlier reports - in a different thread - I had
gone to NYC for 2 appointments
and was so impressed that I scrapped the second one. In hindsight, I
shouldn't have. I haven't
lost faith in this place neccesarily. This whole industry seems to
operate in this fashion. I may get
another consultation in 10 weeks from someone else.

To Hans, What is the problem with blistering? I want these things off!
Turn the laser up to 11 and
fry it off! Why would they not go to the highest setting? What is the
most aggressive way to do
this? 8 weeks? 10 weeks? Does it make a difference that I have had this
many sessions. Dr. Rand's
consultatnt from the tattoo removal center in nyc, stated I should wait
a few months. Can you ask
your people what they think?


In closing, what should I ask them tommorrow? Should I request certain
things regarding the power
settings? I don't mind being a pain in the ass, I want results. The
money is one thing, but the
time(years) and agravation is really killing me. I want these things
gone at this point.

Hans/Curt I will email you pics of blistering, as well as before and
afters of everything I have at
this point.

Thanks again all. Hopefully this will save other people grief down the
line.

Well, tommorrow is session 10. I was originally told by the first
place(near my home, not in nyc) I received treatment that
it would take 6 sessions in one year, and now we are going on twice
that. How long will it take?
Will it ever be gone?

I called litetouch to see if I could get an appointment at one of their
other facilities(to get a
second opinion). They do accept the payment package I purchased at the
one location, but unfortunately
they only do tattoo removal at the one location. I tried to make an
appt with the expert and be
insistent on seeing her, but she is no longer there. "Medical leave"
they said. So I am back to seeing
the only person who does it for this company(aside from going to their
Pittsburg location)-the girl
who has done it the last 2 times.

To add another fun variable into the mix, it it supposed to be 100
degrees and humid in NYC tommorrow.
If nothing else, I will have a fun report.

To Nina, that link is the site. I understand your idea on cutting the
losses, but I purchased a package
of 6(5 paid and 1 free). I can't throw that away. I was impressed with
the initial consultation.
If you read one of my earlier reports - in a different thread - I had
gone to NYC for 2 appointments
and was so impressed that I scrapped the second one. In hindsight, I
shouldn't have. I haven't
lost faith in this place neccesarily. This whole industry seems to
operate in this fashion. I may get
another consultation in 10 weeks from someone else.

To Hans, What is the problem with blistering? I want these things off!
Turn the laser up to 11 and
fry it off! Why would they not go to the highest setting? What is the
most aggressive way to do
this? 8 weeks? 10 weeks? Does it make a difference that I have had this
many sessions. Dr. Rand's
consultatnt from the tattoo removal center in nyc, stated I should wait
a few months. Can you ask
your people what they think?


In closing, what should I ask them tommorrow? Should I request certain
things regarding the power
settings? I don't mind being a pain in the ass, I want results. The
money is one thing, but the
time(years) and agravation is really killing me. I want these things
gone at this point.

Hans/Curt I will email you pics of blistering, as well as before and
afters of everything I have at
this point.

Thanks again all. Hopefully this will save other people grief down the
line.

klh12578@yahoo.com wrote:
> Well, tommorrow is session 10.

Nine sessions and it just doesn't seem you're getting the results you
had expected or were promised. I wish I had the tattoo magazine at hand
where the one man had his face tattoo removed. It was like night and
day. I don't know the time length required or the method of removal,
but, iirc, it was laser work and it was absolutely effective.

I believe the man was/is a tattoo artist as well. He'd had the facial
tattooing for years, again iirc, but decided to have it/them removed.
This might be from a year ago (or more), but not more than five years
(yes, my memory is rather crrrrap!).

> <snip>How long will it take?
> Will it ever be gone?

I don't know. But I'm wishing you the best. I second Nina's cutting
your losses recommendation, but after your freebie session. Hey, the
first nine didn't kill you, so...

[...]

> To add another fun variable into the mix, it it supposed to be 100
> degrees and humid in NYC tommorrow.

It's cooking here, too. Ninety something.

> If nothing else, I will have a fun report.

Looking forward to it, of course!

> In closing, what should I ask them tommorrow?

Maybe any of the following...

