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Original poster

Dd tattoo removal

31 replies

OctaviaH · 08/07/2010 23:09

Dd got a tattoo (without my knowledge and illegally) get a tattoo at the age of 16. Tattoo parlour did not ask to see id.

It was the spur of the moment thing and she has regretted it ever since. She is now 21.

She has student debt and wants to do pg study and travel. Currently working for a very low wage. She hates the tattoo so much that she avoids looking at it (it is in a concealed area of the body) and has not gone swimming in 5 years because that means exposing it.

What is the likelihood of having it removed on the nhs?I do know that this is a long shot but her life is being affected by this stupid decision forever.

OP posts:
Original poster
OctaviaH · 08/07/2010 23:11

Correction- 1st sentence should be:

Dd, at the age of 16, did illegally and without my knowledge get a tattoo at the age of 16.

OP posts:
ShinyAndNew · 08/07/2010 23:12

Glad it's not just me who does stupid things at the age of 16

I've never tried getting mine removed. But I think it's fairly cheap now, even if you do need to pay. Or she could get it covered with a design she does like?

PrettyCandles · 08/07/2010 23:20

Doesn't seem likely to me.

And TBH I don't see why it should be.

She may not be able to afford it right now, but she can save the pennies and have a session from time to time.

DollyTwat · 08/07/2010 23:38

They do remove them on the NHS because a friend of mine had hers done, she waited a long time though. 10 years maybe?

I'm having one removed at the moment, and it's about #80 a go, it's a small tattoo though and I reckon it will take about another 2 goes (have had 2 already).

The Skin clinic where I go always have offers on if you wait and watch, 25% off that sort of thing, and if you join their FB page there's a #25 voucher.

I can't wait to have mine completely gone, and I can't believe how long I put up with it hating it.

(sorry my pound key doesn't work on this laptop)

Original poster
OctaviaH · 08/07/2010 23:59

10 years?? Oh my.

80 pounds a pop doesn't seem too unreasonable I suppose. Was expecting it to be more.

Does it have to be done within a specific time frame, ie once a month or something, or can it be longer/more randomly spaced out? I dont think she'll have the money to commit to a program of treatments, but if she could do it as and when she has the money then...

Feel like going down to that tattoo parlour and asking them for the bloody money

OP posts:
moondog · 09/07/2010 00:01

NHS??
Jesus Christ.
The NHS isn't there to address the foolish whims of silly girls.
She needs to start bloody saving.

Original poster
OctaviaH · 09/07/2010 00:12

Thanks for your valuable input moondog but please do not make judgements about my dd, who is an intelligent young woman who made a mistake- one I very much wish she hadn't made, and she does too.

This is not aibu, I am casually asking for information abou this situation. Unless you are head of the plastic surgery department at my hospital then your opinion is irrelevant.

OP posts:
moondog · 09/07/2010 00:16

Don't post on a public board if all you want is to hear things you want to hear.
The NHS does not exist for such things and the fact that peopel think it is is scandalous.

lucykate · 09/07/2010 00:23

how big is it? she could try some cover up make up. i have a keloid scar on my chest and use it. it's a bit like theatrical make up. a heavy foundations cream which you dab over the mark, then a powder that goes over the top to fix it. it's waterproof and each application lasts a couple of days. i got it on prescription but you can buy it, it's called dermacolour camouflage cream.

Original poster
OctaviaH · 09/07/2010 00:23

Please go away moondog- I would rather not have this descend into an argument and risk offputting someone who knows what they are talking about.

Either the nhs will pay for it or they wont, it's really not up to you or I.

If you feel so strongly about it feel free to write to your MP. This is not the place to air your views.

OP posts:
Original poster
OctaviaH · 09/07/2010 00:26

That sounds fantastic for now lucykate- I will look it up. If it's waterproof it might solve the swimming issue for this summer at least.

OP posts:
DollyTwat · 09/07/2010 00:31

The NHS pay for it (or at least they used to) if you put your name down on the waiting list. My friend was 14 when she did it, and I think it was a LONG time after she had it removed.

But, back to the laser treatment, you can have it done when you like, that's how I'm doing it. It is obviously cheaper to pay for a few when they have an offer on. They prefer you to go every 4 weeks but I don't think it matters if you don't.

