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| May marked a big milestone for me: It’s officially been 1 year since I started my laser tattoo removal journey! ⚡ |
| In case you didn’t read my other newsletter updates, I got a huge, dark half-sleeve on my left arm in December 2022 and hated it. After a lot of thought and a few consultations with Removery, I decided to start the 2+ year process of removing it in May 2024. |
| Results are very visible, and it’s incredible to watch this tattoo fade off my body. Scroll down to see before and after photos, read about what this journey has been like for me, and watch behind-the-scenes footage from my treatments! |
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Zap zap,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline
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Written by Morgan Mandriota
July 2, 2025 • 4 min read |
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| It’s been a year since I started my tattoo removal |
| Removery provided this service for free. Our opinions are ours alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by Removery.
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| I’ve been going to Removery for laser tattoo removal every 5 weeks since last May. Because my tattoo is so large, and to protect the safety and integrity of my skin health, we laser half of my arm during each visit. This means that I’ve already completed 12 sessions (6 full treatments), which is supposed to be the halfway point to the finish line (aka a blank slate).
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| For the first few months of the removal process, progress was slow. It wasn’t until around the third full treatment at the 6-month mark in December that things really started to shift. Fast-forward to today, and the results are extremely visible, and I’m consistently seeing bigger changes after each and every session.
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| For example, all highly saturated blackout areas are noticeably faded, so much so that you can see my skin color again. My inner forearm, in particular, is very blotchy, which looks silly but is proof that the treatments are working. Finer lines, like the lavender buds and veins in the leaves, are choppy or entirely broken down. Just look at the before and after photos below!
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| I still have another year left of treatments to reach my goal of full removal, and I’m super happy with these results so far. It’s amazing to watch this thing that has caused me so much stress and anxiety fade away. It’s also really cool to witness the science behind this process in action.
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| I noticed that some sessions don’t hurt as badly as they used to (don’t get me wrong, they still hurt). I asked my tech if I’m just getting used to the feeling, and she said it’s likely because there’s less ink in my skin after so many treatments! Apparently, the intensity of the treatment pain correlates with how much ink is exploding under your skin upon laser impact. I’m hoping this means the sessions will get less painful over the next year.
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| In case you can’t make out my tattoo design in the collage above, join the club of countless others who ask what it’s supposed to be — a 3-tier birdhouse with flowers, berries, and a blue jay. It’s difficult to see individual details because it’s all so dark and close together.
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| My inner forearm, the birdhouse holes, and the spaces between the designs were completely blacked out, and the overall intensity of the tattoo was super bold. Definitely not the delicate, fine line design I originally wanted. But I’m well on my way to full removal, so I can get a new tattoo in the same spot — this time, I’ll be more careful about the artist and design that I choose.
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| To anyone who’s unhappy with their tattoos or knows someone in a similar boat, I highly recommend considering the removal route. It’s a commitment, but it really works. As time goes on and my tattoo fades, I feel more and more confident when I look in the mirror, which is a huge gift. I’m beyond grateful that I started this journey, and I can’t wait to see what my arm looks like next May!
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