- WHAT THE FUCK????
- So, does anyone here know what they're doing?
- Say, you DO know I'm interested in tattoo REMOVAL, right?
- Is my head in my ass or is your head in your ass? Because, you know,
I'm not seeing much improvement here.
- Exactly how does it feel to rip people off for a living?
- Toots, if my tattoo doesn't magically disappear immediately following
this session? Well, that table in the waiting room? I'm going to shit
directly on that baby. WATCH ME!
- Is it me? Is it me?

Maybe not.

Seriously, I don't know I'd ask them, but I'd certainly be disappointed
if I wasn't seeing progress. And I'd also be looking for a different
team to be working on me.

><snip> I want results.

I don't blame you.

> The money is one thing, but the time(years) and agravation
> is really killing me. I want these things gone at this point.

Years? Man, I know the unidentified mystery guy I mentioned from the
tattoo mag did NOT wait years to have his tattoos "gone". You need a
new place, a new team of technicians.

> Hans/Curt I will email you pics of blistering, as well as
> before and afters of everything I have at this point.

Thank you. I do wish you the best result.

> Thanks again all. Hopefully this will save other people
> grief down the line.

Yes, the magic of RAB's archives is not lost!

--
Curt
http://curtjames.com/

Well, session number 10 is in the can. For some reason, google groups
still doesn't push my posts to
the top of the stack. Curt and Hans, please email me your email
addresses at klh12578@yahoo.com, and
I will email you pics of before and after session 9, as well as the
night of number 10.

Well I went down to the city. The heat index was 102 degrees, but it
didn't seem as hot as that.
Thank god for a/c in the trains and cabs.

The Iocation I once had confidence in, seems less impressive by the
day. I saw the same girl
that did the last two, as she is the only one who does it in the new
york locations now. I asked about
the "expert", and she said she was no longer there(over the phone, they
had said it was a health leave). I asked if she was coming back, and
didn't really get a
response. She would make a great soldier. I swear to god, you could tie
this girl up and torture her for days on end, and she would
never talk.

I asked the usual questions and got the usual answers. I did get some
disturbing news before we
started. I asked if I would still need a few more sessions. She replied
"at least, you still have
ink in there" (You must learn that line the same day as they teach you
the laser.) She then mentioned
that I may need more sessions than that, and that I may need
dermabrasion. I thought that sounded
strange, and she mentioned that there may be pigment discoloration (I
am white by the way) and
that it "would help even it out". I just want them light enough so you
can't see them. I am not
neccessarily concerned if you can really look hard and see that
something was there. The only thing that anyone at all of these
locations seemed to agree on, was the fact that
I wouldn't have pigment problems. She stated that the dermabrasion "was
no big deal", and "nothing like the laser surgery."

Then the question of the wait b/w sessions came up. I couldn't really
understand her answer. She stated at
least 10 weeks in between. I asked what the most aggressive way to
treat it was. Wait 10 and get
another session in? Wait longer? Is the 2 or 3 extra weeks better than
getting another session after
the 10 week mark? Hans, perhaps you could ask about that.

She then adminisisters the Lidocaine, and starts the treatment. It was
similar to the first session
pain-wise, with moments that were more painful, like my second visit.
She did lots of stopping and
lifting of the goggles and I assume changing the power settings. She
started with my stomach and
then moved to my arm. I asked if she was done with my stomach, to which
she replied for now. She then
finished my arm and went back to my stomach. I was in pain during this,
and forgot to ask her about
power settings or why she did that. Hans, perhaps you can shed some
light? She bandaged me up, and
I was on my way.

As an aside, you never realize how many new yorkers bump into your arm,
until it is sore and bandaged.

I plan to go see someone else in 10 weeks or so, to get a 3rd opinion.
Even if I go back to this place.
Worse comes to worse, I think the money can be used for other services
there such as teeth whitening.
If anyone has any reccomendations
of someone to see in the tri-state area let me know.

I wonder if using incorrect/too low a power setting if the treatment is
not as effective, or
completely ineffective. Perhaps someone knows. Could it be that no
matter what laser or what number of treatments, that if this isn't
right, you can't have success.

Hans/Curt, please email me your addresses, so I can send you pics.
Hans - let me know if these experiences match your own, and if you can
answer any of my questions.

Thanks Everyone
Until next time......

I will accept any constructive advice on how to proceed from here.

I just remembered that I did ask before starting if we were at the
highest power setting. She said "we aren't there yet". She then asked
if I blistered last time. I told her that I didn't think so.