Tattoo removal creams don’t work at all and can actually do permanent damage to your skin. You should only ever engage the services of a tattoo removal professional when seeking to have a tattoo removed.
Here’s what you need to know about tattoo removal creams. And the other tattoo removal options available to you if you’re suffering tattoo regret.
Do Tattoo Removal Creams Work?
What Are Tattoo Removal Creams?
Tattoo removal creams are designed to bleach or strip the outer layer of skin called the epidermis. No matter what a particular brand of tattoo removal cream may claim, none of them will entirely remove a tattoo.
Instead they act to lighten the tattooed area in an attempt to make it less noticeable. Yet in doing so these creams can permanently damage your precious skin. Tattoo removal creams have been known to cause odd discoloration, burning and even permanent scarring.
Tattoo ink is designed to be permanent. And its injected into the dermis (under the epidermis) during the tattoo process.
In order to fade permanent tattoo ink that’s under about 5 layers of skin these tattoo removal creams use some pretty intense ingredients. And at levels that aren’t always safe.
The two main ingredients in tattoo removal creams are hydroquinone and trichloroacetic acid (TCA).
Now these two ingredients do have legitimate uses. Both are often used in skin lightening and acne creams. And even then they can have adverse affects. No tattoo removal creams are FDA approved.
When you’re dealing with a tattoo removal cream the levels of hydroquinone and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) will vary from relatively safe through to super intense.
At safe levels tattoo removal cream will be utterly useless for actually removing a tattoo. And at more intense and concentrated levels these creams can present a danger.
Tattoo removal creams can burn and permanently scar or discolor your skin.
Should You Buy Or Use A Tattoo Removal Cream?
My serious recommendation is to absolutely avoid tattoo removal creams. They’re either a waste of money or dangerous, depending on what you buy and where you get it from.
If you’re buying a ‘safe’ cream you’re wasting your money. As they won’t remove your tattoo like they claim. But if you’re buying a removal cream with a ‘concentrated’ formula, you’re dicing with permanent disfigurement.
Look at it this way, you don’t like your tattoo and you want it gone. And how happy would you be if after using one of these creams your tattoo was still there and just had a big ugly chemical burn scar on or around it? I’d wager you’d be pretty darn upset. I would be.
That’s why I strongly recommend you avoid tattoo removal creams. If you want your tattoo removed there are professional laser studios that can remove it for you.
Where Should You Get Your Tattoo Removed?
I would always advise anyone seeking to have a tattoo removed to consult a professional specialized in the removal of tattoos. And laser studios are your best option. Some laser procedures are even FDA approved.
A professional who’s trained and specialized in tattoo removal can do it safely. They can get rid of your unwanted ink without doing permanent damage to your skin.
Now, laser removal will hurt. There’s no two ways around it. It’s not a pleasant experience. And the pain free claims made by tattoo removal creams are often what drives people to try them.
But if you want the job done right and without the risk of permanent scarring you’ll need to toughen up and deal with the pain. You need to opt for a professional laser removal process to get rid of your unwanted tattoo.
Yeah, you can use a numbing cream while getting laser removal. But that’s something you can discuss with the professions removing your ink.
Just don’t try and look for a cheap or pain free way to get rid of your unwanted tattoos. Looking for cheap or pain free tattoos is often the cause of clients getting tattoos that they ultimately regret and want gone.
If you’ve made the mistake of getting cheap ink you want removed, don’t make the same mistake twice. Don’t look for shortcuts.
Instead of removal What About a Tattoo Coverup?
Now I know all of my tattooist friends are probably rolling their eyes right now. Tattoo coverups are the bane of their existence. They often hate dealing with coverups and clients looking for coverups. But hear me out.
When I say tattoo coverup I don’t mean repeating past mistakes. I don’t mean looking for a cheap or pain free option. You’ll need to stump up the cash and do things the right way.
Getting cheap or lower quality artists and backyard scratchers are what likely caused tattoo regret. That or not listening to your artist when they told you that getting a little tattoo in a place you thought would be less painful ended up looking like junk.
What I mean when I suggest considering a tattoo coverup is selecting a quality tattooist and taking their advice. Go in and sit down with them.
Tell the artist what you like and dislike. Have your tattooist create a custom tattoo design that suits your style and is properly sized for that part of your body.
A good tattooist can completely transform that area of your body. They can hide your unwanted tattoo and give you a design you’ll love for years to come. But you’ll need to pay the price and accept their advice.
If you’re going to get a tattoo coverup don’t look for shortcuts or discounts. That only leads to more tattoo regret.
