lazer tat removal aftermath

6 weeks back I underwent lazer tattoo removal on a portion of a tattoo that I have on my back. I was prescribed a creme (Aldara) that was used to keep the area inflammed, and presumably make the body work harder to filter out the shattered tat ink particles. Now that I have stopped using the creme & the inflammation has died down, I was able to better see the aftermath of the lazer treatment. I noticed many red "lines" just a few millimeters away (varies from about 1-5mm at difft points on the tat) from the actual ink lines of my tattoo. However, these red lines were rarely straight & don't actually touch the inked parts of my skin. I am guessing that these red lines are where the lazer was used. The office is a large cosmetic surgery branch, so I would like to trust in their honesty, but I can't help but wonder about what I am seeing on my tat.... So, I guess my question is for anyone who is knowlegeable of how the lazer is used or how the area heals.... Is the lazer used directly on the inked areas of the tattoo, or just adjacent to the inked areas? Should it be a straight line that follows the lines of the tat, or do they just 'scribble' around" near the tat. My concern is that the red lines that I am seeing are where the lazer was used on my skin, and I worry that the dermatologist may be intentionally "missing" the tat lines so that I have to make more visits to his office for the removal. On the other hand, I guess the red lines could be a side effect of the procedure or even from the Aldara creme. The area is still quite red & nasty looking, so it is hard to be sure what I am seeing, and the tat ink color does look to have faded somewhat (in some areas more than others). I would appreciate any help from anyone who is knowlegeable about how lazered tats heal and what these red lines I may be seeing are and what your opinion is on if I am being duped or not. Here are some pics of it at 6 weeks (the red inflammation further away from the tat is from the tape used to hold on the bandages every day for 6 weeks). http://photobucket.com/albums/f321/gureo003/lazer%20tat/?action=view¤t=DSCF0008.jpg http://photobucket.com/albums/f321/gureo003/lazer%20tat/?action=view¤t=DSCF0007.jpg Thanks

Ok, This is definitely a bad place to get info about this. Of course we have to suggest going back to the doctor who did your treatment, or a trusted second opinion. Try Jack at rethinkyourink.com or the guys at Immortal Images in North Carolina. I had a bunch of lasering done by a Jack, a very knowledgeable tattoo/laser guy. Going to a laser guy immersed in the tattoo industry is the best way to get the old ink off, most doctors/laser people simply arnt as knowledgeable about inks and tattoos. The healing process for my laser treatment was a lesson in how not to freak out with extreme blistering. Like, there was a blister the size of a 16 oz soda on my leg. I have no idea how your treatment healed, but there were lines like that around my treatment from where the blister ended. We will definitely advise talking to an expert, even though I had a treatment I know very little about the complications that could be involved.

OK, cool... thanks for the suggestions. I think I actually read something about Jack & how much he knows about the lazer removal since he inks as well. Will definately check them out. Thx