It's painful, but shortlived. So for a small tattoo the treatment takes about 2 minutes of pain. Then it is gone. Feels like a burn for a day or two then it's fine. CAT me if you need more info OK

Original poster
OctaviaH · 09/07/2010 00:32

obviously the corrected first sentence shouldn't read like that either...oh dear. Am tired.

OP posts:
colditz · 09/07/2010 00:35

I agree with Moondog. The NHS is struggling to avoid cancer treatments and keep dying children alive. They aren't there to service the cosmetic whims of teenagers.

This is a public website, and if you don't want people to comment on your opinion, it's wise not to post them.

lucykate · 09/07/2010 00:57

there's some here, specific tattoo cover up kits. hope that helps.

ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave · 09/07/2010 01:09

What colour is it -- is it a monochrome dark colour or does it have other colours in? Laser removal is more successful on dark colours.

On the bright side, there's no fixed timescale. She'll need repeat treatments probably a lot of repeat treatments and she can't have them too close together (I think the minimum recommended is three months to allow time for the tattoo site to recover from each one before having the next) but there's no benefit to having one every three months or one every six months, so she can save up and have laser sessions as and when she can afford it.

Interesting account of tattoo removal here.

differentnameforthis · 09/07/2010 01:29

"This is not the place to air your views"

Actually is it! And I agree. NHS should be there for treatment that is needed. It is things like this that take up vital funds that could be used else where.

No one forced her to do it, so she should get it removed at her own cost or put up with it. No use blaming the tattoo place either, your daughter lied to get it done. No one's fault but hers!

Original poster
OctaviaH · 09/07/2010 02:01

For those interested in the rights and wrongs of this particar issue:

these are the contact details for Andrew Lansley MP, Secretary of State for health and the man ultimately responsible for these kind of decisions:

[email protected]

01954 212 707.

This is the health section of mumsnet and I am asking for medical advice. So no, this is really not the place for your opinions. Feel free to create a thread in aibu if you want to have a debate about it, but I won't be joining you, I'm afraid.

Thank you very much to all those who have posted advice, it really is much appreciated. Professor Layton your link was esp. Informative and interesting- dd's tattoo is bigger, but has no colour, so not sure how that would pan out.

Tbh as there seems to have to be such a big gap between treatments the cost doesn't seem so daunting now- the lady in prof's link spent $1000 dollars over 18 months so I think that is probably do-able, even while she is saving for other things.

OP posts:
differentnameforthis · 09/07/2010 11:22

You know, telling people where they can & can't post, just makes them post all the more.

Sorry, but people will have opinions & they will want to air them and that is their prerogative. You can't stop them.

DBennett · 10/07/2010 09:17

A cursory search of the NHS website found this:

www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/2567.aspx?categoryid=68&subcategoryid=154

So probably not as you describe it.

If you just wanted health advice without added opinions that might have been the first place to look.

muriel76 · 10/07/2010 16:50

I am having a tattoo removed - it is a small one, with black, blue and green in it.

Black is the easiest colour to get rid of, red and yellow are the worst.

My tattoo is pretty small but the treatment is £45 per time. You don't have to commit to a particular number of sessions unless you want to - some clinics offer a discount if you do tho.

My clinic encourages leaving as long as possible between each treatment because once you have broken the 'seal' around the tattoo with the first treatment then the body starts to attack it and break it down on its own. I think the minimum is 6 weeks but that is for desperate people lol.

I would encourage your daughter to go for one treatment to get the breakdown started and then she can go as and when she can pay for it.

It is painful though - much worse than the original design. Tell her to use the ice pack they will offer beforehand!!

booyhoo · 10/07/2010 17:00

i agree that the NHS should not be used for such things and it is up to all of society to ensure that it is used responsibly, that includes advising our children to pay for the consequences of their own foolishness.

OP if your daughter is very determined to have it removed, are you in a position to pay for the removal and agree a repayment plan with your DD?

FakePlasticTrees · 10/07/2010 17:00

i'm impressed it's only £45 a session! I thought it was thousands! (must tell a friend who hate's her tatoo - also had v young, and in a place that when she became a little more 'curvaceous' made the tat change shape a looks a bit freakish)

In the meantime, would a large plaster cover it so she could still go swimming?

Northernchick · 10/07/2010 17:45

Why dont you litigate against the tattoo parlour who performed the tattoo then with the money get it removed - sorted!!

PixieOnaLeaf · 10/07/2010 18:07

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