Does Tattoo Removal Cream Work?

Do Tattoo Removal Creams Really Work?

Whatever you do, you should steer clear of tattoo removal creams for two reasons – a) they don’t work and b) they’re dangerous.

Online companies selling tattoo removal creams claim that, when applied to tattoos, the creams help to fade them. Nothing could be further from the truth. Applying such creams to the skin can actually lead to scarring, wrinkling, burns, irritations, and infection.

Tattoo Removal Creams Are a Dirty Business

Many tattoo removal creams sold online contain dangerous TCA chemicals, which can seriously damage your skin.

What’s TCA?

It’s a peeling agent that dermatologists use to remove calluses, freckles, warts, and skin tags. When you have an in-office TCA treatment, dermatologists select the ideal concentration of chemical solution for your skin type and tone to minimize the risk of scarring and hypo-pigmentation. But when you purchase a one-size-fits-all tattoo removal cream containing TCA, that’s just a recipe for disaster waiting to happen!

The most common complications resulting from TCA usage are scarring, severe burns, and peeling. And TCA solutions won’t even remove professional tattoos because the tattoo pigment is located too deep in the dermis for the solution to penetrate. Essentially, you’re just wasting your time and money with tattoo removal creams, not to mention taking a very dangerous risk.

Other tattoo removal creams that are available online don’t even list their active ingredients. Some of these creams include a “dermal instrument” that’s supposed to be used in conjunction with exfoliates to remove the top layer of the skin, allowing the cream to penetrate deeper into the skin. Not only is this utter hogwash, but it can also lead to permanent scarring.

Rather than taking a risk with tattoo removal creams, you should check out laser tattoo removal. It’s the only safe, effective, and permanent way to remove unwanted tattoos – all in as little as three sessions!

How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

The science behind laser tattoo removal is nothing short of magic.

Laser tattoo removal works by targeting pigment colors in the skin’s dermis, the layer of skin between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues. Light beams radiated by the laser are absorbed by tattoo pigments, which then fragment. The body then absorbs and eliminates the pigment fragments.

The Q-switch is the most common type of laser used in tattoo removal. It produces pulses of light boasting an extremely high peak power. Several types of Q-switch lasers exist, and each one targets a different color spectrum at different wavelengths. Because Q-switch lasers are so precise and intense, tattoo pigments fragment instantly, resulting in minimal damage to the surrounding tissue.

What’s a Laser Tattoo Removal Procedure Like?

It’s pretty simple, actually.

Before a laser tattoo removal session, your medical professional will determine which type of laser to use and how many treatments you’ll need. The number of required treatments is based on the tattoo’s age, size, type, and pigment depth. Before determining an appropriate treatment plan, your medical professional will first test out the laser on your skin to see how it reacts.

So what happens during a laser tattoo removal treatment? Before the session starts a medical professional will apply an anesthetic cream, and you’ll be given protective eye gear to wear, along with a cooling device. The medical professional will then gently place a handpiece against your skin and deliver laser pulses to the tattoo pigment. With each laser pulse, most people experience a sensation similar to a rubber band snapping against their skin. The amount of laser pulses depends on the tattoo’s size, but most treatment sessions only last a few minutes.

You may experience minor bleeding, redness, swelling, and blistering for several hours or days following treatment. The next several weeks may see the treated area flaking, peeling, and scabbing. Handle the treatment site gently. While the site is healing, you should avoid sun exposure and public swimming pools. Once the skin has completely healed (usually four to six weeks after treatment), you can undergo additional sessions.

There’s No Doubt About It: Laser Tattoo Removal Gets Results

There’s no other choice, really.

Laser tattoo removal is the only safe and effective method to remove unwanted tattoos. After a series of successful laser treatments, most tattoos are pretty much gone. Keep in mind, however, that how fast your tattoo disappears depends on its color pigments, depth, and age. But even stubborn cases aren’t hopeless. Though colors such as yellow, green, or light blue are more difficult to remove, they can certainly be faded. The same goes for ink that rests deep within the dermis.

The good news is that technology just keeps on getting better. Newer laser technologies such as the Nd:YAG and Q-switch can now effectively treat even the most stubborn ink colors.