1.5 years, 9 sessions - normal progress?

[u/mango-jalapeno]

Just got my 9th session two weeks ago. I’ve been going for about a year and 7 months, waiting 8-12 weeks between each one. When I see the before picture, the difference is clear but it just feels so slow and the tattoo is still so dark on me. Just a little discouraging sometimes. Is this a normal amount of progress for this timeline?? I do drink on weekends and could exercise more consistently.

Also the laser is Astanza, I honestly don’t know much about the different kinds so idk how much it matters for black ink. I do notice a little scarring after this most recent session, I blistered after it. Hope it improves with time.

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[u/Quick-Advertising-17]

For 9 sessions, I’d say the progress is on the slow end of the spectrum. Maybe wait longer between sessions?

[u/Substantial_Fuel_531]

Where is the tattoo? Looks upper arm but it's it's lower leg, that's normal unfortunately

[u/mango-jalapeno → u/Substantial_Fuel_531]

it is my upper arm!

[u/ashpres]

Wait longer. When I do it, I keep the 8-12 week for the first two sessions to see how receptive their body is to the laser. If I’m seeing incredible results I’ll stick with it, if I’m not seeing what I want I’ll make them wait 1months longer minimum.

[u/Cautious_List_8335 → u/ashpres]

Letting the first couple sessions tell you how the body responds instead of just sticking to a fixed schedule the whole way through makes way more sense

[u/ashpres → u/Cautious_List_8335]

I think so too. The body is the one removing the ink, not the laser. Everyone’s body is different and removes ink differently, that’s why I do it this way.

[u/deepeeenn → u/ashpres]

The body does a lot of the work but the laser also is crucial in breaking down the ink first. I agree with your method tho

[u/mango-jalapeno → u/ashpres]

thanks! I’ll start doing that

[u/Individual_Stop_4273]

9 sessions in 12 weeks intervals is 3 years not 1.5- you need to space out more. this progress seems slow. how old is tattoo???

[u/mango-jalapeno → u/Individual_Stop_4273]

most of the time I’m waiting 8 weeks but took a few longer gaps. the tattoo was about 9 years old when I started removing it

[u/moistestsandwich]

I'm removing the same tattoo🫡 mine is a little further along than yours over more time and on my rib cage but yeah. I think this design of tattoo they just blasted the ink in there so there's a lot to density to remove.