Burning Flesh

Thursday, August 2, 2012

I've been getting a tattoo on my arm removed for the last year or so. This involves getting laser treatments every 6-8 weeks, and then waiting for my blood to carry the ink away so that my liver can process it out of my body. I've had eight treatments, but the last shadows of the ink were being stubborn, so yesterday my technician decided to try a CO2 laser treatment to shake the last of it loose, rather than the light laser we'd used previously.


Attractive, huh? This was taken about about two hours after the treatment. My technician warned me that it would look like this, so I wasn't surprised, but really - yuck. Most of the blood is just pinpoint bleeding that's seeping into the Neosporine that she applied post-treatment, but the Smart Man told me it looked like someone had taken a chainsaw to my arm. Surprisingly, it doesn't hurt that much, but it sure looks as though it ought to. Also? CO2 treatments stink. Like burned flesh.

Aren't you glad I share these personal moments with you?

13 comments:

mom in northern said...

Looks like you are replacing the tat with a scare...
Hugs

Janiece said...

There shouldn't be any scarring - it's the same technique they use when they abrade someone's face.

It looks better today, but it hurts more.

Anne C. said...

Ew. Where's the "Puke Bucket" when you need it?

Shawn Powers said...

I tried to tell you that Power Ranger tattoo was a bad idea, but nooooo...

Random Michelle K said...

it's the same technique they use when they abrade someone's face.

What? You can have your FACE abraded? ON PURPOSE?!

Janiece said...

Michelle, you sure can. It's supposed to get rid of discoloration and give the skin a more youthful appearance.

I'm not sure I'd do it, but apparently it does work.

Random Michelle K said...

Yeah. Right. Next thing they'll tell you, "Here's a bicycle. There's a gravel path. Have at it."

Janiece said...

Hehe. I see your point, but here's a picture.

Random Michelle K said...

I'm not sure those pictures convince me--on the first especially they have used two VERY different kinds of light, both of which dramatically change appearance.

In the first, it looks like they used a harsh flash, which accentuated lines etc. The second uses a much more diffuse light, which softens skin tones, lines, etc.

Uhhh....

/end photo geek

said...
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Janiece said...

*TONG*

vince said...

OK, that picture has reinforced for me the wisdom of not working in the medical profession. My stomach couldn't take it. :-)

neurondoc said...

Ouchy! Glad I never got a tattoo. Perhaps I'll point this out to TPT, should she ever be considering a tattoo.